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how to make home made foam cutter for slicing foam
I dont have much electric knowledge ,but i have to make home made electric foam cutter for my kid ( he has to make some school project ) by cutting / slicing foam . i have pen type soldering iron / room heater etc. shall i made foam cutter from it , can i make room heater coil directly connect to steel wire to make it hot.please guide me ,it is very urgent .?
Discussions
Best Answer 8 years ago
This is simply the very best foam cutter ever made
by Dave Spencer
3 years ago
U can also use Car or bike battery
Answer 3 years ago
U can do anything, But to do neat cuts u will want to adjust for a current to match your HOT wire be it a Ni-Chrome wire or Welding Rod. Regrettably I did not record the voltage just the current.
Now my variac was set at 65 where the 85 setting represents line. Math ratio of 115/85 = output/65 delivers about 88 VAC which is then reduced by Stancor Transformer delivered 8.8 VAC to my weld rod wire.
This means a 12 VDC car battery would dangerously over heat the wire.
Any one reading this suggestion should be careful and perhaps use a larger diameter of wire to uptake the higher voltage and current from a car battery.
Be sure to click the pic to see the whole image.
8 years ago
How old is he. It is unusual for a teacher to set a project that requires special equipment.
Foam can be easily cut with a bread knife, sand paper will smooth it off.
If you really want to make a hot wire cutter you need some Nichrome wire (an old electric fire can supply) About a foot or two.
A spring to keep the tension as the wire heats up. and some plywood to make the frame.
use a 12 volt car battery NOT the mains supply
Answer 8 years ago
i dont have 12 v. battery , kindly guide weather possible by 220 volt AC supply ,as commen in india. i have tried by pen type soldering iron ,wrap copper wire around it ,but it not working .
in your above dig. you have show that + and - connect directly to Nicrome wire.it will work , i think it will shortcircuit ?
Answer 8 years ago
No not 220 volts you will kill someone.
Yes Nichrome wire has a high resistance so depending on how long it is it will get hot but not short the battery.
In general these things draw a lot of current (that's why they get hot) so using a car battery is sensible.
Using mains is a recipe for severe injury.
Answer 8 years ago
Thanks
i will go for 12 volt , ( by using transformer )
shall i use Room heater coil ( as Nichrome wire )
Ones again thanks
Answer 8 years ago
I doubt the homework was set to require a hot-wire cutter. More likely the task is "make an X, to your own design".
8 years ago
What kind of foam are they cutting? (i.e. soft foam like used on a bed, or styrofoam)
Does it have to be a hot wire cutter or is anything acceptable? How old is he? Are there any safety considerations that need to be addressed?
It would help to have some more info...
Answer 8 years ago
thanks dear ,
he is 9 years old , he has to cut thermocoal pieces for his project , he will not directly do the foam cutter ,i will make it for him.and take full safety measures.