How to Use a Foam Cutting Knife
Foam has many uses, including packing insulation and models. If you find yourself needing to cut foam into a certain size or shape, the best tool you can use is a foam-cutting knife. These electric knives have a small heating unit that heats up the blade. The hot blade melts the foam on contact, which makes it easy to cut into any shape. While the basic idea for using a foam-cutting knife is simple, there are certain steps you can take to ensure you get the best results every time.
Instructions
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Plug the knife into an electrical socket and turn the power on. The location of the power may differ, depending on your particular knife, but it is generally located on the handle.
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Wait for the knife to heat up. For most knives, five minutes is plenty of time to reach the necessary temperature.
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Draw lines where you want to cut the foam with a marker while the knife warms up. If you are doing intricate designs as opposed to simple, straight cuts, you may want to mark the foam before you plug in the knife.
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Put on a face mask to protect yourself from the harmful fumes.
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Cut the foam along the designated lines with the knife. It's best to cut a little on the outside of the line as up to 1/8 inch of the foam can melt from the heat.
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Unplug the knife and let it cool down when you finish cutting the foam.
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Tips & Warnings
Cut foam in a well-ventilated area.
Do not let children use a foam-cutting knife.
