How to Cut Styrofoam

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Things You'll Need

  • Countertops

  • Small Or Large Hot-wire Styrofoam Cutters

  • Styrofoam

  • Candles

  • Plastic Foam

  • Tables

  • Butter Knives

  • Serrated Knives

  • Credit Cards And Loans

  • Saws

  • Craft Knife

How to Cut Styrofoam. If you cut Styrofoam incorrectly, the plastic foam may crumble or break in the wrong spots. Try these cutting methods the next time you work with a piece of Styrofoam.

Step 1

Use a waxed serrated knife, saw, floral knife or other craft knife to cut Styrofoam sheets and shapes. Draw the knife's blade over a plain candle to wax it thoroughly and then cut Styrofoam with long, sawlike motions.

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Step 2

Score a Styrofoam sheet along the desired cutting line. Use a butter knife, credit card or any thin, sharp-edged item to make cuts at intervals along the cutting line. Penetrate the entire thickness of the foam. Gently break the sheet over a countertop or table and use a knife to cut off any excess foam.

Step 3

Invest in a hot-wire Styrofoam cutter if you work with Styrofoam on a regular basis. These are devices that use a heated wire to slice through the Styrofoam. Detailed shapes can be cut easily with these tools.

Step 4

Cut Styrofoam for small craft projects with an inexpensive ($50) cutter. This type is ideal for home crafting and is available at both online and local craft stores.

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Step 5

Consider a larger, more durable Styrofoam cutter if you do a lot of projects that involve large amounts of Styrofoam. These are more expensive than the smaller, craft model but are well worth the price if you use it on a regular basis. This tool starts at approximately $200.

Tip

Use a small piece of Styrofoam to smooth the rough edges on another piece of Styrofoam. Rub area until rough edges disappear.

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