Make: Online : Weekend Project: 5-Minute Foam Factory

Weekend Project: 5-Minute Foam Factory

With this easy-to-make hot wire foam cutter, you can reuse leftover Styrofoam to create treasures from trash!
Thanks go to Bob Knetzger for the original article in Make: Volume 16.
To download The 5-Minute Foam Factory MP4 click here or subscribe in iTunes.

Check out the complete 5-Minute Foam Factory article in MAKE, Volume 16 "5-Minute Foam Factory"
and you can see that in our Digital Edition.

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Keegan on March 6, 2009 at 7:16 AM

One thing to keep in mind when building hot wire cutters is that the nichrome wire expands as it heats up. This can lead to a loose cutting wire, which can make cutting difficult.

In the past I've seen springs used to keep tension, but I think they solve the problem here by using the springyness in the aluminum.

Happy foam cutting!

Reply to this comment

Posted by: scott friend on March 10, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Just a comment

1. You might want to say something about good ventilation or figure out a fume hood for this thing because cutting foam is not very good for your health.

Also what over the long term will it do to your train transformer?

Reply to this comment

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!

More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys

Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Connect with MAKE

	MAKE on Facebook Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
	MAKE on Twitter Follow our MAKE tweets!
	MAKE on Flickr Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!

make_tips on Twitter

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Make: Online authors!

Gareth Branwyn
Senior Editor

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
| AIM | Twitter

Becky Stern
Associate Editor
| AIM | Twitter

Marc de Vinck
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter

John Park
Contributing Writer
| Twitter

Sean Ragan
Contributing Writer
| Twitter

Matt Mets
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter

Dale Dougherty
Editor & Publisher
| Twitter

Shawn Connally
Managing Editor
| Twitter

Goli Mohammadi
Associate Managing Editor

Kip Kay Kip Kay
Weekend Projects
| AIM | Twitter

Collin Cunningham
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter

Adam Flaherty
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter

More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

Suggest a Site!

Current Podcast

Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...