foam cutting
09-24-2006, 09:39 PM
#1
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foam cutting
I need to fix a plane that crashed.. the wing was foam wing. I would like to lern how to cut foam. is there any one out there that can help me with it or point me to a page that has all the info I need.. Thanks
Paul
Paul
09-24-2006, 10:55 PM
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RE: foam cutting
It would help if you told us the plane you are wanting to fix. Post a pick so I can see if would be possible to make it again. I make wings foam cutters all the time and I also use my works laser machines to make wing ribs.
09-24-2006, 11:10 PM
#3
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RE: foam cutting
The plane is a 1/4 sig clip wing cup.. The wooden wing broke long time ago and I had wing manufacturing make me a wing cor. Now they are out of biz. I though I could cut me a wing as soon as I learn how..
paul
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09-25-2006, 12:32 PM
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RE: foam cutting
09-25-2006, 05:41 PM
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RE: foam cutting
Take a look at Jim Young's video at http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=462759 Jim is an expert at foam cutting, vacuum bagging, electric planes and a bunch of other RC plane stuff.
12-07-2006, 10:06 PM
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RE: foam cutting
cutting foam with a hotwire is fun. making the templates is not. I just made some parts and had to open the garage door with a fan blowing and it was still gross smelling. Definately not something you can do in the house if the family is home kinda like using bondo. I added big dowels to handle the wire against the template. They recommend making the bottom cut before the top due to shrinkage after the wire removes that foam.
12-08-2006, 04:16 PM
#9
RE: foam cutting
ORIGINAL: tellspin_37
What did make the templates out of?
What did make the templates out of?
12-08-2006, 09:29 PM
#10
RE: foam cutting
Funny thing, Formica isn't carried in the local home improvement stores around me anymore! Fortunatley I have enough to last for a while before having to find some more. Whatever you use for templates, they have to be perfectly smooth. Any little nick or ripple will catch the wire and show up in your core for sure. I cut my templates with a band saw on the outside of the line and sand it down smooth to the line.
12-08-2006, 10:13 PM
#11
RE: foam cutting
ORIGINAL: propbuster
Funny thing, Formica isn't carried in the local home improvement stores around me anymore!
Funny thing, Formica isn't carried in the local home improvement stores around me anymore!
12-09-2006, 07:47 AM
#12
RE: foam cutting
Cabinet shops might be a good place to try. Formica used to be on almost everyones countertops. Now with the new stuff like Corian and all, I guess it's just not as popular anymore. I was looking for super thin formica that's used for going around corners and posts to see about skinning foam wing cores with it. I started in the home imorovement stores with no luck but, can get it from manufacturers online.
12-09-2006, 10:11 AM
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RE: foam cutting
Hi,
if you are looking for Formica try [link=http://cgi.ebay.com/48-x-96-SHEET-OF-LIGHT-BLUE-COLOR-FORMICA-NEW-UNUSED_W0QQitemZ320058433321QQihZ011QQcategoryZ858 79QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]eBay[/link]
If the link doesn't work try eBay direct (item 320058433321).
I can't find it here in Germany, maybe it goes under a different name.
Regards.
Karl.
if you are looking for Formica try [link=http://cgi.ebay.com/48-x-96-SHEET-OF-LIGHT-BLUE-COLOR-FORMICA-NEW-UNUSED_W0QQitemZ320058433321QQihZ011QQcategoryZ858 79QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem]eBay[/link]
If the link doesn't work try eBay direct (item 320058433321).
I can't find it here in Germany, maybe it goes under a different name.
Regards.
Karl.
12-09-2006, 06:08 PM
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RE: foam cutting
Boy are you lot lucky. I've found out what it's called in Germany and it's about as rare as chicken teeth. 
I found one single entry in eBay.de and it's 1 x 30 metres, approx 25 kilos weight. For you guys approx 40" x 1200" @ 55lbs. One good point it's going at the moment for 4 Euros (approx $5) but the shipping will cost an arm and a leg. [&o]
Karl.
I found one single entry in eBay.de and it's 1 x 30 metres, approx 25 kilos weight. For you guys approx 40" x 1200"
@ 55lbs. One good point it's going at the moment for 4 Euros (approx $5) but the shipping will cost an arm and a leg. [&o]Karl.
12-11-2006, 12:43 PM
#16
12-11-2006, 04:52 PM
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RE: foam cutting
It's been a while but when I was remodelling my kitchen, I noticed that you could purchase the counter laminate sheets. You would use these to glue down over the old counter tops or wood bases. Isn't this made out of Formica?
12-11-2006, 04:57 PM
#18
RE: foam cutting
ORIGINAL: Giohwe
It's been a while but when I was remodelling my kitchen, I noticed that you could purchase the counter laminate sheets. You would use these to glue down over the old counter tops or wood bases. Isn't this made out of Formica?
It's been a while but when I was remodelling my kitchen, I noticed that you could purchase the counter laminate sheets. You would use these to glue down over the old counter tops or wood bases. Isn't this made out of Formica?
12-11-2006, 08:52 PM
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RE: foam cutting
When did Wing Mfg. go out of business? I just got a kit from them less than 3 weeks ago.
http://www.wingmfg.com/
You might also try here: http://info-central.org/index.cgi?construction
It's a rocketry site but lots of good info for us (RCr'S) also[sm=shades_smile.gif]
http://www.wingmfg.com/
You might also try here: http://info-central.org/index.cgi?construction
It's a rocketry site but lots of good info for us (RCr'S) also[sm=shades_smile.gif]
12-15-2006, 02:23 PM
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RE: foam cutting
Fwiw, I use aluminum roof flashing for my templates. Cut with a pair of scissors, sand the edges with 600grit sandpaper, and it's easily smooth enough.
If you're concerned about the metal sucking heat from the wire, glue on a balsa standoff, 1/32 should be enough, but I don't bother, and it works fine for me.
My big tip for cutting foam is put a meter in line with your cutting wire. The current through the wire controls the heat, which controls a lot of the issues in making a smooth cut. I use a hardware store dimmer switch for ceiling fans to control the power going to my transformer.
The best part of using the meter, and having power adjustment is that I can cut differnet length cuts and get the same results. I know that with my wire and voltage, that I want 1.75amps. That's always the same when I'm using the same wire. So, using a long bow and cutting a 32" section, or cutting a wing saddle in a small fuse (2" wide cut), 1.75 amps always works. (I use alagator clips to power the wire, and I move them in when cutting a shorter span core so I don't have to heat the entire wire).
YMMV.
If you're concerned about the metal sucking heat from the wire, glue on a balsa standoff, 1/32 should be enough, but I don't bother, and it works fine for me.
My big tip for cutting foam is put a meter in line with your cutting wire. The current through the wire controls the heat, which controls a lot of the issues in making a smooth cut. I use a hardware store dimmer switch for ceiling fans to control the power going to my transformer.
The best part of using the meter, and having power adjustment is that I can cut differnet length cuts and get the same results. I know that with my wire and voltage, that I want 1.75amps. That's always the same when I'm using the same wire. So, using a long bow and cutting a 32" section, or cutting a wing saddle in a small fuse (2" wide cut), 1.75 amps always works. (I use alagator clips to power the wire, and I move them in when cutting a shorter span core so I don't have to heat the entire wire).
YMMV.
12-15-2006, 09:25 PM
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RE: foam cutting
I just tried the aluminum flashing idea for a fuselage I'm cutting. What a GREAT tip. The flashing is indeed VERY easy to cut with a sharp pair of scissors, and the wire slipped very easily over the edge once sanded. And the flashing is pretty cheap. I bought a roll for another project several years ago. I have enough for years worth of foam cutting!
Brad
Brad