View Single Post
Old 06-19-2010, 10:56 PM   #54 (permalink)
3-Wheeler
Master EcoModder
 
3-Wheeler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Southern WI
Posts: 827

AlienMobile - '00 Honda Insight
Team Honda
90 day: 80.05 mpg (US)
Thanks: 101
Thanked 560 Times in 191 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto View Post
You are aware of the use of a hotwire for sculpting and cutting foam? Such tools can make short work of much of an undertray application, etc..
Hi Otto,

Yes, I have seen and used hot wires before...

However, one of my main beefs with this approach is what it does to the surface finish of the foam at the cut area.

It gets crusty/hard from the high heat, and shrinks slightly as well.

Then the area has to be sanded to get rid of the crusty material, and this takes a while since it is harder than the softer material around it.

Also there is the smell of the burning foam when cutting...

I like the much simpler approach of simply cutting with a hacksaw blade or similar.

But for cutting a large area, the hot wire can be handy.

Jim.
  Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to 3-Wheeler For This Useful Post:
katiep (07-05-2011)