Moving the immoveble object

[C855B]

My concerns are the same as yours. It probably works well for soft foam but for styrene foams that we use I think it will melt more than cut.

Agreed. Doesn't take much heat to turn XPS into goo. Try a wavy-tooth bread knife. Seriously.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Agreed. Doesn't take much heat to turn XPS into goo. Try a wavy-tooth bread knife. Seriously.

One thing to mention about this though... you want something with a thin blade because a thick blade causes a lot of friction.

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[spookshow]

I stopped by Harbor Freight and put my eyeballs on one. Unfortunately, the blade is a lot thicker than it looks in pictures - pretty much the same as Woodland Scenics' hot knife, and definitely not suited to my needs.

-Mark

[dem34]

Snap Razor maybe, my personal preference for straight cuts just going pass by pass until separation.

[rodsup9000]

  I use a good ole fillet knife when I'm cutting thick foam. It nice and skinny and somewhat flexible. 

[peteski]

Here is a 7" blade that might work for you. Pricey, but very thin and extremely sharp. Fits standard utility knife handle. I Use it to cur stiff foam rubber material. The end is sharpened so it can be plunged into the material being cut.  There is also a 4" version available.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PQQ4LK

[Mike C]

How about one of these for making the foam cuts? If it slices more than it melts it seems like it could get the job done pretty well.

https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html?cid=paid_google|||60313&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gclid=CjwKCAjw87SHBhBiEiwAukSeUeq_kwmdkOz_iKiS_6xGzBRL3qF9hWu3lvyBfIAb7xRNA2zHEmYo8xoC_ugQAvD_BwE

-Mark

I have one of those . Works well in 2" foam The cut is a bit wider than the blade and it leaves boogers  . Not shure you want to use this on finished areas , but I think it may work if the foam is thicker ..Mike

[spookshow]

I guess I'll just try out a few different tools and see what works best. The big move doesn't happen until the first week of August, so there's plenty of time. For now, it's back to the hair dryer and the glue 

-Mark

[spookshow]

FYI, this 21' x 21' space is the future home for my layout - soon to be converted to the model railroading man-cave of my dreams! 





-Mark

[Bob]

Wow Mark - is this your basement?  Given what you did with Hope, I can't wait to see what you do with this larger space.  Still N scale I hope?  I find your modeling inspirational particularly since, like you, I am trying to model specific buildings (though in Harpers Ferry rather than Hope!).  Bob

[x600]

AND..... It has a hopscotch court on the floor already 

Greg O.

[MK]

AND..... It has a hopscotch court on the floor already 

Greg O.

Key!  For those times you need a break from running trains.   

[spookshow]

Those pictures are from the realtor.com listing for our new house. Sadly, the hopscotch is gone now (along with all the rest of the junk). Blank canvas to work with, now I just have to hope that the price of cedar starts to get back to normal. Otherwise, the walls are going to cost me a small fortune 

-Mark

P.S. Bob, I guess you didn't read the rest of the thread. I'm moving my layout, not building a new one.

[MK]

I heard the price of wood is starting to come down.

[spookshow]

I've heard that too. Good news for me if the trend continues.

Not being a DIY guy, I was fortunate enough to land the services of a highly regarded general contractor (I had an "in" with him by virtue of the fact that his brother is a co-worker of mine). And I tell ya, I'd be screwed otherwise - these guys are all so busy right now I couldn't even get a call returned, let alone get on anyone's schedule.

-Mark