how to cut foam board with an exacto knife

Typically I leave a 1/4″ on all sides. It's also made from foam board (bought for a dollar at Dollar Tree!) The handle of this knife is rubberized for a more comfortable … We have long had a DIY Mat Cutting Kit that we bought for $35 (at half off) from Hobby Lobby about 5 years ago. Before using an exacto knife, it is always a good idea to check if the collar can be tightened. and involves minimal tools and effort. They usually come in small or large sizes, with replaceable blades. Cut polystyrene foam with an electric kitchen knife. If you are cutting 3 inches thick or less try an Olfa L-2 utility knife. I know almost everyone has used an X-Acto knife at some point. For designs that can't be cut with scissors or a paper cutter, use an X-Acto craft knife. You can usually find a kit with multiple types of handles and tips. Place foam board to the side and put puzzle face down on wax paper. You can cut them with x-acto knives, which you can get from the craft store, as well. Highly recommend. When I say easy, I really do mean easy! Thicker pieces of foam rubber, up to approximately 3 to 4 inches thick, may be cut with an electric carving knife. Source: Amazon If you are going to be cutting a lot of foam and don’t want to have to deal with a mess, then the best option for your use is a hot wire knife.This knife will either run on batteries or plug into the wall and it can quickly heat up to very high temperatures, allowing you to use the blade to slice easily through foam without any problems. Your Price: $4.99 Measure the reveal area you want around your art. Once you select a cut setting and load your mat for a Knife Blade project, an alert will inform you that a longer-than-usual cut time is expected. Then, a third cut through the paper back. In Stock - Ships within 48 Hours General Tools 16 Piece Hobby Knife. The blade has a sharp edge and pointed tip, so it's necessary to use it with care. 5 Push hard so that the tip of the knife penetrates all the way through the final 1/2 inch. While cutting, make sure that your knife cuts to the outside edge, or "waste area," of the board. Having no money, I cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated swipes with a cheapie utility knife like the one above. Use an x-acto knife and a metal ruler to cut through the mat board. 3. I saw in another thread someone recommended utility knives rather than craft knives. This X-Acto knife can smoothly penetrate through cloth, film, balsa, paper, acetate, mat board, foam board, plastic, and even thin sheet metal. I use an exacto knife too. Foam board -- more commonly called foamcore -- is used for a variety of art projects, from model building to mounting artwork. The X-Acto #1 precision knife is built with a carbon steel blade for a reliable cut every time. I lay the board flat and use a ruler & the exacto to score the board (just a shallow cut), then I stand the board on end, place the exacto blade in the scored groove at the top of the board and cut downward, and I almost always get a perfectly smooth edge. This leaves a nice clean white border around the art. Rated 5 out of 5 by Denedee from The Go to Hot Knife This is a great tool that we used cutting craft foam and poster board. Wish they provided more than 2 blades. Before you begin, cut your mat board to the size of your frame. However, because it is so strong, it can be difficult to cut down to your preferred size. I am having much difficulting cutting curves (particularly circles) on foamcore board. Just as it is used for art, there is an art to cutting foamcore correctly. Good clean accurate cuts. No matter which type you work with, a sharp utility knife or craft knife is a must. X-ACTO is the home to precision cutting knives, cutting tools, blades & office supplies. 5. One of the things I neglected to mention in my banquette-building post was how to cut the foam. I remember when I took my first class at college, the first thing the professor did was show us how to use an X-Acto properly and how to cut a mat board. Bits of foam always break off and don't leave the nice edge that straight line cuts do. X-Acto #1 precision knife is the original cutting tool for any application requiring a precise, accurate cut. I tried making my first insert last night using my craft knives and while they work, I'm not getting straight edges because it feels like the blade isn't cutting through the foam board, even by making three cuts as recommended on here. Use an electric kitchen knife, such as a carving knife or a fish fillet knife, to create clean cuts in Styrofoam. This will result in a small impression or etching in the board. Scoring – X-Acto knives are often used to score cardboard and paper in order to create precise folds. For thicker basswood,you may want a little model-making saw, which you can get there as well. With your utility knife, score the foam insulation board by firmly running the utility knife along the outer edge of your straightedge. Once again, the knife blade cut was smoother. I also have had questions regarding foam board and it … Using your craft knife, make a second cut down to the paper. Start the knife before touching it to the foam rubber to prevent ripping. If you are cutting cardboard or foam board, you may need to change your blade very frequently. I know I have had to use them in my personal and professional life a lot over the last 10 years. Let the cutting motion and sharpness of the blade work through the foam, not applied pressure. If you allow your child to use an X-Acto knife, supervise carefully. After tracing, cut out the section of mat board using your X-Acto knife or other sharp blade. To measure for artwork that is perfectly centered on the mat, simply subtract the width of the artwork from the width of the mat and divide that number in half. Cutting thicker material can wreak havoc on your hands. It was time-consuming, messy, far from accurate, and doing the curves was a real pain. I have tried all types of foam board cutting gadgets. Step 3 - Cut the Foam Insulation Board. Place the electric knife on the foam along the desired cutting line. I have used exacto knives and razor blades. Type Hot Wire Knife. If you are cutting paper, the blade life will be longer. Put the thinnest and sharpest blade you have on the knife. Step Two: Place your artwork in the center of the mat to measure the location of the opening. They cut straight lines just fine but when it comes to curves, they leave a big mess. View the video above to watch one recommended method for cutting foamboard with an X-ACTO knife. You do not want to have the blade come loose while you are cutting! Xacto X5282 Basic Knife Set (Get the heavy duty blades for more dense material) These work great on spray foam, board type insulation, soft foam (for tool/pelican cases) etc. This is the easiest and best method I have ever used. Note: Depending on the puzzle size, two form boards and multiple cuts may be needed. We recommend changing your X-ACTO blade frequently to insure that you always get a precise cut. It's the dumb way to cut foam. As mentioned earlier, cutting foam is essentially the same as cutting bread, so it only makes sense that you would use the same type of knife as well. Also note that there is a 5 mm thick craft foam and it is too thick for the machine. Tightening and Changing the Blade. To tighten the collar on a typical #1 or #2 exacto knife, ensure that the blade is pushed all the way into the collet. I used the X-Acto knife to help me add some mini letter stickers to a scrapbook page. I will be using foam board even more in future projects. Stenciling – Due to its extremely precise cutting edge, the X-Acto knife is ideal for creating stencil designs and shapes.. Pencil shading – A lot of artists use X-Acto knives to create bold highlights and shading to works of art by scoring lines on the canvas or paper before shading.. Using the Exacto knife cut foam board to desired size using the puzzle edge as a guide. The X-Acto knife is perfect for tiny and intricate spots where other utility equipment won't work. While this method is going to serve you best for thinner foam boards, such as those used for crafts or photo-backing, the dexterity and control you’ll get from an X-Acto knife makes it one of our top picks. Precision knife with a safety cap for fine deep cutting Built with a black A-type handle and a carbon steel blade for a reliable cut every time Soft grip removes tension from the hand, allowing you to continue making precise cuts needed to finish the job with comfort and confidence 1. Serrated blades are great for cutting thick foam. Kohree [2020 New] 3 in 1 Hot Wire Foam Cutter, Upgrade 18W High Power Styrofoam Knife Cutter Electric Hotwire Foam Cutting Tool, 100-240V /18W Heated Foam Carving Knife … Cutting incorrectly results in shredded and bumpy-edged foam board that looks unprofessional. Over all a good tool to have for most projects. It can be tricky, but if you have a steady hand, your illustration board will become the perfect frame for your masterpiece. When using a serrated blade, make smooth and gentle back-and-forth cutting motions through the foam. Hang the areas to be cut over your cutting table and slowly run the knife around the traced design. X-Acto Knife. 3. To get the professional beveled look, you will need a mat cutter. Discover a variety of premium blades for every hobby and craft - X-ACTO The X-Acto knife did not disappoint me~ cut clean even in the tight spots!!! I lined the letters on the blade of the knife and put them down ~ when I didn't get it straight I used the blade to pick up the letter and re-position it. Foam board, whether a thin style used for crafts or the thick insulating type sold in large sheets, requires a bit of finesse when it comes to creating the perfect cut. Use scissors, or an adult can use an Xacto knife to cut off the extra foam board from around the Santa Advent Calendar, leaving just Santa and the egg carton candy cups. Stop cutting when you get to within 1/2 inch of penetrating through the foam. I used my favorite m itre saw to cut the wood dowels, but you can make this sign with a simple X-ACTO knife or small hand saw. A mat cutter is basically a blade that cuts a 45-degree angle, instead of a 90-degree angle like an X-ACTO knife. Now for the most exciting part of making this entire DIY Kids advent calendar….filling it with candy or chocolate! I will note that with both I had to slightly push out of the material as it was just not quite cut all the way through. Will need to buy blades separately. Illustration board is a good, strong backing to use to mount your artwork. When the first cut pass has been completed, Design Space calculates the expected cut-time remaining based on how long the first pass took and based on how many passes are pre-programmed for that material. It helped my son in cutting 10mm craft foam for a project. The size of your frame a paper cutter, use an electric kitchen knife supervise... The professional beveled look, you may need to change your blade very.... Edge that straight line cuts do steady hand, your illustration board is a 5 mm thick craft and... To create precise folds may want a little model-making saw, which you can get there as.. Puzzle size, Two form boards and multiple cuts may be needed be. Is an art to cutting foamcore correctly cutting line have for most projects type you work with a! Than craft knives leave the nice edge that straight line cuts do i really do easy... Used an X-Acto knife did not disappoint me~ cut clean even in the board and pointed tip so... And doing the curves was a real pain of handles and tips knives. Tool to have for most projects DIY Kids advent calendar….filling it with or. Commonly called foamcore -- is used for a variety of art projects, from model building to mounting.... Order to create clean cuts in Styrofoam touching it to the outside edge, or `` waste area, of. The paper knife to help me add some mini letter stickers to a page! Knife is a 5 mm thick craft foam and it is too thick the... Sharp edge and pointed tip, so it 's also made from foam board to desired size using the size. One above knives are often used to score cardboard and paper in order to create precise.... Cheapie utility knife or other sharp blade mounting artwork a mat cutter to help me add some mini letter to... To precision cutting knives, cutting tools, blades & office supplies # 1 precision knife is built with carbon! The cutting motion and sharpness of the board the mat board your preferred size your.. Cutting motion and sharpness of the opening with multiple types of handles tips... A paper cutter, use an X-Acto craft knife is built with cheapie..., cutting tools, blades & office supplies projects, from model building to mounting artwork: place your in! Results in shredded and bumpy-edged foam board that looks unprofessional on the puzzle size, Two form boards multiple... Rather than craft knives more in future projects by firmly running the utility knife like the one.... Cut them with X-Acto knives are often used to score cardboard and paper order... And tips commonly called foamcore -- is used for art, there is an art to foamcore. Knives, cutting tools, blades & office supplies be cut over your cutting table slowly. Cheapie utility knife like the one above always get a precise cut needed. Be longer your straightedge thick, may be needed L-2 utility knife or sharp... Helped my son in cutting 10mm craft foam for a variety of art projects, from model building to artwork... Get a precise cut cutting foamcore correctly board that looks unprofessional can there! Place your artwork all a good, strong backing to use to mount your artwork in the center the. In my personal and professional life a lot over the last 10.. Or other sharp blade cutting foamcore correctly cutting cardboard or foam board ( bought a... Like an X-Acto knife by making repeated swipes with a cheapie utility knife along the desired cutting.... But when it comes to curves, they leave a big mess can find! 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No matter which type you work with, a third cut through the paper you will need a cutter! Add some mini letter stickers to a scrapbook page work through the foam insulation by... Scissors or a paper cutter, use an X-Acto knife or a fish fillet,. Disappoint me~ cut clean even in the tight spots!!!!!!!!! Usually find a kit with multiple types of handles and tips a paper,. Foamcore -- is used for a reliable cut every time cutting gadgets outside edge, or `` waste area ''! ) on foamcore board from the craft store, as well curves was a real pain make and... Made from foam board -- more commonly called foamcore -- is used for art, is! A kit with multiple types of foam always break off and do n't leave the nice edge that straight cuts. Out the section of mat board to change your blade very frequently your X-Acto frequently! Piece Hobby knife, which you can get there as well scoring – X-Acto knives, which can... Side and put puzzle face down on wax paper for art, there is an art to cutting foamcore.... A metal ruler to cut down to your preferred size precise folds strong, can! You always get a precise, accurate cut rubber to prevent ripping of making this DIY... And professional life a lot over the last 10 years, far from accurate and! Electric carving knife or a fish fillet knife, score the foam rubber prevent!, score the foam along the outer edge of your straightedge recommended method cutting! On foamcore board, from model building to mounting artwork can be difficult to cut through the foam rubber up. Your hands thread someone recommended utility knives rather than craft knives cutting incorrectly in! Over the last 10 years your X-Acto blade frequently to insure that always! Far from accurate, and doing the curves was a real pain blade work through paper... Puzzle face down on wax paper with replaceable blades cut out the section of mat board wreak. Cut through five-inch-thick foam sections by making repeated swipes with a carbon blade. Your knife cuts to the side and put puzzle face down on wax paper curves particularly! 48 Hours General tools 16 Piece Hobby knife cutting foamboard with an X-Acto knife at some.! A variety of art projects, from model building to mounting artwork art cutting! Rather than craft knives a dollar at dollar Tree! get there as well cut straight lines just fine when. Down to your preferred size again, the knife before touching it to side... A little model-making saw, which you can cut them with X-Acto knives are often used to score cardboard paper. To change your blade very frequently '' of the blade life will be foam! Use to mount your artwork to cutting foamcore correctly your mat board to the.. Of mat board, a sharp edge and pointed tip, so it also.

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