Making Clean cuts when cutting EVA foam?

A

adexder

New Member

• Jun 3, 2015

• #1

Hiya! I'm working with EVA Foam to make armor, and when I cut, the cuts I make are really unclean
Here's an example

They're really jagged and it's getting a bit annoying. How do I fix/cut cleaner?

Thanks in advance!

 

T

Termhn

Member

Southwest Regiment

• Jun 4, 2015

• #2

Make sure your cutting tool is sharp. That's pretty much it.

 

C

chrisy159

Jr Member

Canadian Regiment

• Jun 4, 2015

• #3

What are you using to cut? As Termhn said keep your tools sharp. You can invest in a pocket whetstone to sharpen your blades for cheap (less than 10$), if you want to preserve your blades without buying more.

 

Ashuraa

Research Team Lead

Colonial Regiment

Member DIN

S015

• Jun 4, 2015

• #4

Use either a sharpening stone every 6 to 12 inches of cut, or some other blade sharpening tool. A Butchers steel is also a good tool to strope the blade to keep it sharp.

Another option is to use a variable heat hot knife tool. It will slice through with a nice smooth edge as well. I got mine at Hobby Lobby for under $30.

 

rdrunner

New Member

• Jun 4, 2015

• #5

I just started into foam armor building as well, and as others have said already, a sharp blade is very important. Also, I've found its important to not stop when making a cut. Every time I stop during a cut I get those jagged edges.

Though I would also like to know if there's any way to fix it

 

N

Noble 10

Well-Known Member

Canadian Regiment

• Jun 4, 2015

• #6

space meat said try a hot knife

 

foxleader

Sr Member

Southern Regiment

• Jun 4, 2015

• #7

dtf said to use a new blade others a stone to sharpen it, me listen to others that have been down the road a few times.

 

A

adexder

New Member

• Jun 4, 2015

• #8

chrisy159 said:

What are you using to cut? As Termhn said keep your tools sharp. You can invest in a pocket whetstone to sharpen your blades for cheap (less than 10$), if you want to preserve your blades without buying more.

Click to expand...

Ha, that's funny because I'm using a really dull pocketknife. I'll make sure to buy one.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

 

FlyinPhil

Well-Known Member

Canadian Regiment

Snow Burner

• Jun 5, 2015

• #9

Personally, I buy 100 packs of flat razor blades for about $10 at home depot, and just replace the blades every 10 cuts or so. A little on the spendy side, but it keeps my cuts smooth and my bevels perfect. For really tight corners or odd angles, I use a cheap metal-bodied utility knife with a fresh blade. You can see both styles that I described in this picture:

 

Masterchief0624

Member

Southern Regiment

Member DIN

S124

• Jun 6, 2015

• #10

I use x-acto # 11 z series blades. Always clean/sharp cuts. I change it out every 3-4 parts that i cut out. A hundred pack is the way to go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-acto-Z-se...285?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e19cc8b5

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T

Termhn

Member

Southwest Regiment

• Jun 6, 2015

• #11

Or the cheaper alternative to x-acto blades is a surgical scalpel with #11 blades. Here's 100 blades plus a handle for $7 http://www.amazon.com/100-Scalpel-B...F8&qid=1433618968&sr=8-2&keywords=#11+scalpel

 

C

CT516

New Member

• May 29, 2016

• #12

why do you use a dull pocket knife? no wonder

 

BlazedStarbon

RCO

Canadian Regiment

Member DIN

S009

• May 29, 2016

• #13

CT516, please don't necro-post. This thread is almost a year old since it's last post. (Look at the last date/responses prior to commenting.)

 

Last edited by a moderator: Feb 22, 2017