A foam cutter is a tool that you will love if you are shaping or cutting foam in any of your projects.  Years ago I built a foam cutter using nichrome wire and a battery charger for cutting model airplane wings.  It worked but compared to what’s available now, mine looked like something from an old science fiction movie.  If you are cutting foam, no matter what the application, you will want to know about the foam cutters available.   Let’s take a look at the tool and some of its capabilities specifications.  If you cut foam with a knife, you really need to check out these handy little cutters.

A foam cutter is really a simple tool.  Most come with a foam cutting wire made of nichrome that heats up from resistance as electricity passes through it.  Most also have several different tips that can poke cut and shape foam.  What you look for in a foam cutter really depends on the type of crafting or work you do.  Here are a few things to consider when buying a foam cutter.

What you buy really comes down to some basic considerations.  For instance are you simply using it to cut foam in a straight line or to length?  Sometimes, you are looking to punch a hole through foam or cut a channel, maybe to accept a conduit in a basement remodel.  The key is to look at the tips available for your foam wire cutter.  Spend a few minutes scrolling through the choices to see what is available to make sure you don’t miss out.  Most cutters will have the wire cutting head so make sure that you get one wide enough for your intended use.  You will also find foam cutters that are almost like a scroll saw which is really pretty cool if you are cutting out letters or designs from flat foam.  Some of the more expensive units have variable temps on the unit as well to accommodate different types of foam.  While basic models may not have temperature settings, they still may fit the bill for your project.

So who a foam cutter made for?  Crafters and modelers for sure are a market for the tool. Crafters or modelers that work with foam will for sure find uses for the tool.   Foam is also used in furniture work as well so that is a viable use for the tool.  Small contractors will find the tool useful for shaping foam to go around outlets, wires, pipes and more.  It is so much cleaner, quicker and accurate than a utility knife.