I am planning to get a hot wire foam cutter to shape Styrofoam for a diorama base. Can you recommend one brand over another? So far, I have seen a Woodland Scenics cutter and a MicroMark Tools wire cutter. Both have a "pressure trigger. Are there others? Which do you recommend? What features should I look for? Suggestions for precise work? thanks for your input! Leddy
Depends on how much you want to spend and how “into it” you want to get.
Can’t go wrong with “Hot Wire Foam Factory”. Its the Dremel Tool of foam cutters. Tons of different tools and accessories…
Pretty pricey
Thats probably the best suggestion. My friend (Railroad Modeler) hates the one by woodland scenics. I came into the hobby store he owns and he was in the back grumping away about what a pile of junk it was while trying to use it.
Messy, but chuck a wire brush tool in a drill. Best if drill has good speed control. But works great for carving detail into styro base. For long, square cuts a serrated kitchen carving knife or a hacksaw both work great.
Depending on how thick your foam is, an electric knife with a serrated blade does a nice job, too. Hacksaw blades will do the job, but make a lot of ‘dust’.
A pistol grip style soldering iron also works. I made a couple custom shaped “cutters” from 1/16" mild steel welding rod last time I needed to cut foam.
Mike