Cutting new foam

[dan]

A general question...

Was looking at SpridgetBoy's photos of his rear seat, and it has a fairly complex piece of foam supporting the seat.

I'm wondering if there's a good way to cut or shape a piece of foam? I've always just taken a razor blade, but the result just aren't that good.

Is there another way to do it? Maybe a hot wire of some kind or??

Thanks!
d

[Gearhead]

Have seen several upholstery folks use everything from electric knives to special razor knives bent in different shapes, to electric sanders you imagination is your guide. Gearhead

[Frogarri]

Yes to do a 'neat' job a hot wire cutter is the best. However, an electric cutting/carving knife will do a good job. But you are limited to the lenght of the blade(s). It will give a better job that razor blades on smaller jobs and can be used to round corners and edges.

[dan]

So...hot wire cutters...

Can you make one? (My preference, given the frequency of use) or possibly buy a cheap one, or??

Thanks!
d

[Frogarri]

Yes, you can make a foam cutter. All you need is some wire (stainless steel, guitar string, nichrome wire), a power source (battery charger, gun type soldering iron) and some misc. hardware. Here is a link to one plan, an internet search will uncover others either homemade or store bought.

http://www.davidwoodward.com/iceflyer/hotwire.htm

One thing the author dosen't mention is that a battery charger putting out more than 2 amps will need to be throtled to keep it from burning the wire. A dimmer switch wired to the hot side of the battery charger output can be used to lower the output. This will be a trail and error setting. To make real clean straight cuts use a template or guide rails to guide the wire through the foam.

[JP Furble]

[Bill Masquelier]

Totally different topic-- Dashboards. I have a MkIV (69) with a totaled dash, I have seen those PVC (?) covers for MGB's that recover the entire thing. Does anyone make one for the Spridget? Bill

[spritenut]

[bugeye58]

[rulle7]

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProd ... exID=47921

[Jim Gruber]

AN IMPORTANT HEALTH HAZARD- Cutting foam as a byproduct produces as I recall PHOSGENE GAS. Yeah the same stuff used in WWI. Not sure which type of foam produces this type of gas and it may be just the white / blue building insulation foam that produces PHOSGENE when cut with a hot knife but caution is in order. Don't try to use a hot knife in a closed garage without lots of ventilation.