Hot Wire Shaping and Foam Lock Adhesive

General Discussion
1

I wanted to share this interesting video on hotwire shaping and Foam Lock Adhesive (10:15 into the video). My mind was racing with ideas for EPS/XPS applications after watching it. I have a few more EPS surfboard blanks to shape, a mini SUP, prone paddle race board and a fishing surfboard. I might do a few rail bands using the tools or similar tools shown in the clip. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5XjFpILcns Aloha D

2

The Foam Lok Adhesive looks interesting.

This is another polysterene foam adhesive option also.

**3M 78 Polystyrene Foam Insulation Spray Adhesive**

Looks like the Foam Lok is less expensive and covers the same amount of surface area (100 sq. ft.).

3

been following these guys for years

the adhesive is great for applying rail bands and stringers

i always thought their tools were expensive but they are industrial strength compared to the hotwire foam factory stuff i got early on

for our type of board building (home made blanks) there is no equal for outlining and profiling (adsolutely no bubble mess just some fumes with xps or blue dow (wear a mask))

you could build a depth adjustable hotwire planer with these blades and some ingenuity (platform/springs/adjustable knob) 

i would envision 1/2" thick sheet of hdpe attached to a piece of mdf with a slot cutout to allow a straight hotwire blade to drop through and then mount the blade on two spring loaded shafts attached to the mdf/ply base with a crossbar that your finger could press down against to increase the depth of the flat blade sticking through the cutout. Kind of like a reverse mandolin for EPS/XPS foam that allows you to slice any depth of cut you need based on finger/thumb pressure. No different than turning a knob to do the same on a surfboard planer. The HDPE/teflon base would allow the foam slices to slide away freely from the blade.

someone should make one.

tom sullivan had one in his 1990’s sialboard building video made out of wire and plywood for outlining and doing rail bands

4

Since i only shape EPS i made many kind of custom hotwire tool, from shaped wire to CNC cutter. Never use my planer again. The hand “stiff” cutter is the best tool: with custom guide against template you can cut outline like with a router and with angle guide you can cut rail bands.

5

Is this accessible online anwywhere?

Do you have a photo of this tool and/or a video of you using it?

6

I stopped using my planer too. I hotwire everything close enough, to allow those new sanding blocks by Foam-eze and Fiberglass Hawaii to do everything else.

7

here’s some pictures I had saved off from earlier posts on the subject

I don;t know how to post videos on here

 

Okay here are some extracts on hotwiring from Tom’s video

 http://youtu.be/WfoRqKsH70E

 http://youtu.be/H-owlKkC8y0

 http://youtu.be/_B8BNys8hRk

 

8

Thanks.  I remember that fixed angled wire tool.  The additional pictures make its use clear now.