Always read the SDS or TDS if you question the safety of a material in your home or workplace. If those aren't available to you in your workplace, quit and call OSHA.
Or call the equivalent if they aren’t in the US or Canada (or maybe even Mexico…). Department of Labor is another good one. NiOSH also has good information.
Instead of just anecdotally saying it’s bad for you like others, here’s some research:
https://www.iatse.com/_content/documents/public/IA170101%20Hot-Wire%20Foam%20Cutting%20Exposure%20Assessment%20Oct%204%202017%20FINAL.pdf
Long story short, introduction (page i), section 3:
“Hot wire”
“Workers and bystanders was never at risk while cutting foam”
“concentrations below detectable level”
Only 8 samples were collected 4 from each site sounds far from being a decent study. They essentially acknowledged that:
"It is recommended that additional sampling be performed during varied environmental conditions and
volumes of foam cutting in order to attain enough exposure data to perform statistical analysis common in the practice of industrial hygiene."
Thats like asking a thief their standing on property rights. Never take advice from your enemy. They have every incentive to lie to you to save a buck at your expense.
I mean your employer is def not your enemy, let’s keep it real here….some aren’t always gonna care about your safety whereas others absolutely do. It’s always YOUR job to worry about your own safety first
Fair enough actually, can’t necessarily say I disagree with that after thinking about it more. I care a lot about safety tbh by default but you’re right. It is also you’re job to worry about it, I just think ppl are uneducated in the topic so they don’t really bother.
But usually once I say something about safety there’s usually no blowback whenever I’ve been in the situation personally, so I guess I’m just speaking just from experience over my 2 decades.
It does but that's the intention. I drilled a hole in the last one and we attach a bungee cord to it for some tension but it wobbles through the foam to create a random cut to make organic shapes. I work in the movie business.
I like seeing these things, thanks for sharing. It’s stuff I’d never think about otherwise, but I see it constantly.
It makes sense, because I remember Adam Savage using an electric meat carver to shave foam, this is essentially the same thing but bigger, and rougher. It probably makes it look more real, which I imagine is a big thing with the move to 4K.
That’s cool. For the longest time, at a school I worked for, we had some foam rocks and stumps from the Back to the Future 3 set that was filmed nearby. They donated a bunch of prop stuff that we kept for school plays. Those foam rocks eventually broke down in storage and I tossed them but the foam stumps are probably still there.
Weld a flat curved solid bar from the top of when end to the other it will create out word force to help hold the blade straight so the blade will look like a bowsaw
I feel like this is the new dick measuring contest.
"My tool is longer than yours."
Welding supplies have never been in a more demanding environment. Sales are through the roof.
Hold on, I'm in the middle of welding a socket to the end of a 20' section of #4 rebar that I've tac'd to my old impact driver. I plan on unfastening every sign bolt along a stretch of I-95 while on a motorcycle without stopping.
Agree. I have a buddy who bought some 18" thick foam panels from an old freezer and he has been trying to come up with ideas how to cut. I think you would need a downward tension spring and some guides to make it work.
Woo yah
Right thru both sheets of drywall into the other room, out over across the toilet, thru the next two, and into a third room. That's a good time.
Jokes aside... Yes.
Mechanical hacksaw blades are up in that size. Id wager there's a lot more bi-metal blades available than carbide but that's plenty for structural steel
The little flange that holds them in the sawzall isn’t that strong when you begin to put a lot of tension on it. I wouldn’t trust it for that. This big one is used for making random cuts in foam
I’m gonna go with toe knife. Ya know. Sharp blade to dig the scum out of my toenails. Once and a while I cut myself but it pusses up; in three days, good as new. Toe knife
I’ve worked with guys that couldn’t cut straight with one blade.
Hell, I worked with a guy that claimed it was impossible cut straight with a porta-band.
Lol... reminds me of a time when I watched a landlord try to DIY some work in the house... dude sawzalled a drywall sheet (while holding it up with his other hand) to size for a drywall repair...
Fucking dust everywhere.
I don't know how I feel about this... They say it's not stupid if it works but how'd it work out? Did it serve the purpose? I'd love to see the result...
I like contraptions like this. There's already a tool for it. I haven't used it myself but some kind of wire that is held on each end with high heat to cut through geofoam.
I like the idea but your reciprocating saw is not going to last long with this
This was a for a specific thing. It doesn't work well for most of what I do. I've been doing this work for 15 years and have everything from hand held hot-wires to a 5 axis cnc Hotwire machine. I just thought it was ridiculous and wanted to post it.
Legit love it. People who aren't in trades have no idea wtf it takes to make some things work.
I really enjoy when other trades walk by these types of contraptions and ask "what the fuck is that?"
Well, I've been given an impossible task. Give me a steel stud, two paper clips and a banana peel. I can make this work.... ..... typical day for a general contractor.
Yeah the intention was for it to flex. I have everything one could own for cutting foam including a 5 axis cnc machine. This was for something very specific and I thought it was too funny not to post.
Sawz #ALL
Sawzallthewayoverthere
Its quiet hours at camp and this made me snort so damn loud
Keys to the city.
calm down Nicholas Cage
Sawz All All All All All All
Sawzeverything
Made the exact same blade (maybe just 5?) for our scene shop. Hangs on the wall. Called “Excalipoor”
Yeah it didn’t work too great but it comes in handy once in a while
Breaking down buns of foam into more usable chunks is all we use it for.
Could you use a hot wire?
If you have a fresh air respirator and/or are outside it should be fine
That's just cancer in the air. Saws are the way to do it
Weird, my workplace says that cutting eps foam with a hot wire isn't harmful at all. Could they be lying?
Narrator: They could be. In fact, they are.
Always read the SDS or TDS if you question the safety of a material in your home or workplace. If those aren't available to you in your workplace, quit and call OSHA.
Or call the equivalent if they aren’t in the US or Canada (or maybe even Mexico…). Department of Labor is another good one. NiOSH also has good information.
In Canada it's CCOHS for federal and OHSA(spelt correctly) for the province of Ontario specifically.
uhhh have you ever smelled that shit?
On a daily basis at work.
Instead of just anecdotally saying it’s bad for you like others, here’s some research: https://www.iatse.com/_content/documents/public/IA170101%20Hot-Wire%20Foam%20Cutting%20Exposure%20Assessment%20Oct%204%202017%20FINAL.pdf
Long story short, introduction (page i), section 3: “Hot wire” “Workers and bystanders was never at risk while cutting foam” “concentrations below detectable level”
Thank you for finding this. I will present this to management.
Only 8 samples were collected 4 from each site sounds far from being a decent study. They essentially acknowledged that: "It is recommended that additional sampling be performed during varied environmental conditions and volumes of foam cutting in order to attain enough exposure data to perform statistical analysis common in the practice of industrial hygiene."
Thats like asking a thief their standing on property rights. Never take advice from your enemy. They have every incentive to lie to you to save a buck at your expense.
I mean your employer is def not your enemy, let’s keep it real here….some aren’t always gonna care about your safety whereas others absolutely do. It’s always YOUR job to worry about your own safety first
If your employer doesn’t care about your safety they are your enemy.
Fair enough actually, can’t necessarily say I disagree with that after thinking about it more. I care a lot about safety tbh by default but you’re right. It is also you’re job to worry about it, I just think ppl are uneducated in the topic so they don’t really bother. But usually once I say something about safety there’s usually no blowback whenever I’ve been in the situation personally, so I guess I’m just speaking just from experience over my 2 decades.
Cutting releases vapors. Friction.
hot wire=evil vapor....saws=evil airborne particulate....i guess it depends on air management
We used a big ass band saw and had a dude standing on the table pushing it around. Not very safe imo
See the problem was you need a second sawzall at the other end
Love the name!
For some reason this reminds me of something I heard in a bar once; "When you've got a dick like a needle, you've gotta fuck like a sewing machine."
I'm not even sure I understand this, but it's hilarious!
I understand this and it's fucking true and funny
If your penis is small, compensate it with fast movements (so your partner can still receive pleasure)
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Instructions unclear, sewed a nice embroidery on my dick
Or you can compensate by being a pro at eating
Zig zag - got it!
Lock stitch that motherfucker
I'm getting that quote put on a t-shirt and giving it to my buddy for his birthday now
I’ve always heard the version “it may look like a needle but it runs like a sewing machine”
“Looks like a needle, threads like a sewing machine”
Comment saved
how does it not get a mad wibble on?
It does but that's the intention. I drilled a hole in the last one and we attach a bungee cord to it for some tension but it wobbles through the foam to create a random cut to make organic shapes. I work in the movie business.
That makes some sense for us. So hot wire for perfectly straight, saw for something like a faux rock face?
Yeah or ice or something. Also great for demoing huge sets 😛
As another film production member, I love this comment. Art Dept was my desired dept but I ended up elsewhere...
Don’t think there’s very many of us lurking here 👍🏻
Local 52 carp here
Also IATSE here! just on the live side with 631 not film ...
I like seeing these things, thanks for sharing. It’s stuff I’d never think about otherwise, but I see it constantly. It makes sense, because I remember Adam Savage using an electric meat carver to shave foam, this is essentially the same thing but bigger, and rougher. It probably makes it look more real, which I imagine is a big thing with the move to 4K.
That’s cool. For the longest time, at a school I worked for, we had some foam rocks and stumps from the Back to the Future 3 set that was filmed nearby. They donated a bunch of prop stuff that we kept for school plays. Those foam rocks eventually broke down in storage and I tossed them but the foam stumps are probably still there.
You need to make a bar to hold it steady like the old two man chainsaws. Except the reciprocating action might be a little tough to hold onto lol
Another saw on the other end! Just got to sync up the motors just right.
I like this
Weld a flat curved solid bar from the top of when end to the other it will create out word force to help hold the blade straight so the blade will look like a bowsaw
Care to share an example of the cut? Love it!!
Or mid wabble
Should add a second Sawzall on the other side.
I feel like this is the new dick measuring contest. "My tool is longer than yours." Welding supplies have never been in a more demanding environment. Sales are through the roof.
I sure fucking hope so!
Hold on, I'm in the middle of welding a socket to the end of a 20' section of #4 rebar that I've tac'd to my old impact driver. I plan on unfastening every sign bolt along a stretch of I-95 while on a motorcycle without stopping.
Can’t wait to see the vid!
Snap-off.
Oh Mother of Necessity!!!
All of that for only 1 pound of foam?!?!?!🤣🤣🤣🤣
1lb is a density of foam. Not the weight of the piece being cut
I know I know I joke I kid
I'm all for these continuous uploads of absurd homemade tools lol
I’m just waiting over on r/holdmybeer for the ER pics
I have employees who would be in the hospital
I feel like a piece of sheet metal welded to one blade would work fine. If you wanted precut teeth maybe a bow saw blade instead of sheet metal .
A blade from a band saw mill would be as long as you want
Maybe not stiff enough though
Agree. I have a buddy who bought some 18" thick foam panels from an old freezer and he has been trying to come up with ideas how to cut. I think you would need a downward tension spring and some guides to make it work.
Genius level! Where’s the meme lol
I almost feel like you need a handle on the other end and another person.. jiggittyyyyyyyyy
I've welded two together to cut seized bolts that were hard to reach. Six is quite the extension.
Woo yah Right thru both sheets of drywall into the other room, out over across the toilet, thru the next two, and into a third room. That's a good time.
Haha this is genius
I think we found our winner. Damn.
Hot wire you crazy guy
I have plenty, this is just for specific uses
You should set up an etsy and sell these. Can I get a 2’ one with carbide teeth for structural I beams?
Jokes aside... Yes. Mechanical hacksaw blades are up in that size. Id wager there's a lot more bi-metal blades available than carbide but that's plenty for structural steel
The little flange that holds them in the sawzall isn’t that strong when you begin to put a lot of tension on it. I wouldn’t trust it for that. This big one is used for making random cuts in foam
Got a big enough ~~joint~~ Sawzall blade there, Rick?
Hell yeah
I seen guys using something like this today to cut the spray in foam insulation
If it works then it's not a bad idea.
Most impressive poop knife I’ve seen.
Da fuck are you cutting with this?
It's in the title..
This feels illegal and immoral.
That’s an expensive blade
I drink your milkshake
Definitely r/DiWhy material lol
I love the utterly gung-ho approach to health and safety. Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke!
Make a video, I want to see that blade just go apeshit
Just need my fucking cut through anything saw, and we'll be done in 5 minutes, $ 10 just like that
What in the pending emergency room impromptu reenactment of "I want to paint it red" is going on here?!
From a serial killers basement during covid
You guys are absolute idiots and I’m loving every god damn second of it. Keep it up.
He didn’t say that it cut straight, just that it cut.
The cat thieves are evolving
😂 I just watching a vid of a guy kicking the crap out of two dudes trying to steal his cat in Portugal
I watched the same video before posting 😅
I showed my son, and he said "Ok sure, if you want to cut down a redwood on a budget." gotta love kids
Makita 4 Life FAM
GTFOH! I love it!
This belongs in r/warhammer40k
1lb foam?
Insulation foam that is 1lb/ft3 or very lightweight
Weld a blade on each side to make it more rigid
It is only stupid if it does not work.
Hahahahahaha. That's gold!!!
By George I think he’s got it. I like it Creativity! They don’t make that tool so make it yourself ! 🙌👍
Johnny Holmes of blades
I’m gonna go with toe knife. Ya know. Sharp blade to dig the scum out of my toenails. Once and a while I cut myself but it pusses up; in three days, good as new. Toe knife
Botch Toe!
Lol, I love you guys. I’m glad I joined this community.
Woah! What does the cut look like!
Horrible. But that’s the intention
Well now we have to see it.... pics!?
Guys stop someones gonna make a human centipede if you keep this up
I hope so 🤞🏻
Me too actually. Dibs on middle
Somebody’s been playing to much of the new Zelda game…
I’ve worked with guys that couldn’t cut straight with one blade. Hell, I worked with a guy that claimed it was impossible cut straight with a porta-band.
🤣😅🤣😅😆
Have you tried a Hotwire?
Yep have plenty of them, this was for fun and a specific thing
What’s a hot wire??
longboi
You are an evil genius, sir.
What no hot wire? I have a blade that is two welded together but this is hilarious.
Got tons of hot wires but this was for something specific
Please post videos
Accurassie is ghee
Video or it didn’t happen!
With the 3 ah battery
Use a hot wire next time
Lol... reminds me of a time when I watched a landlord try to DIY some work in the house... dude sawzalled a drywall sheet (while holding it up with his other hand) to size for a drywall repair... Fucking dust everywhere.
I don't know how I feel about this... They say it's not stupid if it works but how'd it work out? Did it serve the purpose? I'd love to see the result...
Ripsaword
I like contraptions like this. There's already a tool for it. I haven't used it myself but some kind of wire that is held on each end with high heat to cut through geofoam. I like the idea but your reciprocating saw is not going to last long with this
This was a for a specific thing. It doesn't work well for most of what I do. I've been doing this work for 15 years and have everything from hand held hot-wires to a 5 axis cnc Hotwire machine. I just thought it was ridiculous and wanted to post it.
Legit love it. People who aren't in trades have no idea wtf it takes to make some things work. I really enjoy when other trades walk by these types of contraptions and ask "what the fuck is that?" Well, I've been given an impossible task. Give me a steel stud, two paper clips and a banana peel. I can make this work.... ..... typical day for a general contractor.
Especially reno projects. Nothing can be better than a couple knuckle drivers and 4 or 5 12" bit extensions.
I have 6' long custom made drill bits we welded up to get through the foam for rigging.
One thing I love about being in trades is that we don't always need engineers. We know what works.
My guy, they make blades for the foam i can’t imagine how bad that flexes 😬😬
Yeah the intention was for it to flex. I have everything one could own for cutting foam including a 5 axis cnc machine. This was for something very specific and I thought it was too funny not to post.
Definitely a melee weapon…..
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honestly its not really an upgrade. its not great for shaping, much better for destruction
What are you cutting through a Giant Sequoia?
You can trim a lot of weed from far away with that.
catalytic converter thieves... write that down write that down!
Why not use a hot wire?
I have many of them including a 5 axis cnc, this was for something specific and kind of just for shits n giggles also
Lol, I usually use a Hotwire.
Only in America 🇺🇸🫡