Solved Kid Safe Foam Cutting Tools!

[dcoombe]

I've been wanting to let me young kids (7 and 4) unleash their creativity on foam board, but I don't want to give them hot knives or razor blades... I am fine giving them hot glue guns that run at sufficiently low temperatures, but the foam cutting has always been a serious safety issue.

UNTIL, My neighbor showed me these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X4ZX456/?tag=lstir-20

They're for cardboard, but I tested them on flitetest foamboard and they work GREAT, and there is no way you can cut yourself with them. The only downside is that the cuts leave little strips of paper on the edge of the cut, but they don't get in the way, and it's overall a better quality cut than a laser.

The kit even has bending and scoring tools. Anyway, hope this helps another dad or mom!

 

[bisco]

that's pretty cool, and a great idea.

 

[AIRFORGE]

Has anyone tried following the link? It does not open for me.

 

[bisco]

yes, it worked for me. might be your ad blocker?

 

[bisco]

or just search makedo on amazon, comes right up

 

[dcoombe]

Has anyone tried following the link? It does not open for me.

Here's the name: Makedo Discover | 126 Piece Cardboard Construction Toolbox for 1-5 Makers |

Also, the hotglue gun the kids use is a Gorilla Mini Hot Glue Gun set to the Low setting.

 

[AIRFORGE]

Weird. After I searched it on Amazon, the link works.

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Weird. After I searched it on Amazon, the link works.

Unless you have a link blocker in your browser, and then when you clicked on the official link it allowed it....Not sure if there is such a think..

 

[AIRFORGE]

Very nice tool for kid safety. And maybe some us, too!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

And maybe some us, too!

Nah, I just cut and grin! 😁🤣

 

[Mr Man]

Nah, I just and grin! 😁🤣

Bleed and grin? Or grimace as you clean it out with soap?😂🤣🤣

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Bleed and grin? Or grimace as you clean it out with soap?😂🤣🤣

Nah, just slap on a band aid and keep cuttin!

 

[Mr Man]

Nah, just slap on a band aid and keep cuttin!

Depending on the cut. I still have a scar on the top of my thumb from last year. And it was a lot of blood😂

 

[Houndpup Rc]

Depending on the cut. I still have a scar on the top of my thumb from last year. And it was a lot of blood😂

True! 😂 I don't think I have ever cut myself very bad with a razor while building planes (Usually just barely into the skin)...I think my last bad one was when i was carving thru some frozen bacon......

 

[dcoombe]

Update, here's my son's first hasty build with the new tools.

Some lessons I learned.

Cutting on carpet works best
It cuts straight lines the best, even quicker than a razor (for the same straightness)
Cutting small pieces can be very tricky, but scissors can be used for some small features or cleanup of paper.
Rough edges can be cleaned up using coarse sand paper.
The perferating roller is great for making bends/folds
I also figured out a way to make hinges for Control surfaces. They end up looking ugly, but they seem to work.
Will post on that later.

One issue is if you need to remove a small sliver of material... that can be hard. It's best to get the cuts right the first time.

 

[AIRFORGE]

This FT Mini Sparrow Build video has some safe build ideas if you're interested.

 

[dcoombe]

This FT Mini Sparrow Build video has some safe build ideas if you're interested.

Ya, if you have a laser cutter kit, those tips work. But you can't do a scratch build using a credit card.

 

[Mr Man]

Ya, if you have a laser cutter kit, those tips work. But you can't do a scratch build using a credit card.

But if you sharpen it……. 🤣🤣🤣. I’d like to see someone try😂

 

[Houndpup Rc]

But if you sharpen it……. 🤣🤣🤣. I’d like to see someone try😂

I might take you up on that!

 

[Houndpup Rc]

I might take you up on that!

But I think that might defeat the cause...