• Welcome to RCCrawler Forums.

    It looks like you're enjoying RCCrawler's Forums but haven't created an account yet. Why not take a minute to register for your own free account now? As a member you get free access to all of our forums and posts plus the ability to post your own messages, communicate directly with other members, and much more. Register now!

    Already a member? Login at the top of this page to stop seeing this message.

Tire Foam Fixture

Hey Juan...what tooth count count do you have on the bandsaw and what rpm?

Hey Thomas,

The blade in the pictures is just a metal cutting blade with 10 TPI. I run it at 330 FT/min.

I think the trick is to have the edge of your fixture as close to the blade as possible. I actually thought about having another piece of wood on the other side of the blade to provide support to the foam. I may make another fixture someday for my bandsaw at home.
 
"thumbsup" I'm learning all kinds of ways to use tools I already had and never thought about using them that way. I like this and I like the using a drill press as a method to split square tubing into c channel. "thumbsup"
 
Hey Thomas,

The blade in the pictures is just a metal cutting blade with 10 TPI. I run it at 330 FT/min.

I think the trick is to have the edge of your fixture as close to the blade as possible. I actually thought about having another piece of wood on the other side of the blade to provide support to the foam. I may make another fixture someday for my bandsaw at home.
Im running about the same speed but I use an 18tpi blade...I keep meaning to finish the shoulder of mine to have full circle support of the foam as its cut...maybe Ill do that this weekend and repost pics...
 
Inspired by C*H*U*D's brilliant idea, I set about trying to cut foam with what I had at my disposal- my mini lathe. My first attempt was just cutting a wide foam into narrow strips but it could easily be adapted to turning a bigger chunk of foam into a usable tire insert. Thanks for the inspiration Juan!

I used a piece of 2 1/2" exhaust tubing for a mandrel.
foamcutting002.jpg


put the foam over the mandrel.
foamcutting003.jpg


Turn the lathe up to 500 rpms and use a new razor blade to score at the pre-marked cut lines.
foamcutting004.jpg


separate the pieces and enjoy!
foamcutting005.jpg

foamcutting007.jpg


If anyone attempts to copy what I've done and you cut your fingers off with the razor blade, it's on you because common sense tells you not to play with razors around an operating lathe! "thumbsup"
 
BigSki, for cutting most foams, I use an old/cheap steak knife. The serrations tend to do a nice job cutting and not "grabbing" the material.

Try it if you want, it's also a little safer than a small sharp razor blade.;-)
 
Wow, I just cut some foam strips on my band saw and I never would of guessed it would of cut that smooth and clean.
 
Really old thread, but a cool idea. I wonder if these could be cut on a woodworking bandsaw that runs at a minimum of 1500 FPM? My only other option is a metal cutting bandsaw that runs between 78 -180 FPM.
 
Last edited:
Really old thread, but a cool idea. I wonder if these could be cut on a woodworking bandsaw that runs at a minimum of 1500 FPM? My only other option is a metal cutting bandsaw that runs between 78 -180 FPM.

Almost certainly I'd bet, but you might need to flip the blade around so the teeth are running in reverse and you push the material from the wrong side..
 
Thanks. I will have to try to find some foam to try it with. I like to make things so this seems like a fun project. Just need to find some suitable foam to use.
 
Back
Top