New foam supply

[pedwards2932]

Well the Dollar Tree meat trays I use have changed.  They give you less trays and less quality foam and charging more for it.  Go figure.  Anyway my Cricut Maker was making a mess of the cuts. So I bought some Hefty brand foam trays.  The foam is thinner, about 1/16 and denser because the parts come out stiffer (closer to balsa). I like to use the foam as a balsa saver but these trays are more expensive about $5 for 20, but you can get quite a few parts from each tray.

[9600baud]

Very nice!
Can you tell me what setting do you use on your Cricut?
I'm getting used to my new Cricut Maker and had problems with intricate parts out of 1.5 mm foam. Sharp edges were more teared that cut.

Cheers
Alex

[pedwards2932]

There are not a lot of settings you can use for the knifeblade which is the tool I use with the maker.  I use the craft foam setting.  You have to change the craft foam setting to use the knifeblade. This setting has less pressure and 2 passes.  The quality of the foam makes a difference as well.

[9600baud]

Thanks, I'll try that!

[pedwards2932]

One more pic showing the level of detail I am getting with this foam

[JetKo]

Have you calculated the density of this material?

[pedwards2932]

I don't have my scale with me.  I'll try to find something to weigh it.  Meat tray foam was the same weight as 1/32 balsa. The pics show weight of meat tray foam and same size 1/32 balsa

[ramses]

Nice! I wonder how you finish the tissue over these foam formers and ribs?
Doesn`t the dope solve the foam through the tissue?

Cheers, Ramses

[pedwards2932]

I have used light coats of clear Krylon and it works well just need to let it dry between coats. I tried silver Krylon and that really eats into the foam. So I have best results with the clear.  Also waterbased polyurethane works as well doesn't seem to affect the foam at all.