Cutting seat foam smooth edge ?

[riotten22]

Hey guys, Need some suggestions, I have found some nice closed cell foam for my low profile seat but am having a hard time cutting it. What have you guys used to cut seat foam to achieve a smooth non jagged edge ?

 

[famousseajay]

I used a bandsaw to cut the rough shape i wanted. Then used a angle grinder with like a 120 grit flap disk to get the profile and contours i wanted. Then finished it off hand sanding with prolly 240. Not super smooth, but smooth enough. But i also put a seat cover over it so it didnt really matter. Ive heard that those electric carving knifes work pretty good...???

 

[HerrDeacon]

I've never tried it myself but have seen others press down on the foam with a board or something to make it as thin as possible. Then using a very sharp knife cut to shape. Make sure the knife is as sharp as you can get it.

 

[tsbigdog]

I went out and bought a cheap electric carving knife for about 12 dollars at Ace Hardware. It worked pretty good. It's easier to make large cuts than to try and trim small pieces off. Then after you cut it use some kind of grinder to smooth it out as others have suggested. Be careful though because you can take off a lot of material quickly with the grinder.

 

[cafematty]

Not sure if it will work exactly the same (as I assume you aren't covering this). But on the softer yellow foam, I cut with an electric knife and then smooth with an angle grinder.... So +1 to famousseajay.

 

[moshpete]

i used a loose hacksaw blade then clean up with any grinding or sanding wheel. +2

 

[riotten22]

Ya I am trying to cut a piece of foam that will not be covered so i may give the flat board + sharp knife method or maybe the electric carving knife

 

[HerrDeacon]

Report back with how things work out. I'm most likely going to make a seat with exposed foam and will need a nice clean edge.