Polystyrene for Floating

[macmac]

Hi all,

Anyone knows where to buy cheap polystyrene blocks for floating. I damaged some of them when I change the fuel sending unit. Didn't realise petrol will dissolve the polystyrene.

Here is the pix:

Also any advice how to cut polystyrene strait and neat? Any techniques?

Cheers,

Phil

[Blood Knot]

Have used the wife's electric carving knife a couple of times - its OK just. Best I believe is a hot wire cutter.

Cheers John

[Guest Aussie007]

i cut a fair bit of polystyrene for radio control model use i use a hot wire cutter made from a variable laptop power supply ranging from 15-22volts i just make a simple rig a big U shape out of wood than wire the hot wire across the two points than attach the power to each side of the wire the most basic hot wire and widely used is a car battery charger 12volts 3amps minimum for 2.5 foot of cutting wire just make the U frame run the wire from tip to tip and hook up your battery charger alligator clips to each side of the wire becareful the wire heats up instantly and it can get so hot the wire is glowing red and as for the foam u can use the yellowpages online theres a factory at kings park/blacktown who i deal with a sheet of medium grade polystyrene 2400x1200x100 cost $50 u need to spend minimum $50 on white foam they also sell blue foam its much more dense and its extruded and doesnt crumble like polystyrene

[macmac]

i cut a fair bit of polystyrene for radio control model use i use a hot wire cutter made from a variable laptop power supply ranging from 15-22volts i just make a simple rig a big U shape out of wood than wire the hot wire across the two points than attach the power to each side of the wire the most basic hot wire and widely used is a car battery charger 12volts 3amps minimum for 2.5 foot of cutting wire just make the U frame run the wire from tip to tip and hook up your battery charger alligator clips to each side of the wire becareful the wire heats up instantly and it can get so hot the wire is glowing red and as for the foam u can use the yellowpages online theres a factory at kings park/blacktown who i deal with a sheet of medium grade polystyrene 2400x1200x100 cost $50 u need to spend minimum $50 on white foam they also sell blue foam its much more dense and its extruded and doesnt crumble like polystyrene

Hi Gazza,

Can u pm me for the address of foam supplier? Also the blue stuff u mentioned won't melt with gasoline? Are those blue stuff more expensive? Do they have foam with at least 300mm thickness? Regarding to the hot wire cutter, I've never seen it before and I will try to google it and see if i can buy a ready one instead.

Thanx and Cheers,

Phil

[Guest Aussie007]

Hi Gazza,

Can u pm me for the address of foam supplier? Also the blue stuff u mentioned won't melt with gasoline? Are those blue stuff more expensive? Do they have foam with at least 300mm thickness? Regarding to the hot wire cutter, I've never seen it before and I will try to google it and see if i can buy a ready one instead.

Thanx and Cheers,

Phil

im sure all foams will melt with fuel spilled on them u could try EPP foam the blue foam u need to order a minimum of $100 worth u cant youtube hot wire cutter i will get you the link later and PM it to you

[macmac]

Is there anyway u can join the polystyrene together? I tried liquid nail and it melts the foam. Thanx for any advice.

Cheers, Phil

P.S. Sorry for asking too many question as I'm new to boating at all.

[Guest Aussie007]

yeah u can use standard PVA wood glue it might take a day to dry or if your in a hurry any 2 part epoxy glue works fine on polystyrene

[Guest Aussie007]

search google for "ausurethane" its a factory in kings park

[macmac]

yeah u can use standard PVA wood glue it might take a day to dry or if your in a hurry any 2 part epoxy glue works fine on polystyrene

Oh i c. I think I still have some 2 part epoxy left for joining granite. I will try tomorrow Thanx.

Phil

[macmac]

search google for "ausurethane" its a factory in kings park

Now this make me more confuse after reading the website. So the floatation used for my boat is polystyrene but it said polyurethane is for marine buoyancy as well and is chemical resistant. Is that mean I should buy polyurethane instead of polystyrene?

[Guest Aussie007]

buy what ever floats your boat