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I purchased some styrofoam blocks and a wire foam cutter from my local hobby shop to make "necron crystals" with... and it's crazy hard to cut a perfectly smooth section of foam by hand. Without setting up a table saw, any tips on gettng portions I want to cut straight?

I just use a fully extended 9mm retractable craft knife, drawn through by hand. Never had a problem getting it straight. If needed I hand sand with a block afterwards before sealing with PVA and painting.

Unless yer crystals are gonna be huge of course. Then I'd dig out my B&D scorpion saw...

Clamp the foam cutter to a table edge and move the foam through it using both hands rather than holding both the cutter and foam and doing it that way. It's much easier to straight, smooth cuts. Also make sure you wire is quite taut. Take a deep breath.

You could also use guides for the wire. Got an offcut of wood? Hold it against the side of the crystal and draw your wire along it. Should help keep things straight and even.

Thanks guys. I'll probably end up having to use a knife or building some sort of "guide" for the blocks.

Orki wrote:I just use a fully extended 9mm retractable craft knife, drawn through by hand. Never had a problem getting it straight. If needed I hand sand with a block afterwards before sealing with PVA and painting.

Unless yer crystals are gonna be huge of course. Then I'd dig out my B&D scorpion saw...

What is PVA?

PVA glue.

A white all purpose glue that dries clear, and is often used watered down for sealing foam, wood, paper, card, filler etc (basically everything porous, like scenery ie) before painting.