kwalshy 229 #1 Posted September 18 I started to insulate my pole barn with 2" polystyrene sheets. Some might ask why not fiberglass? The answer: Price - I am able to buy 4' x 8' x 2" R-10 sheets from a local factory, hence saving myself $ vs buying rolls of fiberglass. Cutting the boards with a hand saw is easy, but I am not enjoying the mess. So I am in the market for a 'hot knife' or 'hot wire cutter'. Anyone have any experience or suggestions on a make/model they recommend? Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSraj 424 #2 Posted September 18 (edited) Table saw works great especially with dust collection. Great stuff the edges for a good seal Edited September 18 by JimSraj 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,116 #3 Posted September 18 1 hour ago, kwalshy said: experience or suggestions Contractor I watched used a long razor knife. Scored and broke over a rail clamped to sawhorses (a la sheetrock) for long straight cuts. He had a Milwaukee M12 (battery) Hackzall with a narrow metal-cutting blade for the details and curves so yes, some mess there but surprisingly little and he could plunge cut with it. He wore a N95 to avoid inhaling dust. He was using construction adhesive (in a battery-powered gun) to mount and between panels. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwalshy 229 #4 Posted September 18 1 hour ago, JimSraj said: Table saw works great especially with dust collection. Great stuff the edges for a good seal Unfortunately, my homeowner grade/box store table saw doesn't have dust collection. I'm sure I could make one with my shop vac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,011 #5 Posted September 18 Harbor Freight has what you need for $ 20.00 https://www.harborfreight.com/130-watt-hot-knife-60313.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12126402660&campaignid=12126402660&utm_content=118355012153&adsetid=118355012153&product=60313&store=3234&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9Km3BhDjARIsAGUb4nwDgAaCc2ft3A9StZjFMSGqqrWReKHVzerruF8JI9s7iL9pOJcWZmsaAvJ7EALw_wcB 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,343 #6 Posted September 19 Like Handy Don said, a long razor knife and a T square was all I ever used when working with 2" foam and then snap it off. No mess really at all. As long as you can make 90* cuts with the knife you should be good to go. Using a table saw or a circular saw tends to melt the foam and it sticks to the blade, making a mess like you mentioned. A Milwaukee hackzall works great for any cuts that aren't straight. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,743 #7 Posted September 19 On 9/18/2024 at 11:49 AM, kwalshy said: Some might ask why not fiberglass? The answer: Is mice... they can destroy fiberglass and make a real mess. they generally don't like foam in my neck of the woods anyway. Give any thought to spray foam or too $$$ ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwalshy 229 #8 Posted September 20 (edited) 16 hours ago, WHX?? said: Is mice... they can destroy fiberglass and make a real mess. they generally don't like foam in my neck of the woods anyway. Give any thought to spray foam or too $$$ ? Yeah, mice was also a factor. I did think about spray foam, closed cell, so I put up house wrap around entire perimeter prior to sheet metal went up. And you are correct, the costs for spray foam I have been quoted thus far are $$$ Edited September 20 by kwalshy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
