The Upholstery Forum

Hi, I am new to the forum and to upholstery/marine sewing. I have so many questions! I have found a lot of great information on here so thank you all so much for this forum.

I will be living full time on a sail boat so less is always more. I see so many great uses for having a hot knife but I also need a foam cutter for making the cockpit and salon cushions. I don't see much use for the foam cutter after that thou. Is there a good hot knife tool you would recommend that does both, perhaps with just changing the attachment? The Romech that is recommended in Johns video sells both a hot knife and a foam cutter but looking at the attachments it does not say or appear to be interchangeable.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

Electric fillet knife is great for cutting foam. Mine is a Mr. Twister fish fillet knife from basspro but any reciprocating blade electric knife will do, you may even have one in your kitchen already. It helps to give the blades a squirt of silicone spray lubricant and they'll slide right through with ease

One of the other on-line upholstery youtube people suggests a hacksaw blade (obviously not mounted on a saw). Personally I use a electric knife but am careful to hold it at 90 degrees to the foam otherwise you cut at an angle.

Hacksaw blade,, Must be Mr. Richard Rudolph that's all he uses. I've watched many of his videos. For the life of me , I cannot do it the way he does .
I use a foam cutter from sailrite. I have to spray it with silicone spray Lubricant also to keep it gliding along. If your only gonna use one for a short period , I wouldn't waste the money on one just use a electric filet knife or hacksaw , If your careful the results will be just as good.

I've never used the electric knife i would have to buy one, which is fine. Just wasn't sure it would cut a jagged edge rather than a nice clean one as I've never used one.

Hey Lala, another sailor here doing just what you are doing. I stole my Wife's electric carving knife, Cheap (well free if you do what I did ) and works extremely well with clean edges for cushion cutting. I mark all sides carefully so I am sure to follow straight lines while cutting. Do some testing first, but not complicated at all.

@Adam12 @Ron Henningsen @Rhonda @Seychellois
Thank you for your suggestions, I will see if I can source/borrow an electric knife or buy one they seem pretty inexpensive and give it a go! I have a few scrap pieces I can practice on.

@Lala remember your angles good luck!!!