Foam Cutters

Here is where Joel (webmaster) stands up on a soapbox to say a couple things about this section (since I figure you’ll write to me asking which one is ‘best’ anyway - grin :-)… The design of foamcutters seems to be an almost religious topic. Each person or group who has designed a cutter is adamant about why theirs is the best. Each of the three designs listed are essentially different variations on a theme. They are all drop-arm cutters where the position of a pulley system determines the cut angle (straight for constant chord wings or angled for tapered wings).

Each design has strengths and weaknesses - of the several folks I know who have “built their own” most have ended up with a cutter that is somewhere between the Brengman and MRCSS design. Either the Brengman or the MRCSS design can be built for $50-75, depending on how fancy you get with hardware, and how many parts you buy as extrusions and how many you make from wood. The FeatherCut® is available for about $150.

So… here’s one strategy for deciding which way to go. If you like scrounging parts from hardware stores and putting together your own tools, then definitely build one of the home-built designs (or a composite of both) listed here. If you don’t really want to spend time hunting around for parts, or are willing to spend the difference in price to save the time, then the FeatherCut® might be for you. Although all parties involved will make persuasive arguments why theirs is the best system, any of them can be used to create almost any wing section imaginable. Check out the various designs and see what you think.