DIY Styrofoam Cutter

Author

Bass Jansson

Edited

Apr 6, 2026 8:36 PM

Using a Nichrome wire with an approximate resistance of 0.4 Ohm for about 12cm. Powered by 5V with a 14A rated power supply. To limit current, a 0.8 Ohm resistor capable of handling 39 Watts is used.

I = V / R

So system uses 4.2A, of which 1.4A is going through the Nichrome wire. It's not a lot, but enough to make it hot enough to cut the styrofoam slowly.