customminiaturemaker
patreon
Foam Cutter Pillar Template
🕑 Added 2024-04-22 14:53:19 +0000 UTCHey Miniature Makers!
This week we went for a bit of experimentation with a new tool type. We made a pillar template that you can use to make two different pillar designs from foam.
Foam is a great material as it is so cheap, so you can make a huge number of pillars for very little cost. Perfect for a DnD map or for making pillars for a large terrain build.
How it works
For it to work you will need a hotwire and some foam cut to 10cm length and 3cm width and depth. You then place the foam inside the template and cut using the design side of your choice, then simply pop it out and turn it 3 times, making sure to cut using that same template side. This will then cut all four sides of the pillar with the same template so you get a symmetrical 3D pillar design!
Printing considerations
I printed the one you can see here in PLA and it worked fine although as the wire is hot you have to move quite quickly to ensure you do not start to melt the plastic at all. For this reason, I would advise you guys to print it in resin or ABS if you can, if not PLA does work though. Also always use a mask when working with a hot wire, safety first kids!
Hot Wire
I made do with a cheap hotwire I got off Amazon for under £10, but to be honest it was not the best as it drained batteries quite quickly so I will be getting a better one very soon, there do seem to be some reasonably priced ones out there.
Set Includes:
Pillar Template
Template Lid
They come Fully Pre-supported for Resin printing and laid flat for FDM Printing.
Now added to your MMF library for April
Keep on Rollin'
Simon and Justin
Comments
Custom Miniature Maker
Good idea! Might have to try that sometime 👊
Toby kidd
I love this idea! Was thinking of getting some. Maybe a jig for good shingles? Would be another I've seen that could be cool
Anthony Felton
Brilliant! I was going to buy one. Solves that problem. Thank you!
Terrain Tronics
Fantastic works gents! I really wanted some of these laser cut, so I threw them into tinkercad, exported one of them flat and brought them into fusion360. (for 25mm square bases that reach up to 75mm). I can't wait to see what other pillar shapes you'll make.
Dennis Robertson
Absolutely LOVE these... So much utility and adds a nice variety to my dungeon builds.. Thanks
