Styrofoam

Score the Styrofoam to create a clean break line.

* Use a sharp, thin object to penetrate the foam in order to create a straight cutting line. Using even pressure, make a groove in the Styrofoam with a credit card, key, butter knife or any other sharp, thin object.

* Break the Styrofoam along the scored cutting line. For best results, situate the foam on a table or countertop with the scored line along the edge of the surface. Press down gently along the scored line to create a clean break. If necessary, remove any excess foam with a serrated kitchen knife or craft knife.

Use a waxed serrated kitchen knife to cut Styrofoam.

* Wax the knife by running the entire knife blade several times over a candle. To avoid getting colored candle wax on your foam, use a white candle.

* Cut the polystyrene foam with the serrated knife using long, sawing motions. Keep steady, even pressure on the knife throughout the sawing motions to reduce the chances of breaking or crushing the Styrofoam.

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Cut polystyrene foam with an electric kitchen knife. Use an electric kitchen knife, such as a carving knife or a fish fillet knife, to create clean cuts in Styrofoam.

* Place the electric knife on the foam along the desired cutting line. Do not exert pressure on the electric knife, but allow the serrated blades to gently cut through the Styrofoam.

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Use a craft knife to cut Styrofoam. A craft knife is ideal for cutting small, thin pieces of foam, but is not recommended for pieces with a thickness of more than 1 inch (2.54 cm). Unlike serrated blades that tear through foam, the sharp blades in craft knives tend to flatten or compress the Styrofoam. This could result in malformed or uneven cuts in thick pieces of foam.

* Use a craft knife for small, precise cuts. Craft knives also can be used to create...