*** This edition brought to you by the guest writer Laird of Cosplay and Cos-Tools
I have used Cos-Tools for over a year now and have had some great success with their products making my foam builds easier and quicker. I used Cos-Tools to build my latest armor cosplay, the Samurai Magneto armor.
Today, I got to test out the 2 newest tools in the Cos-Tools catalog – the Bevel, aka Adjustable Angle, and Strip Cutter. Both were super easy to use and master in a couple of tries.
The Bevel Cutter, aka Adjustable Angle Cutter, is great with an adjustable angle cutting plane that locks in at 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90 degree angles with just the twist of a couple of thumb screws. There is also storage in the handle of the tool for extra cutting blades. To use this tool, just simply set your desired angle, then adjust the length of the cutting blade to just a hair past the depth of the foam to be cut. Make sure you have some kind of mat or something under your foam, as the blades on these tools are ridiculously sharp. I have attached a few photos showing the 45 degree angle cut. This was done on the cheaper thicker foam and still worked like a dream. I can see this tool being very handy when making such props as axe blades or anything that requires a nice clean angle. It also saves the hassle of having to use a rotary tool to get that nice angle.
The Strip Cutter tool is another one that will save you a good amount of time if you need some nice even strips of foam for, say, building a nicely woven piece of armor. You could achieve the same results by marking, then measuring each strip and cutting twice. But with this tool, it’s one pass and you have a strip. One of the nice features of this tool, besides the ridiculously sharp blades, is the ease of which you can set the width of the strip you wish to cut. With a simple thumb screw on the side, you just twist until you reach the width you want on the gauge attached to the tool. I measured my strip after I was done and found the gauge to be pretty darn accurate. Like the Angle Cutter above, just adjust the length of the blades to be a hair longer than the depth of your foam. It, too, has blade storage in the handle. This cutter I also tested on the less expensive floor mat foam and found it went through it quickly and cleanly. Pictures are attached showing the results of this tool as well.
Though I enjoyed working with both tools, I would recommend the use of the Cos-Tools Channel Rail to keep your cuts as straight as possible. The strip cutter can be used freestyle, but if you want to be dead on the money for a straight line, use the Channel Rail; they come in 2 different sizes now. I have the larger one and use it all the time, but will likely pick up the smaller one also.
I have attached a picture to show I really do use their tools as this my hoard of sharp, cutty things.
For me, The Laird of Cosplay. I give Cos-Tools’ new cutters 5 out of 5 stars.
