Balsa / Foam Stripper

thingiverse

Cutting thin strips of balsa wood or EVA foam with a blade and ruler demands attention to detail and care. A good stripping tool makes the job easier, safer, and produces more consistent results. Balsa strippers have been around for a while, but this is my take on it. For context, watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i9WbRWzRuM The stripper consists of three main parts: the handle, blade holder, and interchangeable spacer plate. The thickness of the spacer determines the width of the cut strip. The spacer has a slot to accommodate different material heights (up to 8mm) and is secured in place when the assembly is tightened. Instead of using specific blades, this stripper uses utility knife blades that are widely available. Most any blade will fit. To print the parts, you'll need at least one handle, one blade holder, and one spacer plate for each required thickness. You'll also need two 4x16mm Allen headed bolts with nuts to match. Note: if you want to cut strips wider than 5mm, you'll need longer bolts (20mm). Before you start, consider buying some bolts and nuts - they're useful for projects and as spares for your 3D printer. A variety pack of 200 or more can be found cheaply on Amazon or eBay. Assemble the parts according to the photos (4, 5, & 6). Usage should be self-explanatory, but if you're unsure, watch the video above. Tips: tighten the bolts firmly but avoid over-tightening, which can distort the plastic. Numbering the spacers makes it easy to identify their size at a glance. Replace dull blades with new ones to ensure clean and safe cuts. The Sketchup files are included; modify the 3mm spacer if you need a different thickness.