# Foam rubber question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778 "2005-08-26T19:06:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tygerbryght](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tygerbryght](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygerbryght)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/1 "2005-08-26T19:06:55Z")
I just acquired a “bed wedge” - one of those big things used to elevate the entire upper body. It’s just fine, except it raises me up too high. Now I need to figure what I can use to slice a couple of inches off the top (slanted side). I’d like to be able to get it off in one piece, so that if an occasion arises when I need the greater elevation, I can put the slice back in place. What can I use that will slice smoothly? I think I can keep my movements smooth enough if there’s something that will do the job. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/2 "2005-08-26T19:17:58Z")
Have you got an electric knife? Those work pretty well. All the decorating shows use them to cut foam rubber. ---
**Author:** ![tygerbryght](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tygerbryght](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygerbryght)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/3 "2005-08-26T20:15:07Z")
> [@missbunny](#): > > Have you got an electric knife? Those work pretty well. All the decorating shows use them to cut foam rubber. No, I don’t have one, but I thought of that. And I’m prepared to buy one, if that will do the job. The problem is that the wedge is wide - 25", according to the label. Do any electric knives come with really long blades? ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/4 "2005-08-26T20:47:15Z")
I don’t think they come with blades that long. You need to slice off the section in pieces. You can put a piece of tape to mark how deep to cut so that each small portion is the same. If you have a foam store near you, they might be able to do it more easily. (Special machine or something.) ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/5 "2005-08-26T22:37:42Z")
> [@tygerbryght](#): > > I just acquired a “bed wedge” - one of those big things used to elevate the entire upper body. It’s just fine, except it raises me up too high. Now I need to figure what I can use to slice a couple of inches off the top (slanted side). I’d like to be able to get it off in one piece, so that if an occasion arises when I need the greater elevation, I can put the slice back in place. What can I use that will slice smoothly? I think I can keep my movements smooth enough if there’s something that will do the job. A nichrome hot wire will melt it’s way through it. A band saw with a razor bandsaw blade works easily. Caution it also slices meat (flesh) even easier. ---
**Author:** ![tygerbryght](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tygerbryght](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygerbryght)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/6 "2005-08-29T07:26:49Z")
Sorry about the delay. I don’t logon here every day anymore, haven’t for a long time. I don’t dare. This place is a time sink. I will spend hours and hours here, if I’m not careful. :smack: > [@spingears](#): > > A nichrome hot wire will melt it’s way through it. > A band saw with a razor bandsaw blade works easily. Caution it also slices meat (flesh) even easier. Thanks. Thanks also to **missbunny**. Problems are, (1) I don’t have any of those things, and (2) I don’t know anybody in this entire state that’s got a well equipped shop. Oh, I’m sure there are thousands around, probably some within a mile of where I live. I just don’t know them. ☹ The really bad thing about using an electric knife and cutting it off in hunks is that I want to be able to have _two pieces_, ones that I can put back together inside the fitted cover, if the breathing gets so difficult that I need the extra elevation, or I get bronchitis again (God forbid!). I thought about marking the edges, so I’d know where to cut. I used to do a lot of sewing, and - more recently, but still many years ago, a fair amount of home maintenance - so I know about that kind of stuff. Now, can anyone think of a way for me to do this with my limited resources? Please? If nothing else comes up, I suppose I’ll hafta get an electric knife and try to divide it without screwing it up. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![surlyprince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@surlyprince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surlyprince)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/7 "2005-08-29T08:53:44Z")
Check the phone book for an upholstery shop nearby. I bet they’ll have a good way to do what you want and may even do it for free. SP ---
**Author:** ![tygerbryght](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@tygerbryght](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygerbryght)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foam-rubber-question/318778/8 "2005-08-29T09:04:19Z")
> [@surlyprince](#): > > Check the phone book for an upholstery shop nearby. I bet they’ll have a good way to do what you want and may even do it for free. > SP Wow! I’ve always thought of myself as fairly resourceful, but I doubt I’d ever have thought of that. :smack: :smack: Thank you so _very_ much. 🆒