Styrofoam Coolers?

curious2garden

curious2garden

Well-Known Mod
Staff member
shnkrmn said:
3 inch hole saw? Might cost more than the coolers.
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Yeah I'd definitely go with the hole saw and it's great if you need to do a door replacement too! I made my original cloner from a Rubbermaid container and used a smaller hole saw to fit the clone rings and didn't bother with net pots. I think the styrofoam would help with keeping the reservoir cooler too. But net pots with rings would allow you to hold them and feed them for awhile. I think @doublejj did that.
 
TCH

TCH

Well-Known Member
One thing to consider before fully committing is that Styrofoam isn't necessarily watertight. I'd fill one up all the way and let it sit somewhere for a couple days to make sure it doesn't seep at all.
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
Well, don't drop it on like that. Drill a hole in the center of your 3" metal disc, and put a handle on it. Use it like a brand to stamp out perfect holes every time!
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
doublejj said:
You can buy a set of hole saws at Harbor Freight for $14..
www.harborfreight.com

1 in. - 2-1/2 in. Carbon Steel Hole Saw Set, 10 Pc.

Amazing deals on this 10Pc 1In - 2-1/2In Steel Hole Saw Set at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
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That set only go's up to 2-1/2", but they do have single 3" bi metal type ones at HF still.. Or also a 3, 4 & 4-1/2" three piece set, or something like that If I remember right.. Way cheaper than the other stores that's for sure.

You'll never get a perfect hole using regular hole saws with teeth into polystyrene foam btw.. Even in reverse, its still gonna chew it up a little bit, because its more like a bunch of small balls that will tear out, unlike rigid or other closed cell types of foam material that are more consistently mixed. Probably not a big deal though, and will be covered by the net cup lips anyway. You might even wanna cut with the next size down in case it does wanna tear out. Then heat it up inside the holes and push the netpot in for a good seal. Should be good enough even with the teeth if careful.. good luck!

Some guys grind the teeth off the hole saws if they have to cut a lot of clean holes in foam panels for net pots all the time, but I wouldn't waste a good hole saw for that. I would make a hot punch tool for sure, and heat it up red hot and punch through multiple lids/sheets at a time if I had a huge system to design..
 
Drop That Sound

Drop That Sound

Well-Known Member
You can make your own foam cutters using some wire, alligator clips, a spring, and big enough battery. A smaller handheld knife, or even a table top unit for ripping blocks down into sheets, etc.

I made my own portable mini one from a ecig vape mod and atomizer head, that uses such a small wire you can plunge right in and cut perfect holes. Even has temp control if I use SS wire. Its even better than the ones they sell IMO.
 
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