Mattress Topper and Foam Cutting

[ctva]

First, thinking about getting a memory foam topper for our cabin. How thick does a topper need to be to be useful. I see the Ikea ones are 3.5cm or 8cm? The 3.5cm would better fit the height in the cabin but would it be worth it?

Secondly, is it still a cheap electric carving knife that is best for cutting foam?

Thanks

 

[Hermit]

We got a 5cm one from Argos. Was basically inisde a sheet cover which was removable. Cut to shape with a big pair of scissors.

Makes a big difference.

 

[Moodysailor]

When we changed ours we used an electric carving knife. If I do it again i'll try a soft material jigsaw blade as the knife wasn't a perfectly clean cut.
We bought new matresses from Amazon, very pleased and a big improvement over the 40yr old vinyl covered things that had no support left.

 

[ctva]

I've just seen the Bosch 6" jigsaw blades which look better than the carving knife. Has anyone used these?
Bosch Professional 3x Jigsaw Blade T 1013 AWP Precision for Soft Material (for Fibre insulation materials, Accessories Jigsaw) : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

 

[doug748]

First, thinking about getting a memory foam topper for our cabin. How thick does a topper need to be to be useful. I see the Ikea ones are 3.5cm or 8cm? The 3.5cm would better fit the height in the cabin but would it be worth it?

Secondly, is it still a cheap electric carving knife that is best for cutting foam?

Thanks

Oddly, I was thinking of a post on this theme.

I think they are a great thing, particularly if you are getting on a bit or your upholstery is. I just got a basic single from Dunelm Mill, for about £35 and cut the foam down using scissors. I left the cover full size so it could be tucked under the bunk. It stows a similar size to a sleeping bag.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use a very fine serrated kitchen carving knife, if a straight line then guided along a metal straight edge slightly pressed and held down. If curved then follow a metal former using the knife vertically. Just finished cutting 50mm foam for new cockpit cushions, experiment first if possible.

 

[ashtead]

The problem with a topper if too thick apart from cutting is weight if you need to move plus you sink down into it to far which is perhaps fine if you sail in cold temperatures but it can be too much if hot. We had one on our last boat it was fine but too thick .

 

[Robin]

We inherited one in the owners cabin with our current boat that crumbled. Our local and excellent canvas company made us a new one in 50mm memory foam with a fitted zipped on cover which is fine and we as live aboards in UK have a leccy underblanket over it too. Our bed i s basically a double size 'oval' not quite a full island and whilst the main upholstery base is otherwise fine it is too hard by far. The local guys first made a thick poly/PVC template before cutting the foam itself on the measure thrice cut once principle.

 

[dovekie]

We have a 2.5cm thick topper on our berth: noticeable comfort improvement, even with that thickness. That was cuttable with large scissors.

 

[ash2020]

I do upholstery and sometimes need to trim foam. I've just started to use an electric carving knife and it is excellent. Really nice cuts.
Or you could order foam from GB Foam, Foam Cut to Size - GB Foam Direct - Best UK Foam Suppliers who will cut any shape to either a paper template or drawing. I've had some really complicated shapes done by them.

 

[Poignard]

I presume that during the day these toppers are rolled up and stowed away somewhere. Do they take up much room?

Can they be rolled up tightly or would that damage them?

 

[wilkinsonsails]

I've just seen the Bosch 6" jigsaw blades which look better than the carving knife. Has anyone used these?
Bosch Professional 3x Jigsaw Blade T 1013 AWP Precision for Soft Material (for Fibre insulation materials, Accessories Jigsaw) : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Yes , we use these for cutting foam . Work well once you understand what’s going on . Foam needs to be held stable and you need full cuts without stopping.?

 

[ashtead]

For our v berth we used to leave in place on top of berth cushions annually -too thick to roll up and store -ours came from ikea I think.

 

[Boathook]

We got a 5cm one from Argos. Was basically inisde a sheet cover which was removable. Cut to shape with a big pair of scissors.

Makes a big difference.

I've got the argos 5cm one as well. Used a sharp knife to cut to shape plus machined the cover to suit as well.

 

[Robin]

I presume that during the day these toppers are rolled up and stowed away somewhere. Do they take up much room?

Can they be rolled up tightly or would that damage them?

Ours resides permanently on the owners cabin bed over which goes a plain sheet then a fitted fleece topped electric under blanket with dual 3 heat setting controls, followed by a 'bottom' sheet and then a 10.5 tog double duvet inside a fitted duvet cover. on cold nights the blanket is set on the medium heat setting and on warm ones left off altogether and in summer heat we may leave off the duvet completely .

What damaged the one we inherited was it had cracked/split over a join in the (2 part) original upholstery base cushions below, then crumbled from then on but it was not in any form of cover. like the replacement one now is.

Rolled up they are still bulky unless vacuum bagged as some are for delivery and for sure we have no space to stow such.

 

[coopec]

I do upholstery and sometimes need to trim foam. I've just started to use an electric carving knife and it is excellent. Really nice cuts.
Or you could order foam from GB Foam, Foam Cut to Size - GB Foam Direct - Best UK Foam Suppliers who will cut any shape to either a paper template or drawing. I've had some really complicated shapes done by them.

 

[Ink]

First, thinking about getting a memory foam topper for our cabin. How thick does a topper need to be to be useful. I see the Ikea ones are 3.5cm or 8cm? The 3.5cm would better fit the height in the cabin but would it be worth it?

Secondly, is it still a cheap electric carving knife that is best for cutting foam?

Thanks

Good post. What do the panel recommend for an aft cabin double berth with split cushions. I feel that I roll into the middle and sink between the cushions. Would a topper stop this happening? If so would I get a away with a 25mm/1" thickness? I know that toppers I've tried before are too warm.

Thanks for your input.

Ink

 

[Robin]

Good post. What do the panel recommend for an aft cabin double berth with split cushions. I feel that I roll into the middle and sink between the cushions. Would a topper stop this happening? If so would I get a away with a 25mm/1" thickness? I know that toppers I've tried before are too warm.

Thanks for your input.

Ink

If you read my earlier replies you will see that we have an aft owners cabin on our mobo with an ovaloid berth with it's2 base cushions divided centrally. we have a custom 50 mm topper with a fitted cover left permanently in place. our arrangement as we live aboard year round in UK has an electric blanket included over the topper and beneath the 10.5 tog duvet is not too warm and yet plenty warm enough for chilly nights, augmented by the electric blanket without which maybe a 13.5tog duvet would be better.

 

[Boathook]

Good post. What do the panel recommend for an aft cabin double berth with split cushions. I feel that I roll into the middle and sink between the cushions. Would a topper stop this happening? If so would I get a away with a 25mm/1" thickness? I know that toppers I've tried before are too warm.

Thanks for your input.

Ink

It seems like your existing cushions are at the end of their life. A topper will improve things for a short period. If the covers are OK, new foam isn't to expensive from a specialist company and then add a topper.