I would advise asking around the "Help for molding" thread as well, if you haven't already. You'll likely get more detailed answers from people who actually have experience (I honestly haven't done anything beyond test pepping and unfolding pep models as far as practical experience goes).
"Help!" for: Foam
- Thread starter Carpathia
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RTWHOCKEY
Active Member
One of the best tips I can give you is to just use a nice sharp blade to make sure your cuts are as clean as possible. When you cut at an angle, make sure you keep that angle constant and that your foam doesn't have a wavy looking angle to it.
Good luck.
Mainly it's practice. Your hand, wrist, and arm need to learn how to move along the cut line while still maintaining the proper angle. It's one of the reasons I"m a bit uncertain about venturing into foam, as my hands aren't very steady most of the time. As RTWHockey pointed out, having a sharp (read: fresh) blade is very important. Depending on the quality of the blades you're using, you might get a lot of use out of a single blade or you might only get a relatively short combined length of cuts before the blade becomes dull and ends up tearing more than it cuts, which really throws things off.
Frankyboy440
Jr Member
I'm sure someone posted this. but where do I find pepakura foam files for the mjolnir Mark IV Suit?
I remember that I found it before, but forgot the site :/ I haven't been able to find them again.
I Know I can just use the regular files and modify them myself, but maybe someone had the files ready and simplified somehow.
I remember that I found it before, but forgot the site :/ I haven't been able to find them again.
I Know I can just use the regular files and modify them myself, but maybe someone had the files ready and simplified somehow.
Apothacary
Member
Alright, got a stupid question here, before I go and spend some $. Is this :
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/i...7l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5412109?Ntt=plastidip
the stuff used on foam pieces? Went through this thread with Ctrl+F trying to find an answer. May have missed a page though.
Again sorry for the really dumb question, but it seems so obvious it could be false haha. (Or maybe my brain is thinking in reverse from lack of sleep)
http://www.homehardware.ca/en/rec/i...7l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN/R-I5412109?Ntt=plastidip
the stuff used on foam pieces? Went through this thread with Ctrl+F trying to find an answer. May have missed a page though.
Again sorry for the really dumb question, but it seems so obvious it could be false haha. (Or maybe my brain is thinking in reverse from lack of sleep)
Plasti-dip is the most widely used method for sealing foam builds, as it is effective and fairly cheap. Another product you could use that's a bit more expensive is called Flexseal. Possibly a bit more sturdy than plastidip, I don't know. Would have to ask if anyone's actualyl tested that. There is also plastidip that comes in a regular, non-spray form that can just be brushed on or, if the part is small enough, just give it a quick dip in the can. In some ways the brush-on plastidip is the better choice, as you're not paying for the aeresol (empty space) and don't have to deal with wasted material do to overspray. The downside being that you may end up with brushstrokes that wil lneed to be smoothed out while wet if you can or sanded down after it dries.
Hey guys, I used to be on here years ago, but now I'm back and have a job so I can afford to make a suit this time 
Just been looking at Kitnip's thread here: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php...-build-with-custom-paint-scheme-and-undersuit and I've been sold on trying to do a foam build, as hers looks incredible so far.
Could someone link me to a good, detailed tutorial? I've been looking around and just seem to be finding 404 links and links to the old forum that don't exist :/
EDIT:frozenottsel's thread here: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php...n-4-Scout-Build-WIP-Foam-(Very-Picture-Heavy) clears up a lot of my questons actually. But a tutorial would still be awesome. I'm feeling far more confident for things like shoulder plates, but no idea where I'd start with a helmet.
EDIT 2: found this, http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/35552-Iron-Man-2-MK5-Suitcase-Foam-Build which is crazy helpful, but once again the helmet seems to be similar to that "draw 2 circles, draw the rest of the owl" thing
Just been looking at Kitnip's thread here: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php...-build-with-custom-paint-scheme-and-undersuit and I've been sold on trying to do a foam build, as hers looks incredible so far.
Could someone link me to a good, detailed tutorial? I've been looking around and just seem to be finding 404 links and links to the old forum that don't exist :/
EDIT:frozenottsel's thread here: http://www.405th.com/showthread.php...n-4-Scout-Build-WIP-Foam-(Very-Picture-Heavy) clears up a lot of my questons actually. But a tutorial would still be awesome. I'm feeling far more confident for things like shoulder plates, but no idea where I'd start with a helmet.
EDIT 2: found this, http://www.405th.com/showthread.php/35552-Iron-Man-2-MK5-Suitcase-Foam-Build which is crazy helpful, but once again the helmet seems to be similar to that "draw 2 circles, draw the rest of the owl" thing
There's likely a few tutorials around the forums showing how other members have done it, as there are a few ways. One method is to attach straps from the chest piece to the shoulder pieces. Likewise you could attach straps to the belt/cod to help hold up the thigh pieces, and continue from the thigh pieces to attach the knee and shin pieces with more straps.
Another possible method would be to sew a strip of velcro to the undersuit and attach the other side to the corresponding piece. Velcro has it's pros and cons, one of the downsides being that it adds that much extra bulk to the specific area.
A third possibility that I am thinking of experimenting with would be to attach an elastic/spandex liner to the piece. For example, with the Halo Reach bicep cuffs, one could sew a cuff of spandex or other stretchy material and attach it (perhaps along the seam) to the inside of the armor piece. When you put it on you slide your arm through the spandex cuff and the elasticity of the material just might hold it in place. I say "just might" because I have not actually tested this theory yet, it's just a concept I came up wit hafter buying a boxed lot of spandex material that I thought of using to make glove, neck seals, etc. from.
Another possible method would be to sew a strip of velcro to the undersuit and attach the other side to the corresponding piece. Velcro has it's pros and cons, one of the downsides being that it adds that much extra bulk to the specific area.
A third possibility that I am thinking of experimenting with would be to attach an elastic/spandex liner to the piece. For example, with the Halo Reach bicep cuffs, one could sew a cuff of spandex or other stretchy material and attach it (perhaps along the seam) to the inside of the armor piece. When you put it on you slide your arm through the spandex cuff and the elasticity of the material just might hold it in place. I say "just might" because I have not actually tested this theory yet, it's just a concept I came up wit hafter buying a boxed lot of spandex material that I thought of using to make glove, neck seals, etc. from.
That was my thinking. Better to have something that will flex with the body while still staying in place. Strapped on armor pieces have a way of shifting, drifting, and sliding out of place, which can make movement awkward and clumsy, and velcro can come undone or get worn out after a while. Granted elastic will wear out eventually as well, but in the meantime it's likely to perform better than velcro because of its flexibility.
Hey everybody! I have never worked with any foam before so I have lots of questions. Some of you might know Andrew Cook (a.k.a . DaFrontlineTrooper), and he is who I'm using for tutorials to build a Halo Magnum.
-What foam is ideal for crafting a high quality Magnum prop?
-I don't want to attempt pepakura, so are there any tips you have for me?
-I have already looked for foam to build with, but the styrofoam that I saw in stores looked too porous compared to his, which looked quite dense. He said in his video that he used styrofoam, so what should I do?
-Do you have any recommended sites for magnum outlines and pictures?
Thank you!
-What foam is ideal for crafting a high quality Magnum prop?
-I don't want to attempt pepakura, so are there any tips you have for me?
-I have already looked for foam to build with, but the styrofoam that I saw in stores looked too porous compared to his, which looked quite dense. He said in his video that he used styrofoam, so what should I do?
-Do you have any recommended sites for magnum outlines and pictures?
Thank you!
The material Andrew uses is the high-density heavy insulating foam board, such as this stuff. How well it comes out depends on your carving skill, really. Always remember that you can shave more off, but you can't put it back, so take it slow and whittle away just a little at a time.
I'm not sure about any good full templates, but there is a sliced pep file in the 405th database that you could use as a reference point.
I'm not sure about any good full templates, but there is a sliced pep file in the 405th database that you could use as a reference point.
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