"Help!" for: Foam

[WandererTJ]

I have a gauntlet lying about I can test this on.

If it is just a spare gauntlet, feel free to test it.

But please don't waste any materials/money on my behalf if you don't have anything to spare.


Make sure you read EVAkura's post as well.

I think that there might be ways to decrease the number of variables working against you, but it does seem like there could be complications.

You might be able to improve your results with the resin by trying to carve out some of the foam. Just make sure that there are enough Polyurethane layers on it so that it will still maintain its structural integrity when you try to remove some of the foam.
Given, if you have a layer that bonds to the foam, then it won't be possible to cleanly remove all the foam, but at least removing some of it should be helpful if one were to try this.

Another thing that might work is if you only resin a section at a time rather than everything all at once. This way, the foam won't be as trapped under the resin and it would allow the chemicals to evaporate as the foam is dissolved. Obviously, making sure you wear a ventilation mask will be important, and it is even more important than when you are just using resin by itself without having chemical reactions and things dissolving.

Now, if you resin it section by section, it could cause some weaknesses in the layer of resin, but once you got through the stage of dissolving the foam, you could come in with some more resin and some fiberglass cloth to make sure everything was nicely reinforced.

As per a rondo stage, where you are filling the internal cavities, I'm not 100% sure on what the best way to play things safe would be, as you obviously wouldn't want it to get on the external surface, but fortunately, as far as I know, it should be fairly easy to sand off if it happens.


Now maybe, there would be a way to add a layer between the foam and the polyurethane that doesn't bond with the foam which would allow for the foam to more easily be removed.
One of my Navy buddies says he has something that he refers to as "resin tape" that he uses on aircrafts that you can bend and shape just by using a heat gun and that it shouldn't bond with or melt the foam, but I don't know much about it.

 

[BlueFreeze128]

Hi! I was wondering what kind of heat gun I should get. I've seen quite a few different kinds and I wanted to know which to get. also is a 10mm thick foam mat too thick or is that an ok size?

 

[colbs]

Any 20 dollar heat gun will do

 

[BlueFreeze128]

oh ok thank you!!!

 

[FoxtrotX146]

I was wondering on how I would be able to fill in seams. Does anyone have some tips on these kinds of situations?


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[Zaff]

silicone glue/caulk might do the job. If the gap/seam is significant, maybe wedge a foam "shim" in there to fill up the bulk of the space so you don't have to try to fill it entirely with glue.

 

[PSYCHO ARMY]

this is the foam I am going to plan to use for halo 4 master chief suit, its cheap and high quality/quantity. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EJI6CK...TF8&colid=177EE84E0AI1L&coliid=I1YXK7YP6B1VC3

 

[EVAkura]

this is the foam I am going to plan to use for halo 4 master chief suit, its cheap and high quality/quantity. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EJI6CK...TF8&colid=177EE84E0AI1L&coliid=I1YXK7YP6B1VC3

Excellent choice!

 

[WandererTJ]

Do any of you know where the best place to look for Exacto Knives that have Flat Handles?

I'm wanting one that can use interchangeable blades like an Exacto Knife, preferably #11 scalpel blades, but I can't find anything that doesn't have a round handle.

I've seen some others using them, and I would definitely agree that having a flat/square handle would allow you to have more control of the blade, but I fear I'm having a bad day since I'm even failing at the google....


Also, are mini hot glue guns okay to go with?
Are "All Temp" Hot Glue Sticks acceptable? I can't find ones that say "High Temp" anywhere.

 

[Ashuraa]

WandererTJ You want High Temp glue sticks only. If it is an all temp, or multi temp it is going to melt to easily in normal wearing conditions. I find my high temp sticks at Hobby Lobby. Mini Glue guns are acceptable. As to where you need to find the flat knife, look for scalpel handles #3 if what I remember from EVAkura is correct.

 

[EVAkura]

WandererTJ You want High Temp glue sticks only. If it is an all temp, or multi temp it is going to melt to easily in normal wearing conditions. I find my high temp sticks at Hobby Lobby. Mini Glue guns are acceptable. As to where you need to find the flat knife, look for scalpel handles #3 if what I remember from EVAkura is correct.

All the above info is correct. I have yet to see high temp glue sticks in the mini size, so they may be a bit more difficult to find, but I am sure they make them

 

[Ashuraa]

I am actually able to find the mini hot glue sticks easier in my area then the full size ones. I can find both at Hobby Lobby. High temp glue is typically harder to find, but again i have found the mini High temp more readily, at Hobby Lobby, Micheal's, and AC Moore.

 

[BGCrisis]

Lovely, I made sure to get a glue gun that was hi-temp, but all the glue where I shop was multi-temp. Seeing as I've already built my pieces, how horribly boned am I?

 

[Termhn]

Lovely, I made sure to get a glue gun that was hi-temp, but all the glue where I shop was multi-temp. Seeing as I've already built my pieces, how horribly boned am I?

Depends where you live. If it's cold out year round, you're not too boned. If not, you're pretty boned. Lol.

 

[BGCrisis]

Depends where you live. If it's cold out year round, you're not too boned. If not, you're pretty boned. Lol.

Yeah, I wish it stayed cool-ish here all year. I'm in the Hotlanta area. If I reinforced the inside with foamies using hi-temp, would that maybe alleviate the possible issues, given it's going to be sealed?

 

[Termhn]

I'm not sure, I would think it would help a little bit at least


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[colbs]

Install a system of small fans inside keeping it cooler

 

[WandererTJ]

All the above info is correct. I have yet to see high temp glue sticks in the mini size, so they may be a bit more difficult to find, but I am sure they make them

Yep, I actually bought some mini high-temp sticks at Hobby Lobby on Friday, I was staring at the mini hot glue guns, and I was like I know mine is orange, and I see that all these Low Temp ones are orange, but maybe mine is high-temp....

It wasn't.

Now I have to go back up to Hobby Lobby, my least favorite company in the whole world.... :cry

Generally speaking,
Orange Hot Glue Gun = Low Temp
Blue Hot Glue Gun = High Temp

Yeah, I wish it stayed cool-ish here all year. I'm in the Hotlanta area. If I reinforced the inside with foamies using hi-temp, would that maybe alleviate the possible issues, given it's going to be sealed?

Maybe you could take some leather strips and rivet them on the inner side and hide the rivets with foamies on the outside....
Or maybe you could make an Aluminum frame that you would them attach the foam to.


Does anyone know if Ultra High-Temp Hot Glue exists?
I'm in Oklahoma.
Pretty sure that needs no further explanation, but just in case, it's 101°F here, and that doesn't even include what the comfort level is raised to when you factor in humidity it feels like 110°F.

Using a laser thermometer, the seats of my 1969 Chevelle can reach 190-200°F.
Doesn't even have clear films of tint applied to the windows.

 

[Termhn]

High temp glue sticks should still be fine I think. The high temp guns are 380+ farenheit.

At least, I hope so since I'm in Arizona where it routinely hits 115

 

[noblesix8829]

I never thought of using calking to fill in the gaps I will remember next time when i start my build for my kids Halloween, I'm plan doing an ODST for my son and MY daughter Hello kitty I know that have nothing to do with Halo. Keep the good work every one.