Alternative to backer rod dreads?

[CreatureKore7]

Has anybody ever successfully used a material other than backer rod for dreads? I've finally tracked down a 1/1 head, and I'm really excitd to start on it. But this dreadlock issue is really getting me down...
I appreciate any feedback, crew!

-Jason

 

[The Hopkinator]

Jason,, find bambooie on ebay,, his dreds are spot on

 

[Predator75]

latex is heavy, you can use foam. like Espak-soft is a bicomponent, mixed in 30 seconds they volumize and in 1:30 solidify in soft foam.

 

[Hunterpred210]

Depends how much work you want to put in. backer rod looks good and its easy to make them. sculpting a dread making a mold then pouring foam is much more time consuming.

 

[The Mortal Immortal]

2 part foam makes a big mess and high cost. Latex is heavy and don't move right. Remember for both of these you need clay, silcone or plaster, mold release, tarp or plastic for mess, sculpting, and time. Its uselly cheaper to buy a set.

If you look at the movie dreads they have a seam that runs all the way down the sides. So if you want movie accurate dreads they have to have seams.

Its up to you what you want to do. But I think its faster and easier to buy.

 

[inkdoctor]

i agree find bambooie i buy my dreads from him and so far there the best ive seen. i think he has a set on ebay right now and it shows the dreads he makes as well. i have to sets from him and the price is not bad either.

 

[TK3467]

Monsterrooms dreads are good too. I just prefer the smoother surface texture to mine like Bambooie has. Triton has them as does my green pred.

 

[dacacheman1]

i used foam soakerhose just like shockwolf did. there heavy but you can make a nice set of dreads for under $20.

 

[murdaone2002]

just wanted to ask, is backer rod flexible? i've seen video in you tube latex foam dread, and i like the flexibility of such, is the backer rod also flexible as that...i need some feedbacks please...

 

[Robiwon]

From what I have seen of backer rod dreads they do not flex and sway like the foam latex dreads. The thicker the backer rod the less flexable they seem to be. They do flex, just not like a wet noodle. I had considered doing backer rods but I think I'm going to sculpt and cast my own.

 

[xdmray]

RISE FROM THE DEAD YE THREAD OF THE ANCIENTS!

backer rod does not move at all.

 

[Double H]

backer rod looks the part but has no style, doesn't really move - swish or flex well.

 

[Eaglewood]

not trying to hijack but here are some ideas.

http://youtu.be/h0DheyrRzvY

 

[Double H]

not trying to hijack but here are some ideas.

http://youtu.be/h0DheyrRzvY

Thats awesome work fella, where did you get the dragon skin silicone from? They look awesome, also have you get a picture of huntorial for the mould that you used?

 

[Cathat]

Backer rod does not move at all - the thicker and nicer the stiffer they are. Because backer rod frequently sells in bulk - you usually get more than you need & spend more than you ought to. Even more fun - you have to cut it down, heat it and spend a lot of money on paint and have the opportunity to ruin it all in the process as well.

My last set of backer rod dreads look AMAZING as a sculpture - but this thing is supposed to move and flex - so.. Doh!

After having done all the high labor / cheap ways - I calculate that for me its only a little more money to go out and buy a set of 20 or 30 dreads -- if you want to be cheap - then go get dread "seconds" - and cover up the low quality dread imperfections. But if you try to make them yourself you'll spend a lot more than you realize in the end and get so-so dreads.

 

[Eaglewood]

Thats awesome work fella, where did you get the dragon skin silicone from? They look awesome, also have you get a picture of huntorial for the mould that you used?

Dragon skin comes from Smooth-on-- I dont have a huntorial but I suppose I could put one together---

 

[Double H]

Dragon skin comes from Smooth-on-- I dont have a huntorial but I suppose I could put one together---

If you could that would be extremely helpful, been looking for one of these for a long time.

Cheers

 

[murdaone2002]

THANKS, BIG-BIG THANKS for all the feedbacks fellas, i'll just use the 25mm x 3.5mtrs. backer rod that i bought as an inner dreads, i'll just go on with the latex foam...hope to find a foam (yoga matt) here in the philippines...