Anyone no how to custom cut foam for display?

[etrigan69]

I know most are die cut. I'm about to try cutting it with an xacto knife but I thought I would tap some smarter brains than mine first.

What I'm planning is to display the Nolan Batman Batarangs/shurikens much like they were in The Dark Knight.

Has anyone done this before or know the best way to go about it without farming it out?

 

[CSMacLaren]

Hmmm... will a hot wire work with this type of foam?

 

[etrigan69]

I'm not sure. I was debating heating the xacto knife. I just realized I'm out of sharp blades so I'll tackle it later. I have a couple of pieces so I have room for trial and error.

 

[propologist]

Hmmm... will a hot wire work with this type of foam?

I just cut this foam with my 10.00 Michael's one. It's not styrofoam but a denser foam.

 

[rabbit4x]

Here's a guide to getting clean lines for the foam.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=292695

I think there are a few on ebay that has the same setup (hot wire and wood board) so you don't have to make your own.

 

[etrigan69]

Jeezum crappy I just realized I wrote "no" instead of "know" in the title... scary.

That rig is awesome but a tad pricey for a one shot deal like this. The tutorial is awesome though!

The $10 wire from Michaels sounds doable. Do they normally carry those? Where are they at? The fake flower section?

 

[propologist]

they have them in the floral foam area. I have tried all kinds from the knives to everything else and the hot wire like mine has been the best. They take ' D" batteries ( 2) but do well for foam up to 2" thick. i believe they are 10-15.00 if I'm not mistaken , I have bought several over the years .

I like that table in that forum. I just wouldn't never cut enough to justify making a table. If you do it enough a hand held hot wire is fine for hobby work.

 

[chuckyAPP]

Sears sells black sheet foam to line tool box drawers, they come with a sticker sheet in which you trace the piece out on the sticker, place it on the foam, cut it with an xacto knife then peel off the sticker. Its used to outline your tools so they fit the foam perfectly.

 

[Rebelscum]

I can cut foam clean through with my laser. I don't specifically recognize that type as something I've cut, but can give it a try.

 

[etrigan69]

I can cut foam clean through with my laser. I don't specifically recognize that type as something I've cut, but can give it a try.

Laser as in light saber laser? Man, that can't be cheap!

 

[propologist]

Laser as in light saber laser? Man, that can't be cheap!

he's talking about the one from Real Genius...He bought it in a prop sale and now uses it for opening chip bags and cutting foam for others

 

[Robot Monster]

I use a headed rod, you can find it in the foam/wood craft sections or art stores.

 

[coofunkcurly]

Let us know how it turns out. I'll be watching as I wanna do the same thing.

 

[etrigan69]

Let us know how it turns out. I'll be watching as I wanna do the same thing.

I wil. Too busy to get to the craft store until the weekend but I'll be on it then. I'm still painting Batarangs anyway!

 

[coofunkcurly]

Which rangs are you using? Are they custom or from a licensee?

 

[etrigan69]

Which rangs are you using? Are they custom or from a licensee?

I actually bought some of those Chinese black knock offs and grinded and painted them. I think thery're fairly close. Ill post pics when I get a minute.

 

[etrigan69]

I actually bought some of those Chinese black knock offs and grinded and painted them. I think thery're fairly close. Ill post pics when I get a minute.

OK I'm not crazy happy about the way the project came out even though I haven't given up yet.

Out of the inexpensive ways of doing it the Sears toolbox method worked best so far.

I'm going to need to order more foam from the dealer I saw in one of the referenced forums. A little on the back burner for now. Here's what I got so far.

Obviously I haven't finished the 3rd rang there. Does anyone have any good reference pics of them? I think there is another bevel between the wing and the head but I can't get a good shot of one that had screen time. The DC Direct versions show it quite clearly but they are far from accurate from what I can see. Also is the bevel on just on side or both? In real world I would say both but I don't know about the actual prop.

Historically it seems the movie rangs have all been one-sided.