Foam sculpting?

[TK-326]

Hey guys/gals:
I need advice on foam sculpting. I'm sure there are many on the RPF who know something about this.

I need to know about tools, techniques, sources for foam blanks, etc. Also need to know about the durability of available foam types, such as how they might stand up to being used as forms/plugs for vacuum-forming and mold-making.

I've Googled around a bit, but thought there might be more "real-world" advice available here.

 

[TK1536]

Everything I learned about sculpting in foam, I learned from Clone6 and through trial and error.
Look for high-density polyurethane type foams.

an example...
http://www.generalplastics.com/products/pr...ail.php?pid=19&

You'll want a denser weight to hold up to vac-forming and the heat of melted plastic. Good for a few pulls, enough to get a good negative of your sculpt.

Here's some of me playing around with it.
http://tk1536.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_vie...em&g2_itemId=14

I spend the last few months sculpting with it to make all the various parts of a Sandtrooper back pack.
http://tk1536.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_vie...m&g2_itemId=757

 

[TK-326]

Thanks. That's just the kind of info I'm looking for. General Plastics even has a distributor here in Nashville.

What kind of tools do you use to get such smooth surfaces on the sculpted pieces?

 

[clonesix]

The foam shapes very easily with nothing more than a file and sandpaper.

You can cut the bulk with ordinary wood saws. One of the best shaping tools that I have used is a 1X3 X 24" hardwood board with 80 grit sandpaper glued to one side. I used it as a big file.

Please note that the foam creates a statically charged dust that will cling to you, and you will track throughout your house. You MUST wear a dust mask, and it is a good idea to have an air compressor to blow yourself off before going into the house.

Be gentle with your final piece, as it dents and scratches easily too. Good luck, and be sure to post pix.

 

[JBReplicas]

Ive used something called Oasis floral foam its pretty sturdy considering and ive sculpted the body of a blaster out of it, Im wondering how well it would stand up being cast as I want to make a resin copy of it, is there anything I can do to help with the process for example would a few coats of primer help?

 

[crabra comander]

Hello RPFanatics...

I too have a question about foam. I have purchased Nu-foam...as with all things I attempt, I have jumped in head first with no knowledge beyond what I've seen on youtube videos.

I'm trying to make either a muscle suit or a werewolf muscle suit. Whats the best way to do the templates for my arms, chest, abs? Should I be cutting out a huge round chunk for the shoulders or adding smaller pieces little by little. Also, would anyone have any good templates for a muscled character/werewolf

 

[crabra comander]

Bumping for justice and additional questions:

whats the best way to have a muscle suit like this open and close for wear? I was planning on attaching it to a shirt, but it just seems too flimsy.

 

[Daemon324]

Just out of curiosity, if were to buy some to use to stand on, do you know off hand which would be best?

 

[Warpfrenzy]

Last time i played with foam I melted it. Don't apply resin to foam.

 

[BigBertha]

Open question: for those of us who aren't Mythbusters and don't have access to a vacuum form machine who do you call to use one and how do you convince them to help you?

 

[crabra comander]

the effects lab has a poor mans guide to vacuforming...