Problems with foam help please

[Caatraa]

Hi everyone

Just want to say thanks in advance and that any tips would be great!

This is my 1st build and 1st time cosplaying. this year i went to DCC (Denver Comic Con) and already i'm going to buy a 3day pass and cosplay next year.

I'm trying to build Wing Zero from Gundam Wing Endless Waltz (think the one with angel wings). Now i know a lot of people are thinking and I've been told that's way to hard for a 1st build! but go big or go home right? I've got a year to build it.

I've bought the "best step" foam mats. However I've had a problem cutting it. I've noticed that the foam part cuts fine however the part that they textured will not cut clean.

I've read the some of the other guides post here and they are GREAT! Now i know i have to restart. the feet i made so far won't work/won't look right. any tips on where to start?

thanks
Caatraa

 

[WindPhoenix]

A sharp blade and more pressure during the cut should make you go through the textured side easily. I suppose the texture is gonna be on the inside of the armor so it doesn't have to be super clean anyway.

 

[The Ronin]

A $5 blade sharpener will make your life a TON easier. A few cuts, a few swipes through the sharpener. Lather, rinse, repeat.

For foam work, the best resource I've ever found is JFCustom's foam thread http://www.therpf.com/f24/jfcustoms-foam-files-148889/
And for general Gundam/Mecha stuff, Clivelee's thread is a godsend http://www.therpf.com/f24/general-gundam-mecha-cosplay-tutorial-160555/

I'm in the planning stages for Deathscythe Hell Custom myself, so I'm really looking forward to seeing how this turns out!

 

[laellee]

Ronin's right, get yourself a blade sharpener; the heat-treated (patterned) side on BestStep mats will always cut harder, but a sharp blade should go through it. It also doesn't hurt to invest in a cutting mat. I actually just use a wooden kitchen cutting board; one pass with a sharp razor should cut clean. You are going to have the uneven surface on the back half of the cut no matter what, because you are cutting between alternate sections of raised and low heat stamp areas.

 

[SMP Designs]

A cutting mat is a really good idea. If you get a self-healing silicone mat (that tailors and quilters use) you won't have to deal with all the scoring and it won't dull your blades as fast. They're more expensive, but will offset the initial cost in replacement value and blades.

 

[Bob McCormick]

A $5 blade sharpener will make your life a TON easier. A few cuts, a few swipes through the sharpener. Lather, rinse, repeat.

That's a good suggestion. There's something about those foam matts that just seems to eat the edge right off an Xacto knife. It's either get a sharpener, or get a heck of a lot of replacement blades. :-(

 

[sky1ess]

I screwed up about half a mat of foam and instead of throwing it away hav been using it as a cutting mat. Been working well enough for me anf didnt cost a dime. I also hop on the "get a sharpener train" cuz man u dont know how useful that thing is till u start usin it hope this helps

 

[irononreverse]

Any recommendations for a sharpener for scalpel blades?

 

[ahoudini]

MicroMark sells one but I have not used it. Most of their stuff is great, though.

 

[IMIM2]

1. You can burn any excess cut from double cutting, and then rub it in hard surface like glass. However the edge of the cut will be rounded, not sharp.
I have wrote it down on my tips (link below).
2. You can try thinner foam like 6mm, instead of 10mm. In that case, you don't have to use too much force, easier to cut and sharper edges.
For making a wing, I'd suggest that you use thick cardboard (but not corrugated), or corrugated plastic, and sandwich it with thin foam (2-3mm).
This case you add rigidness on something that long.

These are other alternatives, off course having a sharp blade is a must.