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FireLilyCosplay β Foam Board Weapon Tutorial
Published: 2012-11-19 16:42:49 +0000 UTC; Views: 121539; Favourites: 2454; Downloads: 998
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Description
As a Thank You to all my supporters, here is the Foam Board Weapon Tutorial!I've had a lot of practice with this method, and this is the formula that works best for me, so I hope it can help you make your props with ease. I really enjoy working with my hands and making props using various methods, so please don't hesitate to ask questions if you have any - I'll be glad to answer them!
Tutorial and all images therein are Copyright Fire Lily and FireLilyCosplay.com.
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Comments: 127
Hello! ^^ I'm making a prop of Rose Quartz sword. I plan on making it with foam board and a wooden dowel, to support the base of the sword. Do you think that foam board and wood would bond perfectly with contact cement? ^^
Oh and nicely made sword prop and tutorial you provided. ^^
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I can't say "perfectly," but contact cement should work fine.
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Can you please tell me the names of the primer & sealer u used
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About how durable are the foam board swords? I am planning to use the sword I will make in RP fights. I was also told craft foam works for weapon props if the base layer is industrial tinfoil and then the C foam on top. Opinions? I already made my sword's prototype out of cardboard and the shield that goes with.
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They aren't meant to be used for actual or play fighting. They are props.
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I plan on layering the foam board and making a Final Fantasy Crisis Core Buster Breaker.Β
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Just curious, where did you get the styrofoam cutter? I've been using a utility knife, but it's not exactly the best for cutting intricate details into the foam board. I've tried searching online, but I get results for electric or hot knives for cutting foam and I'd rather not break my bank buying a tool for it :/
Thanks in advance!
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I got mine at Michael's Craft store, but I'm sure they're also at Hobby Lobby and elsewhere. Called the Styro Wonder Foam Cutter.
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Awesome. Thank you again! I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
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to make a pretty big bow. how big do i need the foam board?
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I don't know - you'll need to figure out your measurements for the size of the bow and calculate how much foamboard you need
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What was the thickness of the foamboard you used?
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At the local craft store.
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How much was what...the sword?Β The foam board is about $2 a sheet - one sheet for 3 layers.Β I already have a stock of Gesso, spackle, and sealant.Β Paint is about $5 a can.Β Cabochons were $6 for a dozen on EBay.
Time wise?Β It took about a week total, working on it after I got home from a full time job and two solid days on the weekend.
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Thanks a lot! Sorry I didn't specify...
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Will I have any issues with pieces scraping against each other, or the blades being covered in blood? I'm trying to make a giant pair of scissors. <:3 Thanks
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You may lose some of the paint unless you seal it multiple times, but it shouldn't be too problematic.
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Alright thank you!
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Thanks! I think I might use this to make Karkat Vantas' Sickle~
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also would you suggest using theΒ styrofoam cutter form when cutting out the base of the prop or? Because I don't really need to cut anything else out from my prop besides from it's normal shape/outline/base.
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The styrofoam cutter will only cut the foam and not the cardboard. You can get long pieces of pink insulation foam for longer props, but you would need a center support or it'll break.
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I have a quick question, I'm going to start working on a prop soon for an up coming con, but the length of the foam board isn't long enough for how I want the weapon to be. So should I use the contact cement to connect the different pieces of the prop together or?Β
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I just have a doubt....is it too fragile!? or Gesso make it strongh enough!?
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Just use something else if you are doubtful. Like fiberglass or epoxy or resin. This is simply one method.
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Thank you for this Tutorial it has really helped me.Β
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Will it stay sturdy and solid if I use paper mache and fast mache? >.<Β
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Could I use mod podge instead of gesso?
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I have used mod pod as a replacement as well but found that if used on foam and exposed to heat it can start to bubble.
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I don't see why not. Β It may not have the best affect as it is more of a glue and doesn't sand as smooth as Gesso does.
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I was just wondering about the strength of the handle.I'm in the middle of making my friend the Buster Sword, and I wanted to use foam board for it along with your method. However, the Buster Sword is notorious for it's huge blade and relatively small handle. Any thoughts?
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Use expanding foam for the blade and for the handle a pcp pipe. then coat in wonderflex. Dont try any huge monster hunter swords with foam board it gets way to heavy. expanding Β foam is the better way to go.
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Use insulation foam instead and have a wooden dowel inserted for the handle/support.
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This is perfect! I was trying to make a pair of sickles out of cardboard and model magic, this already seems like a sturdier, easier method! Thanks!
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So how much will this set me back? If possible, could you give it in terms of per square inch of prop?
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I have no idea. Foam board is $2.99 for a 20"x30"x.25" board where I'm at. Glue, contact cement, gesso, primer, paint, clear coat, decorations, etc will all be relative to your area.
Maybe you could go price it on your own so you have a better idea
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Well, I was thinking in terms of Michael's and JoAnn's in the DC area. But I'm going to do the investigation today.
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This may seem like a stupid question but what kind of of foam board do you use all i can find is like 1/8 inch thick or 8ft by 4 ft installation foam and thats horrible to store. oh also where do you get it?
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I get mine at Michael's craft store. Β They have 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch. Β Usually around the art section on the kid school project section.
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Thank you so much, I just made a bunch of Soul eater props and I had to buy a huge sheet of installation foam and I was a pain to get home from the store.
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What brand(s)/kind(s) of paint do you recommend using when following this tutorial?
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Any kind, really. Though my staples are acrylic and sprays.
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Hello! Thank you so much for this tutorial! It's very helpful ^^!!
I have a question though about the spackle, is it necessary to put on before gessoing? I don't have spackle on hand at the moment and I was wondering if I could just use modge podge instead or just directly put on the gesso?
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The spackle is used to fill in gaps and cracks. The gesso may not fill this in appropriately and then you will have some irregular areas on your prop.
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Alright thanks!
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