What is the best foam for scratchbuilding/sculpting? Where can it be purchased?
Thanks
Foam...
Moderators: DasPhule, Moderators
You mean like pink or blue insulation foam? Or do you want to drop a load of cash on balsafoam?
Abolish Alliteration
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modman06
Theres all types of foam. i use urethane, its a little expensive but worth it.
It also depends on the application. for just sculpting you can use Balsa foam. its also good for vac forming plugs.
then theres green flower foam. it works good for sculpting and scratch building. seal it in resin and bondo and your ready to go. you can get it at any floral supply shop.
Heres a few links.
for balsa foam. http://www.balsafoam.com/
http://www.dickblick.com/zz331/11a/
for urethane foam http://www.elliottfoam.com/index.htm
http://www.freemansupply.com/
and for floral foam http://www.save-on-crafts.com/floralfoams.html
to see what you can do with foam check out my X jet its in the on the bench section.
thanks Al
It also depends on the application. for just sculpting you can use Balsa foam. its also good for vac forming plugs.
then theres green flower foam. it works good for sculpting and scratch building. seal it in resin and bondo and your ready to go. you can get it at any floral supply shop.
Heres a few links.
for balsa foam. http://www.balsafoam.com/
http://www.dickblick.com/zz331/11a/
for urethane foam http://www.elliottfoam.com/index.htm
http://www.freemansupply.com/
and for floral foam http://www.save-on-crafts.com/floralfoams.html
to see what you can do with foam check out my X jet its in the on the bench section.
thanks Al
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Lt. Z0mBe
- Posts: 7311
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2003 1:46 pm
- Location: Balltown Kentucky, by God!
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I prefer styrofoam used for home construction exterior insulation; the pink or blue sheets. Also, if we're talking very simple shapes, the thin sheets often found as packaging material work great too.
I roll Aves Apoxie sculpt into thin sheets and apply it to the foam substrate.
You can get the foam at any home improvement store or out of any box at Christmas. Goe to a construction site and you'll be able to get all you'll ever need for years out of their scrap (ask first!
). When we built our house, I did the same thing and cleaned up:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v161/ ... c00185.jpg
It's good stuff I've used on several scratchbuilds and conversions, as well as some display base work.
I hope this helps.
Kenny
I roll Aves Apoxie sculpt into thin sheets and apply it to the foam substrate.
You can get the foam at any home improvement store or out of any box at Christmas. Goe to a construction site and you'll be able to get all you'll ever need for years out of their scrap (ask first!
). When we built our house, I did the same thing and cleaned up:http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v161/ ... c00185.jpg
It's good stuff I've used on several scratchbuilds and conversions, as well as some display base work.
I hope this helps.
Kenny
My tip for you would be to look for sign makers in your location ( yellow pages ) they use urethane foam ( best stuff on the planet for scratch building ) and ask if they have any scrap or small pieces to sell/give away.
I have a full years supply ( for free ) stored,which I found in this way.
Another place you may get lucky is at foam suppliers ( look for fiberglass suppliers..the sometimes stock the stuff ) and ask them for scrap pieces.
I once got a full 4' x 8' piece of 3/4 urethane foam for free that way....seems that they just throw away the "cover sheets" that come with every load of foam.
When it comes to using the stuff..super glue will work...you do have to pre apply glue to any mating surfaces though....this will seal the foam so the glue will not soak in.
I have a full years supply ( for free ) stored,which I found in this way.
Another place you may get lucky is at foam suppliers ( look for fiberglass suppliers..the sometimes stock the stuff ) and ask them for scrap pieces.
I once got a full 4' x 8' piece of 3/4 urethane foam for free that way....seems that they just throw away the "cover sheets" that come with every load of foam.
When it comes to using the stuff..super glue will work...you do have to pre apply glue to any mating surfaces though....this will seal the foam so the glue will not soak in.