Evil Ted Talks 3: Cosplay Tips, Techniques & Tools of the Trade 

Ted, I'm a grown-ass man, and I just want to give you a hug. Thank you for these videos. Recently on my 30th birthday I decided I finally want to give costuming and prop-making a shot, and your videos have been not only extremely helpful but also hugely encouraging. Thank you, sir.

I've seen so many awesome looking costumes and have been amazed that they are all hand made. It is an art form with no limits but your own imagination. But I have to admit that I never thought I could do it. Then I watched some videos from this guy called Evil Ted and got encouraged to try it out. As a beginner it seems so daunting of a task to try and recreate in real life the picture in my head. But what you said about it not being perfect the first time gives even more encouragement to just keep working at it. Practice makes perfect. Then again I've always thought that perfection is overrated! Thanks Ted for all of your videos and hard work. You are inspiration to this hobby on more levels than you will probably ever know or fully realize. Keep up the fantastic work!

These are fantastic, Ted. Thank you a million times! I hope the DIY community appreciates what youre doing here as much as I do. It takes decades to pick up these tidbits. You are a real craftsman, sir.

I got into cosplay fabricating because my daughter loves to cosplay and it allows me to spend time with her doing something she enjoys. With that said, I’ve watched almost every video you made so far and I’m having her watch one a day before we start fabrication of her character that has gauntlets, breast plate, and shoulder things. Your videos are helping make sure that when we start on her outfit that we will both be on the same page in how to accomplish our task. Thanks

You are so talented! Love your video and thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!!

For anyone watching this video in 2019, that Glue Pot is about 70 dollars now, in the McMaster Carr catalog. I considered getting one, but I don't do enough foam gluing to justify that kind of expenditure. I made my own "Glue Pot" from a large glass jar, with a handle on it. I drilled a hole in the steel lid and made an EVA foam "gasket" to fit a brush into. That keeps the air out and leaves the brush able to slide a little to meet the changing level of the glue. I have to "turn" or screw the lid on and off (just a little) when I'm not gonna use it for a while, and the lid stays with the brush when I'm brushing glue on, but the set up works fairly well, especially for large glue applications. When I'm doing detail gluing, I just use a smaller brush and take the glue right out of the original glue can.

Watching a Pro give out tips and great info is a pleasure can't tell you how much I've learned from you, thank you from Downunder.

Thank you, Ted! Awesome video. It's great to have a primer on all the tools you like to use all in one quick list. You inspire me dude. Can't wait to see your next video!

Awesome video. Solved a ton of problems I was having with my foam build. Using your techniques it should come out a 100 times better.

Thanks so much for what you do! You have given me the confidence to start one of the biggest cosplay projects I have ever done!

Thanks for the advice. Your channel has been the most informative one I have run across. I like that you simplify the techniques and encourage your fans to experiment. Thanks again.

6:28 I use the cans of DAP brand cement. So a lesson I learned this week and has now motivated me to buy a glue pot is that contact adhesive will melt plastic. I left a plastic brush in a glass jar of the cement over the weekend and by the time I got back to it, all but the bristles and metal bits were gone. Just as a test, I poured a little cement into a red solo cup and in under an hour, the bottom of the cup had dissolved away.

Thank you for focusing on the techniques. I dig your work. At another time, I'll show you a neat trick about the sanding sticks that a jeweler taught me.

I haven't ever made a cosplay suit, but this video has helped out a lot. If I ever complete it i'll show you.

Ted, Can't express how grateful I am for your expertise and willingness to share it. I started researching this because my grandson asked to be a storm trooper...he is 3...so, naturally, HE MUST LOOK AWSOME! With your help he will. Thanks.

Fantastic information. I learn a lot from it. Love to see more of your work!

MAHALO!!! Which means "Thank You" In Hawaiian....I've have enjoyed all of your Tutorials!! They've been very helpful!! You have made my prop an costume builds Fun an exciting again!! Can't wait for your next Vid!!! Thanks!!

hey Ted just wanted to say thanks for your videos! I'm about to make my first costume and your vids and advice have been a great help. :)

VERY helpful, thank you so much! Long time cosplayer, ready to up the notch a bit this year, and this helped narrow down a maddening number of items to chose from, and also discover more options. I couldn't help giggle at 'Modge' Podge. XD

Your videos are very clear, well-organized, and straightforward. Thank you for also posting links in the descriptions of your videos. I'm making my first cosplay prop with your tutorials, and I will send a picture when it's all done! Thanks for all the help.

well this is one of the most brilliant channels that i've ever seen .... keep up the good job

Hi Ted, thank you for your awesome videos I'm an old school woodworker (Yeah I should change the profile picture, it goes back 35 years) the old joints wont handle woodworking anymore so I've turned to making community theater props as a new creative outlet. I know it's a luxury for many but my favorite tool for cutting foam is my bandsaw.

These are the best videos i have seen for foam work!

Thank you so so so much for all your videos! The costume I'm wearing in this pic is the first costume I've ever made (at 34...lol)You can't see the mail arm..but the tips and techniques I picked up from you are the reason I actually finished it :) AND when I wore it at Pax East this year the creator of the character totally noticed (got a pic and autograph with him) it was awesome! Soo...much like the grown ass man below, I too want to give you a big ass hug! :) You sir are the best.

Hi Ted. I can't thank you enough for your generosity too share your experience and sage advice. I am working on a Classic Iron Man Costume (Bob Layton) And after modifying and practicing on foam sheets. I finally got the right look. Now its off to the Armo! Thank you

Ted your awesome brother. Thanks for these videos. i binge watched them all in one night. Your videos helped me alot with all the questions ive had and i feel confident now that i can do this. Thanks!

Great resource, thanks for taking time to share and detail all of the links.

Just discovered your videos...and loving it ! Thank you for putting together such detailed videos and sharing your craft!

Thank you for the supply list and great tutorial. Going into Mardi Gras, someone is going to be a very happy King with his armor for the Bal Masque!

This video made my day. Trying to make my son a set of mccree armour from overwatch. First time I've tried anything but your videos are superb. Please keep them coming.

Fantastic video. I'll definitely be using some of these tips.

I'm only sorry that I couldn't purchase from your shop link because I'm in Canada; but I have to say the knife sharpener tip alone, has been a godsend! Sharp knife at all times makes things so much better, and has paid for itself in money saved on blades. Thanks for your tips and tutorials!

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing. It made a huge difference to my prop. I used the dremel tool fine but was still uneven. However, with the sticks I was able to smooth out the surface completely. It reminded me so much of sculpting clay. You are amazing. (PS. the sharpener with box cutter...amazing too)

Great tips! I appreciate the time you take to show us these time saving tips.

so so glad I joined this page.. you are incredible with your work and I look forward to learning and having you as my teacher!!

Ted!!! you rock!!! Thank you soooo sooo much for these videos!! i have learn a lot i live in mexico, in baja and it is hard to find all the tools but i still doing it and practicing all the technics you done on these videos!! can't thank you enough!! I appreciate all your videos, i'll be waiting for more

Thank you for these films Evil Ted Smith ! MORE ! is MORE ! and you always deliever

I just bought my first heat gun last week, and I LOVE IT

This is the video I have been looking for. I can't wait to buy my tools and finally start my dream of crafting.

Watching you sand with those sanding sticks was a revelation. I've just been using my dremel tool, but my edge wasn't nearly curved enough or the way I wanted to. It looks like those give way more control! Time to go to Home Depot...

Thank you Evil Ted, being new at this I really appreciate your knowledge base. I love your fabrication tips.

Thank you for sharing your precious experience with us , i came through your channel looking for creative ideas and ways to make crafts for my kids , this video helped me a lot, and i am subscribing right now, thanks again.

Sweet video! I will say, something I'm using right now as a sealer that works with acrylic paint and is outstanding to use is Gesso. It's a chalky-acrylic based primer. Fantastic to use if you can't use spray paints in your house, and also can show off some pretty solid details! You can get Gesso at any art store, but I will note, you should sand it before you apply a layer of paint as it may have some imperfections in it! :)

Love all your videos...thanks so much for sharing!!!!

that wood burner and sandpaper holder is genius~! thanks for the tips!

Thanks for all tips Mr Ted Simth

Great video as always!

Such an informative video!

wonderful advice tips , tool AND TECHNIQUES, THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.!

Awesome and incredibly helpful video. I cant thank you enough for sharing your know how and expertise! I am an aspiring cosplayer and you really help me make this dream seem more attainable :)

You are the best. Thanks for all the help.

Super helpful tips! I appreciate it very much. I look forward to seeing more :)

This video was very helpful !!!

Thank you so much for this video, so helpful for a costume beginner.

Thank you thank you thank you! The sanding sticks alone has my foam looking 100 times better

Just subscribed, your videos are the PERFECT thing for stepping up my cosplaying game, so to say lol. Inspires me to finally start some projects that I had been intimidated on, I would love to share with you when they are finished how they turn out if that would be alright

another grown ass man (great line lol) totally grateful for your sharing your know-how.....cheers mate , so inspiring

Evil Ted, your videos are incredibly helpful thank you for taking the time to do these and spreading your knowledge to the rest of us. My personal foam work has improved as a direct result of videos like this one. 1 question: What kind of paper do you make patterns out of? I've seen you using a brownish paper, that seems very easy to work with. I normally use poster board, but I'd like to try the paper you use. Thanks again. Also, to anyone else wondering, Ted is completely right when it comes to using a torch on your foam work, it's amazing - if you haven't tried one, do it!

Hello! First time watching your videos! Thank you so much for the tips! I’ve never worked armor before, and I’m already thinking about doing a mask, got my heat gun and Eva foam, now I’m going to buy some of the tools you’ve mentioned to be able to pull this thing off hahaha thanks Ted!

I created some cosplay costumes before... my very first >paper mache< head ache, next i used thin rubber foam and sewing it >prick my hand many times :(< now I saw your tutorials >it's a relief< will try to apply it for this years cosplay >for my son & daughter< will upload picture on your facebook page once done... your tutorials rocks! more power.... from Philippines here :)

Wow! Thank you so much! This video is perfect in helping me create armor and cosplay costumes for my first time. You guys have the best job in the world! I just might make a youtube channel about making costumes.

the last segment just made me feel nice inside

This guy is awesome! Actually, he teaches you the way to do it! 1001 hugs! You are awesome! Thank you!

This is so great! :) Just getting started here and i found this very useful. Thanks!

You sir, are AWESOME! Genius!

I would like to add to possibly getting a magic eraser when I was making my design for my helmet I didn't like how the eye was coming out so I used a magic eraser to erase on my sharpe mark and it got rid of it

Hey Ted a cool tool to add is a combo off of the sanding stick. Its the same idea but to do you use pvc pipe and glue it to the outside. you can also cut the pipe in half and glue it on the inside for rounding.

Great video!

You are AMAZING!!!!! Thank you!

Thank you Ted =D im about to go buy me a torch and contact cement now. Lol Im building a scorpion costume myself. Ill Try to send you a pic of the finished results. Thanks for the tips though, love your vids. Keep them coming! =D

I want to make full scale Jabba the Hutt sail barge. Can you come over to my house and help me? :) Just wanted to take a moment to thank you, among others, for the fantastic videos you do describing the tools and techniques for foam fabrication in detail. I was struck by some of your comments at the end of your video. Anyone can watch all of these videos and thousands more on youtube and get an idea of what's involved, but if someone wants to do it they need to start designing, cutting, sanding, filling and gluing to really understand it. I can't tell you how many projects I've started and had to re-work because I didn't look far enough into the fabrication phase to realize that tab A wasn't going to line up with slot B. I was doing a bottle of Snake Oil and it took me about four tries to get the paper label, artwork sizing and adhesive the way I wanted it. I even have a couple failures hanging in my shop as a, "Don't do that again, ya big dummy" reminder to myself. Here's my best advice to anyone watching these videos that have never done this before: gather some materials and tools and make something small and easy. Make a box. Make a really cool box with embossed and de-bossed elements. Sketch it out, take some measurements, finalize your design. Start cutting and gluing. If something goes wrong, keep going. Finish it. After all, it's just a box. Build those skills. Build a feel for the materials you're using. At least once during a project, I'll do a test to see if what I'm thinking is the best way to do it. Quite often, I'm wrong and I'll pick something else. I'm blessed with the ability to think in 3D and intuitively understand spatial relationships. Something I was born with or somehow developed over my 53 years. I am also dibilitatingly color blind. Something else I was born with. My best resource for color is to print out reference photos and ask my five year old daughter if the color I came up with matches. You go with your strengths and work through your weaknesses. Go forth and start making. Something. Anything. If you're not happy with it, try again. Soon, you'll be teaching others how to make stuff. Sorry for the long winded comment. Regards, Rand

You can buy nail files that are a fine emery stick that work quite well and are quite cheap

Thanks for introducing the plastidip. I don't have enough money for the sprayer and though I'm not allergic, latex irritates my skin a little

Modge Podge comes in matte as well.

Thank you ted this is awsome

Thank you!

you the man evil ted!

Hello. First I want to say your videos are awesome, and I'm always checking each new episode. Secondly, I wanted to ask you how powerful does the heat gun have to be to properly heat the eva foam? Thank you for reading this.

Thanks Ted! Love your videos - Any tips for making skulls out of EVA Foam?

Love ya ted!

Hey Evil Ted, Thanks for the great videos. I've thoroughly followed your male cosplay armor and took the commitment to start making my own. I've ran into a very annoying problem, I have to cut 45 degree angles and bevels, however, I just can't seem to cut it well enough. Either the blade doesn't cut through it or I get very rough edges. I can cut out the pieces quite well, still have to use a good amount of force, but as for little detailing, it's virtually impossible. I'm using very sharp knives, and even bought most of the things from your links. As for the EVA foam, I'm using the WeSellMats EVA interlocking. I even sharpen my blades constantly with the diamond 600 grit sharpener you suggest. Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

I just discovered caulk for cosplay like a week ago. Total cosplay game changer for newbies. Paper mache', never again>.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge i really appreciate it:)

thanks for the tips man ;)

ha you called it KIWI seal insted of KWIK seal. seriously big fan. getting into cosplay for my kids ok... for me too

Amazon carries Barge. Thats where i got mine 😊

thank-you :)

Man, I wish I would have found your channel earlier! I have a Game of Thrones costume party this weekend, so I tried making a paper mache armor and failed miserably , so now I have no costume whatsoever :(

Thank you for making your videos..me and my boyfriend recently started making his armor cosplay (based on your how to make a foam helmet and armor videos)..its really giving us alot to do together..well productively atleast... love your videos. they have helped us a ton our living room looks like a toolshed/art station thank you ^_^ also do you know anything about using PETG thermoform plastic sheets for making helmet visors ?

Hello, I love your videos they are very helpful! I was wondering and this is probably a stupid question but I’m very new to this. Anyways I was wondering if loctite spray adhesive could be used for a protective finish coat

i don't have barge cement in my indonesia but we have simmilar product called fox glue you should try to use that sometimes

Thanks so much for the tutorials! Will a standard kitchen knife sharpener work for maintaining your box cutter, of do you recommend the one you have? Thanks!

How to do batman armor would be awesome! Love your videos Ted.

What type of glue do you recommend sticking foam to fabric or mesh material? Thank you and I hope you have more videos soon.

Love this video, I'm new to this stuff, but eager to learn. In your experience, what is the best glue to permanently adhere EVA foam to wood?

first! cant wait to watch this

master nice video men nice work

I love these videos!! I cannot find the dragon skin anywhere though. Any alternate suggestions?

I'm wandering what is the best stuff to use for hardening foam weapons as I'm in the process of making cloud strife buster sword

What thickness do you recommend for helmets? also what thickness for armor? I'm about to make my first foam purchase and I want to get the right stuff.