Hey. I'm a beginner to costuming armor. From the tutorials I've seen online, most of them look insanely hard to build. Your videos are so helpful though. Thanks a lot for making these. I'm currently building a full Spartan set. I will definitely consider using the EVA foam.
This particular guy does good work. Cosplay people all have so much talent and make the coolest stuff, but I wish they would do more of their own designs. I hope this trend evolves into people taking pride in not doing anything that has come before.
@DaFrontlineTrooper I was referring to the "craft foam" mentioned by SuperHD27. I am presuming he means the extruded polystyrene foam (the pink or blue stuff) that you use on your guns. I haven't been able to find pink or blue foam here in Australia. I keep looking around building sites, with no luck.
I'm pretty sure that the other foam that he uses is Blue sculpting foam. If you live in NZ, you can buy blocks of it from Gordon Harris (the art supply shop).
Andrew you did a good presentation on the material EVA. It was informative. I have a pair of thongs that sole was made of EVA. I did not know about EVA & now I do. Thank you!
You can find "Blue camp foam" which is EVA foam in the camping section at your local wal-mart. Mine's has run out though. (Because I bought them all) :D
Thanks for the video. I've been on the hunt for this material for a while now and could only find the kid squares with letters/numbers for $80. Now I'm off to Lowes/Home Depot to test my luck. Hopefully the sales floor guys know what it is....Cheers!
So far this has been one of the better videos I've seen on using EVA foam for armor. I was wondering how easily it can be shaped. Can you use sand paper on this foam? What would be the best way to shape it? What's the best option for securing the different pieces together? Would you suggest coating it in any kind of fiberglass for strength?
this foam can be painted straight out of packet, but a good sealer is just pva glue and water =) super easy =) and then you can spray paint without worring about it falling off
Hi, I would like to start working with foam, but in my local shop, I can only find Polyethylene foam. Will this work as well or has it to be EVA? Another question I have is whether heating it up will cause any health problems. Greetings from Europe
I'm curious as to what you think of the blue foam Ozark Trail mats that Walmart carries (at least in the US). If you do look into it, a latex primer makes it able to be spray painted safely and let's it retain its flexibility. 1-2 layers of primer may work (I got messy when I tried it and forgot to keep track of layers). Sorry for rambling in a comment. Finally because I can....... FIRST!
Can you suggest on how I can cut and trim a swimming kickboard? I believe it's a bit more compressed compared to that EVA foam. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Also, what kind of glue can I use to put two EVA foams together?
This is really awesome and sorts out my problems a lot, but i want to make gauntlets and was wondering if there are thinner types of eva foam to use for the fingers, etc. or to just use the thick stuff.
omg what an awesome video!, random question does it come in any other thicknesses? also do you have a Clark rubber in NZ and do you think it would be cheaper from there if you have that shop?
I'm wanting to make a giant lollipop. I was thinking of using craft foam and cutting it into long strips then bending them around lengthwise to create tubes and then spiraling them into a large spiral for the lollipop shape before painting. Do you think EVA foam would work better?
Thank you thank you thank you soooo much!! I'm going to start cosplaying and where I live the "expert" materials such as worbla are wayy too expensive and this is going to help me cosplay on a budget with a good quality!!
may sound a bit strange, but have you ever thought of trying to design props for historic (Real) weapons, such as a winchester rifle? not that im complaining about the weapon props you're currently making.
It's a shame I already started my Halo Marine assault vest with pepakura and resin. At the same time, however, I think I'd prefer a rigid and heavier feel to the main bulk of the armor--aside from the helmet which I'm nearly finished with. Maybe the other bits and pieces I'll make with EVA foam. I can already see advantages that it would have over pepakura armor.
Can you please add the company name or label description? So people might be able to order it off the internet if their respective stores stink. Thanks.
I hot glued some seam together and got some glue on the parts that show.... how can I get this off without destroying the smooth surface of the finished piece?!? Or can I smooth it in the painting possess!?!?
I'm cosplayinng as Shizuo Heiwajima from Durarara and I'm making his more noticable prop, a street sign, I'm making the pole 5'7 since I have no clue what the prop/weapon height limit is at Naka-Kon and want to make it a bit over 6 ft, of course it's going to be bent, but I want to know how to bend it to make a round object the size of a thin PVC pipe, but since I'm going to have to bend the sign, also so it fits in the damn car, I can't use PVC and want to use EVA foam for the street sign. Should I use EVA foam for this prop or regular craft foam?
Hi I was wondering what kind of system you use to wear the costume? Like I saw that you used buckles over the shoulders for the marine costume, how else do you make it wearable and stay on? Do you just make it to your size and slip it on or are there things under the armour like straps that keeps it on? I apologise in advance if this question makes no sense.
I cant seem to find this foam in my local stores for the thickness that I need (6mm or 1/4inch) I am currently making an iron man costume and need help finding this material of that specific thickness. If you could please tell me where exactly to find this or give me a specific link where I can buy this, it would be much appreciated.
Hey Andrew, I'm going to start making some sort of Halo armor and I was wondering how are you suppose to bend or mold the foam to have a rounded shape? Such as shoulder plates or something. Thanks!
so polystyrine is what you mainly use for the base of the guns, and eva foam is for cosumes and weapon detail right? also, im trying to make the mark 6 helmet. which should i use for that?
is there a cheaper mateial to buy ou there because 3 packs add up quite fast and counting the taxes, it was supposed to cost me 70 $ but I didnt by it in the end. I dont want to use pepakura eitheer becaus it is far too complicated. ANSWER PLEASE!