Working with EVA Foam for Beginners
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Check out my latest video: "How To Make a LARP or Costume Viking Shield"
• How To Make a LARP or ... -~-
In this video, I talk about how to work with EVA foam and cover the basics. My goal was to make this the only video you need to watch before you'll be able to start building things with EVA.
Materials List:
Cutting Mat - amzn.to/2ldoy7R
Puzzle Floor Mats - amzn.to/2ldsTbG
Sewing Pins - amzn.to/2ldzbZ8
Metal Ruler - amzn.to/2jRaPXV
Razor Knife - amzn.to/2kgMmtM
Heat Gun - amzn.to/2jR4yeI
DAP Contact Cement - amzn.to/2ldNLQ7
definitiveprops...
I'm a beginner cosplayer and am planning to build my first ever armor out of eva foam, so this is extremely helpful! Thank you so much
Thank you I’ve been going to Star Trek conventions for 30+years and going to Comic-Con with my grandchildren the past 2 years I started entering contests at the conventions and actually coming in 2nd place both times it feels unbelievable never had courage before watching
You are teaching a old gal some new tricks thanks
Another thing that to consider when you’re using a heat gun: if the foam melts, the fumes can be a bit toxic so definitely be carefule
Bubba, I have intimate knowledge of the materials you've used here. My experience with them began in 1979, If you want seams that stay welded do not "seal" the edges to be joined. In fact, you would do well to rough them a bit, apply your contact adhesive & be generous with it. Permit it to scale clear & very light tac to the touch, then hand fit your seams. Masters is the best glue, but I cant find it anymore. Weldwood contact is the best I've found these days. Don't be shy when you apply it. Clean up the slop with gum crepe. Let it dry without stress at least an hour for a strong bond. If you need super strong, let it set over night. You could also make a primer coat out of the same glue thinned down with its solvent, follow above drying, apply a thick normal coat. It will take a couple of extra minutes to dry before you stick them together. Try it a few times for a great bond. You might like it's secure weld above any other. This is the method used to secure soles to shoes, so you know the amount of stress we put there by years of walking. All the best to you.
this is the first foam tutorial that told me to heatup the edges to seal the foam and allow the glue to adhere better. Thank you!!! (probably where i have been messing up alot)
Glad I could help! I always heat seal the whole thing for good measure.
This was very helpful, I am fairly new to cosplay and I am making a tracer cosplay!
tell us when you've done it! I'd like to see it
Whoo, fellow Overwatch fan! I'm looking into this rad guy's vids to starts on my Zarya cosplay :) I hardly ever play her since she's waaay beyond my skill level for now, but I love her look and backstory (plus there's an ongoing joke among my friends that I'm irl Zarya minus the Russian heritage since I'm pretty damn strong, have short hair, and unironically say "check out this gun")
How'd it turn out? I'm currently working on a Mei cosplay and would love to see another OW cosplayer's work (I'm pretty new to cosplaying too)
Same!
I'm making a Blade of Marmora cosplay..
Wish me luck 'o-o
I'm already tracer.
You make it look so easy! Making straight cuts on so thick EVA is hard! And you forgot to mention that once that contact glue is ready, even an accidental touch will glue the pieces together - however they meet.
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope to have a new video up in the next few weeks.
in high density foam is not that hard
Dude, with that beard, you should make a Viking helmet.
70CadillacMan I totally agree with you! Besides Vikings are hot!
@@kitty_1960 LMAO
I want to make my first Cosplay helmet, and I have seen a lot of Videos on how to make them. I think until now your tutorial has been the easiest to understand. very well explained!
Glad to help!
i'm building my first eva foam costume, this will be be handy
thanks
some feedback on the video, you may want to throw up a music icon when you switch between music and instruction. Another is to have a second camera rolling with a fixed position so you can have a close-up work when you want it. Another bit would be a parts list and sources at the start or end.
In the second half it's noticeably darker to see the work. perhaps an additional defused light? I would have loved more narration on your adjustments, even if you voice over the video afterward.
Lastly, you seem to be doing this as a multi-part instruction set, perhaps linking them in a library perhaps volume numbers ?
Thanks for the feedback! I absolutely have already thought about other camera angles and better lighting but to be completely honest, I'm not in a place to justify purchasing more equipment just yet.
I am making this a series of sorts but I haven't thought it would be worth numbering them yet as I'm shooting them out of order and I only have two so far.
And I really should put a parts list in the video description. That would be really useful.
Thank you for taking this all so nice and slowly. Very informative. Thank you!
Thanks, bearded dude. I learned a lot. I like that you tell where you got the stuff and the approximate cost.Three questions. 1. How have I made costumes in the past without knowing this stuff?? 2. Can you do the same with the thinner "fun foam" you can buy at the craft store? 3. When are you making more videos? I want to see how to fill in the seams and paint this thing!
This has to be the Best Eva Foam tutorial video ever. You sir are the best teacher, I did learn a lot. Before I try to find the best teaching method from a cosplayer's video but they turn out to be bunch of A-holes just showing off and not really explaining How, what, where and why. I wanted to learn much more about Eva foam. But instead I only did modifications on things that I find and I can use to transform it into something. Until now.. Thank you so much for teaching us the correctly way to use Eva foam. I am honored and Happily to like, share and most importantly Subscribe to your awesome channel.
Thanks, man. I really appreciate that. I'm hoping to have a few new videos up soon.
Great video. Every second of this was worth watching. Well done.
Thanks, man!
Thank you thank YOUUUUu~ I’ve been ha omg the toughest time looking for an alternative for the foam glue.. and finally...
Wouldn't change a thing. Great job on the video!
Awesome tutorial guys! Thank you for taking the time and effort in making a quality video. The knife is called a 'Box Cutter' and Evil Ted does pretty much all same things, including mis-naming the box cutter as a telescoping something lol, only real difference is he added registration marks while making the patterns using the Sharpie to help line up the curves when gluing the seams: game changing life hack LMAO! That being said you guys are therefore teaching some rock-solid techniques and skills of the trade, thank you.
Great video!! One suggestion from watching other video's is having registration marks on the templates so you know how to line up the parts when you glue.
Eric Pilgrim If it was a longer seam, I would but helmets are EZ PZ.
as a bearded man, the beard on the thumbnail and then noticing the channel name with beard and prop, i had to click on this video.
Great video, interesting and informative to watch with really good production values too, THANKS!
Just popping through on my cosplaying adventure. Decided to work on a Baptiste from Overwatch cosplay, and I saw someone with foam armor.. so, here I am! Learning how to make foam armor!
Thanks so much for this. It was super useful and easy to follow.
I'm glad I could help! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future tutorials.
sewing pins! omg already! thank you! why did i not think of that! LIKE!
Glad I could help!
Thanks so much for this video. I really appreciate it. I've been wanting to do a cosplay out of foam and this is very informational. I like that you even went into detail about little mishaps like stuff happens. Thanks :)
Thank you for the help, roger taylor
If you have a band saw those work incredibly well for cutting foam
This is awesome, you are awesome. Thank you for making this video! It's really helpful
I appreciate you! Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much I didn't know where to start, I'm making an armor from Claymore for my PEI projet :D
Luv Anime I'd love to see pictures when it's done!
Thank you so so so much for including links in your description. Video after video I haven't seen anyone link anything.
I'm glad you appreciated that! I actually went back and added those recently.
Greatly appreciated. Also now you're my main channel for prop shop stuff. You have high quality videos, thanks for keeping up great content. :)
I appreciate that muchly! Feel free to ask questions or make suggestions for future videos.
You work so much quicker when there is music playing. I should try that. Great helpful video, thanks.
I know. It's weird.
I have question. When you will add new video. This was amazing!!!
The music is dope man.
Thanks man. Been making a Mandalorian from Star Wars with Sintra, but gonna give an ODST from Halo a Whirl.
Are you getting MMCC approved? I've been wanting to for a while but I never seem to be able to make time to work on my Mando.
Yes! Love it! Dude.. can't wait for your patterns tutorial.
Subscribe and tell me what I should pattern. I'm thinking a helmet.
+Brett Weidmann Already subscribed! And definitely helmet. I'm working on a Samus Aran suit and I'm waiting for a good helmet pattern so I can get started on her helmet piece.
+Naomi Vannice Helmet pattern? You got it.
Sweeeeeet!!!! Thanks, dude! Yay!
When it comes to a left and right on flat material, you don't need to flip the pattern. Just make 2 the same, and then flip the piece you cut out. Of course if it makes for better efficiency of the use of the material you do what you've got to do.
Well, this foam is textured on one side so if I didn't flip it, I'd have a weird patchwork of texture on my helmet.
@@BeardedPropGuy - Ah, that's highly significant.
Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial, its very, very helpful!!!.
Hey good job dude! can't wait to start my own project!
Thank you so much for your video!
I have not made costumes since my kids were little, I’m totally fired up now though. I have to make a costume for a guardians of the galaxy video I am doing with my vocal team.
Very informative and most enjoyable to watch :-)
This is a great video!! I am looking for more videos on creating the actual patterns for foam armor. You should make a video for that :D
I'm hoping to get around to it soon. I'm going to do a 5 video series in the next few weeks. I'll cover a little bit of the pattern-making.
6:05 the magic touch
Why not use a mould of some sort for shaping after heating instead of your hands? I am super new to this btw. I'm picturing a multi set of different angled spheres held up on a stand that you bend the foam around on in different places. You could make the spheres out of similar high density foam or something.
Because you don't need to overcomplicate it. You don't really even need gloves 99% of the time.
I use Acetone to thin out the glue to make it easier to apply the glue. I do use the same type of glue but with Acetone, its a lot easier to use.
The blades on those knives are meant to snap off so you can always have a sharp tip. Because they snap so easy, it's actually far safer/better to only have the blade extended as far as you need. That way you reduce stress on the blade, making it less likely to break off.
While you're correct on most of that, having the blade out most of the way and cutting at a shallow angle gives you cleaner cuts easier. I've literally NEVER snapped a blade cutting foam this way. But, if you're getting good results doing it your way, by all means please continue.
I would add some registration marks on your templates when they are drawn on your head piece. This will make your pieces line up better.
No worries. I just haven't gotten there yet.
This is sooo helpful!!!
I'm glad I could be helpful.
FELLOW BEARDED MAKER, DAMN GOOD TUTORIAL.
Thanks, homie.
The Definitive Prop Shop totes mang
Very helpful video. Thanks.
Thanks that was very helpful, i'm making my first costume (Earthfury Draenei Shamen Tier 1 World of Warcraft)
I have pet parrots and birds are really sensitive to fumes of any kind (since they replace the entire capacity of their lungs with each breath) so I guess I will be waiting for spring and doing all the heat gun stuff outside.
okay
This is so cool
will a hairdryer work as a heat gun or do they not get hot enough?
They work you just have to hold it there longer
..... is there a painting and seam video after this, or am I just missing it somewhere?
very good
Instead of using floor ones like in the video. Can we use craft ones like at hobby stores. I seen some there for like 99 cents and seems to be similar to what i seen on other places.
Yes you can. It all depends on the thickness you want and the price you want to pay. These floor tiles are nice and thick (therefore strong) and they're only about $2 each.
Requested questions:
How about a buying guide to EVA foams? I know if I buy from art-supply stores, I might pay too much.
Will the gym-mats I see when I search EVA foam work or do I need something more specific?
I have seen wood-grain-textured ones. Would they still work?
What thickness is best for what type of project?
The puzzle-piece floor mats are exactly what I use most of the time. Harbor Freight has them in a four pack for around $10. They also sell rolls of slightly thinner foam for about the same price. The craft foam from a craft store is made of the same stuff but since it's thinner you can use it for cool detail work like trims and filigrees and such.
Glue only thing left to get. Thank you.
Not sure what I have planned will be UA-cam safe, but someday if you are in the SF Bay Area... :)
Always feel free to contact me directly from my website definitivepropshop.wixsite.com/home. I'd love to see what you're working on.
Call video, very helpful.
*New subscriber....love the video and information..thank you.*
can i please buy your helmet pattern somewhere? i like it because it is so very simple and looks great :)
theladymelissa I'm currently in the process of putting a collection of patterns together to release to the public. I've gotten so many requests for a helmet that I'll be sure to include it.
this video is very helpful. THANK YOU! How long should I wait to connect the foam after the second coat is applied?
2-3 minutes. The contact adhesive is shiny when it's wet. When it's no longer shiny is when you smash the seam together.
what kind of glue is best for eva foam? I have watch another video and they used contact glue.
Honestly, it's whatever you prefer. Some joints are easier with different kinds of glue. Good options are super glue, hot glue, and contact cement like I use here. Just experiment. Foam is cheap and mistakes are the best teachers.
All right good 👍 job. I'm curious what the helmet 😂 is for ??? Also I'm trying to glue 6 knee ( rubber foam ) mattes together. I believe it's the same material used for flip flop thongs. And I'm not sure what glue to use. Plus Im on a seriously low budget with little to No art tools or supplies. I can afford $10 for glue. That is my limit. Can you offer some advice?
The helmet was just for a costume. But regarding your glue question, I really haven't found anything (other than silicone) that contact cement won't stick to. The stuff I use in this video is available most places and I seem to remember it's around $5 a bottle.
Hi there I have a question about making foam armor! If it need it to be thicker, whats the best way to attach two layers together? Do I need to sand down the textured edges so that they adhere to each other better?
You guessed it! If you're working with foam mats, you're gonna have to sand the texture off before gluing them together.
would hair dryer work for heat gun
No unfortunately it doesn't get hot enough
Would you be able to use a hair dryer at a high heat instead of a heat gun or no?
You're welcome to try a blow dryer but there's a reason I specify a heat gun.
Are you making any videos soon? I've liked your video, but seeing that you haven't posted anything in 6 months... Or are you making a project and you'll upload it alltogether?
Jan Moros Esteban I'm hoping to get a new video posted on the 3rd. I've just had a lot going on in my life since I posted this video.
The Definitive Prop Shop nice! I'll be waiting for it :)
I m new to cosplay and i am making iron man mark 1 with an actual flamethrower(wrist mounted, it is ready) *so my question is*
*I have a huge eva foam roll (not the thick flooring mat) it is 1 cm in thickness so can it be used in the costume or not ?*
The whole thing sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. That being said, EVA foam is NOT the way to go. Good luck, don't die.
How flexible is Eva foam or is there like an alternative to using a heat gun because I don’t have the money to get a heat gun ?
Heat guns are like $20. It's really the only tool you need other than a razor. Take my word for it and spend the money.
How do you go about making a Helmet with a mouth guard?(ex: Optimus Prime, Megazord, Gundam, etc.)
Just make sure to only cut out what you need (like just the eyes, for example). For a more thorough explaination check out my video about making a helmet template.
Sick vid - badass
To get this straight (this is my first time attempting contact cement over hot glue) you put the first coat on and let it sit for a minute or so before putting on the second and then attach them?
Through this process I am curious if you need to constantly hold them together to make them stay until dry like hot glue or if they'll remain still?
I am aware certain pieces will have to be held together considering their shape period but I'm wondering for everything.
Yeah, you wait until both sides of the seam are dry and no longer shiny. When you stick them together, they're should stick immediately unlike hot glue. If it's a really dramatic curve, like on the crown of the helmet I did in this video, sometimes they need a bit of help but contact cement is not as scary as it seems. Try it on a few scraps first but you'll get the hang of it.
The Definitive Prop Shop
Thank you very much.
Hey, I was wondering, does the temperature of the heat gun matter?
Not exactly. A blow dryer won't really get hot enough but I've seen people use propane torches to heat up their foam. It's easier to shape the hotter it is but the key is that you don't burn it.
Is using contact cement/barge harmful to use? Trying to get into cosplay but I want to know the hazards and what to avoid before I start. Any tips for a newbie like me?
Read warning labels. If something stinks, it's probably toxic.
Roaddbuster general rule in life, don’t sniff glue hahahaha
Is that contact cement gonna stink up my house if I use it indoors? I can't actually smell, myself, but I'd like to be considerate of my family, haha... I can't work in the garage during the winter, but would like to give this a shot, trying to figure out if there's an adhesive I can use inside the house
Contact cement does have an odor but if you're using it in relatively small quantities, you shouldn't have any problems.
thank you
You're very welcome.
Salut !genial !tu aurai les mesures en cm de tes patrons en papier ou tu la fais au pif ?
would gluing felt on the inside of EVA foam give it a stronger lasting hold? Also, would having a mannequins head held shape helmets?
A mannequin (provided it isn't styrofoam) could absolutely be helpful. Contact adhesive is plenty strong, it doesn't really need any reinforcement but yeah, another layer of course will be stronger.
@@BeardedPropGuy have you ever implanted magnets in foam so weapons can attach without straps or clips?
@@drpeppero3 I never have but plenty of other people have. It works great! Just keep in mind that if you magnet something to your foam for too long, you might get an impression from the pressure of the magnetic object.
Great vid. What kind of primer and paint can you use on this type of foam?Thanks
For painting EVA foam, you'll want to heat seal the whole thing before any coating is applied. You can use all sorts of stuff as a "primer" such as Plastidip, Elmer's glue, Mod Podge, or balloon latex. The best one I've tried so far is Plastidip. As far as paint, you can use just about anything you want. Acrylics like Liquitex brand will flex a bit better and resist chipping but you can use any spray paint you'd like- just keep in mind that they'll chip with flexion, especially enamels.
What can I do if I don’t have a heat gun? Would a hot hairdryer work? Or just nothing at all?
I recommend you just go buy a heat gun. They're cheap.
Bearded Prop Guy ok thank you I’m planning my next Zelda character form Hyrule warriors. I’ve never made it with Eva foam and decided I’d try to make Zelda’s armor out of it this time.
Thank you for nice video! I have a quetion. I try to DAP's contact cement but It's hard to buying that in Korea. And I found Elmer's contact cement that is easy to buying in Korea. so... What do you think about that is same effect DAP's contact cement?
I'm not sure. You should just get some and try it.
Bearded Prop Guy Okay. I will try to it. Thank you comment. :)
ALWAYS USE REGISTRATION MARK'S!
Awesome!!!
I need help. To the top of one square foot of plastic I need to glue a square foot of rubber, which glue do I need to use? Should be waterproof.
thistothat.com
I already found a solution. Thank you anyway.
Might sound like a stupid question but could i use contact cement to stick foam to fabric? Really struggling with finding something to safely keep the two stuck together
You definitely can. I also would recommend Super 77. It's a spray adhesive. People use it to make muscle suits all the time.
Might sound like an even more stupid question would hot glue work? I need to stick 5mm plates to a morph suit
Hot glue doesn't like sticking to stretchy fabrics because the hot glue itself does not stretch.
How about a spray adhesive??
That should work just fine. People use it for muscle suits all the time.
Will a blow dryer work in place of the heat gun....???
ericking1000 no it will not you need a heat gun they are only 20 bucks at Home Depot and be safe with it and don’t point it at people or animals or anything flammable it will burn things if pointed at them too long
Thnx Kingdom
I was looking everywhere for this answer lmfao
This is a weird question, but does contact cement have to be water based for eva foam?
Nope. In fact, I prefer the stuff that isn't water-based because I feel like it sticks better.
What if I were to use a solvent based cement for an Iron Man helmet? I know It's fumes are toxic, would it be okay if there was a sealant over it?
It should be fine. As far as I know, it's perfectly safe if you give it like a day to air out. I mean, think of the glues and adhesives that are used in constructing houses.
Are those just normal work gloves? (Like the ones sold for yard work?)
Basically yes. They're mechanic's gloves but that mostly means the palms are thin and the knuckles are padded. You honestly don't need gloves but I sometimes use them just because.
Can you make a video how to make the palm of a hand. I'm trying to make a hellboy hand but I don't know how to make the palm. Please thank you
I can do the Right Hand of Doom.
The Definitive Prop Shop yes that would be amazing thanks!
Where do you get the non-textured EVA foam? I can't find it anywhere.
Most people order it from TNT Cosplay online.
Since contact cement is flammable.I wanna glue two peices of foam together. Can I still use a heat gun on said foam?
Yes but I'd form it as much as I could before glueing. More than a little head will open your seam up.
What sort of gloves are he using? Heat resistant?
They're just regular work gloves I got at Home Depot. You honestly don't even need gloves but they're nice to have nearby.
Oh, man, thanks for replying! I've got some sturdy wildland gloves from some other activities I do and was going to ask if they'd work...but, if y'dont need gloves, thats good. Thank you!
YEEAHHHH BOOOYYY.. THUG LIFE....
your work are great...where i can get the pepakura guide for that helmet
It's not pepakura. But I do have a video about how I made the helmet pattern if you're interested.
Can you pull it apart if you misalign the foam
+crx5555 Not really. Make registration marks and take your time.
would you recommend working with this or regular foam pieces from an arts store, like 5mm, 3mm sheets of foam ?
Thickness is totally a matter of preference. You can do cool stuff with layering different thicknesses of foam, too. I'll cover that in another video in the next few months.
I guess what i was saying is also, is it better to buy the foam type you are using or is there a difference?
Can I use corkboards instead of eva foams?
I have no idea. Give it a try! Maybe it'll be the next big thing in cosplay.
Hey I was wondering what product you use to conceal/ patch the seams?
Sanding and Kwik Seal should do it. Evil Ted Smith has a good video about it.
can you coat eva foam in fiberglass resin? if not what can you use on top to give it a hard shell thats sandable?
I've seen people make worbla shells to go over their EVA armor. I'm not a worbla expert but I imagine you can sand it.
The beauty of EVA foam is that it's pliable. If you're looking for rigid construction, look at Pepakura or Sintra.