Foam 101 How To Cut, Shape, and Glue EVA Foam

This tutorial teaches you the basics of using EVA foam. It will help you get started in any cosplay project involving armor, props, or weapons. Don't forget to subscribe for more & comment below what you'd like to see next.
Social media:
Insta: @adonis_cosplay
adoniscosplay
Twitter: @adoniscosplay
SC: adonis_cosplay
Music: Happyrock by Bensound

[@geekychannel2543]

Thanks. I'm making foam projectiles and this looks like it'll work 10x better than the solvent glue I tried

[@jimburtontattoo8639]

Awesome video brother. I've watched ALOT of tutorials on building and this has been the best for a beginner!

[@BexH95]

Thank you for this super straight forward video to explain the basics, it's hella appreciated!

[@expedited_healer9441]

This is really helpful! I've made a prop staff in the past and it came out ok but now I'm making a ton of foam jewelry for another costume. The cool trick with the score-heating probably saved me like a few hours of frustration (I also didn't know that you had to heat eva foam before you used it so that was good to know)! Thank you!

[@AdonisCosplay]

That is one of the best things about foam is being able to add that detail so easily with the scoring and heating. im so glad it was helpful!

[@lumusolem]

i need to make a splatoon octoling hair somehow, thanks for the tip. also so handsome wtf!

[@lucretiahoverter9486]

Thanks a bunch for that very helpful tutorial!

[@jynclr]

Thank you for this primer on crafting with EVA. Liked and subscribed.

[@AdonisCosplay]

Thank you!

[@BlueStreak95]

Thank you so much, plan on using this for my next cosplay

[@wa8ck96]

thank you this helped me a lot ❤

[@supersuitsandgadgets7914]

I just ordered some EVA, it's kind of expensive for what it is. I'm not making cosplay but using it for armor padding, it's not really soft but a lot softer than metal. This video is helpful.

[@YASAJTV]

Very informative and quality content

[@jlucsol1947]

thank you for the cutting and gluing tutorial ^_^

[@BeeWhistler]

Very helpful! Time to make that portal gun...

[@lindsaygoodwin3140]

Really great video!

[@yoliestrada9830]

wow....quite impressive. thanks for the tips :)

[@RasMajnouni]

Great help here!

[@richardspooner4102]

Thank you, Adonis!

[@1234hellinthepacfic]

this is very informative good job from the U.K.

[@AdonisCosplay]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@TsukiZer0]

You SAVED me.

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Thank you. I knew about the thinner sheets but this is great! I need a heatgun lol! I subscribed (it's only good manners!).

[@AdonisCosplay]

Thanks! i appreciate it :)

[@MM-ov8ml]

Great video thanks alot

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

Great info

[@XenoCosplay]

This was so helpful, thank you! I'm completely new to prop/armor making, and I was wondering how you get rid of the hatched pattern on one side of the foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

You can sand that off if you want to with sandpaper or a belt sander. Or you can buy foam that is smooth on both sides. I recommend tntcosplay.com They sell smooth foam in various thicknesses for really cheap. (2 foot by 6 foot sheet for $15 I think)

[@XenoCosplay]

Ah, thank you so much!

[@OfelieArt]

Adonis Cosplay the actual link is tntcosplaysupply.com/ :)

[@aStrangedancer]

im completely new to cosplay and planned on doing with templates for kind of robotic bunny ears so im wondering if thats a good idea or if there is an easier way to do it

[@LylyBennett]

The rat tail from my knife block has become my best friend when cutting foam :D But I also have a dremel if my line is a little bumpy and Kwik Seal to getting rid of unwanted grooves

[@AdonisCosplay]

Yep! dremels can be super helpful if the lines dont turn out the way you want them to

[@trashi_1145]

I thought hot glue was bad for foam. (Great video btw it was amazingly helpful!)

[@TheSoleProprietor]

I agree. maybe I was using the low temp skillet glue which apparently cooled down too fast to make a stronger bond. I will try the higher temp on my glue gun to see if that makes any difference.

[@kingbotzcustoms]

Does the foam shrink any when you heat it up to seal and prep it for paint? Thanks!

[@AdonisCosplay]

Nope! not unless you heat it up a ton, but at that point you're most likely going to burn the foam

[@shattenofficial]

What would you say is better for sticking foam together. Hot glue or barge?

[@AdonisCosplay]

Definitely barge. It's way stronger and you can be more precise with it. it just takes a lot longer.

[@judithgarcia4362]

Thanks!!!

[@dougmckay9524]

Hi this sounds great iam thinking of doing a cylon centurion but a few questions can this material be painted in silver or gold

[@CosplayApprentice]

Yes, It definitely can, it is usually best to coat the foam with a layer of Plasti-Dip Spray first, then do a gloss black coat and then do the gold or silver. This will give you the best shine for those colors! :)

[@jessicapotter3815]

I tried this with my own cosplay and it worked so well!

[@CozyChicken]

Nice and detailed video. One question, I wanna build a helmet and what should be the thickness of the eva foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

it depends on the type of helmet you want to make. But I wouldn't use anything less then 5mm thick because then it will start to be too flimsy

[@CozyChicken]

Adonis Cosplay i was going to use 5 mm and I am gonna build "Payday 2 Jacket's mask"

[@AdonisCosplay]

ha awesome. good luck!

[@rathinakumarloganathan4623]

Thank you

[@waited2long]

Informative Video. Is Barge glue good for sticking together large foams like that used for archery?

[@AdonisCosplay]

I've never tried, but barge is pretty good for almost any project. its definitely worth a try

[@spideyproductionz]

I am using a mandalorian beskar steel armor pattern on eva foam on 10mm

[@EmerentusGaming]

i am using templates to build an iron man helmet and suit but i dont really understand how you know where to cut a 45 degree angle and where not to could you maybe do a video on this?

[@AdonisCosplay]

well thats tough. i could show you how to do it... but i wouldnt be able to tell you where because I don't know what the template calls for. If it doesn't say on your template then I'd either find a different one that tells you where to cut angles or do some trial and error. There is really no way for me to know without looking at it.

[@bindrelic]

Helpful

[@OMINOUSREDdotcom]

SUUUUUUUUUUBBED

[@arifkuyucu]

Hello dude, I am planning to use 1/4 inch thickness EVA foam and barge cement for a simple sphere shape. I think it is thin material. Do I have to use a hot air gun for every thicknes EVA? Can I bend it without hot air gun before glue?

[@AdonisCosplay]

The hot air gun isn't only for bending. if it bends fine without it thats ok, but it's also used for sealing the pores of the foam to make it easier to add plastidip or paint over the top. Or whatever sealant you choose. So i'd recommend it anyway yea.

[@mickeyvanaudenhaege3692]

Awesome tips there, how would you make small neat little holes through the foam

[@AdonisCosplay]

You can actually take a small pvc pipe, and bevel the end until its sharp. Then just push it through the foam. Its a great way to get the holes you need

[@mariahtoone7936]

I know this video was made a year ago, and that you probably won't reply, but I'm trying to make a weapon for a school project. I don't own any knives or a heat gun, and don't want to spend to much. Do you think I should go with eva foam or paper mache?

[@AdonisCosplay]

well if you don't own any knives and don't want to buy any then paper mache. but it will be more brittle than foam. if you buy and exacto knife or a box cutter knife then foam is super easy to use.

[@xrpjr2126]

I want to glue EVA foam to a normal t-shirt would you recommend using hot glue or contact cement for a permanent hold? Also does it matter if I use hot temp glue or low temp glue? Thanks

[@AdonisCosplay]

Definitely contact cement. hot glue is really more of a temporary hold. and for EVA foam, high vs low temp doesnt really matter too much. if you're using other less dense foams, then the high temp could eat through it

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Great tips. I'm planning to build a fishing rod holder/rack for my kayak. What brand of foam did you use in the video? I liked the textured side/smooth side combo. Thanks for any help, shopping on Amazon and Ebay is a chore at times.

[@AdonisCosplay]

This type of foam is actually floor mats. like gym mats or shop flooring. you can get it at home depot or dicks sporting goods usually. if you want smooth on both sides then check out a craft store like michaels or Jo-anns/hobby lobby

[@B.A.Bassangler]

@@AdonisCosplay Thanks bro!

[@SnackPacks10]

what is the purpose of heating it with the heat gun if you don't need to shape it? I want to make a boomerang so it didn't need to be shaped in any way, just painted.

[@AdonisCosplay]

Heating it seals the pores of the foam. if you try to paint foam without sealing it first, the paint will get soaked up into the foam and it wont look very good. But if you seal it with a heat gun, and add another coating on top for a better surface, then the paint will look much better!

[@jakecallum3051]

Any tips for making a sturdy sword, me and my friend need to make swords for our cosplays and don’t want them to break easily

[@ricardocardiel1858]

Jake Callum Sandwich a pvc pipe or metal bar with foam and shape it to your liking

[@jakecallum3051]

Ricardo Cardiel we are thinking Griffith and guts from berserk for our cosplay, keeping in mind never done this before so wish us luck

[@cirrus0019]

Is it possible to mold the foam into a snake like using play do? I want to dull the corners and attempt to make a helmet

[@AdonisCosplay]

You could. id recommend using a dremel tool to round it out. it will take a while and be challenging but not impossible.

[@ArtemPowerLift]

What's the density of it measuring in Shore? Can you advise me is it appropriate sheet for gyms? For instance, I'd like to make a hard floor for weight bar in weightlifting avoiding noise, floor shaking and so on.

[@AdonisCosplay]

not good for that. its not very dense

[@ArtemPowerLift]

Adonis Cosplay thank you!

[@malcolmhisky6665]

If you don't have a heat gun, would a plain hair dryer with heated air work as well?

[@AdonisCosplay]

Typically hair dryers don't get hot enough to heat seal foam. you can always try it but usually that wont work.

[@IAmAlpacaBoi7]

I use a lot of EVA templates with either dotted ( - - - - ) or dash-dotted ( - * - * ) lines, what do those mean?

[@AdonisCosplay]

it probably depends on where the template comes from or who made it. you'll have to reach out to them to clarify

[@sealkaijugang8868]

Thank

[@phototec]

Great video. Where is the best (cheapest) place to purchase EVA foam

[@chirbychoo]

Probably sams club you can buy a 6 pack for like 20$

[@hellravsx]

TNT cosplay supply

[@PocketSnax]

They closed now, any other suggestions 😭​@@hellravsx

[@jasonl5500]

Hi, I've been dealing with EVA daily now for 4 or 5 months. I don't melt it , just cutting and what not but I deal with alot of it. I use it in the basement of my house. My question is do you take precautions because of the formamide content in EVA? Do you wear a mask or gloves when working with it? I hear formamide is a very nasty chemical and some EVA foams have been banned in certain countries. Any advice would be great 👍

[@AdonisCosplay]

I've never had any issues with EVA foam, but it could be because I don't know them. You should wear proper PPE when heating foam or using glues, but other than that, EVA foam isn't inherently dangerous to be around. However I'm not a doctor so you will want to do your own research.

[@ramlianthang9371]

By any chance could you use a hair dryer to heat the foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

hairdryers dont get hot enough unfortunately.

[@Hamnavibes]

Which foam is this ?

[@costelo_6297]

Does it break or change it's shape permanently if you squeeze it to hard?

[@AdonisCosplay]

it may change shape, it wont break, but if you try really hard you can stretch and tear it

[@radhakrishnan8343]

I'm finding it difficult to get EVA Foam in India... Can I use the EVA Foam in yoga mats for craft work? Reply please!

[@AdonisCosplay]

typically yoga mats aren't dense enough. floor matting would be bettre. however if you can make yoga mat foam work then why not?

[@retsila4750]

Can you bend foam without applying heat, because I don’t have the tools, and I don’t want to buy a super expensive heater.

[@AdonisCosplay]

It likely won't keep its shape as well. heat guns aren't too expensive. $20 ish

[@pekegamer101]

where can i get the foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

You can buy the thicker foam from hardware stores or any place that sells floor mats. Thin foam can be bought at craft stores

[@ravennightbirt9001]

I don’t have a Heat gun… does a hair blower work?

[@AdonisCosplay]

It could, but they usually don't work very well. heat guns are only about $25 at a craft or hardware store

[@animelord1339]

Can I use a hair dryer for the heat gun?

[@AdonisCosplay]

you can try but in my experience, they usually dont get hot enough

[@anthonysparks4225]

Any one know how to fix a cur on a foam grip? I put a small slice on a rod grip I was making for sale..

[@AdonisCosplay]

Can you explain what you mean by foam grip? What are you making?

[@Scottyboy2317]

Which knife are you using tho cut the foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

just a utility knife

[@zamSEG]

hello sir, any chances on tutorial cutting perfect circle hole on eva foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

More videos coming soon for sure! I love that Idea. I'll see if I can throw that in there with the next foam tutorial

[@zamSEG]

@@AdonisCosplay that is great news sir. will look forward to it soon. duly noted and thank you for your time replying my comment. 👍👌

[@Nekoenjeru]

Quick question. I've got regular rubber cement for glue. Can that work just as well? Thanks. BTW, great and helpful video:)

[@AdonisCosplay]

yea it probably would work. i'd recommend trying it on some scrap pieces before you use it on the actual piece.

[@Henrique-kq3ng]

I don't have a Heat Gun, can i use a hair dryer ?

[@AdonisCosplay]

Probably not as they dont get hot enough.

[@coralthorkelson9166]

You can always use your stove aswell, turn it on to medium-low maybe even low and just hold it over it for a bit

[@shannonberr2734]

Does anyone know where to buy dense sheets of EVA foam. Ive been looking everywhere online and stores, i just cant seem to find it anywhere. Please if anyone knows where to find it can you give me a URL link?

[@emanuelemanuel7038]

Harborfreight

[@emanuelemanuel7038]

Or TNT foam online

[@danielwoolcock5596]

What kind of heat gun do you recommend? e.g temp range

[@AdonisCosplay]

It really doesn't matter all that much. Stronger than a hairdryer haha. But just dont hold any heat gun on foam too long or it'll melt it.

[@danielwoolcock5596]

Adonis Cosplay cool, thanks for replying. Im going to try my hand at cosplay for the first time so I didn't want to spend too much on things like that at first :)

[@AdonisCosplay]

Absolutely! yea heat guns are around $20-30. Things can get really expensive really quickly haha.

[@danielwoolcock5596]

Adonis Cosplay noticing that lol. totally worth it though 😁

[@maximusdellaporta6444]

Tip: turn down the music volume a bit. Its tough to hear your voice in the video. Great helpful video otherwise.

[@jacobhenderson1732]

could you use an exacto knife

[@AdonisCosplay]

yea if it can reach through the foam

[@ryannikolovski926]

What thickness are you using?

[@AdonisCosplay]

10mm

[@jamesrussell1599]

How did you sharpen your craft knife???????

[@AdonisCosplay]

You can get a sharpener online or in a pinch you can use the unglazed side of a porcelain dish or cup

[@jamesrussell1599]

Adonis Cosplay awesome thankyou man!

[@houseofmaoby]

Hi how can i drill eva foam?

[@AdonisCosplay]

thats challenging. you could try a rotary tool like a dremel. or you can use a sharpened pvc pipe and push it through foam

[@daylightliving8929]

good video

[@AdonisCosplay]

thanks :)

[@daylightliving8929]

wnd of armours you do?

[@daylightliving8929]

what kind of armours you do?

[@TheSoleProprietor]

You and others forget to show how to keep foam rolls from roiling back into the pre rolled form. The sheets ... especially the 10 mm ... which I bought.... should have been flat to begin with! Because the edges keep getting in the way when I am trying cut the right amount of foam!

[@submissiveproviderstboth9485]

January 2021 making a Baby Grogu Floating Pod

[@xenia6614]

Can you maybe give me the link there i can buy the eva foam pls the Eva foam i have is not good would be awesome (THX :))

[@AdonisCosplay]

tntcosplaysupply.com/store/c2/EVA_Foam.html This is where i get mine :)

[@xenia6614]

Adonis Cosplay thank youuuuuuu

[@jessicasommy1741]

I'm so sure that you can make it too guys. Just look for Stodoys.

[@Nikkiichan]

you are cute

[@AdonisCosplay]

[@dimsumlite]

Bevel cuts are no way that easy to cut

[@AdonisCosplay]

well as long as you have a sharp knife they are

[@stephaniescrafts5685]

Wow. My foam does NOt cut THAT easily.

[@hectorperez2896]

Where did you get it

[@jamesrussell1599]

He said he basically sharpens every couple cuts that’s how

[@swwolf3640]

Great video, but your music kills your vocals, lower your back track, heighten your vocals, I can hardly make out what your saying. please, sort your sound,.Thanks, …..Ade, like First Aid, lol. QUESTION?- Is floor foam ok, like ya get to sit ya hot tub on or, or ya yoga matts, or is it a specific kind, which cant take the paint sprays etc?QUESTION?- Do you need to prime your foam before main coat?QUESTION?- WHAT KIND OF PAINT DO YOU USE?Please don't say acrylic based or chemiclone-chlordaride, or metapherasulphate or icon chlordaride based. QUESTION?- IS CAR PRIMER AND PAINT OK?Question?- IF not which paint to use?Any help and support and plans will be gratefully received. Wash, Drive, Repeat.Stay Safe all, thinking of everyone, during these times.Be SURE TO FOLLOW YOUR GOVERNMENTS GUIDELINES. IF YA DONT. YOU CAN DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Love from across the pond, or across mountains, rivers and streams or Seas. here in England, from a small town called Doncaster. As yet not Self Isolated, but maybe, because I'm at High Risk with no spleen. Working from home and when not at work, I can start a new hobby, called Cos Play. I cant wait to get stuck in. So COZ PLAY builds here I come, lol, Only other downside is, no work, no pay, hehehe. Any way hope all are well who watch this guy, and stay safe, love from Captain Britain. QUESTION?- Are there any FREE Blueprints for stuff? Any free blueprints are most welcome, should I need to self Isolate. I understand they've took time, and appreciate the time taken. But in the hour of need and WORLD COZ PLAY SOLIDARITY. WE SHALL BUILD FOR THE NEW COMIC-CON near us, lolMany Thanks, Captain Britain,, Your NEW friendly, Crazy Fool to the Gang..STAY SAFE ALL.