Prop: Shop - How to Cut Clean Details in Foam

Bill shows how to cut intricate details in foam for your costume and prop making needs!
This episode was filmed live here: • Prop: Live From The Sh...
This episode was also edited live here: • Prop: Live From The Sh...
EVA foam buying guide: punishedprops.com/2014/09/30/e...
Tools:
Knife Sharpener
amzn.to/14AfnW5
Barge Cement
amzn.to/1tTmxRw
Snap Off Utility Knife
amzn.to/1Cu4xOW
Curved Hobby Knife Blade
amzn.to/1Gtp23g
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[@punishedprops]

Visit our website to check out the all of the tools and links mentioned here! punishedprops.com/2015/10/26/foam_details/

[@shoprocksfilms]

The technique at 5:05 looks so simple now that I've seen it, but it blew my mind!

[@RaccoonReplica]

I really like that you can see the recording in different angles on the monitor in the back. Gives a nice touch to the background. Fills it with life and is not just static.

[@abielmuren]

Thank you Bill, you made this videos so easy to watch and follow!! thank you so much!

[@graham3214]

honestly new to the whole foam building im used to cutting out endless sheets of card from pep, but after watching your videos i think im going to give it a try. you really do have lots of helpful tips for us newbies and keep up the awesome work look forword to your future videos

[@kylerichmond4806]

I live in Seattle and I found you through watching Evil Ted. By your powers combined I will make epic armor for my Star Wars LARP! Thank you for your videos. Subscribed and going to be ordering your ebook.

[@w0mblemania]

Thanks Bill. Another very helpful video! Regarding sharpening box-cutter blades... if people don't have a dedicated sharpener, they can also use normal sandpaper. Say, 200+ grit, wet/dry paper. It doesn't have to be too high a grit... it's better that the blade has a little bit of roughness to it, to help with the sawing action on foam. Just a few strokes either side of the blade, regularly, will do the job. Doing this with XPS foam, I've been using the same box-cutter blade for over a month solid. I don't know why, since I have a box full of blades, but it's nice to reuse things. :)

[@hanofthenah2097]

For someone who's just starting out with Destiny cosplay this is super helpful. Thanks for these awesome videos.

[@SuperNator9000]

These videos really help me with my current project! Can't thank you enough, and hopefully you'll see it someday :)

[@ryansizemore5064]

Thanks for the wondeful advice and time and material saving tips. Awesome stuff as always.

[@MaxDeaconVR]

Cool tips, Bill. Now I'm thinking hard where to use the last one - it's soo cool looking)) I'll do something just for the sake of using it))

[@farrellsprops8065]

Your videos are getting better and better

[@kevinvitale8980]

Dang it... wish I saw this yesterday before I did all kinds of this bad cutting on my steampunk rifle project... now I have a LOT of cleaning up.

[@ericstaples7220]

These tips are all essential, I feel.

[@fishytuna4304]

I know this is an old video but damn! Was it helpful! Currently making some armor and I was so confused on how cosplayers get those small perfect independents! Had no idea it was just a little heat 💚

[@lucacatalano6533]

Thank you your Tipps is AWESOME !

[@hazardmuffin]

Love this channel, I just found it

[@punishedprops]

Thanks so much!

[@RatsIslandTV]

Awesome video! Gonna use some of these for my puppet costumes!

[@russfunk7615]

for cutting circles I like to use sharpened pipes, soup cans and kitchen utensils.

[@tmcnabb104]

Your cutaways to the actual process of making cuts is far to short. Your explanation is excellent, but long shots of your handsome mug are less instructive than long shots of you actually doing the work.

[@NathanThompsonBlueEyes]

I feel like his videos would be great if he Picture-in-Pictured his explanation in the corner while the majority of the screen was dedicated to showing his working.

[@DAIadvisor]

Great video! Thanks!

[@w0mblemania]

A tip for making vertical/90-degree/perpendicular cuts... get a flat block of MDF. Line the block up with the cut line, and register the blade against the block before cutting. It helps if the blade isn't too flexible for this. It can be tricky though, as I find that low-angled slicing cuts are best, rather than high-angled, jabbing cuts. And the block can get in the way.

[@Sweethgc]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@diegorod1082]

Thank you this helped a lot !!!😃

[@israeloliveira9669]

Any tips on where to buy L200 foam in either 1/4 or 1/2 in? it seems like amazon no longer has it in stock

[@themightygrowly]

Do you have any tutorials for working with Thermoplastics? one of my cosplays can't use EVA Foam for more than padding but I'm clueless on how to do detailed stuff with thermoplastic

[@ChrisRyniakArt]

Hey Bill! Great videos! I think you and I shop at the same store for shirts with paint all over them.

[@MurcuryEntertainment]

Hey Bill, what are your thoughts on hot wire cutting foam?

[@kalenhouse]

I was wondering what type of band saw you were using in one of your videos. I really want to get one.

[@JunkieVirus]

thank you very much! very useful

[@SkilledTubeMC]

This helps a lot! I recently finished a spartan cosplay from Halo, but the seams are pretty bad, just goes to show the usefulness of a sharp knife. I will use these tips in my next project :)

[@guilhermotrindade6636]

+Bill Doran please have a titan of cosplay and really wanted you teach to do the solar breaker

[@charlesneujahr5045]

You are a genius. thank you!!

[@fdameron]

If you have the space for it, a hot wire table saw is good at making 90 degree cuts and is easy to make. With a bit of modification, it may be possible to make it so you can set the angle.

[@idomake4429]

Bill, nice vid. I have for some time been looking for a source for EVA that can supply thicknesses from about 1/8 in up too 1 in in a variety of colors. Any help would be received with great appreciation.

[@kadaverf]

This actually gave me a lot of tips for cutting my tool foam, whilst all the videos on cutting tool foam could not give me any tips (except: "Put it in your cnc", which doesn't help me haha) Thank you very much!

[@punishedprops]

So glad we could help!

[@scottmclean4237]

Excellent tutorial thanks for this. England

[@punishedprops]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@erinmeacham6905]

Thank you this has really helped with my storm trooper cosplay

[@carloscorredor9359]

thank you, Lot of info

[@davidzuniga4620]

Thanks Bill

[@9308EDUARDO]

very helpful

[@JGomezabino]

awesome!! You just made my day with this vid. I am a noob when it comes to working with foam so I am eager to learn. I am building my first suit of armor!!! How can I contact you directly?

[@jariravensbergen2995]

What kind of foam Do you use?

[@teresagriffin]

I need to cut down through the top of 1” Green Kingspan foam. Adding small rocks to the piece but the top must remain flush. I tried exacto knife but can’t get flat bottom. The back must be intact. This 30” round will have resin art applied and will sit inside of a sunken table top. Then glass top covers the art.

[@AngeliqueW0212]

Thank you soooo much👍👍👍👍👍

[@thomnasilikeswordfighting5506]

Ty!

[@extremelegofandude]

Hey I'm trying to make the chaperone from destiny but I'm not sure how to make the detail on the handle and at the end of the barrel also what could i make the lever out of? Thanks!

[@christianc1477]

360 i would recommend using a dremel and craft foam and draw out the pattern to put it on and then bevel the craft foam with the dremel. For the lever, rigid Eva or mdf

[@darkroxas46]

Hey, great video but I just got a problem. I tried to do this (Cutting it out then hitting it with a heatgun) and it didn't really open up the hole, infact it closed it. I tried cutting deeper, and still got the same result, tried it with both high and low settings on the heat gun and they all gave me the same result. I don't know what im doing wrong

[@Thotadin]

What foam are you using because eva shrinks when you heat it (the cuts open up because the foam is shrinking).

[@TheSpaceRealm]

What sort of paint did you use in order to get that cartoony finish on your tf2 props?

[@carlmcgee6001]

+Bill Doran couldn't you use Krylon Fusion?

[@Xzo]

Hey bill! I met Paragon props at Wizard World Tulsa! Where were you?

[@dougmckay9524]

Cane thus be painted what iam going to build is a cylon

[@StephenOsirusCovers]

sir, I have an important question. what do u suggest on how to make clean bevels on circular shapes without heavy machinery?

[@punishedprops]

I suggest a rotary tool and a lot of practice.

[@StephenOsirusCovers]

ok. will do thank u

[@relykofwar4039]

could you attempt to make a deadspace plasma cutter? i bet you could make an EPIC one

[@jx592]

Also note, whatever material your using if your having a hard time getting your shapes because you cant really see. Go ahead and prime exactly what you have so you can see your mistake or error for fine tuning

[@tdog-jy1pp]

How can I repair foam from heat

[@MrVolvobloke]

Hi ! Great videos ! My question is -Is EVA foam suitable for vac-forming? Would you have to coat it with something first?

[@christianc1477]

MrVolvobloke you need to make the foam rigid. While you could, it would probably melt onto the foam but coating it in a hardening coat would work

[@MrVolvobloke]

Thank you !

[@ArmoredGamingZ]

Where can I Get Foam?

[@nine_tails137]

Where can I find Brass Tubing for cutting Holes, and how do you sharpen them? I tried a knife sharpener, but it's working about as well as i expect. That being terrible!

[@punishedprops]

We get our tubing from local hardware stores and sharpen with a belt sander, but you could use a sanding block too.

[@nine_tails137]

+Punished Props Academy What "Grit" Sandpaper do you use? I don't have a belt sander, so I need an alternative method for sharpening Copper/Brass Tubing?

[@HTorres83]

how long does a normal armor foam build take to make?? I have some ideas for a con I will be going to in the up coming months. Plus!! I love the videos!!! thanks for uploading them to help people like me lol. Keep up the good work!!!

[@strebicux6174]

many months - to a few months depending on your experience

[@Paradicted]

Amazing tutorial !!! Could you do a follow up video on how to cut paper with scissors ?!

[@punishedprops]

So glad you found the video helpful! We actually don't work with paper all that often, but try looking up some Pepakura channels! They probably have all kinds of awesome tips and tricks!

[@CameronMcCreary]

I need open cell ester foam cutter. Knives no matter how sharp will not work.

[@benlee5039]

what did you spray on your knife sharpener?

[@punishedprops]

WD40

[@jameswatchadoin]

can you use the knife sharpener on the curved blade?

[@punishedprops]

Yup!

[@davidrobie6693]

Have you considered using a 1-2-3 block as a guide to ensure a perpendicular cut?

[@punishedprops]

I sometimes do!

[@Journeyman1642]

Dang that drill on your wall above that Dewalt impact, is that a Dewalt drill???? How old is that thing???

[@johnnaguzman4386]

Hi! I’m in over my head and need a pep talk do you take calls!

[@barrybleat0matic270]

for the heat gun part would a hair dryer work if I can't get a hold of one?

[@bhermoth]

heat gun is more hotter than a hair dryer...so the heat gun works better...heat guns aren't that expensive...like i got a cheap one for about 20$ at home depot

[@barrybleat0matic270]

awesome thanks xD

[@user-ff1hn7ve9e]

Why not fit a blade to a soldering iron and get super clean cuts ?

[@asdominemusic]

For the prop i want to make i need to make cuts more than a full meter long. I have never worked with foam before. Wish me luck.

[@nosloppyagape]

maybe try sharpening some shim stock then bend it to add angles or radi you need then just push it through.

[@Michaelhotker]

How do you make a costume head such as a mascot head?

[@punishedprops]

We've never made one of those, but Commander Holly has! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpvRfnmno6yXl8U

[@deeznuts23yearsago]

The 5:05 detail I’ve had to use sooo many times on my halo reach armour

[@2EOGIY]

Can EVA foam be cut with hot wire?

[@punishedprops]

It can! You definitely need to wear a respirator and be prepared for the heat shrink that will happen on the edges. It won't be as straight and exact as with a knife.

[@nine_tails137]

Will your scoring and Heatgun technique work on Insulation Foam?

[@punishedprops]

I don't think so. Insulation foam is a lot more delicate than EVA. The heat may just melt it.

[@nine_tails137]

+Punished Props Academy Yeah, that's what I thought. Is there another method for carving Details in Insulation Foam? This is the sword I'm trying to make: supersentai.com/database/1992_zyuranger/images/zyu-sz-godhorn.jpg

[@punishedprops]

For more on working with insulation foam, check out my pal Andrew's channel: kzbin.info

[@nine_tails137]

+Punished Props Academy Hmm, looks like most of his videos show how to make Foam Rifles and FireArms. Not Melee Weapons.

[@punishedprops]

He does focus a lot on firearms but the techniques and methods he applies in order to do so are the same techniques you can use to create melee weapons.

[@mr.cookiemonster4683]

can you use a hair drier instead of the heat gun?

[@micro-babe]

I recommend investing in a heat gun. I plan on it for a Winter Soldier build. It can get hotter and my brother tried using a hair dryer and it worked technically but he went through two of our hair dryers.

[@johnlbales2773]

Mr. Cookie Monster Heat gun is best. Quicker, by far and obviously better results. It takes practice, like everything else.

[@rogerconrad8571]

What kind of foam is that?

[@punishedprops]

EVA foam!

[@jacobdecker3112]

how can you make foam shiny to resemble shiny metal

[@bhermoth]

i would buy metallic paints

[@johnlbales2773]

firefirafiraga yup. gloss fixative comes to mind also.

[@erickfragosocanales1422]

Hello there, fisth that all, I love, I really really love you're work is amazing, I just wanna ask you if you do know about a disigner, or a team of designers in México, I would like to try to enter to this beautiful word but I don't now how, please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@punishedprops]

I don't know anyone specifically in Mexico, but if you want a good place to start, here's what we have: punishedprops.com/new-maker/

[@origamikira]

hello, im wondering where i can buy a mask for protecting myself when using a dremel on eva foam/for spray paint and any material i might use for cosplay, EU link please? like ebay or so? thanks, or ali ...thank you

[@ParanormalState100]

I found my new hobby

[@punishedprops]

+ParanormalState100 Welcome to the club!

[@ParanormalState100]

Punished Props do you have any tips for starting out on a budget tool wise and material wise or any videos I can reference to?

[@phillipstephenson8860]

Where do you buy your foam?

[@phillipstephenson8860]

+Phillip Stephenson Please disregard, i saw where you already answered this.

[@finerz321]

+Phillip Stephenson where did he men Toon that?

[@finerz321]

+Phillip Stephenson **mention, sorry

[@phillipstephenson8860]

+Finley Clark punishedprops.com/2014/09/30/eva-foam-buying-guide/

[@leggodt6340]

Whitch craft!

[@mitsubishigto7207]

100th comment! Yay me 😃

[@chocolate.1065]

The foam at the thumbnail looks like a nintendo 64 game cartrage

[@nixland]

Why the videos show your face lot more than the how-to-do videos (which are too short & too fast). Just some input you might consider :)

[@punishedprops]

I do take that kind of feedback into consideration. With my more recent videos I talk at the beginning and end and the middle is all footage of the build.

[@RogerGarrett]

Less of you just taking, more of the close-up shots of the techniques, please.

[@ryansizemore5064]

+Roger Garrett the detail shots really help

[@JP-bp1cy]

Seriously... less you, more technique!!!

[@Solarstar10]

If you watched the video him talking is actually kinda useful as he's explaining what he's doing. So no, not less talking.

[@jfuite]

He could be speaking while the video shows what he is talking about. "So no, not less talking" - sure, but certainly less watching him talk and "more of the close-up shots of the the techniques".

[@lenniemoses8003]

The video is free. He doesn't owe you anything. Just watch the video or go elsewhere. It's that simple.

[@chickendog3042]

WHY IS YOU BLUE YETI LIKE THAT IS NOT WERE THE MIN'S ARE IN SIDE WFT!!!!!

[@vincenthastings3490]

well this was a waste of time

[@amircogs]

too much of you on the screen! unsubscribing Punished Props.

[@danmiller9868]

What type of foam do you use?

[@keving5004]

Dan Miller he uses EVA foam