ByYourCommand.net

OK while at one of my accounts I saw this large piece of Styrofoam. I asked about it since it was near the dumpster, and knew their routine about tossing things away. Some reason they just place the trash near the dumpster a day or two before they toss it. I made a inquiry to the boss man about it, and asked if they were going to toss if I could have it. Sure thing he said, and here it is. Now what to do with it. Anyone ever carved a large prop before. First off can anyone guess the size.

18 high 36 wide

Cy wrote:18 high 36 wide

Nice try. No cigar today.

3 foot by 4 foot.

How about some help via a hint. What is your guess now looking at the photo below.

2x1 that yellow foam is pretty good to carve we use it all the time. What density usually 2 lb or 4 lb? You can hardcoat and sand.

This piece is 4 ft x 8 ft x 15 inches. Weighs over 100 lbs, and I was hoping it was quality enough to carve up for some prop piece. I could give my cockpit a forced prospective nose. I have a full sized cockpit from Space Above and Beyond. It has the look of a Viper cockpit.

That's about a $1000 chunk of foam. For 4 lb density.

Now that is why I called it a score. I knew this stuff wasn't cheap, but had no true idea the value. Now to buy a electric meat carver, and draw up some plans before I start cuttung it. What is a good type of sealer to put over it after it is cut that can be smoothed out, and shaped if needed for detailing.

Small hand saws and artist kemper tool rakes work well.

Fiberglass resin then a poly primer coat. Bondo and or magic sculpt cleanup.

If your going for a durable one off, get the shape, put the fiberglass and cloth over and then bodyshop it. If you want to mold it then no need for the cloth.

I would cut off a sliver. Make a mini prototype by planning out the cuts. Trust me the second attempt will be way better. You'll have a feel for the approach. Use a scaled down plot to find the lines. Then you can just blow up all your lists.

Thanks for the insight Skull. I'll pull out a model, and also the blue prints as my guide post on this project. I did go out and buy a electric knife, but before I make any cuts I need to dig up the reference items.

GoldCylon wrote:How about some help via a hint. What is your guess now looking at the photo below.

Thats one big block of foam. How in hades did you get it home?