File puptcrit/puptcrit.0505, message 183


From: Angusson-AT-aol.com
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 11:59:10 EDT
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Finishing Coats
To: puptcrit-driftline.org-AT-lists.driftline.org


Hi Daniel:

I am familiar with the white foam you refer to that is used in kid's surf 
boards and bean-bag chairs.  It is rather soft and is easy to break away pieces 
from the form. When carved using rasps or rifflers, it tends to produce little 
beads which cling to everything. Not sure what the material really is. Detail, 
especially in smaller figures is hard to achieve. 

In some cases, this material as you suggest, covered in fibreglass or epoxy 
would certainly stand up. My only concern would be weight. Holding a marionette 
at arm's length more or less makes on'e consider every way possible to reduce 
weight. 

Styrofoam is made of styrene and is a CELLULAR material. That is to say, in 
manufacture, as the liquid components react, it expands and produces gas which 
causes the formation of tiny closed cells which hardens. (I am not a chemical 
engineers so am not sure HOW it really happens.) But a cut section will reveal 
the cellular nature of the stuff.

But this is the same material that you might find in craft shops or florists' 
supply shops. Sometimes at Christmas or Easter, you may see this material in 
the form of molded eggs or wreaths.  It's firm enough to hold it's shape but 
soft enough to allow a flower stem or wire to penetrate. It is usually white in 
color.

The blue or orange color I referred in Styrofoam may only be a means of 
identifying a particular density of material but I have found little difference in 
either.  This stuff in not at all flexible.  As I mentioned, it is used 
primarily as flotation material under docks and inside boats.

>>>Im not sure about blue and yellow, which in my foam terms refers to rubber 
polymer foams...very expensive!

Styrofoam does not contain rubber, latex or such. Styrene is the main and 
perhaps only ingredient.

Hope this helps.
Fred



kismet-AT-bigpond.net.au writes:

<< Obviously there is a language barrier here as I only know styrofoam as 
that white stuff you make bean bags out of and kids surf boards, Im not sure 
about blue and yellow, which in my foam terms refers to rubber polymer 
foams...very expensive!

So the thought I had was have you considered surfboard foam? Comes in blanks 
from most fibreglass shops can be carved with fine detail with very simple 
tools, including your fingers  >>

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