From: Michael Dowell <moodooguru-AT-gmail.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 10:02:50 -0700
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Fun Foam


In order to avoid using Barge or other toxic glues, I've used duct  
tape with L-200 (to make puppet bodies / mouths / rings for holding  
fingers in mouths) which has lasted for years on many oft-used puppets.


On May 25, 2009, at 2:21 PM, Mathieu René wrote:

> Fun Foam:
>
> Also known as L-200.
> Fun foam is available in craft supply stores and some dollar stores,  
> as
> colorful thin sheets that can be cut with scissors. The sizes are  
> usually US
> letter size (8.5 x 11 ") or Tabloid (11" x14").
>
> It's also used in various industries, as padding, or floor coverings.
> Giant puzzle-like pieces of it are often sold as floor coverings for
> children's playrooms, or the thicker version of the same, at double  
> the
> price, is used on workshop floors or as a sports mat.
> I was recently told it's also available as 2 inch thick "boards",  
> but very
> expensive.
>
> Fun foam can be cut with scissors or any blade, quite easily.
> Some people use white glue (pva) to glue it,. but I recommend hot  
> glue,
> which is truly permanent.
> Hot glue, at high temp, will glue fun foam forever. You can't peel  
> it off
> without tearing the fun foam.
> So with or without heat shaping, it's a perfect match for fun foam.
>
>
> Fun foam can be shaped with heat.
> Note that doing small details or precise areas is very difficult,  
> because
> the heat is transfered rapidly within the foam. Heating one area  
> will affect
> its suroundings.
>
> Hence the probable use of heated molds or vaccuuforming methods when  
> some
> companies make cheap fun foam masks. Those I've seen in dollar  
> stores had
> not much detail, but from a test I did here, it's possible to have  
> more
> definition. I just don't have the time right now to study something  
> like
> this and figure it out (shrinkage is still a problem).
> My first attempts were with a heat gun, but the fun foam shrinks if
> overheated and is hard to control, and hold in place. I was trying  
> to make a
> half-mask, and did not have enough fingers (or heat resistance on  
> them) to
> hold everything precisely onto the positive plaster cast. I can't  
> imagine
> how hard it would be to press into a complex negative mold!
>
> My next attempts were going to be with hot water and cold water, and  
> cold
> packs.
> but owadays, i'm more atttracted to experimenting and working with  
> natural
> materials.
>
>
> If anyody here find ways to control the fun foam better when heated,  
> please
> share.
>
> The real successes I had with heat shaping fun foam were introducing  
> curves
> while heated, and letting them cool down while holding. When making  
> tree
> leaves, for a more natural look, just cut out their shape, leve on the
> table, and heat with a heat gun, letting it curl as it pleases.
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
> Archives: http://www.driftline.org

Best regards,
Michael Dowell
Moodoo Puppets
phone: 626-296-6956
email: moodooguru-AT-gmail.com
website: http://www.moodoopuppets.com

_______________________________________________
List address: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Admin interface: http://lists.puptcrit.org/mailman/listinfo/puptcrit
Archives: http://www.driftline.org