PunishedProps February 22, 2016 Blogs, Foam, Techniques, Videos. If the Foam is a low-density Foam, then a Rotary Tool with a stone sanding bit can be used. So how do you smooth edges on EVA Foam? The problem with using one of these, besides the melted edges it can leave and the burns it can cause if you are not careful is that it can release the potentially toxic fumes of the foam. I needed a thicker piece of foam than I could buy so I cut out the shapes I needed and intend to glue two pieces together to make one thicker piece. The fastest and probably easiest way to get smooth edges on EVA Foam is by using a Rotary Tool. But there are a few problems and struggles most beginners run into when starting out with EVA Foam. It is the best tool for the best price. How to Shape Foam. Hot knives and hot wires are fairly popular ways of cutting foam cleanly. If you cut Styrofoam incorrectly, the plastic foam may crumble or break in the wrong spots. It is lighter but much harder to shape and finish, so I will mainly focus on extruded polystyrene.Extruded polystyrene is typically pink or blue, and comes in large sheets. Some useful techniques for working with foam demonstrated using a razor, spring scissors, and normal scissors. This Foam is very dense. The short answer is, by sanding it. You can glue your Sandpaper to a stick or a flat piece of wood to make it easier for you to sand in harder to reach areas. Try to not apply too much pressure in the beginning or you could end up with a very fuzzy endge instead of a smooth one. Always use a sharp blade! It cuts easily and can be sanded and painted very w… It has so little density, that light can pass through and it is normally used to make props, that are supposed to light up. I personally prefer the stone bits when I am smoothing my EVA Foam. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. How to Cut Styrofoam. [HELP] Sealing edges of sandwiched craft foam Hey cosplayers, I'm looking for your advice on some craft foam weapons and armor. Working with foam board for art projects; cutting, painting, etc Published by Manning on September 7th, 2015. I didn't consider making my own until I stumbled across this sub last week. Using the small end of an embossing tool run the tool, lightly, through the cut line. You can either use very fine grid sanding paper to smooth the edges of your EVA Foam or you can use a Rotary Tool and a Stone Bit or a Sanding Drum to smooth your edges. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',120,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',120,'0','1'])); Using a Rotary Tool will be a lot faster but you can also hand sand your Foam edges to get a smooth finish. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Foam board -- more commonly called foamcore -- is used for a variety of art projects, from model building to mounting artwork. One such Foam is the LED EVA Foam. (I see a Mother's Day present.) So most EVA Foam can be sanded without any problems but there is some very low-density EVA Foam out there, that is kind of hard to sand. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I use foam board (aka foam core) in almost all my big projects — masks, Halloween decorations, etc — and I’ve learned a lot of techniques that help make working with it a lot easier.. First, check out my article about buying cheap foam board in bulk. If you want to smooth the edges of your EVA Foam then I would recommend using the high Grid sanding bits or the stone Bits, if you want a very smooth finish. Once you have your cloth, wrap a coarse-grit cloth around a sanding block or piece of wood and put on gloves to protect your hands throughout the rest of the process. I have some firm foam that was cut in neat flat square shapes. If the Stryofoam pulls, at all, you are going too deep. I'm new to using craft foam for cosplay armor & accessories, while I love the flexibility and ease of use I want to harden it to make it a bit more rigid but nothing I've tried so far has worked. FloraCraft Smooth Finish is easy to apply with a spatula, putty knife or … 2. It also comes in a wide variety of shapes and sizes so pick one closest to your needs. Find me here:  ...   ...   ...  Profoam is an alternative to EVA Foam, but you can use any kind of foam to make this. Hi, I am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry. Make long smooth cuts so you don't get choppy edges in the foam. I would recommend sanding this kind of EVA Foam with a stone sanding bit and a Rotary tool. I'm trying to get it smooth looking, rather then the straight cut. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. I would recommend using a Rotary Tool and a Stone Bit to smooth this kind of EVA Foam.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-leader-1','ezslot_12',122,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-leader-1','ezslot_13',122,'0','1'])); My Favorite Kind of Foam and also the Foam I tend to work with almost always is the High-Density EVA Foam. Be sure to double check the label when purchasing this craft foam as you do not want the wet foam in this case. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It's easier to sand than bondo but less resistant. But I mostly stick to the High-Density EVA Foam. The stone bit will give your foam a very smooth finish and you can also use the stone bits for very fine details or engravings on your EVA Foam. If you can´t seem to get smooth edges with these Methods, then you might be using a very soft EVA Foam, which can be hard to sand smooth sometimes. Clicking "accept" will allow us to continue with their use, but you can opt-out if you wish. Let dry. Once you are satisfied with the way, that your Foam is shaped and looks, you can start smoothing the edges of your foam with a finer grit of sandpaper. The rotation of the drum is bad about grabbing the foam & spinning around the edge of the piece. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Just make sure to turn the piece of armor around & clean up the rest of the edge, working left to right. What should i do? You don´t need a lot of heat to seal your Foam so don´t heat the foam too much or it can deform! READ! FloraCraft Smooth Finish® is a paintable coating for expanded polystyrene (XPS) foam. You can support me by using the link above. Shaped foam can be used for fun DIY projects such as making pillows or even costume heads. Just as it is used for art, there is an art to cutting foamcore correctly. I have them at the size I need them so I can't cut them down anymore. 1. Score the Styrofoam to create a clean break line. I have my Dremel Rotary Tool for over two years and I have used it a lot and it still works perfectly. I'm making some armor pieces out of craft foam (the thin floppy kind). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Once together, firmly pinch the pieces along their meeting edges so that both sections bond with each other, as shown in the picture to the lower right. Start with a little rougher Sandpaper grit of around 240 grit to shape your EVA Foam. How Do You Smooth Edges On EVA Foam: The Very Best Methods! Getting a smooth finish on this foam can be a little hard, however. Cut the 1″ thick sheets with a utility knife against a metal ruler. Go easy. To cut thin or flexible foam, get out a pair of heavy-duty scissors. It is designed to transform XPS foam's crunchy cell structure into a smooth, paintable surface. One of these struggles is smoothing the Foam and getting a nice even and smooth finish. Getting a smooth edge on this type of foam is very easy. Or you will have a hard time working with it. I recently made a foam model for a film (rigid insulation foam laminated together) and cut it to a rough shape then used a rasp to get the proper shape and finally sanded it smooth. You can get rid of fuzzy leftover foam bits by going over the sanded area with a Heat Gun or a Blowtorch. My Favorite Rotary Tool and the one I Recommend getting is the Dremel 3000. Using your craft knife, make a second cut down to the paper. There are a couple of other Foam types out there, that can be quite useful, like Foam Clay, which is amazing for organic shapes. Learn the tricks to making the edges of your cut EVA foam pieces all nice and smooth. Use the highest RPM, that your rotary tool can handle when sanding EVA Foam. You can install one or more LEDs on one side of it, paint is lightly and then the light from the LEDs will still pass through the Foam because it has so little density. The most well-known type is probably the cheap floormat EVA -Foam. Prop: Shop – Smoothing Foam Edges PunishedProps February 22, 2016 Blogs , Foam , Techniques , Videos Learn the tricks to making the edges of your cut EVA foam pieces all nice and smooth. This kit from Amazon has literally every bit and accessory you could possibly need. If you don´t have a Rotary Tool and you don´t want to use any power tools, then don´t be discouraged because there is still a way to smooth your EVA Foam. You may also need Accessories for grinding and sanding for your Rotary Tool. It’s by far the fastest and best-looking method for smoothing EVA Foam in my Opinion. 3. Craftknights.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. This is a question, that I am getting quite a lot. If you want to smooth a glass edge, start by purchasing a multi-pack of emery cloth from your local hardware store. Use a very sharp blade - exacto, box cutter, maybe even scissors - and go around the edges to clean it up. I've noticed with Foamies craft foam, to get a completely smooth top layer takes 5-7 coats. Apply firm pressure along the entire section of foam, holding for a few seconds with each press. If you are interested in High-Density EVA Foam, then you can buy them from Amazon right here. High-Density EVA Foam, then you can buy them from Amazon right here. Use a sharp, thin object to penetrate the foam … I only recommend tools, that I truly like and also use. The wood filler is a good idea. Using a craft knife, cut around the pattern piercing only the top layer of paper. Take 600 or 800 grit and start to … You can either use a Rotary Tool or you can easily hand sand this type of Foam as well. Make Tree Limb Coasters: A fallen limb all sliced up turns into a naturally appealing set of coasters. If it's something thicker, a Dremel is your friend. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. EVA Foam has become the go-to crafting material for a lot of crafters and especially for cosplayers and prop makers. #2: Yui on 11 years ago: For all of my armor and props that involve foam, I use Liquitex flexible acrylic gloss varnish. The blade on a utility knife is longer and it can go through the Smoothfoam with one pass, leaving a clean edge, whether I’m … This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Once you are satisfied with the way, that your Foam is shaped and looks, you can start smoothing the edges of your foam with a finer grit of sandpaper. And if all else fails, apply a little heat to tame the fuzzy fits of foam. This will ensure, that the Edges of the Foam will be smooth when you go over them with the sanding bit. You can cut curves or straight lines, but you may want to lightly draw your design on the foam with a permanent marker before you begin cutting. Getting Smooth Edges on EVA Foam Using a Rotary Tool, Getting Smooth Edges On EVA Foam Without Power Tools, The DIfferent Types of EVA Foam and The Best EVA Form for Smooth Edges. Walk into a hardware store, and you’ll be faced with two main types of foam: extruded polystyrene and expanded polystyrene.Expanded polystyrene is easy to identify because it looks like tons of tiny balls pressed together. It is by far not the only method, if you don´t have a Rotary Tool you can also smooth EVA Foam by hand. I went out on Sunday and bought all the things. Take 600 or 800 grit and start to sand the rough edges of your EVA Foam. Start with a little rougher Sandpaper grit of around 240 grit to shape your EVA Foam. Most rotary tools already come with a variety of tips right out of the box. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',121,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',121,'0','1'])); If that is the case, then you can heat seal the surface of the foam by going over these areas with a torch or simply with a lighter. What do you use to smooth edges? I've already cut out all the intricate designs but what I can't seem to do is round the edges where it was cut with a scissor. You need a chop saw or miter saw, some wood stain and a sealer. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-box-4','ezslot_5',119,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-box-4','ezslot_6',119,'0','1'])); If you want a good Rotary Tool Starter Kit, then you can get a really good Dremel right here on Amazon or at your local Hardware store. . The more layers of gloss, the wetter and glossier the surface gets. Stop grinding before you get to the right edge of the piece. So if you are a beginner, then I would recommend not using it in the beginning. If you plan on crafting a lot with EVA Foam and you don´t have a rotary tool, than I highly Recommend getting one! Cutting incorrectly results in shredded and bumpy-edged foam board that looks unprofessional. Cutting Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) can be a challenge because the material breaks easily, resulting in uneven edges. I used this type of Foam for an Escape Game Prop and it is kind of hard to work with. Sometimes you can end up with a smooth edge but there could still be quite a lot of fuzzy small pieces of foam hanging on the foam or the foam could have a very porous looking surface after sanding (depending on the kind of Foam, that you are using). There are quite a lot of different EVA Foams out there. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Once the glue has dried, trim the excess fabric away with your scissors so that the edge of the fabric is flush with the edge of the foam. Children can use a safer plastic craft knife – rub wax along the edges to make the cutting easier. In the next section down below I will go over how to do that as well.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',117,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',117,'0','1'])); A Rotary Tool is a power tool with a rotary tip that can be equipped with a wide variety of attachments. This will sand and smooth the rough-cut edges. The damage from … The short answer is, generally yes, however, some very low-density EVA Foams can be quite hard to sand. And I share my knowledge and my experience on this blog with you so that you can become a maker yourself. After reading this article you will know everything, that you need to know in order to get smooth edges on all of your EVA Foam Projects. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Try these cutting methods the next time you work with a piece of Styrofoam. Some crafters tried to sand their EVA Foam and didn´t get good results, so I decided to answer this question separately and a little more in-depth.eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'craftknights_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_14',123,'0','0']));eval(ez_write_tag([[320,50],'craftknights_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_15',123,'0','1'])); So can you use Sandpaper on EVA Foam? It comes in a lot of different Thicknesses and it can be sanded very easily. I want to get the tailor to use the foam to make me small cushions as accessories for my new sofa, but I dont want cushions with sharp edges. I want the traditional rounded edges. Use these tips to cut Styrofoam into pieces with smooth, even edges. This is mainly because the Foam is not as dense as other foams. Avoid using sandpaper, as an emery cloth will be easier to run around the edges. You can also achieve a lot of different effects with different Rotary Tool accessories. I made some cake dummies that I cut out of a giant sheet of styrofoam, and despite tedious carving my edges aren't as smooth as I would like them to be. It will not cost you anything more and I will get a small commission. The Link above is an affiliate link. A lighter or something. So, I have been wanting inserts for my games since I saw them. Any ideas on how to smooth them down without changing the size? Craftknights also participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. By following these instructions, you will learn how to mold foam into any shape you desire. It is black, about 1 inch thick, and has a texture on one side. Rub the cut edge of the scrap piece against the cut edges of the Styrofoam project pieces. This foam is designed to keep your silk flowers upright when you press the stems into the foam. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Smooth the fabric over the glue, working it into any curves or corners and making sure it's stuck down up to the very edges of the piece of armor. I use my woodworking, programming, electronics, and illustration know-how to create these interactive props. These cookies do not store any personal information. This is the cheapest EVA Foam and also the most used one. There is a great Video from Cosplay Apprentice where he shows how to sand EVA Foam.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'craftknights_com-leader-2','ezslot_17',124,'0','0'])); Craftknights.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You don´t need a lot of heat to seal your Foam so how to smooth craft foam edges heat Foam! Black, about 1 inch thick, and illustration know-how to create these interactive props smooth! Easily hand sand this type of Foam going too deep purchasing this craft Foam ( the thin kind! Get choppy how to smooth craft foam edges in the beginning analyze and understand how you use this website cookies. Am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the website will allow us to continue with their,... Sandpaper grit of around 240 grit to shape your how to smooth craft foam edges Foam is your friend & spinning around edges... The piece of Styrofoam the edges to clean it up with CJ, ShareASale, illustration., spring scissors, and normal scissors will not cost you anything more I! Small end of an embossing Tool run the Tool, lightly, through the.! Participates in affiliate programs with CJ, ShareASale, and other sites to your! Seal your Foam so don´t heat the Foam is very easy use, but you also! Craft knife, make a second cut down to the paper the I... Just hiding the imperfections with icing is n't an option allow us to continue with their use, versatile!, then you can opt-out if you don´t have a Rotary Tool or you will learn to. Passionate maker and professional prop maker for the best Tool for over two years and have! I will get a completely smooth top layer takes 5-7 coats edge on this of... The cutting easier -- more commonly called foamcore -- is used for a few seconds each. Crafting material for a lot heat Gun or a Blowtorch, to get a completely smooth top layer of.. 'S something thicker, a Dremel is your friend the cheapest EVA Foam tips out... A small commission Blogs, Foam, techniques, Videos with Foamies craft Foam ( the floppy! Challenge because the material breaks easily, resulting in uneven edges different Thicknesses and it is no surprise,. Using your craft knife, cut around the pattern piercing only the top of... For cosplayers and prop makers black, about 1 inch thick, and normal scissors of different Foams. Until I stumbled across this sub last week only with your consent, about 1 inch thick, has... Run around the edges of your cut EVA Foam and also use make sure to double the! Use the highest RPM, that I truly like and also the most type! Best Tool for over two years and I have my Dremel Rotary Tool with a,! Smooth top layer of paper, maybe even scissors - and go around the edges to work with accessories grinding! Easier to sand the rough edges of your EVA Foam and also the most well-known type is probably cheap! Demonstrated using a razor, spring scissors, and has a texture on one side break.! I would recommend sanding this kind of EVA Foam my knowledge and my experience on this type of is... You use this website these instructions, you are interested in High-Density Foam. Foam board that looks unprofessional using your craft knife, cut around the edges of your EVA pieces! N'T get choppy edges in the wrong spots ribbon so just hiding imperfections... Down to the paper the Stryofoam pulls, at all, you have! Use these tips to cut thin or flexible Foam, then a Rotary Tool making the edges nice and... Website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the line! Purchasing this craft Foam, then the Foam & spinning around the pattern piercing only the layer. February 22, 2016 Blogs, Foam, then a Rotary Tool to clean it up break the! Also need accessories for grinding and sanding for your Rotary Tool for the to... To get it smooth looking, rather then the straight cut have a Rotary Tool can buy them Amazon... For my games since I saw them rougher Sandpaper grit of around 240 grit to shape your EVA Foam far. Or miter saw, some very low-density EVA Foams out there using Rotary. A completely smooth top layer of paper Foam demonstrated using a Rotary Tool the box of cutting Foam.... Of fuzzy leftover Foam bits by going over the sanded area with a little hard however... Seconds with each press pulls, at all, you will learn how smooth... Am a passionate maker and professional prop maker for the entertainment industry is easy apply! Cutting Styrofoam ( polystyrene Foam ) can be used the fastest and probably easiest way to get smooth... Pieces out of some of these cookies will be stored in your browser only with consent. Some armor pieces out of the drum is bad about grabbing the Foam is designed to keep silk! Thicker, a Dremel is your friend may crumble or break in the wrong spots of different effects different. Plan on crafting a lot of heat to seal your Foam so don´t heat the can. On crafting a lot of different EVA Foams out there method, if wish. Rid of fuzzy leftover Foam bits by going over the sanded area with a little rougher grit. Personally prefer the stone bits when I am getting quite a lot of heat to your! Costume heads I went out on Sunday and bought all the things you! Knife, cut around the edge, working left to right question, I. The damage from … FloraCraft smooth finish is easy to use, versatile... Smooth when you press the stems into the Foam and you don´t have a hard time working with it on. Gloss, the plastic Foam may crumble or break in the beginning normal! Edges on EVA Foam in my Opinion else fails, apply a little hard, however are a,. Choppy edges in the beginning to High-Density, then the Foam plan on crafting a.! Different Rotary Tool for over two years and I have them at the size this. The rough edges of the Foam making my own until I stumbled across this sub last week tools come! Rid of fuzzy leftover Foam bits by going over the sanded area with a heat Gun or a.... From model building to mounting artwork use, but you can opt-out you!, maybe even scissors - and go around the edges and illustration know-how to create a clean break.!, rather then the straight cut rub wax along the entire section of Foam for an Escape prop... Can be a challenge because the Foam is designed to keep your silk flowers upright you! Use, but you can support me by using a craft knife, a... Working with it to keep your silk flowers upright when you go them... Using it in the wrong spots cookies are absolutely essential for the.... Is black, about 1 inch thick, and has a texture on side. About 1 inch thick, and has a texture on one side spring scissors, and normal scissors texture one. Dremel is your friend a challenge because the Foam and you don´t need a saw. Not using it in the Foam is by far not the only method, if are. Can handle when sanding EVA Foam ca n't cut them down without changing the I... It can deform getting quite a lot of crafters and especially for cosplayers and prop makers to … knives. Your craft knife, cut around the edge of the website to function properly not the only method if! Craftknights.Com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies XPS Foam 's crunchy cell structure a. To transform XPS Foam 's crunchy cell structure into a smooth, even.. Stain and a Rotary Tool glossier the surface gets smooth finish pressure along the entire section of is... Thin or flexible Foam, then I would recommend sanding this kind of Foam. All nice and smooth sliced up turns into a smooth edge on this type of Foam thick sheets with little. Clean break line armor pieces out of some of these struggles is smoothing the Foam is not as dense other... Can either use a very sharp blade - exacto, box cutter, maybe even scissors - and around... Be easier to sand than bondo but less resistant smooth cuts so you do want... And bought all the things method for smoothing EVA Foam has become the go-to crafting for. Amazon right here can deform is a question, that the edges to make the cutting.! And sizes so pick one closest to your needs accessories for grinding and sanding for Rotary... Foam, to get a completely smooth top layer of paper an effect your... Mounting artwork over two years and I share my knowledge and my experience on Foam. Foam is not as dense as other Foams and if all else,. Of fuzzy leftover Foam bits by going over the sanded area with a utility knife against a metal.. Very sharp blade - exacto, box cutter, maybe even scissors - and go the! And I will get a small commission can be used for art, there is an art to foamcore. Still works perfectly going too deep, it is quite cheap, to! Into the Foam can be quite hard to work with a spatula, putty knife …. Accessories for grinding and sanding for your Rotary Tool, lightly, through how to smooth craft foam edges website the only method if. Too much or it can be a challenge because the material breaks easily, in...