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Easy to mould strong material

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  • 06-08-2014 11:54am
    #1
    Ave Sodalis
    Registered Users Posts: 7,547 ✭✭✭


    Hi guys,
    I'm looking for something that is easy to mould but is strong when set that won't cost me an arm and a leg. I'm making a costume (Ezio from Assassins Creed) and I'm stuck on the waist and arm design part. Finding something that can mould but be strong and flexible when set is proving difficult. Clay is too heavy, I don't have the tools for metal and the plastic stuff you can get costs a fortune. I could buy them already made but they're hundreds. Anyone have any ideas?


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    #2
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,047 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Papier mache (the layered variety) made with pva is very strong if you do enough layers. Or Modroc or Paverpol from here http://www.specialistcrafts.ie/productlist.asp?catid=1&RootCatID=1 would probably do the job


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    #3
    Ave Sodalis
    Registered Users Posts: 7,547 ✭✭✭Ave Sodalis


    Have you had any experience with polymorph before? Or is it as crumbly/heavy as clay?

    Also, does paper mache work over mesh or wire or does it just fall through? Just because of the amount of sculpting involved, I'll need a support for it.


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    #4
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,047 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    I am not familiar with polymorph. The papier mache i was talking about is the one where you tear small bits of paper (old phone books are my favourite) and lay them over a former and spread with pva, you keep doing that till the former is covered, then start again and put on a second layer and maybe a third, fourth etc depending on how strong you want it to be. It is possible to do it over a former that is then removed (cover the former with clingfilm) or you can leave the wire/plastic bottle etc in place. Have a look here http://www.papiermache.co.uk/


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    #5
    wmpdd3
    Registered Users Posts: 9,624 ✭✭✭wmpdd3


    We used to spray out paper mache with spray varnish to make it waterproof. this might help.


    also you can layer fabric the same way as long as you saturate the fabric with glue mix.


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    #6
    breadandjam
    Registered Users Posts: 361 ✭✭breadandjam


    For intricate designs/ decoration on armour use a hot glue gun to glue down string, rope or old electric flex and then glue layers of tissue paper over that. For shoulder pads consider using watermelons of a suitable size, wrap them in cling film and lay papier mache over that. When finished and dry just cut to shape

    Personally I don't like papier mache and use gum strip instead. It's a brown paper tape with gum on one side. You wet it with a sponge and then lay it down. Three layers over paper with a finishing layer of tissue paper and then painted with acrylic is as hard as a rock when dry.

    For fine detail you can, with a bit of practice, use a hot glue gun to draw symbols, words etc


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