Flex Foam - Yay Or Nay?

[ImaGonnaGetYou]

I've heard a LOT about how Flex Foam 25 is totally worth the extra investment. I already have plans to have my leg armor completely made of the stuff, but besides flexing (obviously) is there any other benefit? (is it more comfortable, etc.?)



Also, would it make much of a difference if the arm armor was made of flexfoam? I would imagine that arm movement would be more free, but I'd like an opinion from someone who's actually worn it.



Thanks guise.

 

[vector499]

yeah how durable is it? is it similar to nerf balls of some type of flexy plastic ?

 

[UNSC Leatherneck]

FlexFoamIt 25 is denser than nerf balls. It's very durable (Newspartancreator makes frags out of the stuff, very throwable). It gives you better mobility because instead of the pieces just interfering with each other, the material flexes.

 

[Yodajammies]

Nay. Ruins the illusion of armor.





YOU MUST SUFFER FOR YOUR ART!

 

[UNSC Leatherneck]

I disagree. Newspartancreator has several pieces of ODST armor that are made of FlexFoamIt 25. Once painted and weathered you cannot tell that they are foam and not plastic. Flexfoam forms a skin that picks up details and edges very well. It is not an open-cell foam.

 

[Sigma LS]

Half and half. I think it works fine. Shoulders, thighs, cod, shins, boots are all the pieces I like as Flex

 

[Enrisan]

I have foam thighs and they are very comfortable. I haven't done much running around though to really test how much they bend and can take, but I would say they are pretty durable. One of the thighs weighed like a million pounds when I got it, had to trim the excess down, weighed more than my torso....so it should last if it's not too thin. At least if you drop it, it won't crack! I recommend flex foam lower half only though, I don't think it will look or feel as cool on the torso and upper body.

 

[Das Brutus]

only my back and helm are plastic... the rest of the suit is foam... follow the link "Recon Motorcycle Video" at the bottom of my sig to see in action

 

[halopenguin]

I think it would work but does it rip easily?

 

[Das Brutus]

I think it would work but does it rip easily?

if it's cast too thin, yes... like thin plastic can crack and break. My advice is to cast thick and thin out with a skinner knife... thats what I did for my shoulders, forearms, and shins... perfect fit

 

[Yodajammies]

After completing my costume I'd like to change my vote.



FLEX-FOAM! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY FLEX-FOAM! :eek

 

[ImaGonnaGetYou]

Already got some Flexfoam thighs now, and I'm a few days from ordering even more (especially for the lower half).



Does anyone know how to repair this stuff, though? It's got some tears and I'd like to know whether something basic like super glue would work, or if I'll need some super expensive thing from Smooth-On.

 

[Das Brutus]

Already got some Flexfoam thighs now, and I'm a few days from ordering even more (especially for the lower half).



Does anyone know how to repair this stuff, though? It's got some tears and I'd like to know whether something basic like super glue would work, or if I'll need some super expensive thing from Smooth-On.

I use nylon strapping... glue to inside around tear (I had a couple)... keeps from spreading

 

[Castellan Craft]

I've been reading about this stuff after hearing so many good testimonials outside this thread. I see FlexFoam-iT 25 is the particular stuff that was mentioned here, but after browsing Smooth-on's site, I was wondering if anyone had an experiences with the other FlexFoam products. Does "V" or "X" work just as well? Is the greater rate of expansion too much to predict and handle? Can over expansion be easily trimmed inside without damaging the piece?



Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam]

Flex foam is brilliant. I started using it... what, two years ago? I can NOT wear plastic let armor anymore, it's just horrible. You will not be able to tell the difference between two parts cast in plastic/foam. It is very easy to mess up mix ratios though.

 

[Sigma LS]

Already got some Flexfoam thighs now, and I'm a few days from ordering even more (especially for the lower half).



Does anyone know how to repair this stuff, though? It's got some tears and I'd like to know whether something basic like super glue would work, or if I'll need some super expensive thing from Smooth-On.

In addition to what Brutus said, use clamps and Gorilla superglue to attach the Nylon Webbing. That will really stick in there. And you can use the same stuff to seal the cracks themselves once you have the backing attached.



Flex-foam also sticks to itself so you can always use a cheaper trial kit of Flex 5 or 10 for even more reinforcement if you want it.

 

[Dreads]

all my ODST parts are flex foam X and they work out great i like it a lot and besides being a 1 to 1 ratio i see no deifference between it and fex foam 25 so i say go for the flex foam X

 

[Beau Nidle]

The only major difference between flex foam 25 and the lower densities is that 25 develops a pretty tough skin, the others do not. I use flex foam 3 a lot, and the skin on it can be pretty fragile, to the point of peeling off in the mold. It just makes the 25 a little easier to paint and finish is all.

 

[beaker]

One thing I would add is that you can tint the flex foam prior to pouring it... makes for a more realistic part that won't show yellow should any surface paint peel off... as an FYI...

 

[GremlinLord]

I have a quick Q on flex foam 25. I've been thinking about using this for the back piece of an Halo 3: ODST build. I'd really like to get that back piece to be flexible yet still look good since costume need to be comfortable and a hard back is anything but. So what do the experts think; will it work?