SPARTAN142
New Member
Hello, just a few quick questions regarding using foam for armor builds. Gone through the stickies, but didn't find what I was looking for.
My questions relate to the N7 armor featured in Mass Effect 2. Here is a reference: http://images.wikia.com/masseffect/images/9/99/N7Armor.png
I've heard of a lot of different types of foam: balsa, EVA, etc. For this build, I need something that will allow me a slight range of motion on the stomach/torso area, so that I can drive, bend, and so on. However, the material needs to be sturdy enough to sit on it without ruining it. (Honestly don't care about the pliability of the other sections of armor, just the stomach that has me concerned. I'm building two chestpieces: one male, one female. The female version of the armor has two stripes down the abdomen, whereas the male version has that "six pack". I could probably get away with breaking the male stomach armor up into pieces to provide better movement, but due to the female armor's design, that's a no-go on that front.) I'm not going to be running around playing paintball in this, but I'd rather the armor stand up to me being a klutz and walking into things.
Since I have not tried this medium before, I'm not really certain where to start.
What type/grade/whatever of foam can accomplish this?
Should I use two different types, one for flexibility and one for sturdiness?
Is there a certain way to warp the foam to the desired shapes, like using heat, or would simply bending the pieces be just as good?
(Any tutorials would be greatly appreciated.)
Thanks everyone!
My questions relate to the N7 armor featured in Mass Effect 2. Here is a reference: http://images.wikia.com/masseffect/images/9/99/N7Armor.png
I've heard of a lot of different types of foam: balsa, EVA, etc. For this build, I need something that will allow me a slight range of motion on the stomach/torso area, so that I can drive, bend, and so on. However, the material needs to be sturdy enough to sit on it without ruining it. (Honestly don't care about the pliability of the other sections of armor, just the stomach that has me concerned. I'm building two chestpieces: one male, one female. The female version of the armor has two stripes down the abdomen, whereas the male version has that "six pack". I could probably get away with breaking the male stomach armor up into pieces to provide better movement, but due to the female armor's design, that's a no-go on that front.) I'm not going to be running around playing paintball in this, but I'd rather the armor stand up to me being a klutz and walking into things.
Since I have not tried this medium before, I'm not really certain where to start.
What type/grade/whatever of foam can accomplish this?
Should I use two different types, one for flexibility and one for sturdiness?
Is there a certain way to warp the foam to the desired shapes, like using heat, or would simply bending the pieces be just as good?
(Any tutorials would be greatly appreciated.)
Thanks everyone!
