I hope you are feeling well. I've watched your videos several times and they are great. I'm trying to figure out the final steps. Would it be possible for you to post them, in brief, in a reply? I visited the "Smooth-on" website and found the Flexfoam, but don't know which version to get, III, V, X etc repeating a question below. Using what I've researched about molding masks and knowledge of LARP weapon design, I'm guessing the final steps would follow.
1. Leave a hole in the hilt of the mold. This will allow the foam to expand out and give you a hole for the core. (1B. You would probably need more holes to allow for expansion)
2. Paint the Flexfoam onto each side of the mold. (This part I'm not sure on. It could be a pour in.)
3. Press the molds together.
4. Hang the core in the middle by a thread or other method.
After a little looking around, I've discovered that Smooth-On has their own weapon making instructions and videos. The steps I've guessed at were mostly right but they have a complete set of instructions on their website. The price of supplies looks like it'll start at 500$ but that will probably make you many weapons. I'd guess at least 10 but I can't be sure. (It seems I can't post websites so you'll have to Google Smooth-On)
Ugh Numbers 1 and 2 made sense but you just flew over my head in the third one and now im all confused. If your making another weapon would u mind recording it and doing like commentary or something explain this part of the process a bit better.
Are you ok? Its been over a year and you've still not made a part 4 to this series, and I'm rather worried. I would love to get started on this, but you seem to be the only person with a tutorial for mold casting on the entire internet, and I can't for the life of me understand this process without visual aid. Will you be making another section, or shall I just give up hope? I've been checking your profile every few weeks to a month in hopes of a new video.
@ThordirSveiss more videos shall be on the way soon. I have had real life problems that have forced me to put my hobbies on the back burner for a while. Now that I have the time and money again (without distractions) I should be starting up again fairly soon.
@ogunshi Well, I'm glad you're OK, and I'm glad you have whatever was ailing you sorted out! thanks for getting back to me on this. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the continuation of this!
This is a great video but i live in a one bedroom apt and dont have the tools or space to make this if someone has a spare mold and would make me one i would pay for all the materials used and labor?
First, thank you for making all these tutorials! I can't wait to see the rest of the process! Funny that you should mention throwing weapons, though...I could really use some help working out the final details of a process that I believe will produce throwing daggers that actually FLY! Please let me know if you will be able to assist!
great tutorial just have a question. can the "smooth on" foam handle heavy combat or should latex or others things be added to strengthen the foam? and which "smooth on" foam do you recommend. i know it's the flexfoam but III, V, X etc. not sure which is best
@jasonk564 It all depens on what kind of LARP you are doing. It it is just a simple tap combat larp then lighter foams can be used, with or without latex . As for anything harder go with a harder foam and add latex. III ia too soft for anything except throwing weapons and even then a strong wind hits and your weapons flys off aim. Best is the X
dude first of all u rock. for months ive been borrowing from my larping team, but now thanks to u of course... i now have my full elven set and my team is going to crush eldestintania next saturday. also yes i am a larp nerd.
First of all thanks for the videos, you are tge man. My question is this. You said that the process is done in four parts. These are all done separatly? If so how do you get the core inside? Also what about the handle? Is that made of foam as well, or could if be made of plastic or wood?
@ogunshi how do you exactly add the latex to the foam? i mean i could pretty much follow al these step but the only thing im baffled about is the application of the latex...
do you have an idea on when you plan to make the next installment of this tutorial? i REALLY want to try this, but i don't want to start until i've watched the entire process. also, can you make a tutorial for the mold box? and about the fiberglass backing... is it the pourable fiberglass you used in your latex mace video, or is there something else...?
OK, so I swear I watched this video a month or so ago and you talked about suppliers for the pourable latex foam. For the life of me, I don't see it now. What is the name of the supplier you mentioned for the pourable foam?
I think you might need to do at least a picture guide of how to do this part. Maybe it's just me, but I can't really follow good on just words.(must be the ADD)
Oh ok I got it now, thanks for filling me in and the quick response!! I plan on making a weapon with these tutorial and just wanted to understand that part a little better. But I am waiting for the rest of the videos first. :)
silicon is floppy by itself. It needs to have a layer of a rigid material so retain its shape when making molds. Because the foam used to make the weapons likes to expand when poured in, the silicon needs to have that backing or a lot of problems are going to crop up
It is a star wars acapella. I found it on MP3 and has it playing in the background. If you look it up here on Youtube It is most likely the first or second link.
Thanks for watching the vids. I know about the key light, fill light and back light. Been doing videography for going on 20 years now. HOme budget does not allow for such things, so I work with what I got
In the last tutorial you showed us how to make a styrofoam blank. Considering this type of foam's consistancy it would be hard to press this into a clay mold half way and not have it warped in some way. Is there another type of mold or a different process to get a mold when using this type of fragile foam?
you place the blade into the mold box and then build up the clay around the blade until only the upper half can be seen and the lower half is covered with clay.
What about this scenerio: pour the silicone into the mold box then suspend the sword blank halfway in the liquid. Then when the silicone dries could you then carve out the chauks and keys from the now hardened silone. Woud this work or will the silicone shrink or expand as it dries?
yes it COULD be done, but it would be making things a LOT harder then they need to be. Also there is a high change that air pockets can be caught on the underisde of your sword in the mold and making the mold bad and henceforth usless.
Thanks Ogunshi. I did figure out about 2 part mold myself when I was playing around with my sword. What was really bugging me was how to make sure the core is in the middle when I pour the foam. From your video it looks like this is done in 2 parts - blade and hilt...
That's so cool, thanks for sharing but I'm super super cheap, do you ever use paper machie on set and what would you use to reinforce it's shape if you do, other than balloons.
I have been known to from time to time. To reinforce I use good old fiberflass from walmart. The trick ck any SP/FX and set creation is to make it 'look' real but be mast for as little money as you can.
Have you checked out MarkApsolons videos cheesy fake is ok for me, no close ups one time use,mostly color and shape, texture isn't vital but I try. What department do you buy the fiberglass and how hard is it too work with? I don't like spending more than 3 hours and $10 on any prop.
Well for my latex weapons they DO need to meet safety requirements for the groups they are used in. So the time and money DOES need to be put in to make a good professional quality weapon. As in they ARE used in combat to hit other people with.
As for what department do I but fiberglass in look in the automotive sevtion. Next to the Bondo (another fun product to play with)
I know what the SCA does, but I'm just doing video production stuff right now, no contact combat, just weird historical stuff. Thanks for the info I'll check it out, and have fun fighting.
They are on my list of videos to make. But do understand I am by far not THE expert in requirements of the SCA. I know the kingdom I use to fight in, but the standards are different for every kingdom.
Its nice and all that you give instructions but it would be much nicer to have video footage to go with it because after a while names are names without something to associate it to and also this method of doing this seems to be using a complex and long process unless the goal is to make a weapon you can produce easily after wards. Thanks anyway
I am showing the process that the is used by the companies do to produce weapons. If you want how to handcraft a one of a kind weapon, you can wait until I produce those vids or watch the 100 or so other vids on youtube that show you how.
WOOHOO. Long awaited indeed. Had to watch the vid a few times. That Star Wars song was very distracting but fun. I was actually humming to the tune instead of listening to you. ;^)
Great tip on the recycling silicone. I never thought of that. I used the stuff as 'decoration'. ;^)
Dear Ognushi,
I hope you are feeling well. I've watched your videos several times and they are great. I'm trying to figure out the final steps. Would it be possible for you to post them, in brief, in a reply? I visited the "Smooth-on" website and found the Flexfoam, but don't know which version to get, III, V, X etc repeating a question below. Using what I've researched about molding masks and knowledge of LARP weapon design, I'm guessing the final steps would follow.
MWCharke 4 months ago
Comment removed
MWCharke 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MWCharke
1. Leave a hole in the hilt of the mold. This will allow the foam to expand out and give you a hole for the core. (1B. You would probably need more holes to allow for expansion)
2. Paint the Flexfoam onto each side of the mold. (This part I'm not sure on. It could be a pour in.)
3. Press the molds together.
4. Hang the core in the middle by a thread or other method.
5. Let Dry.
6. Remove from mold. Cut off excess.
7. Apply latex in layers
MWCharke 4 months ago
@MWCharke
(You're going to need several layers of latex.)
8. Paint
9. Add another layer of latex to seal in the paint.
10. Add a sealant to the latex. This keeps it from sticking to other latex.
MWCharke 4 months ago
After a little looking around, I've discovered that Smooth-On has their own weapon making instructions and videos. The steps I've guessed at were mostly right but they have a complete set of instructions on their website. The price of supplies looks like it'll start at 500$ but that will probably make you many weapons. I'd guess at least 10 but I can't be sure. (It seems I can't post websites so you'll have to Google Smooth-On)
MWCharke 4 months ago
Amazing video, very very helpful +10 points for using the starwars accapella by Cory Vidal. lol
Xxsuperninja92xX 8 months ago
Ugh Numbers 1 and 2 made sense but you just flew over my head in the third one and now im all confused. If your making another weapon would u mind recording it and doing like commentary or something explain this part of the process a bit better.
DreadminionL 10 months ago
Dear Ogunshi,
Are you ok? Its been over a year and you've still not made a part 4 to this series, and I'm rather worried. I would love to get started on this, but you seem to be the only person with a tutorial for mold casting on the entire internet, and I can't for the life of me understand this process without visual aid. Will you be making another section, or shall I just give up hope? I've been checking your profile every few weeks to a month in hopes of a new video.
~Thor~
ThordirSveiss 11 months ago
@ThordirSveiss more videos shall be on the way soon. I have had real life problems that have forced me to put my hobbies on the back burner for a while. Now that I have the time and money again (without distractions) I should be starting up again fairly soon.
ogunshi 11 months ago
@ogunshi Well, I'm glad you're OK, and I'm glad you have whatever was ailing you sorted out! thanks for getting back to me on this. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the continuation of this!
ThordirSveiss 11 months ago
This is a great video but i live in a one bedroom apt and dont have the tools or space to make this if someone has a spare mold and would make me one i would pay for all the materials used and labor?
dabouse27 1 year ago
When are you going to post the last one
dragonkin877 1 year ago
First, thank you for making all these tutorials! I can't wait to see the rest of the process! Funny that you should mention throwing weapons, though...I could really use some help working out the final details of a process that I believe will produce throwing daggers that actually FLY! Please let me know if you will be able to assist!
warlok333 1 year ago
great tutorial just have a question. can the "smooth on" foam handle heavy combat or should latex or others things be added to strengthen the foam? and which "smooth on" foam do you recommend. i know it's the flexfoam but III, V, X etc. not sure which is best
jasonk564 1 year ago
@jasonk564 It all depens on what kind of LARP you are doing. It it is just a simple tap combat larp then lighter foams can be used, with or without latex . As for anything harder go with a harder foam and add latex. III ia too soft for anything except throwing weapons and even then a strong wind hits and your weapons flys off aim. Best is the X
ogunshi 1 year ago
dude first of all u rock. for months ive been borrowing from my larping team, but now thanks to u of course... i now have my full elven set and my team is going to crush eldestintania next saturday. also yes i am a larp nerd.
EMasterEEE 1 year ago
First of all thanks for the videos, you are tge man. My question is this. You said that the process is done in four parts. These are all done separatly? If so how do you get the core inside? Also what about the handle? Is that made of foam as well, or could if be made of plastic or wood?
CecilXzandu 1 year ago
@CecilXzandu To answer your questions....
Yes they are all done separatly.
You build the weapon around the core.
The handle can be made from almost anything. I, myself like use to use rope as it allows for a better grip of the weapon.
ogunshi 1 year ago
@ogunshi how do you exactly add the latex to the foam? i mean i could pretty much follow al these step but the only thing im baffled about is the application of the latex...
coolchillice 5 months ago
do you have an idea on when you plan to make the next installment of this tutorial? i REALLY want to try this, but i don't want to start until i've watched the entire process. also, can you make a tutorial for the mold box? and about the fiberglass backing... is it the pourable fiberglass you used in your latex mace video, or is there something else...?
thanks for your time!
Thatostheking 2 years ago
OK, so I swear I watched this video a month or so ago and you talked about suppliers for the pourable latex foam. For the life of me, I don't see it now. What is the name of the supplier you mentioned for the pourable foam?
arthurpwiggle 2 years ago
there is a company called "smooth on". There you can find what you are looking for
ogunshi 2 years ago
I think you might need to do at least a picture guide of how to do this part. Maybe it's just me, but I can't really follow good on just words.(must be the ADD)
itachi1303 2 years ago
Oh ok I got it now, thanks for filling me in and the quick response!! I plan on making a weapon with these tutorial and just wanted to understand that part a little better. But I am waiting for the rest of the videos first. :)
epicigloo 2 years ago
Hey! Just want to say thanks for the videos... but I wanted to ask what you mean by backing? Whats the purpose and how does it get applied?
epicigloo 2 years ago
silicon is floppy by itself. It needs to have a layer of a rigid material so retain its shape when making molds. Because the foam used to make the weapons likes to expand when poured in, the silicon needs to have that backing or a lot of problems are going to crop up
ogunshi 2 years ago
thanks for the videos the helped me make weapons, but i am having trouble making a Katana may i get some advice
daboothief 2 years ago
what problems are you having?
ogunshi 2 years ago
I am having trouble understanding how to make the mold box.
daboothief 2 years ago
whats the song on your video... singing about whos your daddy or somthing like that lol
pdicestunnerz 2 years ago
It is a star wars acapella. I found it on MP3 and has it playing in the background. If you look it up here on Youtube It is most likely the first or second link.
ogunshi 2 years ago
thanks for the videos.
Hey when u record place 2 lamps, one to the left and right. It removes all the shadows.
ugotjacked 2 years ago
Thanks for watching the vids. I know about the key light, fill light and back light. Been doing videography for going on 20 years now. HOme budget does not allow for such things, so I work with what I got
ogunshi 2 years ago
no u don't need a key light or fill light. Just take a regular old lamp and place it like 3 yards away.
ugotjacked 2 years ago
Hey I was curious, would you be willing to make a pair of daggers, or a giant claymore? of course for a price
Rkjb173 2 years ago
how can you make the chain of a medieval flail? doesn´t it break fast?
plokkil666 2 years ago
you can you just go real old achool and use a rope
ogunshi 2 years ago
You mean rope as the mold blank or rope in the center of the flail "chain" for support?
MrPandafarts 2 years ago
as in rather then use chain, use rope.
ogunshi 2 years ago
And give away what I look like on the battlefield?!?!?!?! NEVER!!!!!
I have 10 large storage bins of garb for different personas, weather and events. Also most people don't get a chance to see my garb under the armor.
ogunshi 2 years ago
do you make a foam latex shield the same way?
plokkil666 2 years ago
Yes I do. The only thing is that I add a in a thicker of latex.
ogunshi 2 years ago
In the last tutorial you showed us how to make a styrofoam blank. Considering this type of foam's consistancy it would be hard to press this into a clay mold half way and not have it warped in some way. Is there another type of mold or a different process to get a mold when using this type of fragile foam?
MrPandafarts 2 years ago
you place the blade into the mold box and then build up the clay around the blade until only the upper half can be seen and the lower half is covered with clay.
ogunshi 2 years ago
What about this scenerio: pour the silicone into the mold box then suspend the sword blank halfway in the liquid. Then when the silicone dries could you then carve out the chauks and keys from the now hardened silone. Woud this work or will the silicone shrink or expand as it dries?
MrPandafarts 2 years ago
yes it COULD be done, but it would be making things a LOT harder then they need to be. Also there is a high change that air pockets can be caught on the underisde of your sword in the mold and making the mold bad and henceforth usless.
ogunshi 2 years ago
Ah OK. Thanks for the help. So when do we get the privlige of seeing part 4 and/or 5?
MrPandafarts 2 years ago
as soon as time, resources and the alignment of the planets allow.
ogunshi 2 years ago
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you
dustinchalcom 2 years ago
Thanks Ogunshi. I did figure out about 2 part mold myself when I was playing around with my sword. What was really bugging me was how to make sure the core is in the middle when I pour the foam. From your video it looks like this is done in 2 parts - blade and hilt...
RuArutha 2 years ago
it is not done in 2 parts, but rather 4 parts
Blade, handguard, hilt, pommel.
ogunshi 2 years ago
Aha I see, looks like I am not going into this adventure before watching the next vids :)
RuArutha 2 years ago
That's so cool, thanks for sharing but I'm super super cheap, do you ever use paper machie on set and what would you use to reinforce it's shape if you do, other than balloons.
Bluwhodesign 2 years ago
I have been known to from time to time. To reinforce I use good old fiberflass from walmart. The trick ck any SP/FX and set creation is to make it 'look' real but be mast for as little money as you can.
ogunshi 2 years ago
Have you checked out MarkApsolons videos cheesy fake is ok for me, no close ups one time use,mostly color and shape, texture isn't vital but I try. What department do you buy the fiberglass and how hard is it too work with? I don't like spending more than 3 hours and $10 on any prop.
Bluwhodesign 2 years ago
Well for my latex weapons they DO need to meet safety requirements for the groups they are used in. So the time and money DOES need to be put in to make a good professional quality weapon. As in they ARE used in combat to hit other people with.
As for what department do I but fiberglass in look in the automotive sevtion. Next to the Bondo (another fun product to play with)
ogunshi 2 years ago
I know what the SCA does, but I'm just doing video production stuff right now, no contact combat, just weird historical stuff. Thanks for the info I'll check it out, and have fun fighting.
Bluwhodesign 2 years ago
Welcome back, I thought that you died. When are SCA videos coming?
BlackLegionPainting 2 years ago
They are on my list of videos to make. But do understand I am by far not THE expert in requirements of the SCA. I know the kingdom I use to fight in, but the standards are different for every kingdom.
ogunshi 2 years ago
I understand that.
BlackLegionPainting 2 years ago
Its nice and all that you give instructions but it would be much nicer to have video footage to go with it because after a while names are names without something to associate it to and also this method of doing this seems to be using a complex and long process unless the goal is to make a weapon you can produce easily after wards. Thanks anyway
ithinkijustdied 2 years ago
I am showing the process that the is used by the companies do to produce weapons. If you want how to handcraft a one of a kind weapon, you can wait until I produce those vids or watch the 100 or so other vids on youtube that show you how.
ogunshi 2 years ago
Thanks for replying so quickly. Its nice to see my speculations confirmed about it albeit in a slightly harsh intoned way...
By the way have you ever played the lorien trust roleplay system in england?
ithinkijustdied 2 years ago
yaaaaa cookiez!
zig3 2 years ago
Thank you, very glad this finally came out.
fyermind 2 years ago
WOOHOO. Long awaited indeed. Had to watch the vid a few times. That Star Wars song was very distracting but fun. I was actually humming to the tune instead of listening to you. ;^)
Great tip on the recycling silicone. I never thought of that. I used the stuff as 'decoration'. ;^)
Domo arigato sensei Ogunshi
PuppyZwolle 2 years ago
ooo a cookie from vader!!!! yum
Rithkingwill 2 years ago