Lolitaa wrote:Uchuujin wrote:Idk tbh I don't really like working with wood for props very much for a variety of reasons. Balsa wood is very easily breakable. Its easy to work with with the right tools but also very easy to chip off pieces or snap entirely. It's soooooo brittle
Also because it's wood, if you wanted to paper mache part of it, or if you took it out in the rain, or even if condensation from a drink dripped on it, it would be destroyed. Wood holds moisture for a long time and distorts when wet. For this reason you'd need a LOT of wood primer to apply before paint. I mean I live in a humid area so if you live somewhere really dry it may not be an issue, but it's still something to keep in mind.
I much prefer making props out of EVA foam, insulation foam, or casting plastic. Foam has the benefit of being harder to break or damage, and it will result in a much more lightweight and safe prop. Plastic is ideal honestly but the materials for making a mold and casting are very pricey. However the result will literally blow peoples minds ~ ^_^
Just my 2 cents though :3
ah yeah. not to my surprise. ;_; very humid here and winter too
but before i bought the wood, it was my 'best' choice. i didn't want to make a really bad cardboard sword.
and i never thought of insulation foam then.
i suggested the foam (or rather I think it was insulation boards, not foam) to my mum but she mentioned that dust of it or something can be bad for your health?? i dunnuu about that though. i don't believe but even if t is bad, I actually have little care factor
the wood has been great so far. I have the basic shape all carved but it's 24mm thick. I would like it thinner. but doing do would probably just ruin the whole thing sigh. ugh why can't I "copy" it and have a backup in case I mess up? xD
it would be okay if I leave it this way (+ paint and make the guard) and only used it for posing for photos or walking around at cons. might not last in a mock sword fight, depending on how strongly it's hit and with what. that's where I read pva can kind of strengthen it, but I am wary about that comment.
Yeah if you use insulation foam boards, the dust can be very bad for you if you breathe it in, so you'd have to wear a little mask. But the same goes for sanding wood, honestly. Most wood contains dyes and chemicals to make it retain it's color and texture. So no matter what you end up doing, please use a mask c:
I get ones that look like these, I think they come in a pack of 3 or 4? but they aren't that expensive -
The EVA foam I don't think has any health hazards? I mean maybe if you were sanding it, it would be super bad to inhale I know, but you don't have to sand EVA foam, it's really easy to just cut and mold into shapes. It's basically just MASSIVE sheets of craft foam. If you've ever used craft foam before, that's really all that it is.
As for cardboard, yeah, wood is probably a better choice than cardboard. I mean I've seen people make good props out of it, but the amount of sealing that you have to do in order to paint it or even just paper mache it is insane. Cardboard deteriorates like crazy when wet. It's not a good idea unless you know a lot about sealing stuff.
If the wood is working for you then just continue using it! You can honestly probably sand it to make it somewhat thinner, but wear a mask when sanding. But definitely definitely definitely do not do a mock sword fight. xD Since balsa wood is so brittle, you'll really regret it. It would snap like a toothpick, practically. There's nothing that can really strengthen it enough for a sword fight. You can add materials to strengthen it, but that's really only so that it's more durable, not so that it's actually usable.
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