/diy/ - Do It Yourself

yea all u need is pvc pipe for the base, pipe insulation or the big foam noodles for the pool to use for the blade or whatever your trying to make and duck tape to wrap it all together

my maple glory sword, from maplestory, its just blue foam camp mat, its important to use a light core like kite spar, dont use pvc

its pretty straight forward, you can also boil the pipe to bend it to any shape you want. you'll also want a hack saw to cut down the pipe to the length you want it at

OP what are you doing this for? PVC is good for durability you dont want you sword breaking the first couple times you use it

also, Cheap boogie-boards with a plywood backing and some simple foam layers make great shields.

also dont use pvc pipes

OP here, so what are the pros and cons of using PVC?

pvc is cheap less than $5 for about 10 feet and lasts forever not to mention can be found at any local hardware store, unless your weapons are going to be massive over 6 ft it gets heavy go with 1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe.

>>112900
pvc is very heavy and when you swing it transfers that energy, not much better than being hit by the pipe alone, it also pierces foam quite easily. And if youre not a faggot you will be fighting with your buds like men with foam sword should, which very violently.

its more effort than buying shitty and dangerous pvc, but using kite spar is the best thing you can ever do.

tons of build tips on youtube, the "sport" is called dagorhir, which is more about fighting, and not rollplay (larp)

PVC is the way to go, its only dangerous if you DONT cover the entire sword with insulation. I always put a piece of duck tape over the open end of the pvc so it wouldn't cut through. Ive never had a problem with pvc. its great to start with because of the low price you can perfect your art. Afterwards you can switch to kite spar which is way more expensive, and yes lighter. Not to mention if you start out with pvc you will be faster when switching to kite spar because you'll be used to the heavier pvc weapons

>>112874
Go to gametraders, mate

Those look horrible and I can't imagine anyone using them. Covering them with duct tape is never going to be okay.

Been making foam weapons for Belegarth for a few years now. PVC is okay, but use kitespar if you can get your hands on it. I use blue closed cell foam, can get it at walmart. Try to avoid covering the entire thing in duct tape, cloth works much better. Makes it lighter, hurt less and lasts longer.

>>112891
this. Go to camping supply shop, buy blue foam mats and replacement poles for tents. Cut the shape you want twice, epoxy both pieces to each other with pole in the middle

This is how most foam weapon combat groups do it, so they last a long time if fighting with them.

>>112954
also cloth cover is great

On the topic of foam weapons, are there any groups in adelaide that aren't fucking larpers?

>>112874
Is that a Megas Shield?

Okay, OP, here is how you making professinal looking foam weapons. No duct tape or PVC involved.

Materials:

Use fiberglass rod for your core. You can buy it off of Amazon.com. It's pretty much the same as kitespar the other guys have mentioned.

Get a cheap camping mat. This is the blue closed cell foam previously mentioned. Walmart is where I buy them.

Pick up a contact cement. I use DAP brand. The one in the red can. I buy by the gallon, but you won't need that much for just a couple swords. You can get it from any hardware store.

Get liquid latex Mold builder. It's just a can of latex rubber, dissolved in a solvent like ammonia or something. You can get it from amazon.com, but I also see it in craft stores.

Pick up a few colors of acrylic craft paint. Any craft store will have these.

>>113046

For tools you likely have alot of this already:

You need a good razor knife for cutting the foam. I use a box cutter.

You will also need a hobby knife if you plan on any fancy details.

A couple of small wood clamps is recommended, but you can just weigh it down with something heavy if you need too.

A couple of disposable paint brushes to apply the contact cement and liquid latex.

A couple of mixing cups to mix the paint and latex together with.


Directions:

Dip each end of your rod in the latex. Let dry. The Drying can take a while, but be patient. You know it's dry when it goes yellowish clear.

Cut two strips of foam out. About four inches longer then your fiberglass rod, and as wide as the widest part of your blade.

Use the knife to cut out the shape of the blade, cross guard, and handle from these strips.

Cut a small groove out of one side of each strip, right in the middle, about half as deep as your rod is thick. This is where your core goes.

Coat the grooved side of the strips with contact cement. Wait a bit, then put the rod in one groove, and cover with the other strip. Clamp or weight down for twenty minutes.

Coat the entire thing in a couple layers of the liquid latex, letting it cure completely between coats. Then paint it with your liquid latext/paint mixture.

If you use it regularly (every weekend), spray it with a silicone lubricant about once a month and rub that in with a rag.

>>113046
Isn't graphite the new boffer standard?

>>113046
How thick/thin should the fibreglass rods be?

Op Games Traders sells them, look them up

>>113054
>>113046

Gotta be careful with the rubber, its just recently become okay with the groups in my area and only as a decorative thing. Striking surfaces still need to be covered with cloth. It's worth noting that the rubber shrinks a bit as it drys, so if your putting it over courtesy padding you might need to add another layer or risk not being able to play with it.

>>113373

Graphite is pure garbage. It's too brittle to last for very long. I used fiberglass rods wrapped together in duct tape for the strength and flexibility. I've done Belegarth for several years and have never had a boffer break during use. I've seen PVC shatter, and Ive seen graphite snap and stab through foam, injuring another person.

Also, Op's pic reeks of weeaboo and manchild. That person needs to learn how to make proper covers instead of going apeshit with the duct tape as well.

>>112885

only smart thing in this thread.

>>112910

weak bitch. that has never been a problem for me or anyone i know, and we hit HARD..

haha kids actually looking to buy already made weapons? Years and years ago in high school we just made our own and this was before you could find those pool noodles we just used the pipe insulation and doubled or tripled it up to give more padding. And lots and lots and lots of duct tape.

Back in college I realized how fucking stupid it was. We didn't use armor and I made some to introduce to my college friends. When grown men swinging this shit as hard as they can still fucking hurts despite the padding. But was fun as hell in high school

P.S. Make a halberd. They own in boffer fighting.

>>115280

/b/ is that way faggot ----->