How to Heat Form foam

I'm the Evil Ted who makes props and costumes. I’ve worked on Star Trek Into Darkness, Walking Dead, Fifth Element and Guyver, among lots of others. I've made pretty much everything out of every material, but foam is my favorite.

I'm here to share my skills and shortcuts, and help you learn how to make foam costumes and props, too.

Song: Winter Gravity by PetRUalitY
Audio Jungle purchase

Here are some links to make your shopping easier.

Cosplay Pros Foam

Floor mats

Foam rubber tubbing

Cutting mats

Barge Cement

Barge in tube

Dermel 200 tool

Knife -Box-cutter

X-ACTO Knife

Metal ruler

Flexible ruler

Blade Sharpener

Heat Gun

Wood burner

Propane Torch

Belt Sander

3M 77 spray glue

Glue Pot

Mog Podge

Kwik seal

Weldwood cement, great for sealing foam.

Plastic dip spray

Ballon latex

Black proline tint

Latex tint

Spray gun

Spray gun repair kit

Future Floor wax

If your new to cosplay, you should Join the Foam Fanatics.
A great friendly group of fellow makers that are there to help.
Be sure to answer the two questions before joining.

[HiddenThicket]

You, sir, just saved one of my cosplays. Curved pauldrons had me completely stumped. You are fantastic!

[otakuxhunter]

7 years later this dude just saved my cosplay

[stockvillain]

Foambending; coolest of the Avatar's skills.

[mgardner]

Simply the best out here, no shade towards anyone else, but Ted gives up all the details and saves you time and frustration.

Thank you, a million times THANK YOU!

[its_nukatron]

Great video! That sharpie/foam bit sparked an idea on how to approach a difficult piece for my current project, so thanks a million! :D

[Ultramasterjedi]

so, in theory the metal bowl technique could be used to make larger domes, and in general be an easier way of making stuff like helmet tops and what not? definitely gonna try it

[eggfuyung]

I think it's awesome that despite having history and experience in the field/industry, you are still learning new techniques and sharing it with us as well. This is the true image of cosplaying and cosplay building.

[scottharper]

I was literaly heat shaping foam 3 days ago. You are awesome this video would have been so usefull a few days ago. THanks for making these videos. You have really helped me alot with making stuff for my Larp group!

[psisky]

I made a winged sun disc and other wall décor from foam using a soup ladle and the huge lid from my soup pot to mould the foam,   just like you did here.

[TheFlabagusted]

If anyone is looking for a technique to do Genji's armour from overwatch then that impression tip is perfect.

[jamesmarston]

i'm glad this exists as i've never used a heat gun to form foam before and i'm looking to bulid the evil dead chainsaw for a con in a few months. thank you for the tutorial Ted

[damienbrand]

Thanks Ted!! Many great techniques for this making-newbie!!

[miniaturemoviestudios]

Just tried for the first time it sucks but will definitely get better I learned from my mistakes in my first build....ready to rock and roll !!!

[jillgab]

"foam bending". you sir is the new avatar :D

[oscarbear]

Ted thank you. Your experience is invaluable.

[DannyLam]

THAT METAL BOWL THING IS GENIUS!!! I've been trying to make perfect semi-circles for forever, and shaped on top of domes... never imagined to do it on the inside. I'm a fool...

[amberhabex]

You just saved me how to make slight lines in foam, I was afraid I had to cut it out instead of just smushing it with a toothpick to add those lines

[WilliamJakespeareProps]

4:08 you could use that technique to make a plumbus!

[stevenwilliams]

i always wondered how hot to get the foam.. but from your words... "ouch" it was hot enough for you to definately feel it on your fingers.. cool! thanks :)

[Kialna]

The metal bowl one is new to me. Great stuff!