Gundam build. Cardboard or Foam

[King of Kittens]

Hey, I'm new here and wanted some advice on whether or not to build a gundam suit out of cardboard or foam. Im going for a gundam wing suit, either Sandrock or Heavyarms. Which materials should i use? Is there any advantages to either in this case?




sources:
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/302/5/9/gundam_sandrock_ver_te_by_tekka_croe-d3dv9j4.png

http://37.media.tumblr.com/19262ed59a5bbad53c066072cd21b8bb/tumblr_muzt64tcB81shz22jo1_1280.jpg

 

[iforelskelseyou]

goodluck in building. quick question. free hand or from pepakura? if free hand i advice to use clive lees mech guide. or pepakura i advice you to plan before printing it out. oh btw also search in you tube the heavy arms gundam costume to get some ideas

 

[King of Kittens]

I'm likely going to go free hand. But I appreciate the tips!

 

[Crooked]

Yay, more gundam cosplays I don't know if you've seen my thread, but I've been working with a combination of both cardboard and EVA foam and it's been working great for me so far. The only thing to watch out for would be the weight. I'm not sure how much heavier it is compared to corrugated plastic (which is the main material used in Clive's tutorial here), but it gets heavy pretty quick. The main advantage of working with cardboard is that when combined with tape you can make moving/folding parts. For everything else, I suggest using half-inch thick EVA foam for structure. It's also feels a bit lighter than cardboard and works perfectly (almost too perfectly) with hot glue!

Here's my RX-78 build thread to give you an idea of how I've been working with these materials.

 

[JaxFenrile]

I would recommend Foam, but using cardboard to cut out your shapes helps out a lot. Heavy arms has a warm place in my heart, but I would be careful when extending your arm with the dual miniguns.

 

[iforelskelseyou]

Yay, more gundam cosplays I don't know if you've seen my thread, but I've been working with a combination of both cardboard and EVA foam and it's been working great for me so far. The only thing to watch out for would be the weight. I'm not sure how much heavier it is compared to corrugated plastic (which is the main material used in Clive's tutorial here), but it gets heavy pretty quick. The main advantage of working with cardboard is that when combined with tape you can make moving/folding parts. For everything else, I suggest using half-inch thick EVA foam for structure. It's also feels a bit lighter than cardboard and works perfectly (almost too perfectly) with hot glue!

Here's my RX-78 build thread to give you an idea of how I've been working with these materials.

Lol.. i agree..

 

[King of Kittens]

I may not go with the duel miniguns option, just due to weight concerns. I'm leaning more towards foam. But I do appreciate all the advice! Also that tutorial is GREAT!

 

[iforelskelseyou]

Subscribed..

 

[King of Kittens]

So I've ordered my model and figure so that I can start to reference them. I've also read Clive's tutorial about 3 times now (although I'm sure I will read it a whole lot more) My goal is to have it finished for Anime Banzai in Layton UT next year (2015). In the meantime between working on this costume, I will be working on a Dr. Doom Pep, a Super Buu build and a Sentinel for Dragon Con this year. But I'm really excited for the challenge of building something so intricate.

 

[iforelskelseyou]

nice nice... I hope this one can help Gundam with Moving Guns - XXXG-01H Gundam Heavyarms - Best of Anime 2013 by Cosplayer Nation - YouTube and this one Gundam Heavyarms - voltage11.. Keep updating bro.. I got some pepakura model for it. if you like i could send it to you for pattern reference.

 

[charades]

Try out this tutorial on cosplay.com. It's super comprehensive from a Gundam costume building enthusiast.
General Mecha/Gundam costume tutorial - Cosplay.com

 

[kialna]

Yeah that's the same tutorial as the one linked before. Clive Lee is amazing.

 

[charades]

Ah, sorry about that! Didn't know the author's name. I just remembered seeing it on the other forum and that it was really in depth (and kinda funny with his warnings that you can't jump around like a superhero)

 

[iforelskelseyou]

Ah, sorry about that! Didn't know the author's name. I just remembered seeing it on the other forum and that it was really in depth (and kinda funny with his warnings that you can't jump around like a superhero)

I agree. haha i wish i could jump around without losing both feet.

 

[Zephyranthes]

When building gundams, scale is super duper important- try not to oversize the head, and try to scale EVERYTHING around your legs fitting the legs of the gundam with large ankles and feet!


Kou Uraki.... LAUNCHING!

 

[King of Kittens]

Thanks for the tip. I'm a pretty slim dude and I should be able to fit really well in a slender build. It does make sense to scale everything to the legs though now that you mention it

 

[irononreverse]

Gundam tend to have ridiculously long legs in proportion to the body, most gundam cosplayers make the feet a platform that they stand on to get the right height and look.

 

[dangalang]

Gundam tend to have ridiculously long legs in proportion to the body, most gundam cosplayers make the feet a platform that they stand on to get the right height and look.

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/277/c/6/gundam_by_chickenforyou-d4bs2b4.jpg

That exia is so sexy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[irononreverse]

The exia is one of the few gundam with more human like proportions.

 

[The Ronin]

I've never seen a Sandrock. I'd love to see that.

I'm in the planning stages of a vacuformed Deathscythe Hell Custom myself. Always loved that one. I'll be watching.