Radleigh Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Hi guys, Just looking at Oasis foams and there is 'wet' and 'dry' types, which one is best to use? Looking at sculpting a shape then taking a vacform from it.. does it really matter which one I use? TIA.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 Hi radleigh My suggestion is not to use that foam as it is too soft to bac form over unless you seal it with several,layers of resin, then back fill the resin shape with plaster to provide support. I know it is a long winded method but I have used it several times successfully. John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted November 24, 2014 Author Share Posted November 24, 2014 Hi John, glad you replied.. remember you doing this to a Lightning? What else is there to use to make a shape, I can only think of Oasis foam. (I want to avoid using Balsa if possible) Thanks mate, Radders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 I agree, Oasis is much too soft. I use the green stuff for diorama groundwork and even when sealed with a couple of coats of PVA it still has some give. Ah, Balsa! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigger Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Hi radleigh Balsa, mdf, basswood, any type of wood really. There is a model board I have no idea of its trade name which is a resin style material too. Hope that you manage to do what you want? John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 There is a model board I have no idea of its trade name which is a resin style material too. Hope that you manage to do what you want? John Maybe Balsa Foam - which is NOT balsa or wood at all. Has no grain, no memory, comes in several hardness grades, used by pattern makes, designers, sculptors etc. Can be quite expensive. I bought a small sheet 25mm thick and about 400x200 which cost me more than many models - but I made a large number of patterns with about half of it, then misplaced the rest in a house move. (May be called EPP or EPS foam, but don't quote me. Use "Balsa Foam" ijn a search will find it) Shane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Vale Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 The resin board might be Balsa Foam? I'd avoid using Oasis for any kind of shaping work as well. I used it to make some "concrete" blocks and it creates nasty dust and has no structural integrity whatsoever. Took lots of gesso to seal it sufficient to paint. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Depends on how big an item you want to make, try Polymer Clay, known better by their trade names of FIMO or Sclupey. Its a plastic clay. In its first form its like plasticene. Work it like plasticene, then cook it in an oven at 130 degrees. This cures it and makes it solid. It will then hold its shape for further carving, and it will also take the heat of plastic over it for vac forming. A small block of FIMO, 58g are about £1.75 but you can get giant packs, 1/2 or 1 kilo for about a £5. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radleigh Posted November 27, 2014 Author Share Posted November 27, 2014 Hi guys, thank you all for replying. The reason why I asked about Oasis is I can get it free, and have got 6 dry blocks of it today.. I'm looking at doing something Russian, around the An-26 size in either 48th or 32nd, fuselage will be made from Oasis then as Tigger says, covered in resin etc, wings I will tackle when I've managed to sort the fuselage.. see how I get on. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now