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Shade's Live Action Role Playing (LARP) List: Forums
Shade's LARP List :: View topic - Making latex weapons
Joined: Jan 19, 2005 Posts: 68 Location: Fairfield, CT
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 10:52 am Post subject: Making latex weapons
I'm a very good weapon builder when it comes to using duct tape, foam, so on. So good that other people I know have me making weapons for them. The problem is after going online and seeing what is being made with latex I have this itch to scratch. Does anyone know the basic technique for making such a weapon. Beyond that I can figure it all out.
Joined: Jul 11, 2004 Posts: 290 Location: Derby, UK
Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:
Bearing in mind here that I've never made a weapon in my life...
You need a core (we use carbon fibre in the UK), some high density closed-cell foam, and some latex. You will also probably need either silicon spray, or Isoflex (evil stuff, but useful - don't use without a facemask) to coat the latex, or it will go horrible and be much more abrasive.
When I've seens swords made, they have been done with 3 layers of foam (5-10mm thickness. ish), with the middle layer missing a section in which the core sits. Then glue together. Make sure to have a piece of rubber or leather around the end of the core, so it doesn't work through the foam. Also make sure that you don't end up with hard glue lines along the blade, as they will damage the latex, and your opponents face!
However, I'm talking about UK-safe non-thrusting weapons, so if you need thrusting, speak to someone else. In fact, speak to someone else anyway, because, as I said, I know little about weapon-making.
If you want some good advice, try www.pagga.net, in the "Method" section...
They have a latex sword making guide. Note that this guide is at least 8 years old, so there may have been innovations since then that aren't reflected there.
Also, it only discusses painting on the liquid latex with a brush. It's also possible to spray it on with an airbrush, or dip with weapon in a tub of thin latex. There is a pretty good discussion about these other techniques in a thread on the forum that Lig pointed to.
They have a latex sword making guide. Note that this guide is at least 8 years old, so there may have been innovations since then that aren't reflected there.
Also, it only discusses painting on the liquid latex with a brush. It's also possible to spray it on with an airbrush, or dip with weapon in a tub of thin latex. There is a pretty good discussion about these other techniques in a thread on the forum that Lig pointed to.
Where do you get your liquid latex, and how much would I need for a knife that will have about an 8" blade? Thanks in advance.
Since then I have added a few techniques that increase the life of the weapon, but the weapon featured in this set of instructions lasts a good long time for the average LARPer.
If your group is a bit harder hitting, just contact me and I will explain the upgrades. _________________ Nothing beats a friend like a rubber sword...
Joined: Dec 29, 2004 Posts: 38 Location: Washington State
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject:
I already brought this up in other topic though it should probably be here more than there. My group uses heavier weapons than say amtgard. Our goal is to create something that feels real. So we target 2-4lbs with apropriate balance points etc. We are starting to move over to latex weapons, the problem we encounter is the Quillions. What material to people use for the cross guard! Ours keeps busting on impact. We do alot of period grapeling and halfswording as well, so our Quillions are used to tie and lock up oponents weapons. Any suggestions? Oh also we have encountered the blade seperating from the graphite core, any suggestions there too would be much apreciated(in our first few prototypes we glued all the foam together then slid it over the glue soaked core, I think next time we will constructed the blade around the core as seen on Chiefs website).
Joined: May 02, 2002 Posts: 158 Location: New York
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 7:26 am Post subject: Core issues...
If you are having problems with the core sticking, try covering the core with fabric tape prior to gluing it in place. DAP and fabric tape will help a lot. If that does not work go with a square core.
As far as crossguards, you really want to go with flexible foam [Plastazote works well], as opposed to something rigid. Rigid guards are tough [and you can do a bit more with them looks wise], but because they have no flex they don't deal well with impacts. Think of the principle behind why air plane wings and sky scrapers flex, its the same idea.
If you are a hard hitting LARP you might also want to use squat crossguards, as opposed to something more swishy. Roman gladius guards work great for hard combat. Round oriental guards are also tough.
Also if you are hard hitters, I have some upgrades that are not in the on-line simple desing, that will make a stronger weapon. Feel free to contact me personally about it if you like.
Hope that helps. _________________ Nothing beats a friend like a rubber sword...
Joined: May 02, 2002 Posts: 158 Location: New York
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 5:48 am Post subject: Thanks...
Thank you. I also had trouble finding instructions on making latex weapons, hence my work on this set. Certainly not a lack of people who know how to do it [and far better than me], just a lack of good instructions.
Once again, thanks. _________________ Nothing beats a friend like a rubber sword...
Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 12:30 am Post subject: Latex
Sorry to revive a thread that's been dead for over a month, but I need some help...
Does anybody know of any US suppliers who carry latex? If it's not a large chain store, an on-line distributor would suffice. Recommended products? _________________ Edgar(at)realmsoftracon.com http://www.realmsoftracon.com
Posted: Sun May 29, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject: Mold Builder
I just found some Mold Builder while searching around. Probably the reason I didn't find it before was because Chief gave me the "english spellng" of 'Mould Builder'.
I'll probably order from Tap Plastics as they have an online ordering system. Hopefully, liquid latex is liquid latex is liquid latex. _________________ Edgar(at)realmsoftracon.com http://www.realmsoftracon.com
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject: Plastazote Prices?
I just ordered a sheet of Plastazote (originally planned to order 4, but got one) I ordered from JMS Plastics. For a 1/2" 30x40 sheet of pink medium density plastazote (enough to make two weapons), $40!!! Does this sound right, or do any ofyou get your plastazote cheaper?
For those interested, here is the information on who to call to buy the stuff:
Mark Ollick (440) 777-5004
Medium Density Pink Plastazote 1/2" 30"x40" sheet
Part Number: 705141-6
$39.65 _________________ Edgar(at)realmsoftracon.com http://www.realmsoftracon.com
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