Don't have an account yet? You can create one. As a registered user you have some advantages like theme manager, comments configuration and post comments with your name.
Shade's Live Action Role Playing (LARP) List: Forums
Shade's LARP List :: View topic - Making latex weapons
Joined: Aug 09, 2004 Posts: 153 Location: Kiel, Germany
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:17 am Post subject:
Well, latex is still a natural material and thus it may break down (denaturize?) in various conditions. Temperature extremes, too much UV-light, water, oils, metals in the paint, time - everything may break down the latex cover of a weapon as a chemical process. Sometimes it takes years: I own a about nine years old latex sword which still feels just soft enough to the touch and which has still the first latex coat. Another weapon developed latex denaturization ('latex plague'/'latex rot') after only two years though it has been in the same care and storage as the other weapon and been built at the same time using the same materials (paints etc.).
Coating the latex with Coetrans, Isoflex, Top Coat or special roof sealants will help to make the weapon more durable. Avoiding temperature extremes, long exposure to direct sunlight, water (don't leave Your weapon lying in the grass during the night), oils - and sometimes metal dust included in fairy glitter will help Your weapon to last very long.
Take care of the weapon between games, use talcum powder or clear silicone spray (without additives) and clean the weapon carefully with a soft cloth from time to time. Always examine the weapon for battle damage before and after the game - sometimes the glue between the foam layers became too brittle, sometimes the core rod became loose, sometimes the tip of the core rod pushes itself through the kevlar/leather/heavy cloth tip protection - which might endanger Your opponents, Yourself and Your weapon. _________________ "Like the moon goddess on her path eternal..."
Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Budapest, Hungary
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 4:27 am Post subject:
Hello,
I hope it is not off-topic here...
In Hungary we use wooden weapons (all of us), but would like to test and use latex if possible. The only problem is that we can't buy basic material here for latex weapons. There is no latex in trade (only for industrial use) and we should buy it from other countries. Wien would be a good place to purchase latex if we would know where to find it.
Could anyone help me about a place (close to Hungary) to buy necessery materials for latex weapons?
Webshop may be good too, if they transport to Hungary...
Joined: Jul 12, 2002 Posts: 1060 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:47 pm Post subject:
Although they are called latex weapons, the latex is actually a fairly minor aspect of them. The stuff that really matters is the fibreglass rods and closed-cell foam that make the structure of the swords. And glue.
The latex is just top-dressing. When we're making monster weapons, we just spray the foam with black spraypaint and then dry-brush them silver. it gives a fair finish without the expense and time of latex.
I suggest you have a go at making foam weapons in the "latex weapon" style but without the latex, and worry about the latex top-coating later.
Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 5 Location: Budapest, Hungary
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:29 am Post subject:
Thx for the reply. Closed-cell foam is not a problem, but I can't imagine where to buy fibreglass rods. Fishing shops?
OK, it's simple for you where lots of larp or medieval eqipment shops can be found but in Hungary there are no larp shops and the historical shops are selling only metal, leather, bone or cloth accessories... No one uses fibreglass (maybe when creating reflex bows). _________________ Regards,
Joined: Jul 12, 2002 Posts: 1060 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject:
I buy fibreglass rods from a kite shop. People use them to make their own kites. I use solid rods of about 8mm diameter. Solid carbon fibre rods can be okay too, but the kite shop in my town doesn't sell them.
Another source of fibreglass cores is from sailing shops. Fibreglass sailing battons are flatter rather than round, but can make a reasonable base.
I've never tried fishing rods, or carbon-fibre golf clubs. They might work, just test their strength (bend them, hit them against something) before using them.
There is a sword-making guide in the latex style at:
They use larger diameter hollow tubes for a core. I haven't tried this, it probably reduces the bendiness of the weapons which would be an advantage. I've tried narrow hollow tubes (8mm external diameter), and they were too weak.
sorry to revive a topic thats almost a year old but i need help on getting instructions on making latex weapons...anyone know of any sites or if they have there own instructions they want to give me?
Joined: Aug 09, 2004 Posts: 153 Location: Kiel, Germany
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:57 am Post subject:
I suggest reading through this thread, on page one and just three posts above Yours is f. e. this description (link) and other hints and tips can be found throughout the thread. _________________ "Like the moon goddess on her path eternal..."
Joined: Jan 23, 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Howell Michigan
Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: great thread
This is a great thread, lotys of helpful things for anyone wanting to make a latex weapon. Too bad the how to from Lance's site is down, that was a very cool site
Joined: May 02, 2002 Posts: 158 Location: New York
Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:
Sorry, I have retired from running my LARP and the page sort of went with it [assuming I'm the Lance you mean]. The fighting I am in now is way too rough on latex, and the latex projects have sort of taken a back seat. _________________ Nothing beats a friend like a rubber sword...
Hey guys I am posting looking for who everyone feels is the best value casting latex for masks and props. I am looking for the best deals on 1gal and 5 gal latex
thanks
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
