FOAM LATEX INJECTION GUN
Make-up Special Effects & Stop Motion share many
common fabrication methods and especially the use of Foam Rubber Latex
materials. There are different methods to fill the mold
..... one is .... by brushing-painting
each mold half with foam latex, then spooning in extra foam
and finally closing the mold pieces together
to squeeze out the excess foam. Another method to fill-up the mold is
by injecting the foam into the mold using a
very large syringe tool aka Foam Latex Injector Gun.
Both methods work and both require
practice and trial and error so that you can consistently fill mold
without getting air pockets or bubbles.
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For the benefit of the Stop Motion Animation community, this is an
article
written by the very
knowledgeable special makeup effects artist & supplier,
David Schlatter,
at the Make-up Artists Board, www.make-upboard.com
This information is presented "as is" for your own personal
use.
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THE PARTS LIST
One ... 3 inch inside diameter x 6 foot drain pipe.
6 foot is the shortest length I have found
Two ... 3 inch end
caps
Two ... 2 inch flat washers
One...1/2 x 2 inch
bolt and nut
One... 3 inch DU-BRO low bounce model airplane
tire
One ... 1/2 inch plastic water pipe comes in 6 foot
lengths
One ...1/2 inch plastic threaded male coupling
One ... 1/2 inch plastic threaded female coupling
One each
..... of CPVC Cleaner and CPVC Cement
One ... 24 inches X 1/2
inch plastic sprinkler system pipe
One ...1/2 inch threaded
plastic sprinkler system coupler
One...1/2 inch threaded
plastic sprinkler system Tee
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Preparation and assembly:
Cut
a 24 inch long section of 3 inch drain pipe, use sand paper to sand the
ends down until the end caps fit snug but not so tight that it is
difficult to remove them.
Take one of the end caps and drill a hole large
enough to get a very snug fit ofthe 1/2 inch water pipe then cut a
piece of the water pipe 3/4 inch in length and test fit the end cap and
male coupling. The base of the coupling should touch the end cap and
the water pipe should be flush with the inside of the end cap. If
everything fits the glue them together and set aside.
Cut a piece of water pipe 8 inches long and glue it to the plastic
threaded female coupling when the glue is set, thread this to the end
cap with the male coupling. This is the nozzle; you can make the nozzle
any length you want. I found that 4 inch and up to 8 inches are most
useful.
Remove the plastic wheel from the model
airplane tire. Take the Nut and the 1/2inch threaded plastic sprinkler
system coupler you want the nut to fit half way down the coupler you
might need to use a dremel to remove some of the plastic to get the nut
to fit. Once you get the nut to fit inside the coupler, glue it in
place and thread the other end to the 24 inch X 1/2 inch plastic
sprinkler system pipe and set aside.
Take the remaining end cap and drill a hole large enough for
the 1/2 inch plastic sprinkler system pipe to slide through without
binding. Run the pipe through the end cap and put the Tee on the pipe
to form a handle. the glue should be set on the nut by now so you can
take the bolt place 1 of the flat washers on it then the tire and
another washer now thread the bolt-tire combination to the end of the
plastic sprinkler pipe. Congratulations you now have a plunger for your
injection gun.
All the glue should be set so fit the plunger in the drain
pipe, you can adjust the plungers fit by tightening or loosen the bolt.
Now fit the nozzle on theother end and you have a completed injection
gun for $25.00 ('04 prices). This is a front loading gun so take off
the nozzle to fill it.
You can replace the drain and water pipe with clear plastic
plexiglass type tubing but the cost will go up if you do.
If you use the Johnson and Johnson past wax thinned with alcohol as a
releasefor foam latex you can use the left over Stearic Acid that comes
with the latex kits to prop up you injection gun for a photo like I did.
Good luck! David Schlatter
© 2004 David Schlatter
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Michael Davey Foam
& Main Page | GM Foam | Monster Makers Foam | Burman Foam | Foam Latex Paint
Stop Motion Message Board .... DIY Foam Injection Gun and General Foam LatexTopic
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