FAST FOAM LATHE

Step 9 DONE!

That is it!!

Now make more chess pieces or move on to whatever you want. This is very good practice without needing a full size lathe or any of the correct tools!

Let me know how it goes.

Comments

[Creaturiste]

Very neat! Thanks! Blue foam is even denser than pink, and will withstand more sanding without chipping off. Prop shops use it a lot for accessories, characters, and even sets. A mention that foam dusts aren't good for the lungs (and awfully static-messy) would be a good thing to add, as well as the advice to use a proper filter in a shop vac, and a dust mask.

[fatherofthree]

I love the idea! I'm thinking I could use a variable speed router to do this also - thoughts? As for painting, craft stores have a foam paint that is like a primer - it seals the foam so you can use regular spray paint over it.

[scavanger]

I'm sure a router is going to spin WAY to fast. A variable speed drill would be a better option I'm guessing.

[Dartag]

I tried a dremel, and the RPM was just too fast, making it impossible to use with foam. It seems best to stick with standard, low-RPM tools. If your router fits into that role, and can be solidly anchored to the bench with the point aimed directly up, then yes, you should be able to use it for this.

[jwzumwalt]

You can use most latex "water based" paints for this.

[domestic_engineer]

I'm thinking I could use a variable speed router to do this also - thoughts?

In general anything that spins can be made into a lathe - it is just a question of safety. Foam is good to experiment with because the foam will typically break first.

The chuck on my router doesn't close enough to hold the sanding pad shown in this Instructable (that is as far as I got)

For safety - I always start on the lowest possible setting, usually I flick the power on-and-off quickly just to see how the set-up will move.

It is best to rotate the piece by hand before turning on power. But with alot of non-lathe power tools this is not possible.

Please let us know how you make out!

[strmrnnr]

Good work guy. This setup looks awesome. I was thinking, if you are useing foam all the time, and had alot of pieces to turn. Do you think it would work to cut a negative half into some very thin sheet metal or acrylic and work the foam with that? You could just start at the edge and slide the singe piece in and form the whole side at once.

[marc.cryan]

Do you think it would work to cut a negative half into some very thin sheet metal or acrylic and work the foam with that?

I tried something like this, but the set-up I used (hot glue and a backing pad) is not strong enough to handle the cutting force.

If you want to do this - I recommend supporting the stock on both ends - and wearing a face mask in case the foam grabs the cutting blade and throws it at you.