4 foot Great White Shark
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- Vectric Wizard
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4 foot Great White Shark
Thanks to all of you who have shared their experiences and knowledge creating large projects in foam.
This is my first and I found it very enjoyable. For me, it won't replace wood but was a nice change of pace. As with all first time projects I learned a lot. The approach I took was to only use materials I had on-hand for this first one.
My 2+ year old grandson is really interested in fish so I thought what could be better for his bedroom wall than a 4 foot Great White Shark. The model comes from James at VectorArt3D.
I increased the size to approximately 24" high by 46" long and increasing the Z height to 7.75" really brought out the detail. After slicing into 4 slices it fit easily in one-half of a 48" X 96" X2" sheet of foam insulation.
Cutting went fast but was messy. Glue up was with Titebond 3 and I used blue painters tape to hold everything together until the glue set. I sanded a few rough areas but didn't spend much time on it. After a thick initial coat of a water based primer I sanded it better and filled in the joints and any gaps with a lite spackling compound. Did this combination a couple of more times (primer and filler) sanding between coats with a sponge sanding pad. When happy I gave it a final coat of primer and then sprayed with Krylon.
Can't wait to see how big his eyes get (and whether he will be able to sleep in his bed with that over it ).
Tim
This is my first and I found it very enjoyable. For me, it won't replace wood but was a nice change of pace. As with all first time projects I learned a lot. The approach I took was to only use materials I had on-hand for this first one.
My 2+ year old grandson is really interested in fish so I thought what could be better for his bedroom wall than a 4 foot Great White Shark. The model comes from James at VectorArt3D.
I increased the size to approximately 24" high by 46" long and increasing the Z height to 7.75" really brought out the detail. After slicing into 4 slices it fit easily in one-half of a 48" X 96" X2" sheet of foam insulation.
Cutting went fast but was messy. Glue up was with Titebond 3 and I used blue painters tape to hold everything together until the glue set. I sanded a few rough areas but didn't spend much time on it. After a thick initial coat of a water based primer I sanded it better and filled in the joints and any gaps with a lite spackling compound. Did this combination a couple of more times (primer and filler) sanding between coats with a sponge sanding pad. When happy I gave it a final coat of primer and then sprayed with Krylon.
Can't wait to see how big his eyes get (and whether he will be able to sleep in his bed with that over it ).
Tim
Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Tim That thing is AWESOME!! He is going to love that!!!!!
What is the blue that you mounted it on? And what type of water based primer did you use(brand please)?
Thanks for posting this one!!
Nick
What is the blue that you mounted it on? And what type of water based primer did you use(brand please)?
Thanks for posting this one!!
Nick
- JamesB
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Tim, Good project to sink your teeth into although posting here you may just be fishing for compliments
OK I am stopping now, seriously looks great!
Cheers,
James
OK I am stopping now, seriously looks great!
Cheers,
James
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Thanks guys.
James, you are in rare form - been keeping cool have you
Nick,
The blue boards are matte foam boards I purchased at W-Mart to use as backgrounds for pictures. In this case they are too small. I'm not going to mount it to anything. There is a slot on the back where I will glue a small board with horizontal keyhole slot. Had to figure out where the balance point was for this first one.
I use and like Zinsser's 1-2-3 water based primer and their BIN shellac based primer. Normalliy I give the edge to the shellac based one, but wasn't sure how that may react with the foam (if at all). Instead of experimenting I just grabbed the water based one. You can put it on thick and it drys pretty quick.
Tim
James, you are in rare form - been keeping cool have you
Nick,
The blue boards are matte foam boards I purchased at W-Mart to use as backgrounds for pictures. In this case they are too small. I'm not going to mount it to anything. There is a slot on the back where I will glue a small board with horizontal keyhole slot. Had to figure out where the balance point was for this first one.
I use and like Zinsser's 1-2-3 water based primer and their BIN shellac based primer. Normalliy I give the edge to the shellac based one, but wasn't sure how that may react with the foam (if at all). Instead of experimenting I just grabbed the water based one. You can put it on thick and it drys pretty quick.
Tim
- mezalick
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Very nice Tim !
Working bigger give a different approach to the project.
The finish looks great. Let's us know how you grandson likes it.
michael
Working bigger give a different approach to the project.
The finish looks great. Let's us know how you grandson likes it.
michael
Michael Mezalick
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
I think it looks great with the fins hanging off the top and bottom!tmerrill wrote:The blue boards are matte foam boards I purchased at W-Mart to use as backgrounds for pictures. In this case they are too small. I'm not going to mount it to anything.
Tim
Tim Hornshaw
www.HornshawWoodWorks.com
www.HornshawWoodWorks.com
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Alright Tim! Looks great!
I'll never give up wood either but foam is so perfect for some many things. I am working on a tiki themed room right now for a friend. It would be way too expensive in anything else but foam...
I'll never give up wood either but foam is so perfect for some many things. I am working on a tiki themed room right now for a friend. It would be way too expensive in anything else but foam...
- zeeway
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
That is simply awesome, Tim. I think I would have trouble sleeping in the same room as that big fish (sharks are fish, right?)
Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Nice work Tim
How do you feel about the foam "dust" and collection... Do you have any issues with static build up, control issues with the bot...lost coms...ect, ect.
How do you feel about the foam "dust" and collection... Do you have any issues with static build up, control issues with the bot...lost coms...ect, ect.
- joecnc2006
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Where would be the best place to get foam and what does it run in a 4x8 sheet?
Thanks,
Joe
http://www.joescnc.com
Joe
http://www.joescnc.com
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Tim,
Nice work. You inspired me to start working on some fish. I think they would be hot here in FL.
Joe, I started with some pink foam like you find at HomeDepot. It is cheap and cuts well. You can glue it together easily with the right glue. I have also used foam like they use on the outside of buildings for designs.
It is a mess to cut. The stuff wants to stick to every thing.
Nice work. You inspired me to start working on some fish. I think they would be hot here in FL.
Joe, I started with some pink foam like you find at HomeDepot. It is cheap and cuts well. You can glue it together easily with the right glue. I have also used foam like they use on the outside of buildings for designs.
It is a mess to cut. The stuff wants to stick to every thing.
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- Vectric Wizard
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Nils,
If you haven't done it yet, go to the VectorArt3D site and search for fish. There are a lot of them that would be popular in Florida. You will pay for the model with your first sale.
Gene,
The shavings stick to everything, including yourself. I turned on the shopvac every 10-15 minutes and picked up most of it. I didn't have any comm issues, but never had.
Joe,
As Nils said, you can normally find the 2 inch thick foam at your local home improvment centers. This particular sheet is an Owens/Corning product from HD. I paid $28. Some sheets are prescored every 12", which is the only one I can get, but I would recommend getting the solid sheets if you can find them.
Tim
If you haven't done it yet, go to the VectorArt3D site and search for fish. There are a lot of them that would be popular in Florida. You will pay for the model with your first sale.
Gene,
The shavings stick to everything, including yourself. I turned on the shopvac every 10-15 minutes and picked up most of it. I didn't have any comm issues, but never had.
Joe,
As Nils said, you can normally find the 2 inch thick foam at your local home improvment centers. This particular sheet is an Owens/Corning product from HD. I paid $28. Some sheets are prescored every 12", which is the only one I can get, but I would recommend getting the solid sheets if you can find them.
Tim
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Some companies that do architectual designs in foam will have scrap pieces that they throw away. Some will give it to you. It is easy to machine and cheap.
- fretsman68
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Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Firstly, Tim, that thing is "Killer", no pun intended, it's just fantastic, beautiful work/art!
Thanks,
Dave
What exactly is the correct glue for this type of foam?sailfl wrote: You can glue it together easily with the right glue.
Thanks,
Dave
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Dave
Dave
Re: 4 foot Great White Shark
Tim,
Great looking Shark. Just don't let the grandson watch the movie JAWS!
Great looking Shark. Just don't let the grandson watch the movie JAWS!
CAMaster MC3050-R w/steppers and Mach3, Aspire 8.02 D&C Series 1A &1B - Wildlife Scenes