Fun with foam- a Space Pod Story (new pictures added )

Finally working on the command section for my spaceship.
Enjoy!

Oh man Ihat is beautiful, I think the hardest part might have been to find the right material and setup, now adding the details will be fun I hope. Just imagine putting space pictures in front of the window/screens, beautiful.

Wanted to make something like this out of a rain barrel some day, haha..

That looks very promising already. Well found and modified.

Ovy wrote:Oh man Ihat is beautiful, I think the hardest part might have been to find the right material and setup, now adding the details will be fun I hope. Just imagine putting space pictures in front of the window/screens, beautiful.

Wanted to make something like this out of a rain barrel some day, haha..

GubernatorFan wrote:That looks very promising already. Well found and modified.

Thank you!
For members who have not seen it before, this will attach to the main body….

This poor guy looks a little lost, like he's having trouble visualizing it. You should sit down with him and show him the plans again.

Looks marvellous - the circular pieces are perfect. But I would have to disagree with the premise that foam is fun. It is decidedly NOT fun, especially when trying to clean up. Foam is UNFUN. It is almost as unfun as glitter.

One sixth models are BIG - it is hard to imagine the scale of this. Would be good to see some photos showing you holding it to put its stonking size into perspective. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

I am with Dan in my hatred of foam. Especially foam peanuts in packing. But I also recall being fascinated by foam protection from boxes as a child, and trying to use it as a Tantive IV hallway for my classic scale Kenner Star Wars figures.

Outstanding! I've been saving some similar foam inserts with the big circles in them for a similar purpose.

What kind of paint did you use to achieve the bright red color in the recessed areas without dissolving the styrofoam?

Ideally, you want to seal it first - any water-based sealant (even Mod Podge) should be ok. For painting - again a water-based one such as acryllic would be ok.

Wow! that looks amazing! very creative and extremely clever!

Cool to see the ship project coming back. I remember the original from quite some time ago. The use of packing styrofoam is inspired, and I’ve been keeping some different things like this for some Star Wars environments. Once you started painting them, it really helped to change the overall appearance.

shazzdan wrote:Looks marvellous - the circular pieces are perfect. But I would have to disagree with the premise that foam is fun. It is decidedly NOT fun, especially when trying to clean up. Foam is UNFUN. It is almost as unfun as glitter.

One sixth models are BIG - it is hard to imagine the scale of this. Would be good to see some photos showing you holding it to put its stonking size into perspective. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

GubernatorFan wrote:I am with Dan in my hatred of foam. Especially foam peanuts in packing. But I also recall being fascinated by foam protection from boxes as a child, and trying to use it as a Tantive IV hallway for my classic scale Kenner Star Wars figures.

davidd wrote:Outstanding! I've been saving some similar foam inserts with the big circles in them for a similar purpose.

What kind of paint did you use to achieve the bright red color in the recessed areas without dissolving the styrofoam?

shazzdan wrote:Ideally, you want to seal it first - any water-based sealant (even Mod Podge) should be ok. For painting - again a water-based one such as acryllic would be ok.

BAMComix wrote:Wow! that looks amazing! very creative and extremely clever!

Stryker2011 wrote:Cool to see the ship project coming back. I remember the original from quite some time ago. The use of packing styrofoam is inspired, and I’ve been keeping some different things like this for some Star Wars environments. Once you started painting them, it really helped to change the overall appearance.

Thank you for all the kind comments.

I probably should have picked a better hook for the title, as I also dislike the mess foam makes. I no longer try to modify any pieces like this by cutting.
I have tried the hot wire cutters and found them equally frustrating.
Still, this is a crazy great way to build large and light weight models for pennies.
We receive so much equipment at work that comes packed in foam , I take it all!
The boss loves the space we save in the dumpster and I have eliminated the mess made when trying to break it down to fit more.

Currently I am using Folk Art Multi Surface paint with this symbol on the cap (although I have switched to the larger size )…..




As Shazzdan mentioned, sealing the surface is an important step.
I have found that this version of the paint will seal the pores in two coats and that has certainly helped with the appearance.

Foam isn’t the only building material I have been lucky enough to save at work.
Here is a “rainy Saturday” throw together that may wind up as corridors or tubes.

That looks great. Very grungy and life-like (not to mention huge).

If you don't use a blade or a hot wire, how do you cut styrofoam?

shazzdan wrote:If you don't use a blade or a hot wire, how do you cut styrofoam?

I used to use fine hack saw blades, but as I mentioned above, I simply do not cut it anymore. If I can use it as-is, I will glue any greebles I need to it.

That looks awesome!

The Flight Chairs for my Command Module are roughed in with foamboard.


The seat cushion is closed cell foam wrapped with craft foam sheet.
The seats are also covered in craft foam.
This particular thickness feels like a scale neoprene, if not pushed too far.


I like the feel of these two foam blocks. The grooves are just right for “seat tracks”. Popsicle sticks, glued and cut to length, will make the runners under the seat.







A dollar store pencil tray serves as the temporary walkway.




The original roughed-in console is replaced with a tighter dimension version.


I can check for figure clearance and adjust as needed.




From here, I can start to layout the controls in pencil.



Hope you enjoy!

I love that you are watching StarGate as inspiration for your creative endeavors. Or perhaps it is just background noise.

I like how this is coming along. Nice work, and some brilliant use of ready-made items.

Thank you, as always!

I’m not sure if I remember how to update the title to reflect new photos. Here are some of the latest updates.

A secondary console was mocked up and test fitted.




It gave me a place to test this greeble. I have also begun feeling out the controls.
Figures need to be able to reach them in a realistic way.




Final shots. More to come!
I hope this was fun!

You edit your first post. Shouldn't some of the other shots you just posted be part of this thread too? I can merge them for you.

GubernatorFan wrote:You edit your first post. Shouldn't some of the other shots you just posted be part of this thread too? I can merge them for you.

Yes, Please!

More wonderfully creative work! This really is coming together well. Can't wait too see more as it unfolds

Wow! That’s really slick. I was wondering what those pencil trays were when I first saw them in the tube thread. Pretty neat use as stairs, and now this. I like all the extra greeblies you’ve added, and the chairs are cool.