This is a project I told myself from start there is no reward if there is no risk. Now that this project will probably happen I am kicking myself.What is it?
A BIG STYROFOAM LIZARD. I am thinking 14ft long to mount to the side of a building. Now the questions..
ONE: What would I use for a hardcoat I have found a product called VanillAcryl But not sure how hard the coat is. TWO: Should I use an interior skeleton. Three: What is the best Styro for the job? Four: Can Someone tell Dan Sawatzky I need some help! I really want to do this project but would like more info before I give it a go! Thanks ahead of time! Harvey
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Hey, Jonathan... I see you're fairly new so just wanted to say 'Welcome to Letterville' from another Jonathan...
Also, was just in Halstead, KS for a few days a couple months ago for my wife's grandmother's funeral... my brother-in-law (letterhead Blake Koehn) and I were wondering who made some of the nice signs we saw around Newton there... wish we'd known, we'd have looked you up.
About the only 2 questions I can help you with are 1 and 4.
1. Magic Smooth from Abracadabra
4. "Hey Dan, Jonathan needs help!"
Good luck!
Posted by Jonathan Harvey (Member # 6580) on :
I've got some buddies in Halstead, joel flory and brett bucta. I'm not really new here I just don't type on here much.But I read here alot.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Jonathan
This isn't too hard a project but definitely a LOT of fun.
I'd use a welded internal steel frame. Depending on the level of detail you want/need I would build it one of two ways...
You could sculpt it from blocks of foam glued up around your steel framework.... then hard coat it with Magic Smooth. this would be a great way to build a piece seen from a distance.
Personally I'd take a different route... I'd weld up a lighweight steel structure, then a pencil rod frame and tie galvanized diamond lath to that grid. Then I'd put on a rough coat of Magic Sculpt and finally a hand sculpted layer with exquisite detail (scales and such) to finish it off... this thing would be VERY cool!!!
The very next issue of SignCraft will have an article which I wrote detailing this very subject.
-grampa dan
[ October 09, 2007, 04:19 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Steve Thomas Greer (Member # 4566) on :
Definatly the Magic Sculpt and Smooth will do just the Trick. Give me a call I have a kit here with you name on it! 519-632-5220
