Cave Wars table + game for BLAM. P.35 - Giant Apes!

[Silent Invader]

That looks like it was fun! 

[pocoloco]

Great progress! Can't wait to see it all painted 

[Malamute]

It's certainly taking shape now.

[Captain Blood]

Aye.

Basically it still looks like a big pile of pink foam at the moment, but I'm quietly confident... 

The bit I'm really looking forward to is trying out the expanding foam, both to make the 'lid' for the caves, and to make the ramp up from the end of the existing donga boards, rising towards the cave escarpment. But There's not much point doing that until I've got this main cave section all finished to the pre-painting stage, so I know exactly where I've got to aim my expanding foam splurge gun. Not that you can control the bloody stuff. I expect it to escape in all directions 

[kidterminal]

The bit I'm really looking forward to is trying out the expanding foam, both to make the 'lid' for the caves, and to make the ramp up from the end of the existing donga boards, rising towards the cave escarpment. But There's not much point doing that until I've got this main cave section all finished to the pre-painting stage, so I know exactly where I've got to aim my expanding foam splurge gun. Not that you can control the bloody stuff. I expect it to escape in all directions 

Bear in mind it will escape with serious force as well so if you don't build a box around it it not only will it go everywhere is will stick to everything.

[OSHIROmodels]

A cautionary tale for you then 

Back at the first company I worked for we had a freelancer come work with us for a while (he had worked a lot on films but we were architectural). He got on fine until we had a huge model for Brighton to do. The base was nearly 8x4 and was contoured, I won't go into the details of the construction but needless to say, expanding foam was mentioned to bulk out the underside.

We got a couple of cans and gave them to the freelancer (we were assuming that he had experience with this sort of thing). The first one went well and about a third of the base was filled. The problem arose with the second can which for some reason had a faulty trigger... "Not to worry" says our 'hero', "I've dealt with this before!"...

He then preceded to get a power drill from the rack, and with drill bit firmly in place started to drill out the top of the can, sans trigger...

There were several looks of "I know what's going to happen next" between several of us and, low and behold the daft bastard had drilled through the top of the can releasing the pressure 

Fortunately it didn't explode but the contents rocketed out of the can straight into his face (he was wearing glasses) and then onto the wall and ceiling as his head rocked back from the impact. Standing there in a daze with the can pointing at the floor with an ever increasing pile of expanding foam at his feet, we could only stand there and laugh until it hurt by which time one of us came to our senses and placed an empty bin under the can (which was nearly empty) and checked to see if he was OK. He was fortunately but needed new glasses and came in the next day with a shaved head...

This happened nearly 13 years ago and I believe (from a friend who worked there recently) that the foam is still on the wall and ceiling as a warning to anyone stupid enough to attack a pressurised can of expanding foam with a drill 

I'm sure you won't go that far Richard but be warned, the stuff doesn't come off 

cheers

James

[Constable Bertrand]

        

What a tale 

[Michi]

       

What a tale 

EPIC!!! Made me spill my morning coffee!!!

[Eric the Shed]

Looking great Richard

I tried using expanding foam as lava for my volcano - abandoned as I could not control where it wanted to go.

Good luck with your venture

Giles

[Mason]

       

What a tale 

 

I reckon that he is probably a director at my place now, mate.
He seems to have all the right qualifications.
 

[Captain Blood]

Great story James 
Thanks for the cautionary tale and the warnings.

I have used the stuff several times before on lifesize theatre scenery. It's okay if you know what you're doing. Main points to note:

1. Your initial squirt (ooer missus) of quite a small amount, expands into a surprisingly large blob after a few minutes. So only dispense in small quantities.
2. The dispenser nozzles often fail to operate properly. Trying to open the tin with a sharp implement is definitely not the answer. Get another nozzle (you can buy packs of nozzles)
3. No, you can't control where it goes. It expands in whichever direction it wants. However, if you just need a bulk amount which you are subsequently going to carve to shape (which I am), this isn't really an issue.
4. Yes, the stuff sticks like hell to anything and everything. My plan is to use clingfilm-lined boxes to screen the areas to which I do NOT want the expanding foam to stick. It's a technique I've used before when working with the stuff. You might end up with a bit of clingfilm stuck to the foam once it cures, but it can mostly be picked off.

Well, we shall see when the moment arrives - watch this space 

[Constable Bertrand]

If it goes that wrong Richard, we expect a photo of the freshly shaved area. 

[Silent Invader]

If it goes that wrong Richard, we expect a photo of the freshly shaved area. 

Careful not to do anything rash!

[Captain Blood]

Well I'm not going to be slathering the whole thing in superglue Steve 

[Mason]

Well I'm not going to be slathering the whole thing in superglue Steve 

But he may wear a balaclava!