couch cushion foam pillars how to

Lilly · #1 11-12-2006

How to for foam couch cushion stone pillars and topper
(this is for 1 pillar only)
1 good sized cushions cut in half (1 half for 1 pillar), use another piece to attach to top if you want it taller,
and the rest tear into different stone sizes or use another foam piece to tear
(if making more than 1 pillar make sure you size all together so you dont get different heights on them)
For 1 pillar:
1 Garden stake - U style fence post
3 cans adhesive spray
2 cans foam sealant - for mortar
1 can gray spray paint -for mortar
1 can dark color texture spray paint
1 can brown color texture spray paint
2 or more cans light brown or sand color texture spray paint
1 small standing torch with removable container for filling.
torch fluid
1 (?x? wood piece ) what ever size you need, scrap wood will do
1 flat sink stopper
1 kitchen drain extension tube to fit your stake (6 in long)
4 wood screws
2 nails
1 hammer
1 screwdriver
1 jigsaw ( use your favorite wood cutting tool)

Cut foam to size length and width.
measure with the stake you are using.
cut a long rectangle slot top to bottom for stake to go thru middle,
if adding more for length spray glue together let set over night
Attach foam stones with spray glue front and side let set over night
next day do back and other side. let set overnight
Make sure you use some foam stones over slot in back so it holds to stake. let dry real good.
Fill in the mortar with foam sealant spray (get the minimum expansion)
Let dry over night also press down if it rises to much for you.
Put your stake in ground and slide foam post over that. carefully
Spray your mortar gray first. let dry
Spray dark stones first then brown then light colored..
let dry
You can do touch ups on stones now. Or multi color some stones

For Topper I used:
Measure wood piece to cut to size you want.
attach extension tube to sink stopper (Cut hole so it fits tight) put over stake.
Set wood where you want it and mark where the stopper should be.
Screwed stopper to wood , screw right thru the rubber into wood.
make a starter hole if needed on bottom pieces.
Now using a clamp afix wood piece to work table
Flip wood piece over,align where you want torch ...should be even with the stopper
Using 1 nail each side hammer nail thru bottom torch stand carefully
Check to see if even when set on your post, you can always cut foam down.
Attach your torch to wood piece with 1 nail each side (2 nails) or 4 if you prefer
over same area as your sink stopper underneath.
Paint as desired stone paint or marble look, or wood look
Attach to stone pillar,
Add embellishments if desired
I will be using zip ties (painted black) to attach chain to pillar also
remove container for fluid, for safety
fill
put back in torch , light
sit back and enjoy
I used a scissors and razor blade to cut foam, and they are uneven.
I heard a electric knife works good on them but i don't have one
i'll be looking aorund thanksgiving for them seems thats only time they available in stores
how to pics

stone pillar posts pictures by imdiamondlilly - Photobucket

Northern Touch · #2 11-12-2006

Great how too!!! I love working with foam but I never used foam for bricks great Idea the foam give 3d look...Me and a friend have made tons of foam props here are a couple of pics...Also a elec. knife is a great tool but I usallt geat the most detail with scissors and a couple of different size knifes...My next one I do all to a how to let me know what u think, its cool that u also work with foam I havn't seen many props like mine.....

this is my friends frount yard he also dose a display but we build are yard haunt at my mom/dad because thats where its been for 8 years now...check out is tombstones/trees there also made out of foam...

Lilly · #3 11-13-2006

NT those are cool thanks for pics . I will be doing a Texas Chaisaw type thing in 2 yrs and maybe this is the route i'll go. Like your set up,Love your nurse pic . and the trees are good idea. what did you use for paint on yours?
did someone make the skeletons also they look alien.

Northern Touch · #4 11-13-2006

yup we both made those skeletons they do look alittle like alien...but that was are first year workinking with foam also the first pic is one of my first props I did in foam...as for paint i like to use spray paint and for some real detail I use $1 store Crafters Acrylic all purpose paint and just go to town figer painting lol lol no but reall it works great u can cover alot of area this way and not have to use alot of paint just feel your hands and sqeez away...

Frighteners Entertainment · #5 11-13-2006

Incredible use of the cushion foam. Very impressive!

Northern Touch · #6 11-20-2006

thought I would add a few more pics of my foam guys that me and my friend made over the past 2 years,feel free if u have any questions...I plan to change alot of my stuff this year now that were set on a theam, so all be giving some of my props to friends/family for there yard dispays...

Lilly · #7 11-21-2006

thanks nice pics,good work. What kind of wire do you use to run thru the arms? Have you tried reg house paint on the foam?
your spider looks interesting, may have to try that type. I'm going to try and make some legs arms ect for 08 so i have plenty of time. what kind of theme are you turning to? Will you still be using the foam to make things for it?

Northern Touch · #8 11-21-2006

For the wire I just use coat hangers and cut/bend to shape,try sharping the end of the wire, this helps when runing the wire through the foam. Also on my larger foam props I use PVC but this is time consuming but works well too...well for the last 2 years I have been aiming for some type of Jail theam but couldn't bing it all togeather..but I now have the theam a 1930's western jail theam but just for the look of the jail not the actors and props I want to keep with a zombie look but with older dress style...I'm going with this style because most of all the new wall in the haunt will be made of wood instead of using tarps so many ideas all probably change my mind 2/3 times before halloween love to make myself work lol lol...

BooGirl666 · #9 11-22-2006

WOW absolutely amazing! I never would have thought to use couch cushion foam. NT do you have any how-to's on your props? I would love to make some hands and feet from this.

Northern Touch · #10 11-23-2006

Sorry babygirl but I don't have any how toos on my foam props because I just build them as I go some times I will make 2/3 in a week just for somthing to do sometimes they work somtimes they don't I give and sell alot of my stuff so it helps fund my haunt for the next year...as fo creating these props all I can say is just get some foam and try If u read the other posts they tell u the tools I use...It took me along time to be able to make the faces but my best friend is just wicked when it come to creating a new face,if u have anu other questions feel free I will try to do a simple how too on the weekend maby I'm learning to work with air so I've beed rapped up with that..thankz to Oct31man..