polystyrene/foam help!?

I'm producing a performance/installation for the Melbourne Fringe and I want to create huge objects out of polystyrene or foam. Any advice/tips on where or how or who? Anything would be greatly appreciated. :) Jess

http://www.rmax.com.au/ Try these guys. They have a branch in melbourne. They are able to supply large foam blocks if you are thinking about carving with a hot wire, or something similar. The blocks are about 1m x 1m x 5m. You can glue them together if you require something bigger. I'm basing this information on the branch in Perth, which I have had occasion to visit. Best of luck

Be very careful, polystyrene burns and gives off highly toxic fumes which have caused many deaths around the world.Covering with calico and painting will reduce the risk but I suggest you clear whatever you are planning with the safety person for the event as it would be unfortunate to have your hard work rejected on safety grounds at the last minute.

And don't spray paint it...it will melt! However I have had a bit of polystyrene experience. If you get some small craft blade knives they work really well for intricate details. It's great stuff because of the shaping you can achieve, and as long as you don't use aerosol spray cans on it it won't melt on you. Polystyrene cutters are also available, but need to be used in an open space as they are hot and melt the polysterene to cut it. Some amazing effects can be produced with this product. I hope your plans all work out well. ____________________________________________________________ Currently working on: "Boy Banned" a fusion of live acting, video footage, corny songs, syncronised dancing boys and egos! JULY 2007, ticket information coming soon!!!

I'm guessing that was Jess, accidentally logged in as Grant? Sticky Apple Legs www.freewebs.com/stickyapplelegs Puppets in Melbourne www.thepromptcopy.com/pip

You can only use water based paints or the foam will melt.

I did a project where we used foam. (we used inch thick foam. about 1.5 metres by 2.5 for about $10. seconds from a factory) We used electric knives (as in cheap kitchen ones)to cut out patterns and then used rubber cement to glue them into the 3d shape. (Keep the windows open!) We used an air compressor to spray paint them, which was cheap and effective, as we used one main base colour. details were done by hand later. I found foam better to work with than polystyrene. we trialed polystyrene and decided on foam.

Yes, that was me! Not sure how the weird log in thingy happens. Anyway, thanks to everyone for their advice. It's been an interesting process....

polystyrene untreated is flamible and is affected by vermen, when treated, this product is not only cost effective, there are umlimited uses, and very easy to work with. it can be coated several ways to make it ridgid and durable lasting over 10years. a multitude of shaping and cutting devises are available so you can produce vertually any shape