Questions on building javelins

[Nichos Morak]

for the open cell foam: would it be okay to buy some of the open cell seat cushion foam from walmart or does it have to be like a nerf football head or couch foam.

for the shaft what is the recommended padding on the haft area?

[Kotaro]

I've been using the same blocks of open cell for some time now, and I believe they're computer foam. However, my javelins were terribly constructed and fugly. Ask Stubbie and Zero, their javelins are nice.

[Dorian Prior]

My two cents: you can use PVC insulation tubes for the haft (can be found at any hardware store). Cheap, easy to put on. I second Kotaro though in referring you to Stubbie/Zero.

[Stubbie]

We used 3/8th fiberglass rods as core, blue foam for haft padding / head and pommel construction and Jo-Ann Fabric Store's green open-cell foam for the heads. Cover in yellow cloth and black athletic tape.

If you're using PVC for a core, yes pipe insulation is pretty fine, but it breaks down quickly and is highly damaged by being stepped on.

And stop complimenting us guys . We screwed up and all of them we built are coming loose @ the head.

Also Nichos, don't use NERF style foam for javvy heads. Most of it won't compress fast enough for safe head / face shots. 4" of open cell is better.

[Nichos Morak]

thank you very much.
everything is highly appreciated.

[Firoth]

I might suggest a few things for building javelins as well, just to make them as safe as possible.

1. Keep in mind the rules for building javelins: The blue foam base must be 3" in diameter, and the softer part of the head has to be 3.5" in diameter. Whole thing must be padded and the tip must be covered in yellow fabric.

2. Remember that although Nerf foam might not be the best because it's not that squishy, you have to be aware of the other side of the coin too. Some foams compress too fast, and won't absorb much energy at all. The best thing to do, if possible given materials, is to do some sort of progressive resistance.

Pre-compressing the open cell foam by wrapping the sides of it with tape is a great way to simulate this effect. It makes the air in the foam have fewer places to exit, so it doesn't compress as fast.

3. Lastly, I know it's expensive, but if you slap a layer of marine foam down between the open cell and blue foam I've seen it make some NICE javelins. Marine foam is what the Dick's sporting goods stadium seats are made of.

You can buy them at any Dick's pretty much. They come in red, green, black, and a I think a few other colors, but they look like a slice of bread with a handle cut out of the top. They're usually up near the front and cost about 5-6 dollars, so they are kinda pricey...but even for regular swords they make wonderful stabbing tips.

~Frothy

[Herz'ag Malurg]

well, when i made mine i used a inch-2 inch cap of nerf football foam. I then used stuff that is more or less equivalent to walmarts stuff. Then i put a line of cloth tap going both ways across the tip. then covered in yellow.

I think mine is pretty good, and so has anyone who has used it.

[Nichos Morak]

okay, thank you.

i've read that some people have put part of a nerf foot ball on the blue foam then covered it in open cell and i was thinking of experimenting with that later on.