Tools and basic beginner essentials.

[ryan_otter]

Hello everyone. This is muy first time here and also my first time on LiveJournal so please be patient with me as i figure this stuff out. This is also my first foray into fursuit design. I dont have any background whatsoever. But I am a good visual artist and I am very convinced I could design a great costume char

Comments

[crazedcanine]

A few things off the top of my head are;

Hot glue gun
Pet clippers for shaving fur. Don't skimp here, you'll want something that lasts.
Xacto knife and/or scissors for carving foam. Foam destroys scissors, so you'll want a pair for your foam carving and a nice pair for your fabric cutting.
Dremel, if you plan to work with resin.
Airbrush or a paintbrush for defining markings, giving it that last touch.

Hmm, I'll try to think of some more stuff. It is pretty hard to think about everything you'd need until you need it!

[ryan_otter]

Dremel for resin? Im assuming a dremel is a drill device right. What is resin though and what is it used for?

Also I have a paint brush and some acryllic paint. But an airbrush machine sounds expensive. What kind of defining marks are we talking about to be used with a paintbrush or airbrush? its not used on the fur is it?

[crazedcanine]

Resin is a hard material used for casting certain types of fursuit heads, versus foam. Here is Caninehybrid's resin base being used for her own character, Riley. It's a neat alternative to foam, and once you have a mold, you can mass produce these guys

[ryan_otter]

OK so tell me this... A resin head piece is more for if you are going for a very detailed and highly realistic look right? It tooks very challenging. ATM the fursuits I like look a little toonish but not mascot level in simplicity.

Myabe you cna link me to pics of good complete fursuit heads (one done in foam, one in resin) so I can get an idea of what I want.

---

Now I see the value of airbrush. But if you add paint to fur, wont it harden it?

[dinogrrl]

Sewing machine is not absolutely necessary. In fact, if you've never sewn before, I'd recommend learning at least some basic stitches by hand. The machine goes faster, yes, but that doesn't automatically mean it's better than hand-sewing. Either method can produce quality items, it's just a matter of personal preference and practice.

Duct tape! A lot of people will use duct tape to wrap around dummies or head bases to make patterns with.

Lots of cheap or scrap fabric, especially if sewing is something new for you, or if you've never made something like a costume. Practice on the cheap stuff before using your final materials. Trust me, if you can be patient and do this extra step when trying a new thing, you will save yourself so much aggravation when you go to use your final materials.

[merrycalliope]

If you are planning to carve foam I can't stress enough how wonderful an electric carving knife is. They are fairly inexpensive and often turn up at Goodwill or similar places. Great way to save your hands from too much stress!

Once you've got the foam roughed out as close as you can get you'll need a good pair of COMFORTABLE scissors. Some folks have made excellent recommendations but, dumb me, I didn't add to my memories. Cutting foam is hard on the hands so you really want the most comfortable pair you can find.

[familliaraver]

Let's get serious about the stuff you actually need.

*A large table. Maybe one of the plastic folding tables, the long ones. You are going to need flat surfaces. I know that seems like, duh, but I bet you at least half of these people are hunched on their bedroom floor.

*A respirator. One that is certified for organic vapor. You are most likely working with chemicals. Let's not get cancer.

*Protective eyewear. Because you have awesome eyes. dremeling is going to kick up stuff in your face.

*Back support, hand support. Because back pain sucks and hunching over like a monster all day and night puts a crick in it like nobody's business.

*Time management. Keep a white board or schedule handy.

*A sewing machine isn't necessary but it sure is helpful.

*Sharp blades. I honestly go through a 5 pack with every project. Fighting with a dull razor blade is such a pain.

[ryan_otter]

Respirator? What stuff would I be in need of that for?

Also, I have a long coffee table. 2 in fact if need be. Not much room in my apt though.

As for back support :S thats allready an issue because I have a spinal injury that I am seeing therapy for, but have not had much progress in fixing. Im not out of shape, but I am very thin and frail (only weigh 129 in fact :s) What ideas could you give to me for that?

[clockmagic]

From my experience: Loose fur fibers when you cut, trim or just shake the stuff on first getting it, fumes from hot glue guns or sprays,excessively using sharpies or working with resin/ chemicals (resin).

[familliaraver]

If you are just shaving fur, a dust mask is fine. If you are using anything like resin, spray glue, spray paint, airbrush paint, basically anything with a vapor.

My back bothers me when I'm hunched on the floor for 12 hours at a time. Having something behind my back like a pillow or working in a supportive chair helps loads.

[ryan_otter]

Also, its clear here everyone is talking about using furniture foam. WHeres a place I could get is cheap or wholesale? Something where Im not popping into Michaels and dropping insane ammounts for a small block of foam.

[crazedcanine]

If you have a Joanne's fabrics, they often have really good sales on foam. However, I've not really found a better place to buy it. It's pretty crazy expensive, unfortunately.

[familliaraver]

http://www.thefoamfactory.com/opencellfoam/opencellfoam.html

[rebeccaannoying]

I have also had luck buying scraps from upholstery stores. The sizes are always random but it's usually cheaper than Joanne's. Joannes has great coupons and sales, so if you go there it's worth waiting for :)