Thread: Question on making tombstone

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Alright, I'm proud to say that I went today and bought a sheet of 2" pink styrofoam today! I've never made a tombstone before (as a matter of fact, I've only made a FCG before, so this is my 2nd undertaking).

Anyways, so, I honestly don't have too many tools, a dremel with a few parts and a serrated nice. So when I was cutting the styofoam to fit it into my car I noticed that it leaves some rugged edges, are these typically smoothed down with the dremel?

Also what are some good websites to get like a 2d image of a skull that I could put on there? My idea is to just cut them off of the paper, use a pushpin or two to hold it on there and then simply go around them.

As said, although this is my first time I just want to do a good job and make these look really nice.

I would suggest purchasing a foam cutter if you want a smoother edge without the fuss.

To find a skull just hit up google search enginee and I'm sure you'll have no problem finding all kinds.

For my stones, I pin up the image on the foam then cut it all out with an x-acto knife. The dremel is too powerful for the small details IMO.

Hope that helps you get started.

So, any kind of hot wire foam cutter would do the trick? ...and so any size x-acto knife? (I just noticed there were different sizes...) ...sorry, I understand that these are noob questions, but I'm just one of those people that I like just having the details down before starting on something.

I used a cheap jig saw with a long jig saw blade. You can buy a jig saw for @ $20 and the blades for about a buck. When you're done, you have the jig saw for other projects.

Another thing that works are those disposable razor knives (the kind with the snap-off blades. You can get them for about a buck. Just extend the blade all the way out!

Just p.m.'ed you some sites. Good luck!

Just use sand paper to smooth the sides. another goot tool is a hot knife or wood burning tool. This will allow you to get extra fine detail such as cracks and the look of broken rock (with practice of course).

A WORD OF CAUTION

Burning the foam in a closed/not well ventialted area can be deadly. Also, be careful about what paints you use as some will eat through the foam. Stick with acrylics and you should be okay. Oil based paints will eat into the foam. Some use this as a aging technique but i prefer a more controlled method.

This is my favorite tool for shaping the stone and 'sanding' the sides:



It's a Stanley SureForm Shaver. It leaves behind a stone-like texture and the side of the tool is excellent for ripping open cracks.

Any of the defect (marks) you got during transport would be where I would continue to destroy. I like stones that look weathered and beat up opposed to perfect. Here's some old shots of my stones while being shaped:

After the SureForm shaver treatment (obelisk and Beloved wasn't yet shaped):








After being blasted by cheap spray paint to eat away at the foam to give it that etched away by the years look:








After painting and painting details:

Wow great pics Terra!

A simple tool I use to smooth edges is a wood burner.
$10 at Wal Mart or Micheals, I use the side of the burner to melt the foam and smoth/detail/age the edges.
I use a dremel for the lettering. I have made stencils and then spray painted the letters and then route them out.

Thanks crazy xmas

Noahbody, love that look! The edges are perfectly aged. Also love the parallel lines across the face.