Sorry if this topic may have been brought up before, but I have a supplier on hold as they have quoted me a price on reticulated foam with a Cell size of 25 PPI.

This foam is typically used for filtering and may be a bit course, so I am wondering if someone could tell me what I should be asking for or if this foam would be Ok?

I know that if I was to cover the foam with fabric it would not matter, but I see on an earlier post that it would if I was trying to paint it.

Given I live on an island and shipping is expensive, I want to make sure I order the correct type of foam before shipping as it could be an expensive mistake. Any advice would be appreciated. \

I have used both reticulated foam and Poly-Urethane foam. I have found that Poly-Urethane foam is much cheaper than reticulated foam and in my opinion it works better for foaming puppet heads and bodies. I was using 30 PPI when I was using reticulated foam so 25 PPI wouldn't make much difference. If you are looking for a good cheap foam supplier I use Bob's Foam Factory, http://www.bobsfoam.com/   

Project Puppet suggest 35ppi.  I always used regular Poly-foam or L200 foam.

Project Puppet suggest 35ppi.  I always used regular Poly-foam or L200 foam.

Well after some trying times I have found a place in Australia and have ordered and am waiting on my first shipment of foam.

I could not wait for the foam and am making a puppet out of some 4" thick foam I picked up out of an old kids mattress. Have been having some fun with it and have learned some lessons along the way.

The hardest part I have found so far is applying the fabric and wonder now What is the best way to anchor the fabric to the foam?

I have seen puppets where the cloth is sewn first and the foam inserted after wards
I have seen another where they have used a contact type glue
and one using the Hot glue gun.

I have used the hot glue gun and never again, it is messy and hard to to do and at the moment hiding the imperfections...so when I eventually post a picture I hope it does not look too bad.

I did not have a pattern and have created the puppet from the top of my head, again a big mistake, next time I will draw it out and detail what I want it to look like.

I am now on the hunt for any foam I can find as I find it very relaxing and having fun with it all.

I have used both reticulated foam and Poly-Urethane foam. I have found that Poly-Urethane foam is much cheaper than reticulated foam and in my opinion it works better for foaming puppet heads and bodies. I was using 30 PPI when I was using reticulated foam so 25 PPI wouldn't make much difference. If you are looking for a good cheap foam supplier I use Bob's Foam Factory, http://www.bobsfoam.com/   

Thank you Andruppets and sorry for the late reply, but have been busy amongst working life to get back on the forum.

I actually need to start looking for a local source of foam and create a stockpile. I have started at our local dump as there is some good stuff thrown out all the time. I have also ordered some from a Company in Brisbane Australia and waiting to see how long and how much it will cost me to get it. It is expensive, so far $A98.00 for 4x pieces of sheet foam and now waiting the shipping cost, so this could be an expensive hobby. I need to look for the free stuff I can get my hands on here on the island.

Thanks again and will be posting a picture of the puppet I am building soon.

Considering your location, I would say go with the dump! If you have any second hand shops check them out also. You know you can turn that 4" piece you found into sheet foam. Ok it may not be easy but you could try slicing it into thinner sheets. Where I buy my foam in in the US it is all in huge blocks almost the size of a small car. They put it on the table and slice off what you want with a huge band saw.  Now granted you won't have access to that but my point is that it can be sliced down and I've done this to some extent myself on a regular band saw. Need a fine tooth on the blade and you really have to keep control of the foam or it will get pulled down into the mechs.  I often would clamp wood guides onto the table of the band saw to help guide and keep an even thickness.  Just some food for thought.

Glue gun is ok for attaching small areas of fabric to your foam but use it sparingly.  I prefer to use spray adhesive. Same thing as contact cement only in a spray can. The contact cement can be used just a bit harder to apply to your project. On the other hand the spray method can get a bit messy so make sure you have a lot of paper laid out and some pieces to guard where you don't want the spray. Painters tape can be used on small sections you may not want glued.