Nyo ho - have a build guide with templates :D

I'm planning to make a sword for a cosplay, but I've never made any kind of prop before, so I'm pretty much starting from zero.
I'm wondering what would be easier for a complete beginner: finding someone who can 3D-print the sword for me (since I can purchase .STL model of this sword), or trying to make it from scratch using something like EVA foam?

I'm a bit worried that making it myself might be harder than it looks, especially since I have no experience with any of this. On the other hand, I'm not sure how much work is involved in 3D printing either, especially with assembling, sanding, price, and painting everything.

For those of you who've made cosplay props before, what would you recommend? Is making a sword from scratch actually doable for a beginner, or would I be better off going with 3D printing?

(Repost!)

(I’m reposting this since the quality was awful on my last post. All Im looking for is if it’s possible to make and if so how!!)

Hello Everyone

I am looking for a way to make a Flamethrower Prop.

But with working fake flames.

I was thinking about ribbons in the cannon with a fan behind.

If any of you already did one do you have tips for me.

Thank you

I painted eva for the first time and got color uneven. Is there a way to fix it somehow?

Okay, so, I’ve printed the Master Sword and am printing its Scabbard. Both are in ABS because that’s what my library’s 3D printer likes and once I got my own filament I could just print for free. I have a wooden dowel for the main channel and then am using wire for the two side channels because when I shrunk this to size it made them hella tiny so all I can stick in them is that 16 gauge hanging wire that’s galvanized steel. But I’m unsure about the actual construction process in terms of product.

My question first question is which is better for actually putting the pieces together after I’ve sanded everything?

I have 100% acetone nail polish* at home and I see LOTS of folks recommend it, but I got the Plastic Bonder specifically because it mentions ABS. But I’ve since seen people say it’s better to get the clear epoxy resin and use it for putting props together because it can expand inside for the dowels as well.

My second question is, since the sword is bigger than just a piece I can rinse in the sink, should I tape off the parts where they’d line up/join and spray each piece with the sandable filler primer individually before putting them together, or just put it together and then use a hose and sponge between sanding/applying more coats before painting it?

I don’t have a way to do acetone vapor smoothing, hence why I’m doing this the old fashioned way with sanding to hell and back, then priming and sanding it more between each coat, then FINALLY painting it and will use a clear coat when done.

Also, because I was excited to see it “put together” once it was done printing, I taped the sword together on the dowel, hence the last two pics.

*NOTE: 100% acetone nail polish remover shown here isn’t the exact brand I have at home, but it’s in my mom’s bathroom, so I can’t get to it rn