HOME MADE FOAM LATEX INJECTION GUN

This page has been created to display a GREAT idea by a good friend of mine on how to build an inexpensive but VERY useful and powerful foam latex injection gun for FAR less than what they cost commercially. And the plans can be adapted for a variety of sizes necessary to handle small batches of foam to very large runs for large foam pieces.

Many of you know of special effects makeup artist and supplier, DAVID SCHLATTER who provided for everyone's use, probably one of the first treatises on full head life casting for display and tutorial and for allowing me to post it on my web site. Dave is an industrious, creative and a technically 'ept' artist who can take the otherwise costly product that a foam latex injection gun is, and provides us all with a very inexpensive plan for building our own and thus saving us literally hundreds of dollars.

Dave has allowed the use of these "plans" for display on SAPSEMA's site again and for that, I'm both grateful and pleased. Use these plans as you will - free for your use. HOWEVER, if you off load the pictures please do so ONLY for your own personal use and not for reposting elsewhere. Thanks DAVE, I'm sure we'll all benefit.

THE PARTS LIST

1_ 3 inch inside diameter x 6 foot drain pipe. 6 foot is the shortest length I have found.
2_ 3 inch end caps
2_2 inch flat washers
1_1/2 x 2 inch bolt and nut
1_3 inch DU-BRO low bounce model airplane tire
1_ 1/2 inch plastic water pipe comes in 6 foot lengths
1_ 1/2 inch plastic threaded male coupling
1_ 1/2 inch plastic threaded female coupling
1 each of CPVC Cleaner and CPVC Cement
1_ 24 inches X 1/2 inch plastic sprinkler system pipe
1_1/2 inch threaded plastic sprinkler system coupler
1_1/2 inch threaded plastic sprinkler system Tee

Preparation and assembly:

Cut a 24 inch long section of 3 inch drain pipe, use sand paper to sand the ends
down until the end caps fit snug but not so tight that it is difficult to remove them.

Take one of the end caps and drill a hole large enough to get a very snug fit of
the 1/2 inch water pipe then cut a piece of the water pipe 3/4 inch in length and
test fit the end cap and male coupling. The base of the coupling should touch
the end cap ant the water pipe should be flush with the inside of the end cap.
If everything fits the glue them together and set aside.

Cut a piece of water pipe 8 inches long and glue it to the plastic threaded
female coupling when the glue is set thread this to the end cap with the male
coupling. This is the nozzle; you can make the nozzle any length you want. I
found that 4 inch and up to 8 inches are most useful.

Remove the plastic wheel from the model airplane tire. Take the Nut and the 1/2
inch threaded plastic sprinkler system coupler you want the nut to fit half way
down the coupler you might need to use a dermal remove some of the plastic to
get the nut to fit. Once you get the nut to fit inside the coupler glue it in
place and thread the other end to the 24 inch X 1/2 inch plastic sprinkler
system pipe and set aside.

Take the remaining end cap and drill a hole large enough for the 1/2 inch
plastic sprinkler system pipe to slide through with out binding. Run the pipe
through the end cap and put the Tee on the pipe to form a handle. the glue
should be set on the nut by now so you can take the bolt place 1 of the flat
washers on it then the tire and another washer now thread the bolt/tire
combination to the end of the plastic sprinkler pipe. Congratulations you now
have a plunger for your injection gun.

All the glue should be set so fit the plunger in the drain pipe, you can adjust
the plungers fit by tightening or loosen the bolt. Now fit the nozzle on the
other end and you have a completed injection gun for $25.00. This is a front
loading gun so take off the nozzle to fill it.

You can replace the drain and water pipe with clear plastic but the cost will go
up if you do.

If you use the Johnson and Johnson past wax thinned with alcohol as a release
for foam latex you can use the left over Stearic Acid that comes with the latex
kits to prop up you injection gun for a photo like I did.

GOOD LUCK!!

David

Thanks for your interest in these pages and S.A.P.S.E.M.A. in general.

Your host - FXMAN!!

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