Javelin head foam

[Zuloo]

hey guys
I'm trying to find some good foam for javelin heads. Whats the good stuff I should be looking for?
this is what I'm looking at so far. http://www.foambymail.com/open-cell-foam.html
I got some samples of the LUX and HD but I'm still not completely confident about it, what say you?

[LoganSteele]

ooo nice link there. ive been looking for a supply myself. I use what appears to be the "Charcoal Foam" on your link. I am slicing a block of foam a friend donated me and my supply is about 60% gone. Ill be watching this thread closly. I may order some of that and check it against my foam. if i do ill let you know my findings.

Just checked it out and max thickness is 3". That may be thick enough but for my build technique i need more. 5" thick or so is a min. for me. I hollow out an inch or two and place the javalin head base inside it. If anyone finds a charcoal supplier that provides sheets 5" thick or more... I would like to know of them.

[Tiberius Claudius]

Might I suggest Arrakis' method?

We've even made heads with the plastic disc, disc of gry floor mat, and 2 layers of yoga mat and no open cell. Hit like a charm and uber light.

[LoganSteele]

very nice indeed. I have used that tutorial as a guide when i began building mine a while ago. im still using the 1/2 pvc though until i can find a replacement i like better. I want the same diamter as 1/2 pvc but lighter and just as strong if not stronger. So far i have not found something i like. One step i have also skipped is the layer of plastic or leather. I will probubly be adding that into future builds.

Since he does know what he is talking about i just ordered 3 of those "kitespar" cores. Time to see what all the excitment is about. : D

[Tiberius Claudius]

You won't be disappointed.

We've had contests throwing them because they're so light, but the build-up to become a javelin weights them enough to really zoom.

Max distance has been about 60 feet (no accuracy, just distance)

[Sir Thurat]

I have to disagree, Tiberius, on your modification of Arrakis' tutorial. His method does call for open cell, and does so for a reason. A javelin without open cell is a nose breaker, through and through. It may hit fine on the back, but to the face it would have zero compression, and the force would not be dissipated or dispersed as is necessary for face-legal weapons to be safe.

Or, did I mis-read what you were saying in your post?

[Tiberius Claudius]

No, you got it right.

We've made some with pure yoga mat, however, they're like 10-11 oz total weight on kitespar cores. Perhaps I should have mentioned that.

These things just don't have the mass to do that in our experiences, and we've had plenty of face shots around the 15' mark. But it is a valid concern for javs weighing in at a full pound.

[Sir Thurat]

I suppose I would have to handle one in person to fully understand how they function. I build my jav's using Arrakis' method as well (with open cell), and I still had one fail for hit at Wolfpack Opener. Mine are built on 3/8" fiberglass, and weight in around 12-13oz.

With your build, are you using a few layers of yoga mat instead of open cell on the face, or are you simply stopping after the canister has been fully assembled?

[Alric]

The foam from foambymail.com is a little softer than ideal (I have a block of it sitting here next to me). I'd recommend the slightly firmer open cell from mcmaster.com (part # 8643K515 , firmness 4) or v90 foam from foamorder.com .

[Tiberius Claudius]

With your build, are you using a few layers of yoga mat instead of open cell on the face, or are you simply stopping after the canister has been fully assembled?

We build the can, then put the disc of plastic to prevent coring, put a disk of floor mat foam to prevent the plastic from being felt, then 2 layers of yoga mat. No open cell. Hits like a charm.

We've made them with the open cell also and they hit great, but have the possibility of folding over.

Give it a try, and you can always put the open cell over the yoga mat if its a no-go.

[Zuloo]

I do plan on building these on kitespar cores, can someone link me the tutorial you keep talking about?

[Alom]

http://www.geddon.org/Constructing_a_Javelin#Method_2

?

[Sir Thurat]

^That's the one we're talking about. Alric also has a pretty awesome diagram showing how he constructs his heads, which are essentially the same as Arrakis' javelins.

[LoganSteele]

Bought the cores. Built one. weights 15.7 oz. looks and feels awesome. Gonna test it out probubly saturday.

[Sir Thurat]

^Post some pics!

[Zuloo]

after getting some of the samples from the company, the best foam they have is the Lux HQ. its the most resistant and softer than the charcoal foam when completely compacted. I made a javelin using .524 kitespar as the core, the head is made of poof ball foam from walmart, javelin weighs 11.5 ounces, I can effortlessly throw it 30 feet and have it hit tip first every time.