BUILDING:
FanWar is not only an organization for running Live Action Role
Plays, but also a resources for learning to make your own "boffer"
weapons for safe sword play. This page will take you through
the basics of making a standard FanWar sword and gives ideas
for making better, more versatile weaponry to increase your
arsenal. Feel free to use any and all of the ideas herin, they
are here for you to use and improve on.
(new-
watch videos of weapon making!)
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What you will need-
(*Red indicates only
needed for Modular Style Weapons)
1) Duck Tape (300 mil)
2) Bamboo Staves or PVC Pipe
(1/2 inch scedule 40 AND 3/4 inch 200 class thin wall)
3) Pipe Insulation (3/4 inch and 1/2 inch)
4) Block Foam (like you find in
a couch or chair seat)
5) Various 3/4 inch PVC "T"
and "Cross" pieces if using PVC
6) Celophane
7) Drill gun and 1/2 inch and 3/4
inch screws.
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Where to get the supplies-
1) - Creator's Foam & Futon Shop
www.foam-futon.com
3510 Industrial Dr # B
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 526-9774
(lots of scrap foam for cheap and also good blade foam)
2) - Creator's Foam & Futon Shop
www.foam-futon.com
821 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 763-6349
(lots of scrap foam for cheap and also good blade foam)
3) -Central Valley Builders Supply
1100 Vintage Avenue | St. Helena, CA 94574
Voice: (707) 963-3622 Fax: (707) 963-8678
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm / Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
/ Sunday 8:00am - 4:00pm
(excellent bamboo and 3/4 inch 200 class thinwall PVC)
4) - Erapro/Paris
2500 rue Guénette
St-Laurent, Québec H4R 2H2 Canada
Telephone: 514-335-0550
Toll free: 1 877 372-9273
Fax: 514-335-0571
Toll free fax: 1 866 937-2329
(bulk sleds for sheilds)
5) - http://www.uline.com/
(good tape for excellent price and FAST shipping!)
6) - Friedman's Home Improvement
(707) 584-7811
4055 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(fiberglass rods, 1/2 PVC, pipe insulation, spray glue, tape,
etc.)
7) - Home Depot
www.homedepot.com
(duct tape, pipe insulation, 1/2 inch pvc, T-connectors for
pvc)
8) - Beverly Fabrics Inc.
(707) 462-0750
728 S State St
Ukiah, CA 95482
(celephane, fabric)
9) - Hide & Leather House
www.hidehouse.com
595 Monroe St
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 255-6160
(good garment leather for hilt grips!)
10) - REI - Recreational Equipment Inc.
www.rei.com
2715 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa - (707) 540-9025
(ladder locks and webbing for sheild straps)
11) - Ace Mart Restaurant Supply
http://www.acemart.com/
(good garbage can lids only for bucklers)
12) - Play it again Sports
2735 Santa Rosa Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
(707) 527-7678
(single sleds, shin guards, misc armor etc.)
13) - Ebay and Craigslist
www.ebay.com
www.craigslist.com
(motorcycle chest protectors)
The Basic Broadsword- There are many ways
to create a safe boffer weapon but here at FanWar we emphasize
safety first and do not allow any weapons that are simply "padded"
sticks, as though they may seem like they wouldn't hurt, when
you get into the thick of it, you will find you swing harder
then you mean to and we like to ensure that even in a sticky
situation, no one get's injured. Thus, we have developed serveral
reliable designes that work well. Usually the weapons loose
reliable safety as they move towards more realistic looks, so
if you are looking for a realy safe weapon, you may have to
sacrifice some of it's good looks.
Videos on Building
Weapons:
(Video courtesy of Sandy Kelly- thank you SO
much!)
