Cleaning up "foam french fries"

[Convincing John]

Hi everyone,

I'm making some puppets out of foam (not exactly sure how they'll turn out...I'm just experimenting with the materials right now). I wondered if anyone had stumbled across any apparel that helped to clean up a foam and fuzz covered work area without much fuss. Right now I just use a broom, but I wondered if there was some kind of handy little vacuum that wouldn't be clogged by really small foam and (maybe) fur fabric scraps.

It isn't a topic that comes up much, but it was just something I was thinking about as I was sculpting foam. I need to buy a new vacuum cleaner anyway, and I wondered if there was one that could handle those "little foam french fries" (as I call them). If anyone had any recommendations, I'd be happy to hear 'em.

Convincing John

 

[Eight's King]

I haven't been able to clog a Dyson, those things are bullet proof. They cost like $400 bucks though and if it does clog, its easy to clean because its bagless.

 

[Dagger Claws]

One Word: Shop-vac

Hey there,

Go to your local LARGE hardware store (Menards, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Sears Hardware, etc) and look for their SHOP-VACS. Shop-vacs, workshop vacuums, are built and used for large and small workshops to suck up dust, saw dust, nails, screws, and other debris that can be found in and around a messy and busy workshop area. They're heavy duty suckers, and are built for cleaning up and sucking up things that NORMAL household vacuums wouldn't be able to digest.

Take a look at what your store has to offer. Since it's just your own personal workshop (not a big hokin studio space that many people are occupying) a small shop-vac would do nicely. Check and compare prices. Once you have one, try it out and see what happens. Read the directions and instructions about maintaince and cleaning.

I hope that helps. A shop-vac is a very nice tool to have around to help with clean up and can do a better job than a broom and a dustpan. I use one all the time, and my space would be littered with little bits and pieces without one.

Take care,
Marc

 

[Convincing John]

Thanks!

Thank you very much!

Convincing John

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I usually keep a garbage bag beside me and clean up as I go along. I trim my foam over the garbage can.