zacharywest04 wrote:Is it easy to make a display riser out of foam board, I've been considering this option because you can customize how tall each step will be and just wanted to know because I'm not a very crafty person.
Nice start to your collection Zach
Building the foam core risers takes a little practice but by all means give it a try, the supplies are really cheap so if you mess it up you won't be out much. Here are some suggestions I have:
- Use a straight edge to measure the piece you're cutting and draw it in using pencil on the back of the foam core board before you start cutting. I like to use the "ghost line" boards from Walmart because the lines help you to keep your lines square to the board.
- Use #11 Exacto blades to cut, hold the blade as vertical as possible while cutting, and don't try to cut all the way through on one pass. I usually make 3-4 passes before the blade cuts all the way through. If you try to cut in one pass you're likely just going to tear the paper face on one side or the other. But multiple passes will give you a nice, clean cut line. Be careful if you haven't used an Exacto before, the blades are very sharp!
- At the first signs of "drag" in the cut, swap the blade. When the blade starts to dull it'll tear the paper if you keep using it. You can usually feel when a blade is dulling because it doesn't cut as easily. To give you an idea of how long they last, when I make a 4 step riser for my Detolf case I'll usually go through 2 or 3 blades.
- Use a metal straight edge to guide the blade.
- Don't expect perfection right away. You might need to throw away a few pieces before you get the hang of it, and that is OK! Foam core is cheap! I've been using foam core for architectural models, diorama bases, school projects for the kids, etc. for many years and even now I have to throw away a cut piece now and then because mistakes do happen.
- I use hot glue to glue the pieces together, personally I prefer a high/low temp glue gun. For someone starting out you'll want the low setting because the high setting can melt the foam core inside the board. Hot glue can be messy but if you're careful you can avoid the mess. Use the glue sparingly or it will squish out of the joint and that's not pretty on the final product.I apply it to the edge I'm gluing down rather than to the flat surface receiving the edge. I apply it in one continuous motion. Then I carefully align the parts BEFORE pressing them together, because once you press them together if you have to move them into alignment then you're going to have unsightly smeared hot glue on your piece.
- Practice on some scrap first. Cut out some random pieces and practice gluing them together.
It is not at all hard to make risers, it just takes a little practice. It's actually a lot of fun once you get the hang of it
Truly awe-inspiring. 
