thrift store foam mats beat my $60 craft store buy

I always thought expensive EVA foam from the craft store was the only way to get clean edges on armor pieces. Then a buddy at a con in Portland showed me his chest plate made from those interlocking puzzle mats, the 4 pack for like $12 at Goodwill. He hit it with a heat gun and it shaped perfectly, no fancy tools or anything. Now I'm kicking myself for the 6 months I wasted on pricier stuff. Anyone else tried the cheap gym mat route for larger props?

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drew_west7d ago

What, he just used a heat gun on puzzle mats and got clean armor curves? I figured those things would melt into a lumpy mess the second they got warm. Man, I need to find a Goodwill and test this before I drop another dime on fancy foam.