Building supplies
Ze rules (rulebook)
Building Tutorials
Basic Building Supplies
Adhesive
DAP (rubber cement), red can (non-gel based) - accept no other! Best for building. Not good in cold weather.
Available at: Walmart, most hardware stores
Brand: DAP!
Spray Glue: some people prefer spray glue. It will work, but is generally not as good as DAP. Can be harder to control (spray can). Often preferable for shields, just because of large surface area.
Available at: Walmart, most hardware stores
Example Brand: 3M Super 77 (reputedly works better than Super 90 for foamwork, YMMV) or related.
Double Sided Tape: useful for quick repairs, and securing things like rope (handles) and counterweights. Some people use it for entire weapons (probably best not to unless you seriously can't use either of the other options). Works for some people. Not waterproof.
Available at: places (seriously, sorta hit or miss)
Brands: pff, beats me. Good luck (use DAP).
Foam
Ozark Camp Pad (aka "blue foam") - The cheapest foam that will commonly work for our sport. Decent, but not a high performance foam. Decent for pretty much everything that requires foam on the weapon. Less than $10.
Available at: Walmart
Brand: Ozark (it's blue, wrapped in cheap plastic. Less than $10)
Ensolite ("yoga pad") - warning: specific type of yoga pad (NOT all yoga pads, or even most, are ok). "Stabbing tip foam." Good for stabbing tips. Rubbery type foam. Normally requires 3/8"-3/4" (1-2 layers) over the blade on a normal stabbing weapon. (A roll lasts forever. Might want to split with someone.)
Available at: Walmart, most places with a sports section
Example Brand: Gold's Gym Yoga Mat (slight ripple, 3/8" thick)
http://www.geddon.org/Ensolite
4# foam ("floor mat") - optional. Useful in "progressive density" builds. The idea is to use stiffer foam near the core (which absorbs shock better) to build (broaden) the core out, then progressively softer foams closer to the striking surface. The most easily accessible source is the firm jigsaw puzzle "floor mat" pieces you can find at many hardware stores for in the shop.
Pro: often increases gear life (less likely to "tip out"/rip the tip off your weapon), can hit nicer and/or make more streamlined gear.
Con: can be expensive (especially at top end). Foam needs to be firm, but not brittle.
Basic level: no real reason not to, but also not necessary.
Available at: Harbor Freight (my favorite), some hardware stores. (I didn't like the stuff I got at Walmart. YMMV)
Example Brand: "4 Piece Anti-Fatigue Foam Mat Set" (Harbor Freight), some kids area jigsaw play-mats
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-anti-fatigue-foam-mat-set-94635.html
Cores
Solid Fiberglass - best general core. Tends to be white. Decent weight; awesome durability. 1/2" is best to use for blues (can be used for min reds). 5/8" for longer reds. 3/8" can be used for short blues.
Available at: TAP Plastics, Goodwinds (online), Fred Meyers (garden section; "Miracle Grow" brand, green), ...online places, feed stores/farm supply/granges (sometimes)
Kitespar (aka Epoxy wound filament tubing)- performance core. Ultra light, low-medium durability. Advanced core: your weapon will break sooner or later. (Do not block reds; just call dead.) WILL have to counterweight to make Belegarth legal. .524 > .505 *don't use for Reds
Available at: TAP Plastics, Goodwinds (online), ...online places, kite shops
Bandshoppe Pole - best polearm core. Fiberglass (NOT metal). Used by flag teams/color guards. Almost unbreakable under normal use.
Available at: Online
http://www.geddon.org/Bandshoppe_pole
PVC - low end generic core. Not really particularly good at anything. But easily available, and at least the handle is more or less the right size already. Good for first time builders, because it has a larger build surface, and it's inexpensive and widely available. Plus side: pretty good for flails.
Available at: hardware stores