Posing your skellie?

[halloweengoddessrn]

Ok- I know I asked this before but cannot find the answer- what do you use to make the joints of your skellie stiff so that is can hold a pose? It was some kind of putty- but I dont remember. Any other suggestions? I bought 3 cheap foam skellies from oriental trading and they have just wires to attach at the joints. Thanks!

[dionicia]

Check Hauntproject.com or Halloweenmonsterlist.info. They might point you in the right direction.

[Lilly]

floor adhesive and gauze / or poly fill type stuff

(idea from cassie and her demon)

[Skeletons in my closet]

What I've used (on an actual heavy bucky) is a hot glue gun. It takes a lot of time and and your hands wear out, but it is pretty effective. Decide the pose you want the limb to be in and set it out on a table on some wax paper. Wrap the joint with more wax paper and temporarily tape it in place, leaving the top open for access. Using a lot of time and several glue sticks, starting filling the voids in the joint with the hot glue. Once cooled, remove the paper and tape, leaving the joint solid with glue. It's a bit flexible, but very strong and holds the pose well. Also, you can't really see it that much out in the scene. The added bonus I've found is that once you're finished with that pose on a certain year, the glue can be removed easily to pose it differently the next year.

Obviously, you'll want to test it out on the plastic ones first to make sure it doesn't melt anything, but it works great on the bucky skellys. I can't take credit for the idea, and don't remember where I read it, but I'll definitely vouch for the process! :p

[Sickie Ickie]

Pssssst...if ya need hot glue, go to my site. ;)

[Lilly]

yeah hot glue works ...use low heat to start if you think it may melt thru then you can go over on high ..but low works better.
I used that to join the parts but then went over those with the adhesive and poly fill ..it's not going to break anytime soon.

subtle hint there sickie LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Me subtle? LOL Not my forte, I'm afraid. ;)

[Uruk-Hai]

Depending on where you're going to be setting it up you might be able to do what I did. I wanted to have a free standing Bucky without any visible supports. Buckys are heavy so I got 60lb. black fishing line from a sporting goods store (must be meant for really BIG fish!) and attached it to the metal loop on the top of the Bucky's skull. I positioned him under a tree and suspended him from a branch using the fishing line. You can adjust the length of the line so that his feet are resting on the ground in a realistic walking pose. I then attached more line to each of his wrists and tied them up to more overhead branches. Even in the daylight the wires are barely visible. One really cool advantage of doing this that I hadn't planned on is that if there is any breeze the Bucky sways a little making it look like he's really moving. Here's some daytime pics and a night-time one...

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/projects/corpse-16.jpg

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/projects/corpse-17.jpg

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/2007/2007-8.jpg

[IshWitch]

I've hung my bluckies from trees. It does look pretty cool with any breeze.
Halloween 2006 :: the pirate pub, looks like a couple need a cab picture by Baricuda - Photobucket
I've never tried the Buckies because they are pretty heavy. I will have to look for that black line!
Thanks!

[Gory Corey]

For buckies, pre drill and use drywall screws to anchor.
Works fantastic!

For Bluckies, I cut openings in the plastic, and insert 3/4" PVC, then run 5/8" drywall screws thru the plastic into the PVC pipe. If I want bend and the arms, legs, hips, neck etc, I use the hot air gun to heat the PVC and bend to the desired angle, than do the above.

I use hot glue in spots, but it really doesn't hold on either really well.
If you want hot glue for bucky work, go to walmart, best price.

'Cause you know where you can find the fire/food safe, made to MY specs, in the USA guaranteed stuff for making cobwebs and effects...(not a shameless nor subtle plug)

[bolt]

to strengthen your hot glue bond, heat the items to be glued first - then let the items and glue cool together. I use a heat gun (paint stripper) to warm up the surfaces.

[Sickie Ickie]

excellent tip, bolt!