June Make and Take

[Lotus]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Would anyone be interested in a June Make and Take

[Zombie-F]

I am!

We're painting/replacing the house trim over the next month or so. Whether or not I can make it depends entirely on my progress with that.

[HalloweenZombie]

The weekend of the 18th - 19th is the only weekend I can make it. Possible the 11th - 12th, but that might be tight and I would have to leave early. Anyway, some people who missed out the first time wanted to do the PVC figures. Matt's still got work to do on his, I have a few I have to make, Carol requested PVC figures as well. Dave missed the first one as well (not sure if that's what he wants to do though). Anyone interested? If not, I'm up for anthing.

[Zombie-F]

I do want to make some PVC figures. I have a few masks I bought at Ironstock a few years back that need bodies to go on.

Just depends on the weekend and where I'm at with the house painting project.

[Manor Matt]

I'm up for it, as I know I won't have all my figures completed by then. Sounds like it could be a pvc figure M&T, with the usual 'bring yer own stuff to tinker with' alternative. I'm sure I could find several things that need tweaking / fixing / rebuilding. I also finally ordered casting wax so I might also try to make some hand pairs.
Any of the June dates should be fine for me, and any of the locations work for me also...

[Lotus]

I am fine with where ever

[CarolTerror]

I'd love to do PVC figures...
The weekends of the 11th and 25th are dicey for John specifically - those are the "kid weekends". I could most likely make it, but he wouldn't be able to. The weekend of the 18th would be ideal for both of us.

[JohnTerror]

I'd love to do PVC figures...
The weekends of the 11th and 25th are dicey for John specifically - those are the "kid weekends". I could most likely make it, but he wouldn't be able to. The weekend of the 18th would be ideal for both of us.

What she said! :D;)

[Zombie-F]

I'd love to do PVC figures...

That's what she said. :p

[MassMax]

For anyone who wants to build something other than PVC figures, I can supply a materials list and instructions for making gibbet cages like these out of PVC trim and plastic chain:

http://www.halloweenforum.com/members/massmax-albums-dead-man-s-cove-2011-picture68677-gibbet-cages-made-out-pvc-lattice-plastic-chain.jpg

The tools required are the same for PVC figures: heat gun, saw, and drill. Please let me know if anyone is interested.

[HalloweenZombie]

Those cages are sweet! I'm interested in building one!

[Manor Matt]

I agree, those are nice cages !... ok, guess I haven't sniffed enough PVC fumes - I'd be in for making those cages !

[Lotus]

I am very interested in those cages

[HalloweenZombie]

OK, so we have a couple of projects. I'm going to say we meet on Saturday the 18th as it seems to be the best date suggested so far. That'll give us a week or two to gather materials. We need a place. Dave is painting trim in/on his house, so I don't think his place is available anymore. Does anyone have suggestions?

[MassMax]

Saturday the 18th works fine for me. I'll have the tools and materials list for both cage types posted by tomorrow evening (June 8).

Is the Boy Scouts lodge in Douglas MA not an option this time? That facility worked well in April. If not, depending on the head count, I could probably host things at my place in Ayer, MA. I have 30' x 30' detached garage so even if it rains, we could still work.

[HalloweenZombie]

I'll have to check with John to see if Douglas, MA is available. Ayer, MA is a possibility too. Anyone else want to throw their hat in the ring for a location?

[Manor Matt]

I'd offer up my house for a location - but I don't have a 'huge' amount of covered room area (plenty of open yard, but limited garage / shed free space for inclement weather). I have a compressor if anyone needs air, a grill for some chow, and a fridge for any adult beverages. I'm in West Roxbury, MA near Dedham (a stone's throw from the West Roxbury VA Hospital).

[gmacted]

Those cages look awesome! They're somewhat similar to the cage I have for my 3-axis skelleton. My cage was also made out of PVC, but I used a technique to make it look rusty. Here's a youtube video (http://youtu.be/eLNb-Sn7Ru4) of my haunt a few years ago. You can't see the cage too well at the beginning of the video, but I you can see it fairly well at the end. Most people thought it was made out of metal but when they touched it they would ask me what it was made out of. They were amazed when I told them it was made out of plastic.

[MassMax]

Those cages look awesome! They're somewhat similar to the cage I have for my 3-axis skelleton. My cage was also made out of PVC, but I used a technique to make it look rusty.

Thanks gmacted! The shape of your gibbet cage is very cool - I wish I had seen it before I did my "birdcage" gibbet. Your rust finish looks great, too - can I ask how you achieved it? I plan to use a combination of three paints on my "manshape" gibbet:
Krylon Terra Cotta for plastics (base coat)
Rustoleum MultiColor Textured Autumn Brown
Rustoleum MultiColor Textured Rustic Umber

The second two paints will give the PVC a rough, oxidized metal feel to the touch.

On the "birdcage" gibbet, I'll probably with a less rusty look since I will put a corpsified skeleton inside that has a lot of the same brown/rust tones. I'm thinking of using Textured Metallic Galaxy for a black, wrought iron look, and then adding just a little bit of rust effect on the rivets.

Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

[gmacted]

Thanks gmacted! The shape of your gibbet cage is very cool - I wish I had seen it before I did my "birdcage" gibbet. Your rust finish looks great, too - can I ask how you achieved it?

I didn't fabricate the cage. I bought it many years ago from a company called Eccentric Gryphons. They're no longer in business however. I used a two part process to get the rusty look. I bought the product from Michaels (I'll post the product name tonight after I get home). The first coat was a paint that contained iron in it and the second coat would cause the iron in the first coat to rust. So it really is rust. Like I said I don't remember the name of the product, but I think I still have the bottles at home.

[HalloweenZombie]

OK, Matt's offering his place too. John, is the Boy Scout's building available?

[MassMax]

Here's the tools and parts list for the two styles of gibbet cages:

TOOLS REQUIRED
a) Black Sharpie pen
b) Saw (circular saw, dremel tool w/cutting blade, fine-tooth hand saw – anything that will leave a smooth cut in PVC)
c) Drill with ¼" drill bit and Phillips head screw driver
d) Socket wrench with socket to fit 1/4" hex nuts
e) Heat gun (manshage gibbet only)
f) Metal snips for cutting the plastic chain
g) Jigsaw (birdcage style only, for cutting plywood base)

BIRDCAGE GIBBET PARTS LIST
(5) Vinyl Parting Bead Mouldings (SKU 745-507 at Home Depot) 1-¼" wide x 7/32" thick x 12 feet long
(8) 1" wood screws, Phillips head
(20) ¼" x 1" carriage bolts w/hex nuts*
(4) ¼" x 1-½" carriage bolts w/hex nuts*
(6) ¼" x 1" fender washers*
(1) ¼" x 2" eye bolt w/nut*
(1) ½" plywood cut into an 8" diameter circle
(1) Plastic chain #8, 3' long

MANSHAPE GIBBET PARTS LIST
(6) PVC Lattice moulding (SKU 901-578 at Home Depot) 1-1/8" widex 5/32" thick x 8 feet long (note that you will have plenty of extra material to fix mistakes or customize the cage to your tastes)
(33) ¼" x 1" carriage bolts w/hex nuts*
(1) ¼" x 1-½" carriage bolts w/hex nuts*
(10) ¼" x 1" fender washers*
(1) ¼" x 2" eye bolt w/nut*
(1) Plastic chain #8, 7 feet long

* I used carriage bolts for a riveted look. You can substitute hex head bolts if you prefer. Also, I bought zinc plated hardware instead of galvanized, even though I'll put the manshape gibbet outdoors. I figured the paint would protect the metal for the most part and even if it rusted, well, so much the better for the look I wanted.

Note that I purchased both types of vinyl/PVC lattice at Home Depot and could not find an exact match at Lowes. Lowes carries 1/4" thick PVC, but I do not recommend using it. The difference in flexibility between a 5/32" thickness and a 1/4" thickness is pretty significant, and you'll have to really fight with the thicker moulding to achieve the shapes you want.

[Zombie-F]

I might have to miss this one because of the work I'm doing on my house. I'll keep my eyes on this thread and if I have the time I'll be there even if its just to hang out.

As usual, simple jobs on the house turn in to complicated projects. :p

[Lotus]

My house is always open

[Lotus]

OK, Matt's offering his place too. John, is the Boy Scout's building available?

Last Time John was on the forums was 3 Weeks Ago

[HalloweenZombie]

For those of you who wanted to build the PVC figures, here's the parts list for our body forms. There's a static form, which, once posed, stays that way. There is also a posable form that can be posed after it's put together.

STATIC FORMS:
Two 1" x 10' PVC pipes. Get the white,thicker ones, not the off-white thin stuff
One 1" T shaped PVC connector
One 1" 4 way (plus shaped) connector
Chicken Wire (Hex kind, not square) 3" x 10'
Some 1" Drywall Screws, Fine Thread

POSABLE FORMS:
You'll need ALL of the parts listed in the static form above, plus the options listed below.
(Since you may want only parts of the form posable, I'll list what you'll need per body part)

Shoulder: one 1" PVC Coupling, one 5/16" x 1 1/4" Hex Bolt, one 5/16" Lock Washer, one 5/16" Nylon Lock Nut

Elbow: one 1" PVC Coupling, one 5/16" x 1 1/4" Hex Bolt, one 5/16" Lock Washer, one 5/16" Nylon Lock Nut

Hip: one 1" PVC Coupling, one 5/16" x 1 1/4" Hex Bolt, one 5/16" Lock Washer, one 5/16" Nylon Lock Nut

Knee: one 1" PVC Coupling, one 5/16" x 1 1/4" Hex Bolt, one 5/16" Lock Washer, one 5/16" Nylon Lock Nut

I hope I don't have to tell anyone that if they want a fully articulted they'll need parts for two shoulders, two elbows, two hips and two knees.

And don't forget a heat gun.

[HalloweenZombie]

I think we should have this at Joe's house since weather becomes a non-issue and it seems to be more of a midway point for everyone (and we haven't heard back from John about the Boyscout lodge). Unless anyone strongly disagrees, that will be the location.

Why don't we get a role call? So far:

Vic
Joe
Warren

Is anyone else still in? John and Carol? Matt? Anyone?

[Manor Matt]

I'm in... was going to try 'pre-packing' the van this weekend to try to not forget any supplies I'll need to actually get some work DONE...lol

[HalloweenZombie]

Role call:

Vic
Joe
Warren
Matt

[Hell Hound]

Count us in!

[Hell Hound]

Just need a time, and, to raid HD for a ton of supplies!!

[Lotus]

Just need a time, and, to raid HD for a ton of supplies!!

12:00 Noon

[Lotus]

I also just picked up a truck full of scrap foam that you guys can fight over once i pick wat I want = )

[MassMax]

12:00 Noon

Excellent - I'm looking forward to this. I am finishing up the painting and final touches on the two cages today, and I'll bring them to Joe's house for reference. I'll have written instructions and I'll be happy to answer questions while I work on an articulated PVC figure.

A few "Duh!" additions to my tools/part list:


Tape measure to measure the cuts and drill holes
For the birdcage gibbet:

Two additional 1" wood screws (total of 10) to attach the bottom ring to the plywood base
Sandpaper to sand the 8" diameter wooden base if you cut it on Saturday (see below)


If you plan to make the birdcage gibbet, you might want to consider cutting out the plywood base before Saturday. Cutting a perfect circle using a jigsaw can be challenging (it is for me, at least), so if you want to save all the cursing for the privacy of your own home, cut the 8" diameter base ahead of time. That'll also give you extra beer drinking time on Saturday. :cool:

[MassMax]

I happened to look for the 12' vinyl moulding for the birdcage gibbet at my local Home Depot over the weekend and discovered they don't carry it (they did have the PVC lattice for the manshape cage). If anyone is having trouble finding the moulding for the birdcage, try going here:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202089967/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Then click the Check Store Availability button located on the right side of the screen.

Hope this helps.

[Lotus]

Out of stock
Leominster #2676

38 in stock
Worcester,MA #2684

38 in stock
Shrewsbury #2672

32 in stock
Marlborough #2607

39 in stock
Nashua #3481

[Manor Matt]

Some additional listings.....

Out of stock <--- it FIGURES, the one a stone's throw from my house has none..lol
W Roxbury #2665

18 in stock
Watertown #2602

53 in stock
South Bay/Boston #2679

54 in stock
Quincy #2670

45 in stock
Quincy II #2608

23 in stock
Norwood #2681

[Lotus]

So lets get a final Talley

Vic
Joe
Warren
Matt
Tom
Stacey

Waiting for Reply
Dave
John
John
Carol
and so on

also anyone need directions PM?

[HalloweenZombie]

29 in stock
N Dartmouth #2673

48 in stock
Taunton #2677

[pyro]

hey vic what time would you be leaving

[HalloweenZombie]

hey vic what time would you be leaving

Some time after 10 AM. It's an hour and a half ride. We usually leave Joe's before dark. Last time I got home around 8:30 or so. You are more than welcome to ride with me.

[Zombie-F]

I'm not going to make it this weekend. My brother is coming over to help me out with a bunch of the carpentry and painting around the house. Sorry guys. :(

[HalloweenZombie]

I'm not going to make it this weekend. My brother is coming over to help me out with a bunch of the carpentry and painting around the house. Sorry guys. :(

OH, COME ON! You'd rather work on the house than build props with the coolest people on the planet?

[Lotus]

Any hear from the Terrors?

[gmacted]

I didn't fabricate the cage. I bought it many years ago from a company called Eccentric Gryphons. They're no longer in business however. I used a two part process to get the rusty look. I bought the product from Michaels (I'll post the product name tonight after I get home). The first coat was a paint that contained iron in it and the second coat would cause the iron in the first coat to rust. So it really is rust. Like I said I don't remember the name of the product, but I think I still have the bottles at home.

Here's a link to the product I used: Triangle Coatings Sophisticated Finishes Rust Antiquing Solution (http://www.tricoatstore.com/product.php?productid=16180&cat=&bestseller=Y). You can find it at Michaels (http://www.michaels.com/FAQs-About-Sophisticated-Finishes/ae0495,default,pg.html).

[Hell Hound]

I was about to whine about the fact that you all checked 8,000 home depots and noone checked the Taunton store to save me the time!!! But Vic did... Thanks Vic!

[Hell Hound]

Actually while I'm at it, on the 12' sections, what lengths will they be cut into? If I can pre-cut it will make traveling little easier.

[MassMax]

Actually while I'm at it, on the 12' sections, what lengths will they be cut into? If I can pre-cut it will make traveling little easier.

Before you make your cuts, measure the mouldings. I remember them running a little longer than 12', by about an inch (145" total), and that's what the directions below are based on.

Cut four of the mouldings roughly in half, into two 6' sections. Those will form the vertical bars of the cage. You can either cut eight 6' equal length sections and toss the extra (like I did), or end up with four 6' lengths and four 6' 1" lengths. If you go with the second option, you can alternate the lengths for a crenulated look at the top of the cage.

The fifth piece of moulding is for the horizontal rings of the cage. Cut that piece into four sections as follows:

a) 25" (top ring)
b) 53" (chest height ring)
c) 41" (knee height ring)
d) 26" (base ring)

[MassMax]

Here's a link to the product I used: Triangle Coatings Sophisticated Finishes Rust Antiquing Solution (http://www.tricoatstore.com/product.php?productid=16180&cat=&bestseller=Y). You can find it at Michaels (http://www.michaels.com/FAQs-About-Sophisticated-Finishes/ae0495,default,pg.html).

Excellent - thanks very much for the link, gmacted. I jumped the gun on my cage and simulated rust using spray paint, but other folks might want a more authentic look.

[Lotus]

Question does everyone like Lasagna or do u want to do like a pop luck or something

[HalloweenZombie]

Joe, you're feeding us too? Your parents are going to think we're mooches...because we are, but we don't want them to think that.

[Lotus]

Joe, you're feeding us too? Your parents are going to think we're mooches...because we are, but we don't want them to think that.

I do every time you guys come over

[Hell Hound]

Pot luck sounds good. We don't want you to feel like you have to do all the work, but, as usual we will follow the majority rules rule!!

[CarolTerror]

H'lo!! The Terrors are both in!! Sorry about the AWOL... being assimilated (or as$-laminated) into my new job (or, rather, shaking off my old job) has proven to be a bit more daunting than I expected. Including "homework". Ick. But we'll be there. :)

Potluck sounds good to me, too!!

[MassMax]

Lasagna is great, but your family is already offering great hospitality just by opening your house to us, Joe. Pot luck works for me too, although I may not have time to cook anything. Forgive me if cheese out and buy something premade from a store. I will also have good beer to share. :)

[Lotus]

Alright I am going to make some chili instead so if you want to bring something else feel free to

[CarolTerror]

John and I are going to be working on a PVC figure. Hey - heck - our yard cemetery needs a caretaker (breathing optional, of course).

After the last M&T, Matt e-mailed me the dimensions he was using for his figures. I think I'm going to do some pre-cutting to save a little time.

I couldn't find 5/16" x 1 1/4" Hex Bolts for love nor money. The Home Despot plebe I spoke to didn't believe that they existed, so I have 5/16" x 1 1/2" Hex Bolts. I hope that's okay...

[Hell Hound]

Carol, they definitely exist... just not at Home Depot! I wen't with the 1 1/2s also!

[Manor Matt]

Carol, I had tried to find 1 1/4" lengths also, but like Tom said I don't think HD/Lowes carries them. The 1 1/2" are fine, just a little more thread sticking out when finished.....

[HalloweenZombie]

I'm so looking forward to tomorrow. I picked up linguica patties and hamburger buns for pot luck. Was going to get potato salad, but my car doesn't have AC and it's a long ride.

[Lotus]

alright Foam is sorted out for everyone to take some, Keg is on, Cookies and Brownies baked, and Chili waiting to be cooked see you all tomorrow at noon

[pyro]

sorry but ill be missing this ,been sick all week

[Hell Hound]

meatballs and munchies are ready, we'll see you all soon!

[CarolTerror]

We'll be heading out soon with BBQ kielbasa and PVC...

[HalloweenZombie]

Once again another great make and take. Thanks to Joe for hosting. I would ask Joe to thank his parents for us, but he won't. And thanks for the free foam too!

The food was great! The projects were fun. Got lots done. Best of all? Hanging with haunt friends.

[Hell Hound]

Like Vic said. Thanks Joe!! Another fun and productive Make and Take!! And thanks for the foam!! It was a great time!!

[MassMax]

Let me jump on the bandwagon too - thanks Joe! It was an excellent afternoon!

[Zombie-F]

Missed you guys this weekend. Really sad I couldn't make it. Once I finish fixing the front door and replacing all the rotted pieces of trim on my house, I should be free for the next one.

August I'd like to host one here. If anyone's interested in prop controller stuff, I will be glad to do a little teaching.

[Manor Matt]

Thanks again, Joe (AND his Parents, should he remember to pass the 'Thanks' on...lol) for hosting the M&T. It was another great turnout, lots of prop building got done, great food, just an awesome time!!

@ Dave: always interested in learning more about prop controllers & coding.... I'm in !