I needed to replace the hands on my bluckys and the hands needed to be bendable and hold a small amount of weight so I used this method to make them.
First I made a jig to bend the wire on. I traced my hand on a board and put a finish nail (nail with no head) at each bone joint and the wrist. I found that the nails at the finger joints were not needed, just the tip and the knuckle and those in the palm and wrist.
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Supplies: 18 gauge single strand wire will work for most cases. You may want to go to 16 gauge if the hands have to hold more weight (over a pound), but it is harder to work with. 18 gauge wire is sometimes called stove pipe wire.
Hard vinyl tubing (approx 3/8 OD) is used to make the bones in the fingers and the palm area. Pruning shears cuts the tubing easily. Note that the bones in your hand are not all the same size. Just measure you hand or use the program at http://zombietronix.com/calculator.php
Duct tape holds the palm area together. Masking tape would also work.
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There is no set way to putting the wire on the jig. I started at the bottom, working up to the palm and then each finger. Make sure the wire in the fingers overlap the wire in the palm area so it holds together. While holding the palm area remove each finger then add the tape to the palm of the hand.
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Slide the plastic "bones" over the wires and bend the end over to hold them in place. The bones should be a bit loose so they can bend at the joints.
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How you want to finish the hands is up to you. I first spray paint them white in case the bones show through. I then use the toilet paper mache method to cover them and then add a layer of latex and stain (Oak).
Remember if you are making hands for a blucky (approx 5ft tall) the hands will be a bit smaller then yours if you are 6ft tall. But if you are making hands for a grabber or ground breaker, your hands will work just fine as models.
The loop of wires at the wrist area will slide into the pvc tubing and is held in place with some more tape.
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If you have any questions, just ask.
(Add-on) The wire frame by itself can be used inside a latex glove and filled with Greatstuff for Windows (flexible foam) to make normal hands. Turn the glove inside out first so you don't see the grip surface on it.
Thanks everyone, I am glad you found this how-to useful. BD
First I made a jig to bend the wire on. I traced my hand on a board and put a finish nail (nail with no head) at each bone joint and the wrist. I found that the nails at the finger joints were not needed, just the tip and the knuckle and those in the palm and wrist.
Supplies: 18 gauge single strand wire will work for most cases. You may want to go to 16 gauge if the hands have to hold more weight (over a pound), but it is harder to work with. 18 gauge wire is sometimes called stove pipe wire.
Hard vinyl tubing (approx 3/8 OD) is used to make the bones in the fingers and the palm area. Pruning shears cuts the tubing easily. Note that the bones in your hand are not all the same size. Just measure you hand or use the program at http://zombietronix.com/calculator.php
Duct tape holds the palm area together. Masking tape would also work.
There is no set way to putting the wire on the jig. I started at the bottom, working up to the palm and then each finger. Make sure the wire in the fingers overlap the wire in the palm area so it holds together. While holding the palm area remove each finger then add the tape to the palm of the hand.
Slide the plastic "bones" over the wires and bend the end over to hold them in place. The bones should be a bit loose so they can bend at the joints.
How you want to finish the hands is up to you. I first spray paint them white in case the bones show through. I then use the toilet paper mache method to cover them and then add a layer of latex and stain (Oak).
Remember if you are making hands for a blucky (approx 5ft tall) the hands will be a bit smaller then yours if you are 6ft tall. But if you are making hands for a grabber or ground breaker, your hands will work just fine as models.
The loop of wires at the wrist area will slide into the pvc tubing and is held in place with some more tape.
If you have any questions, just ask.
(Add-on) The wire frame by itself can be used inside a latex glove and filled with Greatstuff for Windows (flexible foam) to make normal hands. Turn the glove inside out first so you don't see the grip surface on it.
Thanks everyone, I am glad you found this how-to useful. BD
