[beelce]

I used 1" PVC to build the "bones" for this body

http://zombietronix.com/calculator_biped.php
For the length of the body parts, I have been using the measurements straight from the"bi-ped" calculator at Zombietronix....a very usefull tool

Again, I have been shopping in the chain link fence section at Lowe's, and came up with these nifty little post caps.

I used the same "spring tension" system to bolt the "bones" together and create working hinges / joints

Here is the set-up for the hinge....flat washers and lock washers bolted through the eye holes with a lock nut on the end.

 

[beelce]

I used the drill press to add holes on all 4 sides

The metal fence caps are slightly larger than the PVC, so I used coated deck screws to hold them together.

Pile of bones.

 

[beelce]

The first Articulated Form had 12 hinged joints....The BRIDE has 14 hinged joints and an additional 12 rotation points or "pin and slot joints"

The pin and slot rotators are made with a 1' PVC coupling.
The pin and slot joints were inspired by the an outstanding articulated PVC body by Merlin Calhoun..."Merlin's Figure Armature"...http://www.hauntershangout.com/home/Myarmature.asp

I used a 1/4" guide to cut the slots

I used the miter saw to to carefully slice open a slot in the coupling, and a screw to hold the "bones" together.

Yes, I do use PVC primer and PVC glue.....I want the strongest bond I can get.

 

[beelce]

The coupling is only glued on the un-slotted side....the slotted side is dry fitted so that it can spin.
Do not get any primer on the slotted side, as it will totally bind the rotator...I found this out the hard way.

These screws fit just right in the 1/4" slot....

Here you can see the metal hinges and the PVC rotators

She is very light on her feet and doesn't balance or stand to well on her on, so she gets nailed to the ground.

 

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I used extra large nails (spikes) to stake here feet to the ground to keep her standing.

The really cool thing about this prop is that once you have all the spring hinges tightined up, it poses instantly, repeatedly, and stays where you pose it. If the joints are too loose, just tighten them up with 2 wrenches.

Extreme posing is no problem for the Bride, as you can see she's a real drama queen.

FOR A COMPLETE PARTS LIST GO HERE ----- http://www.hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=15432&page=4

 

[beelce]

Hey everyone...Thanks for the nice comments from all.
OK.....I have been checking my receipts form Lowe's, and I spent more than I remembered.....
Here is the break down....
PVC $17
Hardware...$75.
glue and primer $3

$95. for everything.

HARDWARE was the the budget buster....

ProfessorEvil found this supplier http://www.ronshomeandhardware.com/P...96284&CartID=1
for the end caps....looks like that could save a good deal of $..
Also SpectreTTM sent this link for hardware... http://www.boltdepot.com/product.asp...=7&cm=79&cd=78

Looks like we could trim off $10 to $20, if we try hard.

 

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RoxyBlue...thanks so much for the theme music...It's perfect...now that's what I hear in my head when I work with the bride...

 

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Thanks DC....I actually started to bend her shoulders down a little with a torch, but there is not enough room to do that with the rotators there.

 

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Sure PerfE....I can get a list together for everyone...$18 per form is way better than the $40 that I paid for those caps at Lowe's..
Just for the fun of it, I counted 501 separate pieces in this prop.

 

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Kimily.....There are rotators in her shoulders, and they help her reach upwards, although she is still not able to put her arms up over her head....I am working on an additional "double rotator" idea to fix this...
As far as holding props, don't expect much. She could hold plastic swords or axes or something like that....this body is light weight and I would use other additional support systems to hold any kind of heaver prop...

Thanks so much for the compliments....good luck with your build!

 

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Hey Zombiehorror......Yes, I think that using a washer would be much more secure than electrical tape.... hope you post your pics after you build this project, I think the hands look really good. Not sure about the 1/4" caps....they may look bulky

 

[beelce]

Hey PE....try this one.....
http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=6&cs=7&cm=79&cd=78
Should have all the parts list and measurements for you this weekend.
When is your make and take? How many makers do you expect?

 

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Great score RC.....please post a pic of your work...thanks B

 

[beelce]

OK....for those of you that have asked for the parts list for the BRIDE....here you go...
The BRIDE is not a hard project, but it does have over 500 parts. However, she is well worth your time and investment, and you will know this the first time you pose her.
I hope that those that build this body will post a few pics...
thanks and good luck.....

I used less than 20' of 1" PVC for the whole thing

 

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Hey PE....looks like you and Rudy are on to a good idea. Here is a concept test that I did this morning.

I used 1/2" PVC for the test, but I think that this technique should easily work on 1".

Just warm up the PVC with a propane torch and mashed between 2 steel plates.

Used the same "spring tension" system of fasteners......works good.

The PVC looks a little toasty, but I'm sure we can work that out...

 

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Hey PEvil......OUTSTANDING WORK !!.....I wish I could have been there.....looks like you guys had a great time....Thanks for the pics....Do you have more?

That was a lot of cutting and bending.... well worth the work in the end.

 

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Are there any other "articulated" builders out there in the haunt community that want to post pics of there work?

 

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Hey BMonkey....Seems like I paid about $2. each for those end caps....So your price sounds good....However, if you want to save money, check out PerfessorEvil's folded PVC conections....