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imagique New user 61 Posts |
Hello,
I'm trying to make a papier mache body form for placing under a sheet of cloth. It needs to be lightweight enough to manipulate for floating a la zombie, but it doesn't ever need to be exposed, as in the asrah vanishing upward. So far, I've made a chicken wire form, and I've applied paper mache. According to my wife, the form looks scary real. The body is the front half of a body laying on it's back, and currently, it's drying. I'm understanding that the problem will be getting this form to remain straight and solid when lifting it with either of the three lift points that I'm considering. I'm hoping to remove the paper mache from the chicken wire. For lightweight and solidity, what should I do? I am feeling that there are several options. 1. Cut a bead/beading strip of 1/2" plywood in the shape of the lengthwise contour of the form. Cut it 3/4" thick for the whole length. To prevent lateral movement or torque/torquing, use expanding foam to secure the beading strip to the inside of the form. 2. Smear bondo on the underside of the form? Or maybe on the outside? 3. Leave the chicken wire inside the form, and paper mache over the complete inside. 4. Smear expanding foam all over the inside of the form. Combinations of the above? After I'm done, what would be the best way to seal the outside, and even the inside, if it's light enough. Latex paint? Epoxy spray paint? Bondo? Oil enamel, applied by brush, to add rigidity? Fixative? Another layer of watered down glue? Gesso? This form will be hidden under a sheet. I am also understanding that I will need to use a lightweight cloth, not canvas. I may consider putting a canvas 'liner' over the form, under the sheet to further obscure the form. Thanks for any ideas, opinions or info, Jimmy |
Leland Stone Inner circle 1204 Posts |
Hiya, Jimmy:
Is the sh*** intended to be exposed to audience view, a la Multiplying Billiard Balls? If not, then I don't understand why a sh*** would be necessary; it seems that a framework, constructed of brass wire or strips soldered together and painted dead black would serve the purpose. With the added benefit of looking less like half an "Iron Maiden," taking on more of a gibbet appearance. Sincerely, Leland Stone |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Jimmy,
If you just need to strengthen the paper mache, you would not believe this material: Sculpt or Coat. The basic material is clear, dries waterproof, somewhat flexible and very strong, especially over paper mache and chicken wire. Get a big tub, you'll love it. Google "sculpt or coat" for some interesting applications in puppetry and scenery construction. Yours, Paul |
Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
What is a sh***? Oh, a SHEET. Why didn't you say so? Anyway, Jimmy, your best bet is to line the inside of the paper mache form with saran wrap after removing it from the chicken wire. You may need to smooth the inside of the form with bondo. Then, the wrap is in plave, use expanding foam on the inside. Once that is "dry", remove it from the form and remove the wrap. You can, if you want, hollow the interior with a grinding bit. As it is, it will be pretty light weight. The foam can be covered with latex paint. It will be durable, not subject to dings or crushing like paper mache - or dampness - and light.
There is another option, but a little more pricey. Use the paper mache form as a base for a light weight fiberglass cloth (check out radio control airplane hobby shops for this). That will then be hollow and lighter even then foam. |
Carron Special user UK 958 Posts |
I'll second the sculpt or coat I beleve it is used in the manufacturing of vent dummies
Tom |
imagique New user 61 Posts |
Awesome tips! I went ahead and did this, before your tips:
I took the paper mache off of the chicken wire, and it held shape okay, but not enough to support a sheet or even itself, when held by the end. I placed a long plywood strip along the inside of the body, to keep the whole unit stiff, even when holding it by and end. I also put 2 latitudinal plywood strips, one across the shoulder area and the other across the pelvis area. Then, to seal it all into place, I used the expanding foam. WOW! This thing is totally lightweight! I believe that Bondo would make the form much heavier, and the Sculpt or Coat sounds really interesting, too. I'll have to take a look at it. I just don't think that the wire forms are easy to make, and they seem fragile. This foam is very strong. And lightweight. I'm thinking about trying to make the form totally out of the plywood strips and a few strategically located patches of expanding foam. I'll also get extruded aluminum square tubing to try to make it more compact capable for travel as well as effect. I could use disposable foam dinnerware bowls to make the shoulders, breast plate areas, etc, and a disposable plastic mask. Then, I could fasten the hardened parts to the wood frame that I'm using. I've seen fiberglass, and I can't imagine it being lighter in weight. |
NitroMagic New user 36 Posts |
I would suggest liquid fiberglass brushed on the final paper mache.
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fantom New user 97 Posts |
Go to the following site
http://www.markbutler.8m.com/monsterlist go to the link for the duct tape double. |
Winks Special user Arizona 753 Posts |
There is no link.
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fantom New user 97 Posts |
Sorry I forgot here it is
http://www.markbutler.8m.com/monsterlist.htm the last three letters make the link |
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