Blog Update - Tips that WORK

[davidmartiste]

When something progresses my puppet build, I'm ecstatic to pass along the tip. In my latest blog update [Jan. 19, 2009], I talk about two of these simple 'perfect' fixes [magnets and hairclips]. See link in my sig.

I know there are a lot of tutorials and tips out there but, I'm curious to hear people's favorite build tips. Things that just WORK and make your puppet build great.

I'm also curious to hear about more arm rod methods. I see so many permanent arm rods and was curious what everyone's feelings were on permanent vs. removable. I'm afraid of permanent arm rods wearing more down the line. If you can, talk about your preferred method of building the arm rod device so that others can learn too. If you prefer the 'foam book method' or 'rubber band' or 'sewn in method' - you can just say that too. I'm going to try to document my next arm rod so I can show what I'm doing as well.

 

[staceyrebecca]

Hmm, remembering things has never been a strong suit of mine, like punctuation. BUT, someone uses vinyl tubing in their arms & then has the rod inserted into that. I can't remember who & I've never tried it, but its always made a lot of sense to me.

I'm willing to bet BuckBeaver remembers.

 

[davidmartiste]

Hmm, remembering things has never been a strong suit of mine, like punctuation. BUT, someone uses vinyl tubing in their arms & then has the rod inserted into that. I can't remember who & I've never tried it, but its always made a lot of sense to me.

I'm willing to bet BuckBeaver remembers.

OMG - that's exactly what I'm doing! With a variation of course. My vinyl tubing is set in between 2 pieces of 'stiff felt' about the size of the palm so when the rod is inserted, it moves the whole hand. It's sandwiched in the felt and I first used hot glue but the tubing stripped free so, I sanded the tubing to give it better grip and used a 5 minute epoxy. That's the short of it. I hope to photo document the next go-round.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Most of the puppets I build now are Bunraku-style and have rods at the elbow (permanent), but I do like removable rods. The method I usually use is this one.

 

[davidmartiste]

So, the blog has been updated again. I worked with some friends to test a workshop model and, in preparing the palms that I use for inserting the arm rods, I got my own answer. I think that the permanent arm rods are just easier and more practical. I will have to try them sometime. I still have to update with my arm rod method which will likely be my next update.

 

[CoOKiE]

um... maybe this would be the thread to ask...

What works best for the mouth plates? I'm using card board from cereal boxes. I can somewhat move the mouths into reactions... but its not as easy as the Muppets make it seem.

What WORKS best for this?

BTW i tried the ice cream bucket cap... but it split n made things hard... was i suppossed to seperate it into 2 pieces?

 

[davidmartiste]

um... maybe this would be the thread to ask...

What works best for the mouth plates? I'm using card board from cereal boxes. I can somewhat move the mouths into reactions... but its not as easy as the Muppets make it seem.

What WORKS best for this?

BTW i tried the ice cream bucket cap... but it split n made things hard... was i suppossed to seperate it into 2 pieces?

I still feel like I'm at the trial and error phase of mouthplates but, have gotten to a comfortable place. I modified what this puppet builder did here:

http://www.projectpuppet.com/Page.b...riz&gallery_link=boy_puppet&builder=Pam Groom

Instead of the blue plastic that she has - I have foam core but, stiff cardboard like juice containers or cereal boxes would work. Referring to the Simple Series pattern - I cut my interior mouth fabric from the felt mouthplate pattern and then foam core AND 1/2 inch foam from the FOAM mouthplate pattern. The foamcore and foam are both cut in half. [This has cut out the need for that little half moutplate pattern.... I also glue my mouthplate in - not sewing as suggested.] With the foamcore laying down together, I glue the felt piece on top - then close it like it would be in the closing position. Put some scrap material on the back like a hinge where your hand would be. Glue this in the CLOSED position on top and bottom [not on the 'fold']. Now, on top and bottom, glue on the foam pieces but, only glue about 1/2 inch around the perimenter, allowing your hand to now slip in. Depending on the fit you want, you can cut a little of the foam off to help your fingers breathe and not be so tight. Sometimes, I'm fine with just my thumb in the bottom and the other fingers resting on TOP of the top foam piece. For other mouth plate ideas, I suggest the foam book and looking around for more tips on mouthplates and thumb cups. There's also an image of David Pannabecker gluing down a thumb cup in one of his workshop videos here: http://www.armslength.com/catalog/videos.htm

 

[TML]

I used a small molly that would be put into the wall to hold a nail in place. I used wire and epoxy to keep it place so the rod inserts into it. Here's a link to a hand in progress.

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/toddscustomfigures/Muppet Christmas photos/

 

[davidmartiste]

I used a small molly that would be put into the wall to hold a nail in place. I used wire and epoxy to keep it place so the rod inserts into it. Here's a link to a hand in progress.

http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e238/toddscustomfigures/Muppet Christmas photos/

What a great idea. Fantastic images too. You are quite the skilled puppet builder. Beautiful work. Now I want to see better detail of that Rowlf poster on your wall!