Of Patterns and Arm Rods

[shtick]

Being a broke-as-a-joke college student, I'm scrapped for cash. I do however want to get a hold of a ProjectPuppet pattern because I hear so many great things about it. Although now that I hear it doesn't come with foam anymore I don't know if its worth the loot.

However. My question is, does the pattern explain arm rods? I see all the muppet arm rods look so light and durable. What're they made of and how are they connected to the muppets' hands? Are they removable?

 

[TopperFraggle]

I've used coat hangers before and while they are convenient, it's easy to make the hand or arm too heavy. The coat hanger will bow and bounce if this happens, and you have less control. I'm eager to hear what kind of metal rods others use and where they get them.

 

[Jinx]

There have been about a million or so threads on arm rods, in theory and in practice. If I were you I would do a search here at the forum to find and read them.

I've read everything from coat hangers to welding rods to insulation support wire and more, all here in the forum.

Also some folks like the rods removeable, where as some prefer that the arm itself detach from the puppet, leaving the rod in place.

Like so many other aspects of puppetery, there is no one or "right" way. What works great for me on one puppet might not work so great on my next one. These are the things that push us to be creative!

 

[gfarkwort]

But this is about project puppet arm rods......not regular

 

[puppetsmith]

Hi guys. The Punto Pattern explains a method for removable arm rods. The rods that come with the Punto Pattern are Simpson insulation supports. Search the forum and I'm sure you'll find some more details regarding these rods.

 

[handypuppets]

ProjectPuppet Pattern

I think the Project Puppet patterns are worth every penny. You should have seen my other attempts before getting a pattern. See my puppet on their website. He's the last one in the gallery.

Shawn

 

[Buck-Beaver]

Sean Johnson is doing a series of posts in his blog about arm rods right now. Check out the first one here and watch his blog Puppet 101 for more updates at http://swazzle.com/blogs/puppet101.html

 

[Fozzie Bear]

http://members.aol.com/bocashouse/MG/BlueBoy.html

This is a good pattern; just blow it up a few times larger to use it well. This is the pattern from which I made my Mahna Mahna a few years back.

 

[wes]

i have used welding rods attached to small doll joints. it works on smaller puppets. I believe they're a site that explains it but i can't remenber, some thing to do with Bear puppets, I seam to remember the Foam book Having a drawing in ther book too.

 

[Buck-Beaver]

More arm rod tips from Swazzle - http://swazzle.com/blogs/2005/11/arm-rods-part-two.html