Thread: DeadTed's Pirate Wharf

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Next up -- Pylons and dead skellie.

Pylons

Comments: I really wanted a fence this year for my front yard - I had way to many tot's walking through the hallowed grounds last year and there's plenty to break, and more importantly, plenty of things to get hurt on. This year being pirate-themed, I didn't want the tradition wrought-iron fence - HOWEVER, ultimately, that'll probably be what I create when I'm done with the pirate theme. SO, I didn't want something, this year, so elaborate, time consuming and expensive that I just wouldn't be able to do something different in the future. I've got pylons. Super quick to make, and hopefully effective. Rope was the biggest concern for me - I REALLY didn't want to buy it; one, because it gets expensive, and two, because I know there's free rope floating out there somewhere. I ended up getting several lengths and diameter of rope form a fellow Florida haunter, which I'm totally indebted to. 50 and 70 feet of 2 inch thick rope, and some 1 inch, a long length of 3/4 I believe it is.
The 2 inch rope is the actual barrier that strings between each pylon. The smaller ropes are decorative -- either being wrapped around the pylons (the 2 inch rope won't wrap around the pylon -- only be attached to one side), or in some other fashion where I need rope details. My last major concern is how to keep the pylons upright -- they've all been cut at slight angles (for the old, leaning over effect), but when the heavy 2 inch rope is attached, it'll take them down fast--- right now, I'm thinking of putting a piece of rebar into the ground and putting the pylon over it, up against the opposite side (on the inside) of the heavy rope... make sense?

Materials:
(4) 4ft, 8in Quik-create concrete forming tubes ($6.50 ea)
Paint - gray, black
weed mat
rope - small and large diameter
zip ties

Each tube is 4 feet long to begin with... I cut almost down the middle of each one (some I didn't, just to have varying sizes). But all were cut at SOME sort of angle -- not much, because it doesn't take much!

I need 'caps' for them. I tried to get the look of what you get when you hammer in a piece of wood - where the top starts to look pounded. I just used some weed mat I had around -- staple gunned it to the top and cut off the excess... I'm not happy with the color right now, so they'll change to a lighter color (since the inside of wood is often lighter in color).

Slapped a coat of gray paint - again trying to go for the worn and weathered wood. Not to excited about it, but what's done is done at this point. I really quickly added some black streaks down the sides. Remember this is all going to be seen at night!

I attached some small diameter rope. Wrapped around 4 times, then drilled two holes on either top and bottom of the coil. Slipped a zip tie through one end and around the rope (bottom of tubes were open - able to reach my hand inside). It was a tight squeeze, but the zip ties seem to be holding the rope okay.
The same zip-tie method will be used to secure the 2 inch rope.







This is the rope that'll be strung along.

I've GOT to get started on my smaller scaled stuff - most of the bigger things are almost done, but I really want some detail and character in my haunt. So, right now I'm working on several skeletons that will be dressed in distressed piratey clothes - strewn about in various scenes.

I bought some $1 swords at the Dollar Store and tried my hand at a stabbed skellie. These are just the cheap blucky's from BL I got last year. The skulls are SOOO much smaller than the bodies (which are pretty small themselves), so I have to change them out or do something different. Anyway.

I took the foam sword, cut it almost in half (should have been cut more because these blucky's are so undersized). Hot glued to the torso. I used some dark gray paint and a bit of texture (I bought a bag of texture from Lowes for $2 -- used for 'popcorn' ceilings, etc-- it's lightweight and not messy - better than, say, dirt). Texture gets mixed with the paint, then applied.
Dry brushed a lighter gray on that. Oh... added some nicks and stuff in the sword and painted the crevices/nicks with black first (adds depth).

This is just an experimentation, and one that isn't done yet. Most of the blucky will be covered with clothing, so I'm not entirely concerned with how much paint gets on him. But, most of the body that's visible will be covered with this darker paint.

Thanks for looking.

Looks great DT! I love looking at your pix not only because they are so inspiring, but also because i get to preview effects I've been thinking of

I wanted to use vegetation to get a seaweed effect on my deck and just "debris" look throughout, but my partner in crime (best friend/muscle) doesn't like the idea. Well now I can show him some awesome pix to change his mind.

The pylons are gonna look great when ya get 'em set up!

I just wanted to say - fabulous work, and thank you for all the wonderful ideas and pictures to go with! I wish I'd seen these long ago, so I could shamelessly steal them for myself, but as it is, I can't wait to see pictures once you have it all set up. Great job! :-)

DT: lookin' GOOOOOD!!!

The signage turned out fabulous, and the pylons are a SPECTACULAR idea to go along with the pirate theme. I love looking at this thread, you've got some really great ideas and some really creative ways to accomplish them.

i like those pylons, very original

Hey thanks everyone. I love looking at other people's work/photos, so I'm just returning the favor.

And please remember that not ALL of these ideas are my own! I gave credit in my first few posts and I don't want to do them any injustice by claiming these ideas my own!

And bringjoy,
I've been wanting that 'seaweed' look for some time and I'm still not really getting the effect I want, I'm just getting lucky that it's looking good. I want that droopy, almost movie-style seaweed look. This is the closest thing I've got... and it's a plus because when you use your local environment in your haunt, I believe it really ties it together -- something I don't think a lot of people do enough of... may not be a 'big' change or enhancement, but definitely helps.

Lookin good!

My pilings are finished. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to get them to stay put in this 50mph winds we are having. I'm hoping things settle down this weekend so I can start my set up.

I've dyed some beef neeting and cut it in strips. I'm using this as my "seaweed" to string my pilings together along with the rope. Cheesecloth probably would do the trick.

Have you thought of a name for your haunt yet?

Originally Posted by Pumpkinprincess

Lookin good!

My pilings are finished. I haven't quite figured out how I'm going to get them to stay put in this 50mph winds we are having. I'm hoping things settle down this weekend so I can start my set up.

I've dyed some beef neeting and cut it in strips. I'm using this as my "seaweed" to string my pilings together along with the rope. Cheesecloth probably would do the trick.

Have you thought of a name for your haunt yet?

Eh... a name... I don't really need one, I just wanted something to put on the signpost, so I used "Dead Man's Landing". Though, I'm never satisfied. That's the only thing that'll have a 'name' on it, so I'm not too concerned anymore.

Cheesecloth might be something I try.