Thread: Barney Skeleton Question

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This year I want to build a cauldron creep (basically a skeleton stirring a cauldron). The tutorial I found online uses a PVC pipe frame, painted black, positioned behind the leg bones to conceal them (they used the foam bones from the bag-o-bones).

I live on a corner lot, so this prop will be visible from the front and sides as well. My idea is to use threaded rod, painted black, for the leg supports. This would be smaller than PVC pipe, and therefor, easier to conceal.

Upon looking at options for the skeleton, I saw the description for the 'Bargain Basement Barney' skeleton. It says it's made from hollow plastic, so I'm thinking "Perfect! I can run the threaded rod right through the leg bones!" However, before I spring for 65 bucks (plus shipping), I felt I should get some possible feedback about this 'Barney' character.

If anyone here has purchased one of these before, could you tell me about your experiences with it, either positive or negative? Is it fairly sturdy, or is it just a glorified blucky? Did you feel it was a worthwhile investment?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

well the bargain on this item is that its hollow plastic.. its sold at wholesale prices but does not have a quality like 1st or 4th because its not the same so remeber it more like a blucky...
still detailed so i would go with it over a blucky because its detail but there are difrences

Corpsing and good lighting hide a lot. Are you going have any clothing on the skellie? That too will distract the eye from a marginally visible black painted support that is 15 foot away in the dark..

Devil's Chariot does some pretty nice work here: http://devilschariot.blogspot.com/20...ow-it-was.html

Just my 0.02, good luck.

I love the barneys WAY better than a blucky. the skull looks kinda bad in my opinion so I always change them out, and the joints are weak so I replace them with black zipties.

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Corpsing and good lighting hide a lot. Are you going have any clothing on the skellie? That too will distract the eye from a marginally visible black painted support that is 15 foot away in the dark..

Devil's Chariot does some pretty nice work here: http://devilschariot.blogspot.com/20...ow-it-was.html

Actually, Devil's Chariot is where I got the idea from. For me, it's the perfect prop. It's on a technical level I can comprehend, yet the end product looks very professional. I plan to have a shroud or tunic on the torso part, with the legs and arms fully visible.

Based on feedback and photos I've seen here, I think I'll go with the Barney for the arms and legs. I can run the threaded rod through the legs and the top support arm, and it will be totally hidden (the other arm swings loose, like a marionette).

I love the barneys WAY better than a blucky. the skull looks kinda bad in my opinion so I always change them out

I'd always planned on using a Bucky skull for the head. I also found the thread here on modifying the Barney hands to a grasping position.

For the eyes, I have several things to try out ( eyeball blanks, realistic fake eyeballs, and glow-in-the-dark superballs [about 1" dia.]), so I'm gonna experiment with LEDs and blacklights.

I have everything I need except the Barney. I'll order that today.

I'll post photos as I get under way.Thanks for all your imput.

I ordered three last week first order for the barney.
So I am anxious to see what it looks like.
I am using two for dueling pirates and 1 for a mermaid.
I went with the barney for the size .I wanted 4 ft to fit the scene better also for the light wt and the price was good.

Originally Posted by halloween71

I ordered three last week first order for the barney.
So I am anxious to see what it looks like.
I am using two for dueling pirates and 1 for a mermaid.
I went with the barney for the size .I wanted 4 ft to fit the scene better also for the light wt and the price was good.

hey halloween71,

when you get your barney skeletons can you le me know how you like them and maybe show a picture or 2 im intrested at their price but dont know their quality thanks!
Chris

Today I ordered a Barney skeleton, two Bucky 4th quality skulls, and two dozen mini plastic skulls (to top my fence pillars and posts).

I went with the barney for the size .I wanted 4 ft to fit the scene better

I don't know if you realize this, but the Barney skeletons are 5 ft. tall. I think the 4ft. tall skelly is the 'Easy On The Pocket Paul'. You could probably still make them work, though.

I think you will enjoy your barney. He is much easier to pose standing up than a bucky and looks way better than a blucky. However, you may have to reinforce his joints with zip ties or wire.

I have experience posing a blucky using pvc through his bones. (That took a lot of work!)
Last year, I swapped the blucky with a barney and used 8-gauge galvanized fence wire and zip ties to pose the lower torso. It turned out great and was easier to pose than using pvc.

Where did you order your Barneys ? I need a few more, I had got some off of Ebay last year but now they are really high.