Thread: Chris's Column Construction!!!

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Hello all!

I Have been worong on some columns this past week. I wanted to do them as cheap as possible and as light as possible. So the foam pieces were 24 inches i cut it in half and made each side 12 inches and also made the whole structure out of foam then built it out. The rest of the foam will be used for tombstones. Here is some progress pics of where im at and will be updating soon!

Thanks,
Chris

Here is 2 more pics but this is the second column and then both of them together in their current stage. Im trying to think what i want to do with them whether i do a stone look or some cracks and scuffs but i dont have a very efficent tool for that. Id love to see how you guys do your cracks. I used to use my hot wire tool but sometimes it doesnt come out well and i dont want to screw it up!

Try dragging a glue gun tip (without the glue) across a scrap piece and see if you like the effect.
Is the cool undead statue your quality inspector? He looks peeved. Maybe you should offer him a raise or build him some hands.

haha yes! hey breker ill throw you a question since you do alot of lifesize work how do you form the bodies? im been doing a pvc frame and stuffing it with foam but it comes out flat and fake and i need something better!

You're off to a great start with the columns

My favorite tool for making faux cracks is a Dremel with spiral cutting bits (Die grinder if you have a compressor, or a Rotozip works fine as well). You should definitely look into one, as they are nearly indispensable. A spiral cutting tool, if held loosely, will move around all on it's own creating some very natural looking cracks.

The spiral bits will leave a hole nearing 3/16" or wider. Which is the perfect starting point making the main body of the crack. Fast movements will cause the foam to melt from the heat caused by the friction from cutting. So I stress, don't move fast when cutting with them. It is also best to use the low speed settings on the tool, as that will minimize the issue of overheating the foam. It will still happen, just not as much. So don't get discouraged if it does, it happens to everyone despite their best efforts at first.

The challenging part is using a hobby knife & jewelers files to lengthen, and narrow to a point, the ends of the crack & shaping them to match the pattern the spiral bit leaves in it's wake. When done properly, it leaves a very realistic looking crack. Hope that helps you out

very much im going to use that on my tombstones. i decided to piant it black after sandiing it and it gives it a scruffy look and then ill drybrush it a dark grey. will keep u updated.

Heres an update on the columns:

I sanded them down and left a solid stone texture which i wanted to do. I ordered a gallon of black paint. Then I will lay down 2 coats and dry brush it grey. I also go to mounting the skuls today using some liquid nails. I just have to get around the edges more once they dry!
Thanks,
Chris

Coming along nicely. Do you plan on making a fence as well?