Thread: i need a stand up easy base!

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I have the hardest time building a decent base for my props. I'm looking for an easy base I can throw clothes over and stuff problem I have is they dont stand up! The easier the better!! Thanks

What have you used so far?

I like PVC, the problem with it is the taller the tube has to be, the more it will bend.

I've used pvc but its so time consuming when im just going to throw clothes over it. But I can't ever get them to stand up either without leaning them on a wall.

Okay, I have a better picture of what you want. At first I did not glue my figures joints, and they would actully bend over during the night. To hold them up, I drove two tall stakes into the ground and slid the PVC over it. Here is Sub Zero I made from 2009 using this method.



Do you "stuff" the clown to fill it out? if not, how about a wooden or even cardboard cut out? Then to keep it in place you can use a stake or build two legs to go out at a 45 (think of a full size picture cut out).

Thats a great original prop. yes I will stuff my clown and any other props and I need to stand up. Unfortunately they're going in the house so i cannot make them break into the ground. If I put shoes on then I can get there legs to stand up but they always fall over at the waist.

Simple flanges screwed into a board that you paint black perhaps?

I use Rebar hammered into the ground, so whatever I build, I slide over the rebar. Keeps it upright, hard to blow off.

Are you using a "T" and an "L" connector? If so, simply use plumbers glue, then they will NEVER move. Since they are in the house, are they by a wall? You could use another "T" and run the third arm out and have it rest againt your wall. Since you have two legs already, what you need is a third (think tripod). At the hips use a "+" connector. The top is for the spine, the sides for the hips with an "L" at each end and the bottom for the third leg. Run a short section of PVC, and then use a 45 connector. then another section out to the floor.

I live in an area where the ground is very hard to dig or pound stakes through particularly come October. So I need solutions that are more ground level. Simple also is nice.

Here are a few ideas that might work for you:

1) half concrete block. Insert a section of PVC pipe that you would leave in at the base and fill the outer opening around the PVC with ready mix concrete (they sell it premixed so all the hassel taken out). The block is cheap, the PVC is cheap and once filled it will be solid and strong. Doesn't take up that much space either. If you select PVC a little bit wider than the pole you will use to suport your prop you can cut it close to the top of the block and keep the block support compact for storage in your garage. Plus if the PVC sleeve and the block are level at the top of the block, you can use the block as feet of sort to stack things off your garage floor. Love double duty things.

Here's a link to the block at Home Depot. Picture the PVC in the center and filled with concrete: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

Cast iron umbrella bases also provide a strong support for attaching a vertical pole to. Tiki brand sells a cast iron base used for supporting tiki pole torches that might also work. Not that expensive and can be used during the summer if you use tiki torches in your yard. Here's a link to the Tiki cast iron base: http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...598560.2614198

I built ladder-like frames from 1" PVC, Sides are about 5' tall, with cross piece at the top and about mid way. I use a 2' piece of 2x12 lumber for a base. I drill two 1" holes almost all the way through the base and insert 1" dowels about 2'long. The spacing of the dowels exactly matches the spacing of the legs so the frame simply slips over the dowels. Paint the base black and it disappears in the background or throw a burlab bag or leaves to hide it.