Thread: Frankenstein Laboratory Bubbler Prop #2

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Great work! I also like both, they are very cool. I think I prefer the two tube version, because I love the addition of the distillery. It looks fabulous! Additionally, I prefer this new version because I like things with odd numbers. I think they tend to be more aesthetically pleasing. How about a how to????????

BTW - I saw them in "the video"!!!! Kudos to you!

HOLY CATS! I like them both! Either one is freakin' awesome!

I am so amazed at the work the people on this forum do!

They are both spectacular! If I had to pick a fav I would go with the new look only because I love the added details.

Yes, both look kick ass! Nice job! Would love to see a how to... but my guess is, that wont happen. Again, they both look great!

I like them both. But the 2 vial looks more Beefy.

Like the two tubes. Now I want one ..... a tutorial would be helpful. Looks like one more thing to my to make list. Starting early this year.
Great job on details. you rock!!!

Great job! I love them both. If I had to choose, I'd go with the two tube design. That one appears to be more original and grandiose (maybe a bit more sci-fi with the copper coil and flask). Why not use both? Also, what technique did you use for aging/distressing? Please share. Thanks.

In order to get continuity for all the parts that are supposed to look like corroded copper, I used acrylic paint. In actuality, the tube bases which have been lathed to get the stair-step effect are made of poplar - a green colored hardwood. The 4 inch diameter tube caps are PVC. The smaller 2 inch diameter caps on top of the larger 4 inch caps are real copper as well as as the rest of the distilling apparatus. The only exceptions are the antique style, brass drain valve and the pressure gauge. The real tricks come when you need to permanently attach acrylic parts to wood, PVC to copper and brass to acrylic. No glue will work. That includes industrial hot glues which will pop off when it gets cold.

Don't bother getting using antiquing solutions for the aging work. The results are really poor or look like you painted your piece with a paint roller. One exception is the Rust Solutions from Sophisticated Finishes. Use sparingly on steel screws or small leak areas. Copper does NOT rust. Spray paint with a good copper metallic paint all the parts that are not real copper. Notice how the paint is not even close to the color your copper tubing is. Most of the color blind people in this country work in the paint industry. Oh well.

Use a damp, real sponge for the bulk of the work and age it with acrylic paints starting with black to burnt umber to raw umber to patina to white. Use less of each paint color as you progress from Black to White. Use only a tiny bit of white for highlights. Try not to make it even. Things don't age evenly. Darker here - lighter there etc. Practice!

The best piece advice I ever got about aging a prop? Stop, before you think you are finished.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the info.....I like them both as well.

If I had to pick one, I would go with the "two" set-up.....but I would see about trying to tie in the other 4 either by setting them to the left or right of the bigger ones and lay horizontally if possible? just my two cents, they look awesome!

PB

Thanks for the info!