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Frankenstein Laboratory Bubbler Prop #2

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51K views 35 replies 30 participants last post by  whichypoo  
#1 ·
Here is my Model #2 Frankenstein/Mad Lab bubbler prop. On this unit, I used two 4 inch tubes rather than four 2 inch tubes like I did on the bubbler I posted in December. This new unit sports a corroded, copper apparatus where the good Doctor distills his secret formulas into a small flask of pure evil. Because of the size of the tubes, each one has TWO air in ports and two lights in each tube. I like a good rolling boil in the tubes, but air flow is adjustable. Between the tubes is a hole with a copper ring inset into the lid. A red LED triple lamp is mounted inside the lid pointed straight up to illuminate the contents of the small glass flask as well as the drain valve from the distilling coil. The box has 5 indicator lights of various colors as well as a lighted antique Weston amperage gauge. The unit is topped off with an antique Lonergan pressure gauge. It is 35 inches high by nearly 20 inches wide.

Which looks better to you guys? The 4 tube unit from my earlier post or the new 2 tube unit.

I am contemplating putting a small Tesla Coil into one of these boxes. I know a guy who builds exceptional Tesla Coils ( I bought a free standing unit for our lab for last years party). I think it would be a unique and very exciting effect that would fit nicely into this group of props.
 

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#8 ·
I really like the 4 tube version but are they different heights? I saw on your post tat they were 2" and 4". I assumed you meant the thickness of the tube. Both look fantastic, but the 4-way looks more like the horror movies to me. Oh, and I second that request for a Tutorial! Great work!
 
#11 ·
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???????? :D

BTW - I saw them in "the video"!!!! Kudos to you!
 
#16 ·
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!!!
 
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#17 ·
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.
 
#18 ·
Aging and Distressing

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.
 
#19 ·
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
 
#22 ·
The tubes used in our two Frankenstein Laboratory Bubblers are made of acrylic plastic. You can choose from a number of different diameters. I use 2" and 4" diameter tubes. You can cut them to length on your table saw. You can purchase them at most plastic fabricator's shops. As soon as we get the web pages finished, you will be able to purchase both of our bubblers at Haunted Props.Com as well as at i-Zombie.Com. There will be a very limited number of units available this year.
 
#25 ·
For sale? WANT IT.
 
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