Thread: First project of 2008... my pirate ship wheel!

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Finally!! I tortured myself over the Memorial Day weekend by forcing myself not to make my 500th post as motivation until I completed a significant prop. I've been thinking about making a ship wheel for my party ever since someone posted a thread about wagon wheels being available at Big Lots. I picked one up immediately along with some extra supplies, but dragged my feet to actually start the work. Well, the time came this past week and weekend and here it is. I'm pretty happy with the overall result. The pictures make it look very tall, but that's because my car in the backround is very short. I estimate at it's tallest, it stands about 5' 6", but that's purely a guestimate considering I'm at work right now. When standing next to it, the height looks appropriate.

This ship wheel will be placed in my pirate room during my party. I'll add a picture of that room at the bottom of the this post. Now all I need to do is find a lighter weight skeleton I can pose with this like the POTC ride at Disney. I just think a Bucky would be too heavy to prop up in the correct position. If anyone has any suggestions for a skeleton, please let me know. I'd also love to get some of your comments regarding the wheel.

If any of you were wondering, the wheel is not fully functional. No one who chooses to fiddle with it at my party will be able to turn the house with it. However, it will spin on it's axis.

Last, but not least... I finally made it to my 500th post. Whew, that took forever. Without further ado:

Wow. Nice wheel. The car ain't bad either.

My friend and fellow haunter mem22 built this one last year including the wheel.

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It was very impressive!

Originally Posted by Mr Unpleasant

My friend and fellow haunter mem22 built this one last year including the wheel.

Any idea how he got the Bucky to stand up? I may not have looked closely enough, but I don't see a stand of any kind.

I picked up one at Big Lots a few weeks back but haven't done anything with it yet. What did you use to go around the outside of the wheel?

It looks good to me. Nice job!

Absolutely beautiful, Leo!!! The staining is perfect, the aging of your wood--my Lord--how did you do that???!! So, what we saw in your album the other day were the two pieces for the foundation, obviously.....what about the handles on the wheel, they didn't come with it, did they? I'm thinking a tutorial is in order. I'm thinking you're a ship wheel building genius ...this is definitely an omen of how killer all of your other '08 props will turn out to be, you've done a fantastic job!!

Originally Posted by Abunai

Wow. Nice wheel. The car ain't bad either.

Thanks! On both counts!

Originally Posted by aSmarterU

What did you use to go around the outside of the wheel?

It looks good to me. Nice job!

Thanks! I took another forum members suggestion and used 6" table legs available in the wood section at Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot. I found that all three in my area sold the exact same ones.

Originally Posted by Laurie S.

Absolutely beautiful, Leo!!! The staining is perfect, the aging of your wood--my Lord--how did you do that???!! So, what we saw in your album the other day were the two pieces for the foundation, obviously.....what about the handles on the wheel, they didn't come with it, did they? I'm thinking a tutorial is in order. I'm thinking you're a ship wheel building genius ...this is definitely an omen of how killer all of your other '08 props will turn out to be, you've done a fantastic job!!

Thanks Amy! Walnut was the color of the wheel and it had just the right weathered, aged look, so I used it for the whole thing. I've never really done a tutorial so I don't know how good I'd be at it, but I took lots of pictures along the way, so if anyone really wants to know how I did it, I can put something together. I'm no "ship wheel building genius", but I was happy with the outcome. A dark candle lit room will mask any imperfections.

Aging of the wood actually wasn't too hard at all, but it took some precision to make it imperfect.

I've already got a plan for a new PVC monster prop. I need to stop at a second hand store though to get some clothing I need to make it. I'm really looking forward to this one and it should only take a few hours to make once I have all the materials. And once I get my garage cleaned out and organized, I'll be able to start my columns for Ridgewood Cemetery as well as about 100 ft more PVC fencing.

Yeah, I love the car. Hot rod....next on the list of toys to buy. We just got a Harley last Thursday!

Ok, back on topic. (oops) The wheel turned out excellent. The aging really adds that extra somethin. Especially the ends of the wood...nice & rotted. Good detail Leo!

So.....as Laurie said...tutorial coming? Ooo....gotta go, gonna be late for my hair appt.

Great job! It looks awesome!

Originally Posted by Haunted Host

Any idea how he got the Bucky to stand up? I may not have looked closely enough, but I don't see a stand of any kind.

If you look closely at the first image of mem22's Bucky it looks like there is some sort of pole that is holding the Bucky up by the feet. It is hidden on the straight on view by the wheel.