Thread: Warrant's Props: Zombies

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I'm making a few static zombies for my zombie run, and may make a few torso's for the graveyard.

I tried 2 different methods of putting together the fingers with glue sticks. First (harder) was using bent nails as the joiners and joints between the pieces. Second way (easier) was to just glue the pieces together.

This is the left hand. I used nails as the joints. This proved to be difficult not only to cut the heads off the nails but forcing them into the glue sticks. I had to pull many of them apart, use pliers to bend the nail to the desired angle, then re-attach the stick. I used wire coat hanger for the hand section, with a piece of cardboard for the palm, all covered in a nice coating of duct tape.

In the background you can see my long list of things to build - none of them complete.



Both hands together. The one on the left was glued together (easier). The one on the right has nails as the joints (harder).



Chicken wire, PVC, and pool noodle torso with hands applied. I used my own arm and shoulder measurements for the dimensions. The PVC spine is zip-tied to the back-inside of the wire cage.

I like the hands! Looks like the harder versions are posible too! Might be worth the extra time and effort.

The hot glue hands look very good. I have done somthing similar buy using dollar store bic pens.

how strong are the hot glue hands....do they stand up to being bumped?

I like the fingernails Warrant!!!

Could you maybe try using a stiff wire (instead of nails) and try heating up the wire before you insert it into the glue stick? That way when it cools, it may stick to the glue and you can bend the fingers to your desire. (carefully of course)

E

Scatterbrains, the glued version is relativly strong and solid. Although since they're glued I can't pose them differntly if I change my mind.

theedwin, I have some wire that is thinner than the already thin nails I was using, heating it on the tip of my glue gun before inserting might do the trick. Even Wifeypoo was amazed at how the fingernails look.

Before I make each hand, I stand at my workbench flexing my fingers to find a desired form I want to emmulate. When I make the cuts into the glue sticks I can get pretty close. I plan to cover the hands with a good coating of white glue/water mix and cotton balls.

Ya know, it's amazing the things you discover about anatomy when making zombies. Thanks for the input!

Progres on zombie #1. Legs are made from 2x4's, attached to the waist. Chicken wire torso is staple-gunned to the waist. Since the spine is zip-tied to the wire, it actually rotates freely, giving me an idea for installing a shiatsu inside for animation of some sort. Thighs and calves are plastic packing stuff that came in a box I found, duct-taped in place.

Picked up a suit coat, shirt, slacks, and shoes at Goodwill for $15 after discounts. Got to mess them up first before applying.

love the hands, they look great! The torso is off to a great start! What type of head are you going to use?

Originally Posted by bethene

love the hands, they look great! The torso is off to a great start! What type of head are you going to use?

I've been going back and forth between a foam head with a full mask, or plopping a skull head on top. I'm leaning to the skull since I want it at a certain angle and effect, plus I can corpsify it for extra yumminess.

Pictures to follow as soon as I find my camera. Wait, didn't my summer camp-bound daughter say something about borrowing a camera...?

That's a good step-by step on zombie building there, Warrant.
It'll be interesting to see the rest of the pics as your prop develops.

I noticed in the 3rd pic, there was a Tombstone with Myra Mains name on it...
Hope you two haven't had a falling out..