Thread: Monster Mud Reaper - the saga continues...questions

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Much of my original issues with making this started on the tutorial thread so I am tranferring the continuation here so it will be in its proper place lol
OK got all the frame up and cut some of the burlap pieces and am test fitting now... we have the braces exactly where they should be but this thing is badly leaning to the side with the "arm". I used 1" PVC to make mine and I think the height is just making it too wobbly. Hopefully we can rig something up after its done because with all the zipties used to connect the pieces ...im NOT taking them apart lol. We will probably use a wire of some sort staked into the ground after he is done for some extra balance. In hindsight I think a larger PVC would have probably been better...he stands about 8 feet with the hood on. Did anyone else have this issue with it not being stable even with the braces? So afraid that this thing is going to come crashing down and I dont even have the mud on yet.
I must ask...once he has the MM on and then drylocked and painted...what does the material feel like or supposed to be like? I have used drylock but not monster mud so I have no clue what the consistency should be once applied.
Does it get cracked looking or smooth? I did 4 gallons joint compound to 1 gallon grey exterior paint(oops paint 6.50 at walmart), its mixed and rdy to go but just waiting for hubby to get home to have assistance lifting the pieces and wringing it out. Also...to those who have made this how many pieces of burlap did everyone use to get the look they needed. It seems that this thread from the tutorial page mud man had about 3 or 4 large pieces( 1 front 1 back 1 hood/shoulders and sleeve on side with the arm, possibly one drape on armless side? Is this the norm?
Anywho...very few pieces... I would think that using more smaller pieces would be easier to handle, however, the look long flowing look would be lost.

Any suggestions would be appreciated! ...to be continued....

Are you building the reapers that are standing on the boxes?

Yes I agree that 1 inch pipe is too thin and wobbly.
For full size props we use 1 and 1/2 inch black PVC pipe because it gives us a rock solid armature.
See here for a couple examples of how well this pipe works when making monster props for Halloween...
http://halloweenalliance.com/howto/w...-a-monster.htm
http://screamingscarecrow.com/hallow...mparilla-2009/

Good luck with your reaper!

I built the reapers that stood on boxes a couple of years ago and actually used a 1.5" PVc for the center support plugged into one of those fitting that are used for like toilets and stuff that bolted to the box. As far as the burlap, the bigger the better. I usually use 1 piece for the front, one for the back and a 3rd as a hood. If there are arms that extend out, those will need a piece as well. If you have not worked with burlap before, allow a good bit of extra material. It will shrink up once you plunge it in the MM.

I had a reaper last year that leaned somethin' awful. I ended up wrapping wire around the base and around stakes that I hammered into the ground...like pitching a tent I guess. I just made sure it wasn't in the walking path for anyone to trip over. Lesson learned...use 2 x 4s or sturdier PVC. Can you make a 2 x 4 "T" on a board and secure the PVC to it?

Originally Posted by Homestead Haunt

Are you building the reapers that are standing on the boxes?

Nope we built it on a 2x2 piece of plywood bolted to a wood pallet then used the steel pipe and flange bolted to both pieces... the base is sturdy its just the weight of the armature on a 1" pipe...that was the mistake...its just what we had here already so lesson learned on pipe size.

Originally Posted by Miss Phantom

I had a reaper last year that leaned somethin' awful. I ended up wrapping wire around the base and around stakes that I hammered into the ground...like pitching a tent I guess. I just made sure it wasn't in the walking path for anyone to trip over. Lesson learned...use 2 x 4s or sturdier PVC. Can you make a 2 x 4 "T" on a board and secure the PVC to it?

You and I think alike lol... we did the tent pitch too while we mudded it. the PVC is secure but just too thin and flimsy for the weight it needed to support... putting up a follow up post for part 2 of the saga ...

Soooo... after the burlap was fitted the way I wanted onto the monster mud...
O-M-G.... this is THE messiest stuff in the world. The first huge puiece of burlap went into the bucket and boy, it is SOOOOO heavy...anyone who has done this solo...you are my hero because it is like lead after its soaked. Plan on wearing anything you want to throw away and a long scrub filled shower after...but I digress...me and my 18 year old struggled to hold it up and zip tie it to one spot on the front...whew... ok now did the rest of the ties and slowly the man started to fall over like he was drunk. So we had to counterbalance it with a piece of twine tied from the next PVC to the base with a hookscrew, YAY! It worked. We decided that the dunk method was too intense so we laid out the next piece and smeared both sides by hand... it was far easier but far messier too. Whew ok that one is done, now we struggled to lift it and tie that one middle tie but finally got it. Then the other two. Keep in mind that yesterday was my husband's birthday and we were going to see Pat Benetar and leaving at 4:30 or 5... we started at like 2...HUGE mistake but we did it...barely. So now all that is left is the hood and arms piece and that one is much smaller than the rest. I can't imagine what people are thinking when they see this thing standing in out in our driveway...but then again our subdivision already knows we are nuts when it comes to halloween. Will post pics when done...crossing fingers.

Hello,

I was wondering , did you use burlap or cotton canvas? Cause from the pics it looks like canvas.

Thanks, Daren