Thread: Cheap and easy Skeleton hands

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I have seen a few post on skeleton hands so I thought I'd post how I create my undead paws. This is my first tutorial so if I missed steps or you have questions just let me know. This is how I make my hands.

Things you will need

Some scrap foam
Hot Glue
Wooden dowels
Paint ( Various types) I use Drylock to seal the foam but a latex based paint can be used.
Band saw or a blade ( I used a band saw and a hack saw blade)
A heat source . I used a wood burner. ( Caution Burning or melting Foam is toxic and you should only do this out doors in a well ventilated space)

Step 1) Trace your own paw on a piece of foam and cut it out.



Step 2 ) I cut the foam into two pieces so I have a top and bottom of the hand.

Step 3) Take the dowels and cut them into segments that resemble your own fingers. For example measure the length of a knuckle to knuckle and cut the dowel and than hot glue them into place.
I will cut each knuckle at an angel like 35 or 45 degree depending on the look I'm going for.

Step 4) You will see how I assembled mine here.


Step 5) Take the piece of foam you cut in half and hot glue it over the lower portion. Then draw some crude bone type look on it.

Step 6) Once you get the two pieces together it's time to start the heat process again I used a wood burner ( Use caution as burning or melting foam is Toxic!)



Once completed you should have something like this



Step 7) Start up some detail with Hot glue add knuckles some bone detail just add what looks good to you.



should end up with something close to this



Step 8) Paint them. I start with some Drylock allow it to dry than I primer them with some black and highlight with white to give a grey dead look but be creative and do your own thing.




I hope you like this and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Wow! Very cool. I am definitely bookmarking this one!

I can see lots of applications for this. By changing the angles and lengths of the dowels, you can create a clenched fist, or have the hand grabbing another object, etc...

One of the props I'm hoping to get to this year is a witch stirring her cauldron. I'm thinking if I can set up the prop correctly, I can make it look pretty good with only her head and the stirring hand showing. (The rest of the "body" is going to be a pvc or wood dowel frame with some padding, draped with clothing.) I was wondering how I was going to do her hand, but I think you just provided me with a great solution!

Question: Do you think this technique would translate to larger bones? I think it would be too hard for very curved bones (e.g. ribcage), but using larger dowels with a few very shallow angles for slight curvature, you might be able to make a good looking femur or arm bone. I might give it a try. Throw a few of those around the cauldron... the remnants of the witch's former victims!

Again, fantastic stuff. Very nice work!!

hmmm i like this technique. very simple and fast and easy seems like.

how did you sharpen the finger tips (nails) ? looks smooth as if a pencil sharpener was used lol

Nice job Last house! Look better than the old BIC Pen/wire hanger types of hands! Thanks for sharing!

Very cool - I like the hot glue details you added to the dowels, it really looks realistic once painted.

Question: Do you think this technique would translate to larger bones? I think it would be too hard for very curved bones (e.g. ribcage), but using larger dowels with a few very shallow angles for slight curvature, you might be able to make a good looking femur or arm bone. I might give it a try. Throw a few of those around the cauldron... the remnants of the witch's former victims!

I do cut the angles to make hands in different positions ( Clenched fist, pointing fingers you name it. ) To answer your question yes larger dowels can make larger bones. However you would most likely not be able to simply use hot glue you'd have to use something stronger like liquid nails and allow to dry.

If you liked my skeleton hand "How To" this weekend I'll try and post how I make larger bones... It will be another easy but realistic prop for your haunt.

Originally Posted by hollowscreamer

hmmm i like this technique. very simple and fast and easy seems like.

how did you sharpen the finger tips (nails) ? looks smooth as if a pencil sharpener was used lol

Thank You! No it wasn't a pencil sharpener but I would imagine you could use one. I used a grinder this year since I'm making so many. In the past I used a sheet of sand paper and quickly just gave it a rounded tip.

Bump... lots asking me how I do these...

Nice tut! Thanks.

Very creative and a great tut... thanks so much, think I'll give it a try for my witch this year.