Thread: B.Y.O.B.: (updated) Make your own skeleton

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UPDATED METHODS POSTED HERE

Build Your Own Bob.


For those of you who may not know, Bob was my answer to a problem I had in that I don't care for blucky's and couldn't really afford a Bucky, plus I wanted something light.

THIS thread, however, is going to not just include how I built BOB, but also the (many) lessons I made from making Bob, and improvements to the process that have come about.

This will also not be mechanical in nature, but just a nice, static skeleton. The intent is for something simple enough for anyone to follow.

Now, I am in the process of building the new Bob, but, given the proximity to Halloween, and the number of requests I've gotten for this info, I decided it was best to post-as-I-go, then do a full write-up at the end. For those that want to start. I have an hour or two a night to work on it, so it might take a little while, but we'll get there. I'll focus on the 'difficult' parts first.

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As mentioned, Bob is made from Paper Mache. There are as many recipes for paper mache as there are people who use it. If you have any questions, I would refer you to the Stolloween basics article.

For the purpose of this guide, "Mache" will refer to strips of paper layered with the paste, while "clay" will refer to paper mache clay.

If you want my recipe for Paper Mache paste, it is located here. It is certainly more involved than most recipes, but has a unique property of being somewhat flexible when dried.

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What you are going to need for this project:

Cardboard (minimum 15" x 33")
A stick (spine) ~36" (doesn't need to be exact)
Newspaper torn into strips
Paper Mache paste
Paper Mache clay
Tape Measure
Pipe insulation
tape (preferably duct tape)
Zip ties
scissors
paint of your choice.

Strongly recommended items:
Wire clothes hangers (dozen or so) *Or equivalent wire
Construction Adhesive of your choice (I am using Loctite Power Grab)
Wire cutters for that wire
exacto knife

Nice to have items:
Plastic tarp for work area
Fan/hair drier to help dry the mache
extra time.....

Alrighty then. I'll be back with some measurements and pics as soon once I figure out how to get them off my wife's camera.

Edit: Seems she took the camera with her tonight...might have to wait till tomorrow.

Alighty.

Now, one could argue the 2 most difficult, and important, parts of building a skeleton are the chest, and the skull.

We'll be addressing the chest here first, as there's plenty of skulls one could attach if they don't want to make their own.

First, we need to make the spine. I apologise that I do not know just where on here I read this technique, it's not 'mine'.

So, take your stick. I'm using EMT conduit because it's cheap, light, and hollow (for rebar), but virtually ANYTHING could work....broom handle, tree limb..... And, cut your pipe insulation to about 30". Wrap that around the center of your stick, leaving a couple inches at the top and bottom for the skull and pelvis to be added, respectively. (Though, if you just want a torso, or a headless skeleton for some reason, of course don't bother with those)

Then take you Zip ties and cinch them down, spacing them every inch or so to create the spine.



Now we need to make a template for the ribcage.

So, get out your tapes.

Non of these need to be exactly precise, so don't fret too awful much.

If you're using the wire, as recommended, we need to cut lengths of:

12 1/2"
17 1/2"
21"
24"
2 pieces @ 28"
2 pieces at 33"

Now we need to take our cardboard. First thin we're going to do is draw the breastplate center. This is 7 1/2" long, just freehand a rough long skinny oval shape in the center there.

Next, place the 12 1/2" piece of wire across the top of this, and trace it with a magic marker. OR, if you are not using the wire, draw a line 12 1/2" for the top rib there.

Now, from each end of of this line, we are going to measure down 14", and make a mark. This will serve as a guide for where the BOTTOM of the ribcage will be.

Now, simply place the wires on the cardboard/measure each line in order from shortest to longest. You want approximately 3/4" space between each at the breastplate, and about 1 1/2" space between them at the ends. This means they each need to progressively bend more. By rib 6, you should have something of a notch in the center.

Rib #8 does not go all the way to the bottom, however, we will freehand that one by measuring approximately 2" from the breastplate, then drawing that rib to the mark at 14" we made earlier.

When you are finished, you should have something like this:



If you intend to corpse your skeleton, and wish to hang it later, save one of the hooks from the hangers, like I have pictured. You can mache it straight to the skull, the snip it off once corpsing is done.

It took me approximately 2 hours to make this template and cut it out, but I was distracted by kids, and measuring and photoing everything for this, so I'ld guess at an hour for someone without such distractions.

Awesome! I'll be following this!

Now for the fun.

So, you've got the template measured, drawn, and cut. Take a moment to say to yourself, the hard part is over. Really, I promise.

If you are using the wire, you will want to tape each wire to the respective rib to hold them nice and firm in place.

Our next step may be obvious. We need to attach the ribcage to the spine.

This is simply a matter of taping the ends of the ribs back to the spine. If you're using the wire, bend the wire to fit. It CAN be done without the wire, since my first Bob didn't use the wire, but it makes the mache slow going.

Make sure you start a couple inches down from the top of your spine, to allow for a neck.





Yes...that's electrical tape instead of duct tape. I'm ignoring my own recommendations... I'm apparantly OUT of duct tape, so was making due.


It might be usefull to make/find a stand to hold the thing upright while you mache. I'm reutilizing an old spiral christmas tree stand I saved from the trash for just such things.



Now, go to town with your mache.

I like to start at the spine and work to the front, myself. With the wires, it probably doesn't matter quite as much. If you didn't use the wire, I'ld say that's definately the way to go.

It's probably going to take me several days to get this ribcage finished, however, so we'll be back with the collar bone and shoulder blades once that's done.



This is where fans and hair dryers will help speed the process.

Great how-to so far, Unorthodox..
I am interested to see how you will be forming the pelvic bones.

If i may be permitted to give credit where it's due, I believe the zip tie spine idea was first posted here by the ever ingenious Herman Secret.

This is a neat idea. You've just started and it really looks like a skeleton already.

Originally Posted by Baron Samedi

I am interested to see how you will be forming the pelvic bones.

Me too....

Heck, I'm making this up as I go. (not totally, there is some kind of plan)

If i may be permitted to give credit where it's due, I believe the zip tie spine idea was first posted here by the ever ingenious Herman Secret.

Thank you, I was hoping someone could remember.

There's so many things here I read, learn, and file away. I remember the techniques, but can't find the things again to give credit once I use them.

Well, I just stuck in a movie last night, and finished off the ribs.



While I'm waiting for this to dry, I'll post the next, rather optional step.

If you want nice smooth ribs, and your mache has left a lot of crinkles (my bob 1 did, Bob 2, I left a lot more space between the ribs and he's nice and smooth), You'll want to grab your clay now.

I'm still working on a recipe for my paper clay, so I'ld refer you to Stolloween again for ideas on that.

Anyhow, just got over your ribs with the clay to make them nice and smooth. If you'll allow me to use a bit of that cooking show "here's one I prepared earlier" picture (again, different bob):


If not using the wire, you'll want to take this a little at a time. With the wire, go to town.

We have a lot of smaller bones to make now. I hope to be able to get to that this evening, then we can begin assembling them by Sunday. However, my 3 year old has come down with something, so I may be preoccupied.

Looking good...
Although with all the work you put into the ribcage, I was sort of expecting a somewhat scarier face...or is it modelled on Johnson724's member's photo..

http://www.halloweenforum.com/pictur...ictureid=17977

Originally Posted by Baron Samedi

Looking good...
Although with all the work you put into the ribcage, I was sort of expecting a somewhat scarier face...or is it modelled on Johnson724's member's photo..

http://www.halloweenforum.com/pictur...ictureid=17977

The original Bob's big grin is a great big joke. It always cracks me up knowing that is under his current visage.



Other hidden quirks include green eyes, a pink 'heart' drawn on the ribcage, random doodles over his arms (my 3 year old colored all over Bob one night...), and the word "truth" etched into his forehead (homage to the original reanimation (golem) stories, for the lab).