Thread: reusing old costumes on frames for props

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Hello.
Using the bits and pieces from other threads I came up with a simple and cheap way to make a frame to display my old Halloween costumes.
I've collected several latex masks and robes over the years and I thought it was a shame to just keep them in a box.
So I started making a few of these.
Extremely cheap and easy to take apart for storage

8 small screws (1/2"? depends on the wood thickness you use)
2 small angle joists .cents each

A flat wide piece of wood for the base.
A 2X4. 5 feet or so.
1/2" PVC pipe, Home Depot, 8' long for .95 cents
2: 45 degree angle pvc pipe pieces. .50 cents each

2: connector pvc rings. .50 each

1: pvc T-connector $1.25

Some kind of head shaped thing (I found a Styrofoam head but I could have used a Styrofoam ball from a craft store $4.00 ?

I used the gray electrical PVC piping used for electrical work. There's the white kind for plumbing. they look the same to me.
I actually used the white plumbing T-connector because there wasn't one in gray and it wasn't an issue mixing it up.

From the bottom up:
Use the joists to attach the 2X4 to the base.
Screw the T-Connector to the 2X4, just drill a hole trough it first then drill the screw all the way in.
Cut the pvc pipe into two pieces for the "shoulders" and attach to the T-connector.
Attach the 45 degree pvc pieces.
Attach the connector to the ends
And another piece of pvc for the arms
Stick a small cut piece of pvc into the top of the t-connector for a neck.
cut out a small hole with a screwdriver in the styrafoam and press it down over the neck until it's in firmly.

That's it!
You now have a body frame to work with for just a couple of bucks.
Sturdy yet easy to take apart.

For very light costumes no glue is needed.
Those pvc pieces stay nice and tight.
I added some heavy latex gloves at the end of my figures so I had to glue just the 45 degree angle pieces. I can still slide the arms out of the "body".

On the figure posted here I wrapped some black fabric around the "head" and place the latex mask over it.
The black eyes look extra creepy, imo.

To bulk up the body I cut up a pool noodle and taped some pieces on the shoulders and forearms.
For the body I took 2 trashbags and filled them with rolled up paper.
I hung each bag over each shoulder.
Then I squished it around the 2X4 .
I liked the fat look.

My shoulders are a little too bulky but I'm just going with it.
Unfortunately I wasn't taking pics as i went and I'm not taking it apart till after Halloween!
I'm making a few more though, I'll try to take some pics and update it.





He's going to look good in my cemetery next to the wolf i made from a Christmas reindeer.
My daughter made a "chain" from cutting pipe insulation into rings. (still need to touch them up but that's the basic idea of what it's going to look like)

very cool thanks!

Neat stuff!

Looks great nice work!

Thanks for posting, I could use some "fillers" so these will be great.
cheers, Rick.

Good job! It looks great.

Looking good

Thanks for sharing

Phil

I just saw on another thread how to make "feet" using 90 degree pvc pieces.
It looked pretty cool if you were on flat surfaces.
They even cut out the bottom soles of shoes to go over it for more realism.
I plan on using my props on the lawn and in wooded areas so that wouldn't help me.
I'm learning that pvc piping has a million uses in haunting techniques!

Dear Pumpkinheadedskeleton, I love your stuff. You are so cool. Marry me.

So I'm trying to search for a thread I saw recently about a pvc frame with pvc feet and i find my own comment about it but I was too stupid to link it.
Arrghgh.
lol
Anybody happen to know what I was talking about before and looking for now?

Not familiar with the particular thread that you're looking for, but recently I've been reading the Cauldron Creep how-to, and he used PVC for feet (and extended them to be attached to the cauldron base for stability): http://devilschariot.blogspot.com/20...ow-it-was.html