costuming/prop mannequins

[Baron]

I apologize if this isn't the appropriate place for this question...but I see a lot of you have either made a body cast of yourself, or have half/full body mannequins you use for making your costumes/armor.
So...for those of you that have mannequins...where did you get them? Online? Local?
Any suggestions for either brick and mortar stores where you can get them, or online stores?
Any suggestions/info would be much appreciated!

 

[Larry Young]

Just type "male (or female) mannequins" into ebay. A vendor called "citidisplays" in New Jersey has awesome fiberglass figures for around $150 shipped.

 

[pinder91]

I'll be looking for a mannequin shortly, so this could be pretty helpful!

 

[Leander]

I actually wanted to make my own bust.

I Thought I could make one with plastic foil around my brother and some resin don't know if that'll work though. The idea was to cut it loose around the back and chest (so I get 2 halfs and free my brother) then fiberglass it on the inside and fix it back together.

BUT DON'T TRY THIS.. it was just a brainwave and I don't know if it is safe, maybe someone else actually tried this method..

or you can just make a cast the normal way

 

[SUPERprops]

he sells a white half body mannequin for $50, you can make an offer for $25 and he will take it everytime.

heres the link:
eBay My World - ben-mannequins

 

[SUPERprops]

I actually wanted to make my own bust.

I Thought I could make one with plastic foil around my brother and some resin don't know if that'll work though. The idea was to cut it loose around the back and chest (so I get 2 halfs and free my brother) then fiberglass it on the inside and fix it back together.

BUT DON'T TRY THIS.. it was just a brainwave and I don't know if it is safe, maybe someone else actually tried this method..

or you can just make a cast the normal way

Yes, PLEASE don't do this. he would get burns al over his face and might even Die from the fumes.

 

[Larry Young]

he sells a white half body mannequin for $50, you can make an offer for $25 and he will take it everytime.
http://myworld.ebay.com/ben-mannequins

Yeah, I have six full-size mannequins, and three are from Ben's Global and three are from citidisplays. The people shipping those monstrosities around have to be good sellers or they'd fade away quickly.

 

[Baron]

Wow, thanks for the responses! I just ordered a mannequin from them...and shipping cost an arm and a leg!
Thank you...I'll be here all week.

 

[E Williams]

Looks like Baron found what he was looking for, but I just wanted to throw my $0.02 in and say that I had a good experience with Citidisplays on ebay as well. Picked up a nice egghead mannequin for my Batman costume.

 

[chilicheese]

i made an upper body mannequin of myself out of duct tape. found a how to online. basically get an old shirt, have someone wrap your torso in duct tape(they reccomended 3 layers), cut it down the back, then reattach it. you probably could resin it when you are done, but i just filled mine with batting. it worked alright. i think i needed more batting because it started to sag with some weight on it.

p.s. it gets hot in there when youre getting wrapped.

 

[themanwoaname]

Yes, PLEASE don't do this. he would get burns al over his face and might even Die from the fumes.

i did a chest copy this way. its not dangerous, i never got woozy from fumes and im still alive. i ended up not using it anyway. i actually had a friend fiberglass while i was wearing it. it was uncomfortable, but i never felt like i was in any danger.

i wont say run out and do this if you arent experienced with fiberglassing, think doing it inside is a wonderful idea and decide to put it directly on your skin with out an under layer of clothing.

i imagine doing the duct tape dummy way, fiberglassed, and then filled with foam should yield good results.

 

[epilepticsquirl]

plus one for duct tape :thumbsup
YouTube - How-to Tailor Shirts, Threadbanger

and a similar technique using water activated packaging tape.

YouTube - How-to make a Body Form, Threadbanger Projects

 

[zsherman]

Wasn't there a dude out there selling a mannequin for people that was a buff, black foam thing you your pose? I remember some pics of a Batman suit on it or something. I'm in the same boat as Baron... I just wish I remembered where I saw that! They were like 200-300US I think.
HAHA! Not a lot of help, am I?!