Hammond cane build log

[TheRealMe]

Decided to have a go at one of these canes. I started with a wooden dowel and moulded super sculpey around it. I have an egg for the size of the amber bit on top. I will be making a mould for the top bit, and I've been collecting crain flies to cast into them. I also picked up some clear casting resin and some tenting color for getting the amber color.

Getting ready with the dowel.

and with some sulpey it started to take shape!

shaping the connection between the vertebras.

some white paint (I cured the sculpey with the heat gun)

finally I worked with the air brush to get a bone like finish, basically layering different colors and lightly through them to bend.

Close up!

Now to work on the amber, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Apollo]

Looking good!

 

[TomVDJ]

Great work! Looking forward to the next pics...

 

[TheRealMe]

Ok so I made a two part mould of an egg, and put my least favorite crane fly in as a test. it came out ok. but I think the resin ether got too hot, or was disturbed during the curing. The amber looks like it has fractures in side it, they look like sheets of reflective areas, I'm gonna pull another today and use less MEKP so it should cure slower, and have less heat. I will use another crane fly, but I have one I;m saving until I get this right.
Looks awesome tho!

Not bad for a scratch build I started a few days ago, but I am gonna get a better pull for the top.
P.S. I have photos of the mould making process too, but they're on my friends phone because I couldn't take photos and lay the silicone at the same time. as soon as he sends me the photos I'll upload them

 

[TomVDJ]

Looks like a great cane. Can you post some close up pictures of the topper like it is now?

Planning on doing a run of these?

 

[Luke0312]

Nice work.

I believe the fractures/cracks you're referring to are from heat. I've had some form before, the thing was, they always originated from some point on the bug.

 

[TheRealMe]

ok did a new bug, thing looks awesome!

I would do a run if I had the interest, and if I wasn't stepping on toes. I'm already thinking about version 2, Which would have more of a tapper to the bottom. I would make a mould and do them in resin.
Is anyone else doing these now? I mean aside form crap on ebay?(not all the ones on ebay looked bad, but most.
I mostly just wanted one for myself, but now I have local friends asking for one, so I may have to make a mould anyhow :/ Also my prototype is clay and I may want a resin copy of it for myself too, the clay may not hold up. Sad I already did an awesome paint job on it!

- - - Updated - - -

Nice work.

I believe the fractures/cracks you're referring to are from heat. I've had some form before, the thing was, they always originated from some point on the bug.

Yes they do come from points on the bug, it could be that the heat is causing moisture from inside the bug to escape and cause the cracks.
So ether less heat. of dehydrate the crane flies some how.

Oh and the old bug is at the shop. I will take some close ups of it for you.
I will also post photos of the mould and the processes and stuff.

 

[MAKE BELIEVE]

Nice work
A run would be a good idea and I'm sure there would be interest. It all depends on final price once sadly nowadays seems that money is always too short!
Keep us posted

 

[TheRealMe]

Nice work
A run would be a good idea and I'm sure there would be interest. It all depends on final price once sadly nowadays seems that money is always too short!
Keep us posted

I would likely do a kit option to keep the price down. The part I wouldn't want to do a ton of is the air brushing. So let people paint there own? I don't know. that might the hardest part.

 

[MAKE BELIEVE]

Selling it as a kit looks a great idea and it'll sure keep the price down. Other options are unpainted versions or parts of the piece (the "egg" only, for exemple)
Thanks

 

[Marc Wagner]

I would totally be down for a kit! Amazing job!

 

[TJackFx]

I`d be interested in at least an egg if you decide to offer them

 

[TheRealMe]

Ok, I have to look into the rules for doing runs here. I have two runs going on in the R2 builders club right now, but never did one here. I'll plan on doing more tops to see how consistent I can get them. I will then start an interest thread and go form there. I will also need to figure out the cost involved in these and come up with a price.
Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.

 

[Steven Nedry]

Very nice made!

 

[OzJames]

Its looking great, looking forward to seeing it progress. I would also love a hammond cane so id be interested if you ever do a run.

 

[MAKE BELIEVE]

If you decide for a run and open a new interest / sale thread plase inform at this thread (in case we might miss it)
The simpler and cheaper you be able to make it I'm sure the more interested people you'll get. Usually these canes are a bit pricey so that makes a lot of people loose interest. Also please inform shipping cost to US and Europe.
Again nice work.
Thank you

 

[Malphas]

I'd be interested in a kit. Looks good.

 

[DKMurphy]

I put the pictures of making the amber egg mold into our Flickr account. Here is the link to the Hammond Cane Pictures

 

[TheRealMe]

I put the pictures of making the amber egg mold into our Flickr account. Here is the link to the Hammond Cane Pictures

^Just an FYI, DKmurphy and I are partners, so he may occasionally post updates to some of my build logs, and eventual runs that may or may not occur.

 

[TheRealMe]

just a heads up, I just completed version two. This time I turned the whole thing from wood, and the whole thing is way more accurate. I'm waiting on more crane flies right now, but I will be posting photos.