Ideas needed for prop making classes at txrxlabs

[Spookydad]

I am a member of TX/RX Labs, a non-profit hackerspace in Houston Texas. I am looking for ideas for future classes in prop-making. TX/RX has been described as a propmaker's heaven. We have just about every type of tool available to be used. Sometimes deciding which is the coolest way to tackle a project can lead to significant delays.

I already teach classes in lifecasting, sculpting for moldmaking, silicone moldmaking, and costume armor making techniques. We have recently added a professional grade 2 ft x 3 ft vacuformer and would like to design some classes around that.

We have multiple cnc machines, laser cutters, 3d printers, a cnc plasma cutter, all flavors of welders and woodworking tools. We are expanding our foundry to move up from just aluminum to other castable metals. We have also recently added a sinker edm and are looking at some plastic injection molding equipment. Our arts lab has leatherworking, painting, sculpting, sewing, and photography.

I am looking to create a few classes that are geared to specific equipment like the vacuformer and some more advanced ones that span multiple techniques and pieces of equipment.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

You can check out the lab at www.txrxlabs.org (We don't sell anything, and try to just cover costs on our classes. Think of us a gym membership for tools.)

 

[Abelugo]

Some thought starters

tools of the trade, or alternative tools when you dont have certain one available..

texturing or adding textures, finishes or patina to surfaces

maybe a basic foundry class, find a foundry that sand cast to work with, create everything needed to make a small casted part, set it up with the foundry so the students can go see one of the pieces molded, then have the foundry run the rest.

maybe a class on figuring out proportions of parts by using good detective work or surroundings. Use a know sized prop and students just create drawings to make the piece.

sounds like s fun place, good luck with the classes.