Making replica Movie Wolverine Claws: start to finish thread

[IndyFanChuck]

Hey friends,

So, I have decided to undertake my first ever "from scratch" prop build: Replica Wolverine Movie claws. I have wanted an accurate movie replica pair of Hugh Jackman Wolverine claws for.... well, since the movie debuted.

Also, since I have kids I don't want a sharp metal pair that could really be dangerous. A nice wooden or resin (or plastic pair if I could) set would be perfect.

So, I researched photos I could find online of the claws sold by Profiles in History, Screen Used, and PropStore, and started from there. I thought I would start the thread here and you can see my project from the start - to the end. I can post photos of my progress every so often and we shall see how hard this really is.

I might fail, but at least I can TRY this! :lol

First I will post photos of the actual movie claws, and we can discuss the length and details. Then we can see if these will be easy to produce in resin, then make for everyone. But, first the photos:

There are the best photos I could find of the ACTUAL movie claws, so what are your thought everyone?

 

[Hitogiri]

Good luck with it bro!

 

[wuher da brewer]

I think you may want to consider lexan over resin. Its strong enough it won't snap easily and fairly easy to cut and shape. You can buy it in squares just long enough to meet your needs at Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[JBReplicas]

Great idea, I've also wanted a set for ages so colour me interested, I'll be following this one :thumbsup

 

[Ramiel]

I could be interested as well!
Let us see your progresses!

 

[IndyFanChuck]

I have had about a dozen emails about this. I started the project and don't like to wood I used at first.

I got with my father, who is great at wood working and has been hobby wood working for about 50 years. Being a great Dad, he actually picked out several amazing pieces of wood for me and I am starting over.

My PLAN Is this, to fully complete a set out of wood and then get feedback from all the members.

Then I will make the changes that are needed, and start casting.

Does that sound like a good plan???


AWESOME!!!! :thumbsup

 

[IndyFanChuck]

hahahaha

Things are really starting to come together on this one! I hope to have some photos to share with you all VERY soon!

Yeah! I hope I can really make this set work! I am getting there!!!

 

[oldman808]

Whoa!!!
Good luck on this project! Can't wait to see some progress pics!

Aloha:thumbsup

 

[JtotheP]

Looking forward to this--what a great and fun undertaking!:cool
So are you going to be making a mold and produce them? If you end up making a mold you could cast them extremely light and strong by casting them out of a two part urethane and extending the solution by 50% with ceramic microspheres before mixing.

 

[IndyFanChuck]

That sounds awesome. Before I cast them, I will get PLENTY of advice. But the plan is to have an affordable run on these. I have asked around, and people literally charge more than 100 dollars for a single hand set! hahaha What a rip off!

I don't know if I am going to be able to do it, but the first claw is nearly done from wood. I failed the first two attempts.

I just need a few free hours to sand it down to perfection and get the angles just right.

Then I'll post photos and go from there.....

Hopefully in a couple of days I will have photos and can get this dang project going more quickly!

Looking forward to this--what a great and fun undertaking!:cool
So are you going to be making a mold and produce them? If you end up making a mold you could cast them extremely light and strong by casting them out of a two part urethane and extending the solution by 50% with ceramic microspheres before mixing.

 

[bullwhipcracker]

If you are going to cast them do you need more than 1?
Show us the pics already...the start as well as the finish.
Looking forward to this...snickity snakt.
Ron

That sounds awesome. Before I cast them, I will get PLENTY of advice. But the plan is to have an affordable run on these. I have asked around, and people literally charge more than 100 dollars for a single hand set! hahaha What a rip off!

I don't know if I am going to be able to do it, but the first claw is nearly done from wood. I failed the first two attempts.

I just need a few free hours to sand it down to perfection and get the angles just right.

Then I'll post photos and go from there.....

Hopefully in a couple of days I will have photos and can get this dang project going more quickly!

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Well, I have one claw fully complete. Just one. I am not sure what you all will think of it.

The problem is my digital camera wont OPEN when you press the power button. I tried to find the battery, but it is not for sale anywhere! GAH!

Ill have to borrow a digital camera next week and share my one claw. Hopefully no one will like HATE it! haha

If you are going to cast them do you need more than 1?
Show us the pics already...the start as well as the finish.
Looking forward to this...snickity snakt.
Ron

 

[Etan]

These would make an awesome present for a friend of mine, has there been any progress?

 

[JoMamma_Smurf]

Cool.........Here are mine.......Machined from aluminum, specs from screen used claws, made by a memeber here who actually owned a set of screen used claws years ago.

 

[Cree]

Cool.....In charachter Looks sharp!

 

[BATS]

just on a side note to your progress

sideshow is offering wolverine claws now
but I think they are based on the new film
either that or they got the set of polished
claws that were made and auctioned for charity
because the angles are polished out instead of being
strongly beveled

its the same for the cyclops visors, they are modified versions
of the real deal. I have a copy of the real deal 2 visor and at comiccon
this year I held the screen used real deal, the museum replica version is so much thinner
then the real one

somewhere I have autocad drawings I did based off measurements
I was given by a friend who had a set of real deals claws, both regular
and the fully extended claws (those include the gearing notches and bloodlines)

sad thing is there were 1200 sets of claws made for the second film and alot of them ended up on ebay for an average of 80 bucks
if any of us had managed to get a set it wouldn't be needed to make our own

LOL


and here they are now for 2000.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-X-MEN-prop-Wolverine-CLAWS-Jackman-SIGNED_W0QQitemZ370078190721QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item370078190721&_trkparms=72%3A552|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[IndyFanChuck]

I have this project on my mind a LOT lately. Since it is so hot this summer, I am waiting for the weather to change. I figure that in October I will be able to finish the project.

The whole point in this was to have them be INEXPENSIVE. I could buy the Sideshowtoy version and cast them, but that would be wrong and stupid.

So I am going to make them from wood and cast them. They won't be PERFECT or exacting, but for some of us - it will be enough. It will be fan made, and it will be cheaper than I have ever seen them.

Actually, the only expensive part will be WHAT to cast them out of. As SOON as the weather changes, I will finish the first set and get approval from you guys. I want to make sure everyone like them first.

But if you are looking for PERFECTION, I am not a prop builder. They will be fan made. And they will be made with LOVE.

Hopefully, that will be good enough. That, and inexpensive. lollollol



:thumbsup

 

[IndyFanChuck]

Okay. I have not successfully made one single prop from start to finish. I have 90 different costumes and props laying around, mostly incomplete.

Well, I am VERY inspired since Bill Clinton is coming to Arkansas tomorrow! So, I am going to work all day in the garage and try to get one claw looking awesome.

EITHER WAY, I will post photos ASAP and get feedback. I am doing two wolverine claw types. One is a replica of the Hugh Jackman version from the movies. The second is the flat, comic book version from the Hulk/Wolverine cover McFarlane did.

So, wish me good luck. Because hell or highwater, I am going to get some replica Wolverine claws made this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



---Chuck


(pumping fists, bumping chests, and grunting manlyesque! haha)

 

[IndyFanChuck]

I just got through cutting a few different sized block, and tomorrow I will start sanding and cleaning.

Good news is my wife took TONS of photos, so at least I will have something to show.... FINALLY! hahahaha

 

[CTF]

Well, I am VERY inspired since Bill Clinton is coming to Arkansas tomorrow!

Bill was Wolverine? :confused