Mega-sized doll/ stop-motion ball and socket joints?

helix_3

Well-Known Member
I'm designing a large, man-sized dummy with articulated joints. For the joints, lockable ball and socket joints seem ideal- they're simple, low-cost, and have a high range of flexibility.

Unfortunately the only commercially available joints are like this, which are intended for small, low-mass structures. Therefore I'd like to build a larger version capable of supporting more mass.

I could use this procedure with eBay-sourced threaded brass balls. However, I don't know what would be an appropriate scale for this project. Does anyone know a suitable diameter of ball to use? Larger ball= more surface area= more friction, but beyond that I'd have to guess and check different diameters, which is time consuming and costly.
 
What about leveraging a slush cast mannequin from a store display, and then cutting and 3d printing joints to size?...

Now that I say that, I might do that next summer for next year's halloween.
 
I've been thinking about this as well, since I'm doing a 1:1 posable statue of Rocket Racoon from Guardians of the Galaxy. My initial though was to 3d print suitable alternatives. I know there are a few on Thingiverse that could be used.
 
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