lethyry
Active Member
Over the last couple months I've been working on a few Batman props from the films that may not be the most well known but I thought were quite cool. I'm hoping to keep updating this thread as I start/complete more props.
The first one was the "BatBolo" from Batman Forever
I was able to use some of the photos listed on the propstore site of Bolo from the film to create my own template. Using the measurements listed I was able to get my template close to the same size as the actual prop.
The template was originally one piece but I cut it into smaller pieces for the carving process. I cut the main wing section of the bolo out of 1/4" MDF as it's easy to cut and sand. Once the main shape was cut out I separated the wing template into the 2 pieces and traced the contours onto the wing. I used my dremel sanding bit and some fine sandpaper to get the contour to my liking.
Then came the hemisphere section of the bolo. This was tricky as I was trying to find a hemisphere that was the correct size and had to right dome shape. I stumbled upon a cake pop mold that was perfect for this. I fit it to the wing and added the three tabs, also made of MDF.
After various rounds of sanding/filling and priming I finished the master and got it ready for molding
I did a 2 part mold for this as a dump mold wouldn't really work. The mold came out nice so I cast up a couple in smoothcast 300.
Above is the test castings I finished with some basic black paint and a semi gloss clear coat. I think they came out quite nice. They're definitely not perfect as the way I cast these has since changed slightly.
The next Prop I did was the Riddler Bomb also from Batman Forever.
This was a build I did in a couple days. I created some templates from the available reference and started the build process.
The main body was a plastic Christmas ornament while the head was a ping pong ball. I created an Internal structure to keep the head positioned where I wanted it. The one in the movie does have electronics in it but I decided to keep this one static.
The green used was from rustoleum and the decals were hand cut out of black and white vinyl and put together
The Third Prop I did was the Batmobile Control Device from Batman Returns:
Super quick build as I only did the ball, given I couldn't find enough reference of the piece this connects to in the film.
Again made from a plastic christmas ornament with a hand bent copper wire and a Guitar audio jack on the bottom. I gave it a basic white paintjob and hand painted the red stripe on the ball even though the screen used prop uses red vinyl. I was in a time crunch and didn't have any red vinyl in the shop so this was going to do. Once that was all finished I gave it a quick weathering pass and called it finished.
Once I get some free time in the shop I will probably end up repainting this and giving it the correct red vinyl.
The first one was the "BatBolo" from Batman Forever
I was able to use some of the photos listed on the propstore site of Bolo from the film to create my own template. Using the measurements listed I was able to get my template close to the same size as the actual prop.
The template was originally one piece but I cut it into smaller pieces for the carving process. I cut the main wing section of the bolo out of 1/4" MDF as it's easy to cut and sand. Once the main shape was cut out I separated the wing template into the 2 pieces and traced the contours onto the wing. I used my dremel sanding bit and some fine sandpaper to get the contour to my liking.
Then came the hemisphere section of the bolo. This was tricky as I was trying to find a hemisphere that was the correct size and had to right dome shape. I stumbled upon a cake pop mold that was perfect for this. I fit it to the wing and added the three tabs, also made of MDF.
After various rounds of sanding/filling and priming I finished the master and got it ready for molding
I did a 2 part mold for this as a dump mold wouldn't really work. The mold came out nice so I cast up a couple in smoothcast 300.
Above is the test castings I finished with some basic black paint and a semi gloss clear coat. I think they came out quite nice. They're definitely not perfect as the way I cast these has since changed slightly.
The next Prop I did was the Riddler Bomb also from Batman Forever.
This was a build I did in a couple days. I created some templates from the available reference and started the build process.
The main body was a plastic Christmas ornament while the head was a ping pong ball. I created an Internal structure to keep the head positioned where I wanted it. The one in the movie does have electronics in it but I decided to keep this one static.
The green used was from rustoleum and the decals were hand cut out of black and white vinyl and put together
The Third Prop I did was the Batmobile Control Device from Batman Returns:
Super quick build as I only did the ball, given I couldn't find enough reference of the piece this connects to in the film.
Again made from a plastic christmas ornament with a hand bent copper wire and a Guitar audio jack on the bottom. I gave it a basic white paintjob and hand painted the red stripe on the ball even though the screen used prop uses red vinyl. I was in a time crunch and didn't have any red vinyl in the shop so this was going to do. Once that was all finished I gave it a quick weathering pass and called it finished.
Once I get some free time in the shop I will probably end up repainting this and giving it the correct red vinyl.
