So... how would you go about making a big rock?

[hydin]

A friend of mine wants to make a display for his Excalibur sword.

He basically wants just a big rock, with a hole in it to slide the sword into. Moss covered, etc. Typical big rock holding a magic blade

My only problem is, I can't think of an easy way to do this. Small rocks I can make easy enough. I don't have access to giant bricks of foam to hot wire cut one out, and if I do the "foam in a can" route it won't be "stable" enough to not roll over.

Anyone have any ideas on this? He wants it to be pretty big, so I am guessing covering over half the blade. That puts the rock at about 20" or so tall, probably around 24 inches wide.

Any advice is appreciated. I am looking forward to making the display, I just have to get over this hump of "wow.. I have no clue...." :confused

 

[Ramiel]

Well, you don't need one giant block of foam, you can use insulation foam "layered" one over each other, glued together, then "carve" them, and cover it with ureshell (or something like that...) then you can glue the rock over a wood base, cover everything again with another coat of ureshell (or something like that...) and finally paint it...
Could this be an option?

 

[hydin]

I just really really really really want to avoid fiberglassing this thing.

Originally I thought "bunch of foam blocks, glue, cut, shape, cover with durhams water putty, paint, done!". Then I remembered the sheer joy of destroying a sculpture doing that same thing a few years ago. (WHO THINKS OF WATER EXPANDING WHEN THEY ARE DRYING A ROCK!?!?!!?!?)

I might have to suck it up and go the fiberglass route once it's built up though..

I am with you 100% on the wood base though. Easy, cheap and it will keep everything stable enough to not send it topping over into his TV or cabinets or something.

 

[Darth Lars]

Wood frame, including a box where the blade goes. Mold chicken wire fencing over the frame and staple it on. Cover the chicken wire with a few layers of papiér maché and/or fiberglass.

I think maybe the sword holder and moss are harder problems. Less work, but more important to get right.

 

[Sidewinder]

Yeah, i'd go wood frame with special attn to the sword holding bit, then chicken wire and plaster bandage - maybe use some sort of plastic sheet (binbags?) over the wire to disguise the shape of it.

SAS

 

[hydin]

That is a damned good idea...

I was looking at this from a "need a round rock" perspective and not a "build the round rock with something else" one.

This is why I love this board

The sword holder is pretty simple (in design and execution). His excalibur is a SLO wall hanger, so the blade is barely sharp. One hole drilled/dremeled out about 5mm wider than the blade, and on the inside of the wooden base, a small piece of 2x4 with a divot drilled in to hold the point steady. The hardest part will be centering it all.

The moss is the easiest part of all. I plan on picking up some of that floral moss in a bag they sell at the craft stores and just spray glue it to the rocks where it needs to stay. I don't know if he wants to weather the handle or blade (doubtful), but it should look pretty nice once it's done.

It's been about 25 years since I played with paper mache, but it might be fun to start again

Any other ideas, keep em coming!

 

[Sidewinder]

Sword should be kept shiny, it is magical after all.

Maybe some ultrabrite white LEDs in the base of the sword holder shining up through the gap with a switch that is activated when you pull the sword out?

...and a sound FX player that plays wailing choral music in time with the lights going on.

SAS

 

[hydin]

:lol

Nah, he is on about a 20-30$ budget, so this big assortment of (one big, few smaller) fake rocks is about all he can afford. I am not charging anything for labor cause I miss making just general "stuff", but between wood, beer, nails, beer, chicken wire and moss, paint and coverings (and beer) he is going to be nearing that pretty quick.

Besides, I doubt he is ever going to move the sword. It's been leaning against the wall for the last 2 years.

If it was my rock though.... hell yea, shiny lights and I would figure out some way to have a crystal involved :lol

 

[micdavis]

Come on.

It EXCALIBUR.

Get a real rock.

 

[Melissa]

Wire frame, paper mache, something solid (maybe wood) attached to the center to hold the sword and anchor the entire piece.

 

[motman241]

how would you go about making a big rock?

Isn't that just failed oragami with really big paper?

 

[vistaVision]

You should be able to find everything you need in a good hobby shop. Look for Woodland Scenics products. Lightweight hydrocal (casting plaster), rock texture molds, rock coloring stains, etc. Model railroad stuff, same way that Disneyland and most themeparks build rock landscapes (just on a much larger scale, of course).

Their website: www.woodlandscenics.com

Cool project! Post some pix when you get it finished.

Marcus

 

[exoray]

Chicken wire (better yet the wire mesh for plaster walls, Home Depot carries 4x8 sheets in the drywall isle) wrap and shape this around a frame of wood or bent pipe...

Layer up several layers of striped/pieces of burlap soaked in Portland cement (think paper mache or fiberglass layup), and then a brush/sponge/ragged on skim coat of tinted Portland cement with a little sand mixed in for texture and effect...

I suggest using a latex additive for the Portland cement, this can either be found in the cement area or you might need to venture into the flooring area where then sell it to mix in with tile cements or grout... The additive will improve the bond and make it a little stronger...

This is basically how zoos and theme parks create rock walls and scenery...

 

[SgtFang]

Don't forget to sneak a couple super bright, green LEDS in a couple crevices to shine up on the sword.

-Sarge