Stargirl Staff Help..thoughts/suggestions wanted

[I Five]

I'm not crafty...at all :cry But I'm pretty proud of my work so far on my Stargirl staff :cool I made it out of 3/4" PVC pipe and couplers. I still have to paint it and make the top...which is why I'm posting. I’m really struggling with the top ‘hook’ part of the staff though.

I'm looking for ideas on what would be the best (and easiest...I'm a rookie remember :confused) to make the top of the staff. If you have any thoughts/suggestions please post...I would appreciate it :love

It does not need to light up...just be the 'hook' shape.

Thanks!

Jenny

 

[Jedifyfe]

Pretty cool so far. I think the top part will have to be sculpted, moulded and then cast in a resin. It would end up being pretty top heavy, unless it was rotocast resin.

I will try to find something else that could be used but I think you might have to sculpt it.

Let's see the costume... :love


Brad

 

[glim999]

You could carve it from foam and bondo it.

 

[blownhemi]

Going with the PVC theme, possibly something based off a condensation trap with sheet styrene patterned on?

 

[I Five]

Yeah, I'm trying to stay away from to heavy. I'm a klutz, I'd drop and break it for sure :unsure

If I carve it out os styrofoam do you think it will look smooth?

I was thinking of trying to but a bit of heat on a 2 liter bottle and bend the top over...but I don't think it would be tall enough! Plus I would probably start the bottle on fire :confused

 

[Djinn]

It would be so easy to stick a led and battery in there though. Making it light up really would not be a problem for something that large.

 

[Jack Knight1979]

You are COOL.

NICE WORK!

I'm a huge Starman fan. Hence the handle Jack Knight.:lol
You may have just inspired me to make my own. Great job thus far.

Sculpt the top and cast it in resin. Vac formed would be great too. You could have lights inside of it. nice.

 

[rollerboi]

I see it's got some pretty tight edges.

I would personally make a cardboard mockup, and then cut it out of styrene. It looks like a pyramidal base shape, with curved/bent sides. A solid styrene cement with clamps while drying would probably do the trick, or form it around a foam core.

You could also cover the cardboard mockup with papier mache and shellac.

 

[Robot Monster]

For a lower tech solution you could get some sculpty , shape it and then bake it in the oven. If that's too heavy you could just use it as a form for you to use as a cast.

 

[Robot Monster]

I see it's got some pretty tight edges.

I would personally make a cardboard mockup, and then cut it out of styrene. It looks like a pyramidal base shape, with curved/bent sides. A solid styrene cement with clamps while drying would probably do the trick, or form it around a foam core.

You could also cover the cardboard mockup with papier mache and shellac.

Sculpt and coat is good stuff to use also. http://sculpturalarts.com/foamcoating.htm

 

[Djinn]

I see it's got some pretty tight edges.

I would personally make a cardboard mockup, and then cut it out of styrene. It looks like a pyramidal base shape, with curved/bent sides. A solid styrene cement with clamps while drying would probably do the trick, or form it around a foam core.

You could also cover the cardboard mockup with papier mache and shellac.

I was thinking kind of the same thing with crafting it like a pyramid base. Only using styrene, I would try clear plexiglass with a yellow bulb or led inside.

 

[Chiok]

I would think carving the shape from layers of insulation foam or expanded polystyrene, coat in PVA glue, then spread on car body filler to strengthen and smooth the shape.

Or just carve it out of pine wood. I think because of it's unique shape, you'll have a hard time finding anything pre-made that resembles it without making it yourself. Do love the Stargirl and the big ass Stripes.

 

[I Five]

Thanks for all of the ideas everyone :cool

I think the 'version 1' will be to try to carve it out of a block of pine and see how it turns out. I'm sure there will be several versions :lol

I bought paint last night. I'm going to do bright yellow and then gold over it. So today I used PVC glue to permenently hold the joints together (except for three joints... so it can be taken apart to go in a suitcase for flying). That glue dried SO FAST I didn't get the top straight and it had dried :angry !! Is there a way to unglue it so I can redo it staright?? :cry

BTW...very cool Jack Knight that you like Starman and know about the Staff :cool

 

[BlindSquirrel]

How about using MDF? You can easily shape it with a dremel and it'll be stronger than foam. If you laminate several sheets together you can glue a steel rod inside for extra strength.

 

[altername]

I agree with wood. If you have some tools, carving that thing up might be easiest.

 

[I Five]

I have my staff all completed! I made the staff out of PVC pipe and adapters,couplers & repair kits. My friend Chris Ross made the top...and it turned out stellar!!! Thanks for all of your help and advice...and especially to Chris for making it for me :cool

 

[Robot Monster]

Excellent work!

 

[Luke Skyvader]

Saw you in the Dragon con pics post...someone here asked if that staff was by a member here, he seemed to remember your post. Nice work

 

[Bizarro Lois]

Very nice results you got there. I missed this thread, but wanted to post another idea for future reference - Wonderflex. Friends of mine who do a lot of cosplay buy a lot of this stuff and swear by it. http://www.dazian.com/html/wonderflex.html

 

[8 perf]

I saw you at Dragon*con too. It dawned on me after you had passed by that the staff looked familiar and that It was on here that you had mentioned making it. Turned out really great.