The Goonies: Copper Bones Skeleton Key (Scratch Built)

[zenx13]

"Hey, You Guys!"

I have always enjoyed The Goonies film and Copper Bones Skeleton Key is a really awesome prop. After the success with my Indiana Jones: Raven Saloon Staff of Ra Headpiece I decided I wanted to make the Bones Skeleton Key from scratch in a similar fashion.

I know there is quite the controversy regarding the "real" one and what is the accurate look and feel. After researching I decided to go with a 6 inch version using the Paragon replica as a main reference - from there, details will be adjusted based on screen grabs from the film.

Step 1

Printing out the reference photo to scale and tracing it to MDF that will be used as the backside of the prop.

 

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Step 2

Cutting out the MDF back and some filing / sanding work.

 

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Step 3

Cutting the XPS Insulation Foam on my Proxxon Table and sanding the edges.

 

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Step 4

Removing the eyes, nose etc. from the foam, cutting the foam portion into three slices - this will allow me to make a relief area from the top piece and a cut away area below to add some weight to the prop (sort of a foam sandwich).

 

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Step 5

Development of the top relief - cutting the master out then tracing the shape onto the top slice.

 

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Step 6

Removal of the "cut away" items from the upper slice - plus: blood for the creative Gods!

 

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Step 7

Making the markings with: Pen, exacto blade and deepened with a pencil. Filing all the inner edges.

 

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Step 8

Adhering the 3 slices with "foam safe" CA Glue and sanding of the outside edge - it is looking pretty good!

 

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Step 9

Adding filler to the outside edges to hide the individual slices - drying now, but soon sanding commences!

 

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Step 10

The prop was sanded and base painting with Mod Podge hard coat tinted black.

 

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Step 11

"Dabbing" PVA glue on sides and back to give a metal-like texture to those areas - then re-painting black.

 

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Step 12

Dry-brushing a metallic Bronze followed by a metallic Gold - she is really coming to life!

 

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Step 13

Some weathering and dirtying down of the prop.

 

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Step 14

A couple of quick screen grabs from the movie to make sure to loop the leather lashing through the bottom correctly and try to get a similar knot.

 

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FINISHED

I am so happy with the results of this build! It came together really quickly and I think it looks great. After making the Raven Saloon Staff of Ra Headpiece I felt very comfortable tackling the Copper Bones Skeleton Key.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments - thanks for following along!

Cheers!
/sean

 

[Jintosh]

For a light weight wearable CON going Goonies prop, it's cool. Can you imagine trying to wear a solid copper one for the whole convention? Yeah, foam all the way is going to save your neck.

 

[zenx13]

For a light weight wearable CON going Goonies prop, it's cool. Can you imagine trying to wear a solid copper one for the whole convention? Yeah, foam all the way is going to save your neck.

Ha ha - yeah a full metal one would be crazy. I am glad I added the washers and nuts though - it does give it some weight so it doesn't feel it is made out of foam.