prop building tools, materials, planning and basic techniques part 2 – steampunk pepperbox
TRANSCRIPT
Table of Contents
• Safety• Tools• Materials• Paint & Print• Adhesives• Design / Research / References• Steampunk Pepperbox• Online resources and communities• Q&A• Raffle
Safety Guidelines
• Work in a well lit and well ventilated area
• Spray paint outside or in a painting booth and always wear a respirator
• Use the right tool for the job• When carving always push the blade
away from you• Dull blades/bits are dangerous, they
require more force and are harder to control
• A Dremel bit spins at 35,000 RPM – if you like seeing, wear goggles
Safety Equipment
• Face shield (starts from $5)• Goggles (starts from $1.5)• Gloves (about $0.15 per glove for
heavy duty nitrile gloves)• Respirator (starts from $16)• Dust mask (about $0.3 per mask)
$20 of safety equipment will keep you safe. What is your
excuse?Sources: Amazon, Harbor Freight
So what tools do I need? AKA the Amazon wishlist
Phase 1: Basic tools• Scissors• Box cutter• Xacto knife• Respirator• Goggles/Face shield• Dremel + bits (reinforced
cutting discs and sanding drums)
• Drill• Drill bits• Coping saw• Hammer• Screwdrivers• Wire cutters• Needlenose pliers• Clamps• Files• Paintbrushes• Metal ruler• Measuring tape• Pins & Safety pins
Phase 2: Precision and leather• Combination square• Jigsaw
• Mallet• Auto punch• Vise• Caliper• Rotary punch• Awl• Precision screwdrivers• Hose clamps
Phase 3: Metalworking and beyond• More Dremel accessories
(Flex shaft, wire brushes)• More drill bits (rasp, wire
brushes, step drill bits)• Locking pliers• Tap & Die kit• Drill press• Scroll saw• Soldering iron• Heat gun• Multimeter• Hole saw kit• Jeweler's saw• Metal snips• Pipe cutter
• Sureform/plane
Consumables:• Sandpaper
(80/120/220/400/1000)• Steel wool• Painters tape• Zip ties• Nails• Screws• Paint thinner• Nitrile gloves• Wood filler• Permanent markers, paint
markers & pencils• Glazing putty and body
filler (Bondo)• Rags• Paper towels• Duct tape• Q tips• Toothpicks/skewers• Adhesives (full list on an
upcoming slide)• Paint
Recommended Materials
• EVA foam & craft foam – armor• Leather – armor, sheaths, straps, holsters• Sintra, Styrene, PVC, Plexiglass (Lexan)
and other types of plastic – armor, weapons
• Wood: know the different types - Hardwood, MDF, plywood, etc. – and dowels, in as many sizes as you can afford
• Metal: sheetmetal, pipes, candlesticks, chain, etc.
• Other: clamshell packages, hoses, cardboard, foam core, insulation foam, rare earth magnets, etc.
Paint & Print
• Acrylic• Spray paint – there are brands other than Krylon
and Rustoleum (automotive, graffiti, etc.)• Rub-n-Buff• Clearcoat – keep the paint on your prop and not
on your costume• Leather dye/antiquing gel• Tea, Espresso*• Overhead transparency• Adhesive labels• Dry brushing• Washes*Adam Savage weathering video: http://youtu.be/YXzxEqdvuIE
Adhesives
• White glue• Wood glue• Superglue• Mod Podge• Epoxy• Gorilla glue• Contact cement• Super 77 spray• E6000• JB Weld
The ultimate glue website: thistothat.com
…and before we start building…
• Create a plan/template:This can be anything from a list of measurements to a CAD design, whatever works for you
• Collect the materials/supplies:Try to have all the materials available prior to building, this includes paint and fabric
• Measure twice, cut once:Verify the dimensions after every step
• But mistakes do happen:if possible get extra materials
Steampunk Pepperbox
Rationale:• Low cost materials• Minimum investment in tools and
materials• Repurposing materialsTools:• Scissors• Sandpaper• Xacto knife/Box cutter• Hammer
Materials
Required:• Drinking straws• Copper elbow• Button• Nail• Stick• Superglue• Paint• Epoxy or JB weld
Optional:• Copper sheet• Decorative brad• Eye screw• Leather lace• Gears• Leather dye, wood
stain
Construction
1. Cut straws to size2. Paint straws (optional – prime before painting)3. Glue straws together4. Cut the stick to size and shape it5. Hammer nail into stick and remove it6. Stain the wood7. Glue the nail to the button8. Paint “trigger” and “barrels”9. Seal all painted surfaces - if you want to, you
can also seal the copper to keep it shiny10.Assemble all parts11.Optional - Decorate
Tips and Tricks
• The straws are very light so a number of creative solutions were necessary to keep them in place while spray painting: a nail sticking out of a piece of cardboard
• Same design can be used for a much more elaborate version (more barrels, side-by-side layout for a pepperbox shotgun)
• Additional details such as sights, heat shield, safety, hammer, etc.
Next steps
Other materials• Sintra, Styrene, PVC, Worbla, leather, metals and
wood
Technology• Light & sound – LEDs, Arduino, switches
Process• Molds & casting
Tools• List or recommended tools on slide 6
Online resources and Communities
Communities/ForumsThe RPFCosplay.comThe dented helmetBrass Goggles
Blogs/VideosTestedPunished PropsVolpin PropsPropnomiconEvil Ted SmithStiltbeast Studios
RetailersMcMasterGraingerFastenalTandy LeatherHarbor FreightAmazon