To See More Tutorials Pumpkin Reaper, Witch, The Grinch, Santa, Mummies, The Widow Wheeler, Fake Graves, How to Make Molds
I make Halloween Props that look so life like that you have to look twice to make sure his is not breathing.
Things you will need:
1-10' long PVC Pipe 1/2" Diameter PVC Pipe Cutter or Hand Saw
2-90% PVC Connectors 1/2" Diameter Drill & Drill Bits
4- 45% PVC Pipe Connectors 1/2" Diameter Tin Snips
1- 4 way PVC Pipe Connector 1/2" Diameter Black Tube Insulation Hose
1- " T " PVC Pipe Connector 1/2" Diameter Foam Wig Head
Chicken Wire & Duct Tape ( 2rolls sliver ) 1- Black Roll Duct tape
Playtex Gloves for his Hands Newspaper for stuffing
3 Cans of Great Stuff Foam Gloves- For you
Mask for his Face costume & wig
2- 3' long Re-bar Hammer
Screws Screw Diver
1- Tube of Clear silicone Caulking Gun
Let's Begin:
The Frame:
You will need to make the standard PVC Frame for Dummies:
cut 1- neck Piece approx 8" long. 2- Shoulder Pieces approx 4" long each,1- torso approx 26" long,
2- Hip pieces approx 4" long, 2- legs approx 2'.5 " long each, 2- upper arms approx 5" long each, and 2- lower arms approx 6" long each.
After You have made the Frame and drilled holes for the screws in each end of the connectors you will be able to start on the chicken wire and Duct Tape Body..
The Body:
Make a tube with your Chicken Wire and Duct tape the ends to over lap just a bit. Contouring the Chicken wire to form a body as you go. Cover The Chicken wire with 3 layers of duct tape.. Follow Along Slide show Making the Body
Tucking and snipping the chicken wire to form it into a body.. making a waist and shoulders. After you have that done. And the chicken wire is completely cover , cut a seam up the back and insert the PVC Frame you made and put the foam Head on the frame .Then re-tape the seam GOOD and around the head.. Leave No Cracks for the Great Stuff to ooze out of.Then you will be ready to put your gloves on and use the GREAT STUFF..
Please Wear Gloves this stuff does not come off of your Hands !! or Clothes !! Be Careful !!!
spray the Great Stuff into the body to help it keep it's shape.. Spray in straight lines.. and around the neck area and arm holes.
Once this has set up You will be ready to do the legs..
The Legs:
Cut your 2'.5" legs and slip them into the black pipe insulation tubes. Trimming the tube off at the end of the pipe. Next form a funnel type chicken wire around the legs to make thighs. Duct Tape all over the Chicken wire. till it is Completely covered. Then stuff with newspaper or those plastic bags you get from stores.. To help Hold their Shape or if you want you use Great Stuff here too. then screw the connectors to to the legs post then screw The Hip post to the body..you may want to bend him in a pose so it looks like he is digging. or standing up wiping the sweat from his brow..
Duct tape the legs around after you have screwed them to the Torso Pole.
The Arms:
After you have cut you Upper and Lower Arm for your Grave Digger
Encase them in the Black pipe insulation covering. And screw then onto the frame through the connectors in the pose you want.. I know in the picture it shows bubble wrap but I changed over its so much better..
The Head:
In the above step we have already put the head on the frame. now it is time to put the mask on him and secure it with some clear silicone..It doesn't eat foam or the mask.. I get mine a t Wal-Mart in the paint section..
The Hands:
Take The latex gloves and turn them inside out.So the white is showing.. stuff with newspaper or other stuffing and Duct Tape to the end of the arms.. if you want you can cover them buy using work Gloves..
The Feet or Boots:
I made mine out of Chicken Wire and Black Duct Tape. I formed mine around a old pair of sneakers I had. and when I had the bottom part of the shoe made I cut a seam down the bottom of the shoe and removed my shoe. Then Duct Tape the seam back and stuffed with Store bags..Make a small tube and Duct tape this to the top of the shoe. Flare out the top of the boot by cutting it and spreading it , then duct Tape.
Make a tongue for the boot with cardboard. Cut a Hole in the bottom of the boot so the PVC Pipe can come through.. I also Made cardboard tie flaps and duct taped them to to the boot for shoe lace eyelets..After that I punched holes that were evenly spaced to tie the boot. Then I rough up the surface of the duct tape with sandpaper and Painted it to like he was standing in dirt or mud. Here is a slide show to follow along with: boot slide show
Now you are ready to dress your Grave Digger.. Once you have Him Dressed he will be ready
to go out in the yard.. Pay attention to small details this is what give him personality. I even put glasses on him..
The Set Up:
Take your Re-Bar and hammer it into the ground till the top of the re-bar is even with his hips.. Pick him up and slide the pvc poles down over the re-bar. he will look like he is Standing up. place a shovel in his hands for extra three leg support like a tri-pod..
I will make a Tutorial on a Lite weight shovel if you want to put a motor in him so he will move..
This Ends this tutorial On Uncle Ernie The Grave Digger: If you have any questions please email me.
