Building some props...

C

CrazyFrazee

The next short in my series is a sci-fi battle, which, hell, may never work out, but I want to give it a shot. I figure I'll keep all of the effects and props on set, and I'll just start with the weapons. If I can build one decent prop gun, then I'll make another, and then the costumes, and then the setpieces, and by then I'll have all the hard stuff done. If I can't make a good gun, then I stop there.
So, scratchbuilding a gun. I want to make it strong enough to endure abuse, but it doesn't have to work at all. It doesn't even need a trigger, really. I figure I should find some scrap electronics, but where would I do that? The junk yard? Pawn shops? I'm going to make a few stops before work, but if anybody has any suggestions, please lay them on me.
~ Paul
 
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Too bad you don't live near Houston because I have a big box of old printed circuit boards stuffed up in the attic. I have no idea why I'm holding onto them because they are all pretty worthless.

Our local flea market (Trader's Village) always has a bunch of old, worthless computers laying around. Do you have any flea market's near you? That would be better than a pawn shop, IMO. And don't just limit yourself to computers. Old receivers, televisions, VCRs (any consumer electronics) also have a plethora of electronics to rape and butcher.
 
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I think the easiest method is to start with a toy gun, and embellish it with pieces, whether those are other parts of toys, metal scraps, pvc, model pieces, whatever..

hack it all together, using strong epoxy to attach everything, then paint it.. rinse, repeat.

Here's some links that might help stir the inspirational pot in your brain...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Steampunk-Futuresque-Sci-Fi-Hand-Gun/
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaMjS_JqQ8c&feature=related
http://foutzstudios.com/LaserPistol/LaserPistol.html
http://www.indymogul.com/backyard-fx/episode/bfx_20080331
 
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Nerf guns are a pretty good place to start, some of them look a bit 'Aliens'.

I scratch built a bunch of guns for my last film, but if I'd seen how good some repainted Nerf guns look, I wouldn't have bothered.
 
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I agree it's best to start with a toy gun. The pistol grip is the hardest thing to manufacturer from scratch. I just made a "bazooka" over the weekend. I got a dollar store toy ball-gun, cut off the pistol grip, attached it to a 5ft long piece of 3" pvc drain pipe with fiberglass cloth and resin, added a carrying strap and made a crosshair sight from a 2" pvc coupler, screwed it on. Painted with camo colors. Looks very very believable.

I recommend the use of camo spray paint if your script can accept that in a weapon. It tends to hide or obscure any rough details or accuracy points that sticklers would be too focussed on.

Bondo (auto body filler) is great for fabricating things into shapes that you cannot find anywhere.

Browse the plumbing aisles at home depot as much as possible, and go to electrical surplus stores and flea markets. I am an avid experimental rocketeer, and have a backround in fabricating things with found items or CHEAP items, and these methods/skills are some of the same ones I am using for props. The good part is for props, the stuff doesn't even have to work, just look lik it does ;)
 
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Alright, time to show off the results of my work!
My methods came to this: Find things that look like what I want, mold and sculpt the plastic with a soldering gun, spray paint, sharpee. All of this in an apartment. I think I may have inhaled some bad things. Glad I'm done.
The first piece was the marine's rifle. Started with a nerf gun, ended with this:
prop_rifle.jpg

Next was the marine's armor. Bought some hockey pads for $20:
prop_armor.jpg

Then came a hand-gun phaser. Took a dying hand-vacuum to task:
prop_phaser.jpg

And all three together:
props.jpg

Now just imagine that with some proper lighting to obscure the plastic... it's all pretty exciting for a country boy like me.
~ Paul
 
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