Form Fitting casts for Stilts etc.
David Boccabella
Moderator
in Fabrication
Hi Folks.
Last week I came across something that provided a solutions to an issue I have had for a long while.
Essentially I have been wanting to make a set of 'werewolf' stilts a.k.a. the Underworld movies. To do this I would need to have a very accurate casting of my lower leg and foot. This would help prevent pressure points or ridges when I am being supported by the leg.
Here is a picture of a stilt from the movie.
Normally I would see this as a plaster cast, then make a positive from it, and then cast fiberglass over that. With the plaster being thrown away after the cast was made.
However there are now Polyester bandages that have water activated resin impregnated into it. These are used for making casts for broken bones etc. They are very easy to use - one open the package (once opened you have to use it quickly) , give the bandage a quick soak, and then wrap. One of the vibrating saws a.k.a. cast saw quickly gets the cast off afterwards, but if the number of layers are less that 3 then a set of blunt tipped scissors work.
Here are some links
http://www.opchealth.com.au/delta-cast-elite-polyester
http://www.orthocare.com.au/category/CASTING/product/nemoa-cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJq7IVx1Cjs
Now you have the perfect negative you can use normal fiberglass to build up the structural strength if needed or add structural supports.
The bandages set in about 10 mins and are not that expensive so they can be used for several other purposes as well.
Hope this helps someone
Dave
Last week I came across something that provided a solutions to an issue I have had for a long while.
Essentially I have been wanting to make a set of 'werewolf' stilts a.k.a. the Underworld movies. To do this I would need to have a very accurate casting of my lower leg and foot. This would help prevent pressure points or ridges when I am being supported by the leg.
Here is a picture of a stilt from the movie.
Normally I would see this as a plaster cast, then make a positive from it, and then cast fiberglass over that. With the plaster being thrown away after the cast was made.
However there are now Polyester bandages that have water activated resin impregnated into it. These are used for making casts for broken bones etc. They are very easy to use - one open the package (once opened you have to use it quickly) , give the bandage a quick soak, and then wrap. One of the vibrating saws a.k.a. cast saw quickly gets the cast off afterwards, but if the number of layers are less that 3 then a set of blunt tipped scissors work.
Here are some links
http://www.opchealth.com.au/delta-cast-elite-polyester
http://www.orthocare.com.au/category/CASTING/product/nemoa-cast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJq7IVx1CjsNow you have the perfect negative you can use normal fiberglass to build up the structural strength if needed or add structural supports.
The bandages set in about 10 mins and are not that expensive so they can be used for several other purposes as well.
Hope this helps someone
Dave
0
Comments
/Chris
Here are 2 pics of the cast I made for my leg and the steel supports I have screwed to it. I will be covering this with multiple layers of fiberglass to give structural strength. Nice thing is the polyester bandages are open weave so the fiberglass will bond very well to it.
One excellent advantage is that the Polyester bandages are easy to carry. Needs only water to activate, and sets in about 10 mins. You don't need a full studio to do a quick cast for armor etc. It can be cut using scissors though if much thicker a vibrating tool that is easily available in hardware stores works - same principle as a cast saw.
If you need a quick 'dummy' for reference for laying a costume on it can also work.
Cost.. For 10cm x 3.6m - 10 bandages will set you back about $110. They come in individual sealed bags.