Arm Rods: Part Four

At last it's time to attach the arm rod to the puppets hand.

1) Wrap bailing wire around the main rod about a quarter of an inch below the 90 degree bend.

2) Run the wire along the bent part of the rod to the end.

3) At the end of the rod, make a small loop with the bailing wire.

4) Wrap the wire around it's self and the rod about a quarter of an inch down to secure the loop, and snip off the extra wire. Now you should have a small secured loop at the end of your rod.



5) Cut a small hole at the puppets wrist.

6) Insert the rod into the puppets palm - the loop should face the fingers, and the main rod should hang out at the wrist.

7) Using a needle and sturdy thread sew through the palm material and around the loop until it's secure.

8) Sew trough the material and around the bend until it's secure.

9) Sew up the small hole in the wrist.



There, all finished! That is how I make arm rods. Please feel free to follow these steps, or invent a few of your own.

Arm Rods: Part Three

Now that the arm rod handle is constructed it's time to make sure it has a comfortable grip. I used to wrap the handle in black gaffers tape until puppeteer Nick Barone introduced me to Tool Dip. Tool Dip is a liquid rubber made to to cover the handles of tools. It is very easy to use, and it gives your rod a nice comfortable grip, and a professional finish.



The name brand that I use is called Plasti Dip and it's made by Performix. It comes in various colors, I use black.

Arm Rods: Part Two

Until recently I was using round dowels for the handles, until puppeteer Tom Fountain turned me on to square rods. Square rods give you a good grip, and a wide rage of manipulation possibilities.

To make a handle you will need a square dowel, a drill, a hammer, and bailing wire (or steel garden wire).

1) Cut two pieces of rod so that they fit comfortably in your hand (a couple of inches or so).

2) Drill two small holes, one just below the other, about an inch down from the top of the handle.



3) Insert the small 90 degree angled piano wire into the top hole, and hold it so lies flush with the dowel. Carefully pound it into place with a hammer.



4) Insert the bailing wire into the bottom hole and twist it around it's self to anchor it.



5) Holding the piano wire flush with the dowel, wrap them both with the bailing wire. Work your way up the rod keeping the coils tight and close together. Once you clear the handle, wrap the wire around the piano wire, about a half an inch.



Now you have a handle - your rods are almost done!

Arm Rods: Part One

Making good puppet arm rods is more complicated than it seems. In fact, I feel I've just recently got a handle on it (no pun intended). To make arm rods, I use many different techniques, that I've picked up from various puppeteers over the years.

First, it is very important to choose the right material. The most popular thing for beginners to use is coat hanger wire. The advantage is, it's flexible and easy to cut - the disadvantage is, it's flexible and easy to cut. Tim Miller, a brilliant sculptor (check out this figure he did for Sideshow Collectables), and puppet builder introduced me to piano wire. It's narrow rods of hardened steel, and can be found at most hobby shops. In the Los Angeles area, I get it at Kit Kraft.



Use a dremel to cut it the rod to the right size, please wear safety goggles. Next, using a clamp and pliers carefully make a 90 degree bend about one and a half inches down at one end. Then, make a 90 degree bend about a quarter of an inch down at the other end. One end will attach the hand, and one will attach to the handle - I'll tell you how in a later post.

I have found the best thickness to use is 3/32 wire.