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Making Props for Skeleton Arms

Skeleton arm props are creepy and powerful objects. Whether you are performing the graveyard scene in William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" or a student written Halloween themed play, skeleton bones enhance the setting and give the actors fascinating props. Pull a group of friends, technical theatre students, or interns together to make a set of homemade skeleton arms that will serve the play and scare the audience.

Things You'll Need

  • PVC pipe
  • Permanent adhesive
  • Saw
  • Drill
  • White chess pieces
  • Cardboard
  • White paint
  • Grey paint
  • Rubber stoppers
  • Marker
  • Wire
  • Screw gun
  • Screws
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure two 12-inch piece of PVC pipe of slightly different diameters -- no more than 2-inches in diameter. The two pieces will act as your radius and ulna forearm bones.

    • 2

      Paint four, round, rubber table, or chair stoppers white. Rubber stoppers are normally inserted over the bottoms of table or chair legs to prevent the legs from moving or scratching the floor. Put a stopper over each end of PVC pipe. The stoppers act as the bulbous ends of the bones.

    • 3

      Glue the bones together at the rubber stoppers. Press and hold firm pressure for up to 60 seconds to ensure a secure hold.

    • 4

      Cut a 3-inch by 4-inch semi circle out of wood or thick card board. Paint the semi circle white and draw squiggly lines on the top to indicate bone divots. This piece will act as the main body -- or carpals -- of the hand -- between the fingers and forearm. Position the semi circle so the flat end is facing away from the bones. Screw on or glue the semi circle to the top end of the forearm bones.

    • 5

      Make the fingers. Measure the length of an adult thumb, index, middle, ring and pinky finger. Drill tiny holes into the tops and bottoms of white chess pieces. Stack the pieces to match the length of each finger. You should have five individual stacks of metacarpals and phalanges -- or fingers.

    • 6

      Insert a piece of wire through the holes to connect the pieces so two inches of residual wire comes out on the bottom of each finger. Bend the top ends of each wire so the pieces stay connected. Glue the residual wire to the underside of the semi circle. You now have a hard skeleton hand with dangling, bony fingers.

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