CUSTOM ACTION FIGURES: 101 – TUTORIAL TUESDAY – MAKING FORCE LIGHTNING!
CUSTOM ACTION FIGURES: 101 – MAKING FORCE LIGHTNING
By Rob Panick aka General Panick
Last week on CAF: 101, we learned how to create muzzle flash using a hot glue gun and a paper clip. This week, we have a tutorial for all of you Star Wars fans. We’re going to learn how to make “Force Lightning” using pretty much the same method.
To begin with, here’s a list of the tools and materials you will need:
LOW TEMP HOT GLUE GUN
HIGH TEMP MINI GLUE STICKS
WIRE CUTTERS
HOBBY DRILL BITS
TRANSPARENT PAINT OR INKS
PAPERCLIPS (CHROME)
THIN BRAIDED WIRE (SILVER COLORED, STEEL OR ALUMINUM. A good source is dollar store picture hanging kits.)
A CUP OF ICE WATER
Just like with the muzzle flash, we’re going to begin by straightening out your paper clip, leaving a bend on one end to hold onto.
Cut a piece of braided wire approximately 3 to 4 inches long, depending on how long you want your lightning bolts. Untwist one end about ¼ inch down.
Insert the straightened end of your paperclip about 1/8 of an inch into the untwisted end of your wire. Put a small drop of hot glue, and then twist the wire and glue around your paperclip. (NOTE: The glue will be hot. Be careful with this step so that you don’t burn your fingers. If you want, you can wrap your fingertips in medical tape to prevent them from getting burned.) After you’ve twisted the wire around the paperclip, add another thin layer of hot glue over the top of the twisted part, then dip it in your ice water to cool it.
Now that your wire is firmly glued to the end of your paperclip, untwist the rest of the strands so that they are all separated.
Using your glue gun, lay a thin bead of glue down each strand of wire. Unlike with the muzzle flash, you will want to try to keep the bead of glue as thin as possible and an even diameter along the length of wire. Repeat with each strand, dipping your wire into your ice water after each one, until all of your wires are covered. Use your glue gun to fill in gaps at the point where your wire connects to your paper clip. Once you are satisfied with how the wires are coated, it’s time to move on to paint.
Using a transparent blue paint, thinned down acrylic paint, or blue ink paint your force lightning until you have the desired color. Remember, paint in thin layers because you want it to have a transparent look.
Once your paint has dried, clip off your paperclip about 1/8 of an inch from the part where the wire is glued to your paper clip. This will serve as the “peg” that fits into your action figure’s hand. Using your precision drill bit, drill a hole about 1/8 inch deep into the palm of your figure’s hand. An open hand works best for this effect. As with any time you’re going to modifying a part of your action figure, I do suggest practicing on an old figure first before you attempt it on a good figure.
Now that the hole is drilled, insert the paperclip into the hole, and now your Sith Lord is ready for his Force Lightning attack! You can bend and shape the wire however you would like, even wrap it around another figure to create the look of an attack.
Once again, thanks for joining us here on Custom Action Figures: 101! As with all of my tutorials, the more you practice, the better you’ll get at making these. Practice makes perfect! I’d love to see what you all make, so be sure to jump over to the forum and post pictures of your Force Lightning that you create.
Until next time!
If you have questions for Rob or suggestions for a future tutorial make the JUMP to the forum and let him know!
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