Pumpkin Arms

Intro: Pumpkin Arms

A quick and inexpensive way to help make your Halloween pumpkins more active.

STEP 1: SUPPLIES

- Foam tube pipe insulation

- Solid copper wire

- Duct tape

- Rolls of adhesive bandage

- Plastidip and acrylic paint (optional)

STEP 2: LENGTH

Cut a 15" section of the foam tube and mark off 5"

STEP 3: CUT FINGERS (not Yours)

Cut the tube into four segments vertically to the 5" mark (the insulation tube should already be split the entire length). Using the slit built into the foam as the center, cut half way through the tube horizontally at the 8" mark and then cut from that point to the end of the tube vertically at a slight angle (as the arm get thicker toward the biceps).

STEP 4: SHAPE FINGERS

Open the tube and trim the fingers to the desired lengths and shape the sides to the preferred thickness. Also round the corners at the bottom of, what will be, the palm.

STEP 5: WIRE SKELETON

Using the shaped foam for reference, create the wire skeletal substructure. Leave a couple inches of wire beyond the foam to secure the arm to the pumpkin.

STEP 6: ANCHOR THE SKELETON

Using small strips of duct tape, anchor the wire skeleton into the hand. Trim a small portion of the discarded tube for padding in the palm.

STEP 7: HOT GLUE

Anchor the wires at the base with hot glue.

STEP 8: BANDAGE WRAP

Wrap each finger individually. On the final finger, continue on by placing the palm piece and wrapping the hand into the arm.

STEP 9: BANDAGE COMPLETE

After wrapping the arm with about 50% overlap, secure the end of the bandage with a small strip of duct tape.

STEP 10: PLASTIDIP (optional)

1 or 2 coats of Plastidip help seal everything and makes painting easier.

STEP 11: PAINT (optional)

Using acrylic paints, I've dry-brushed a light layer of green with another layer of orange on the arm and back of the hand.

STEP 12: INSTALLATION

Separate the wires 1-2 inches and notch a couple of small holes in the outer shell of the pumpkin. A little hot glue on the clean surfaces and slide the arm into position.

STEP 13: FINAL

Bend and pose.

Comments

[CottonC]

Awesome! Just what I was looking for! What guage wire? Does it need to be copper? Looks like it's coated black wire? Thanks.

[onedesignloves]

Woo, I love this.

[onedesignloves]

Woo, this is really nice work.

[justjimAZ]

This is a great idea to share. Thanks so much!

[Steinzel]

Love this one! Saving for next year!

[4DIYers]

Awesome idea, love the carving too!

[kylegilbert]

I was thinking just last night how great it would be to have arms on our carved pumpkin. Alas, I will have to wait a year before I get to use this.

Great idea! Got my vote.

[TimPardoe]

What a superb idea, well done

[mrsmerwin]

You must have the spookiest house on the block. These are great. I have to try this.