Skeleton Stand

A staple to my Halloween decorations are skeletons. However, I have been limited to having them sit on something or propped-up against a wall. I wanted another option - I wanted them to stand on their own!

I gave my husband the following requirements for the skeleton stand:

• it needs to securely hold a 5' posable skeleton (with clothing and props)
• it needs to breakdown easily for storage
• it must be reasonably priced

He met and exceeded all my requirements. Hope you enjoy our Halloween Decor Instructables!

Step 1: What You Need to Build the Skeleton Stand

You will need the following to build a stand for a 5' skeleton.

1. 5' tall posable skeleton
2. 18" long wood base (we used a 2x10)
3. (2) 3/8" metal floor flanges
4. (8) screws for the flange (we used screws we had on hand, so we had to use washers because the screw heads were too small)
5. (2) 6" long 3/8"nipple to fit into flange (we used a 12" nipple and cut it in half with a hacksaw)
6. 3/4" PVC pipe (sch 40). Cut the PVC pipe into the following lengths:
   • (2) 33" (legs)
   • (1) 16" (spine)
   • (2) 2" (hips)
7. (2) 3/4" PVC 90 degree elbows (hips)
8. 3/4" PVC 'T' joint (hips)
9. strong tape to secure the skeleton to the scaffolding (we used packing tape)

Step 2: Assemble Base

1. Figure out where skeleton should be placed on base, and marked for flanges
2. Mounted the flanges with screws
3. inserted the nipples and tightened

NOTE: If your base will be seen, you may want to paint it.

Step 3: Build Skeleton Stand

Just connect all the PVC pieces together to form the stand as pictured.

1. Start with the 'T' upside down
2. On the left and right opening, Insert the 2" hip pipes on either end
3. On the top opening, insert the Spine pipe
4. On the 2" hip pipes, attach the elbows on either end
5. Insert the Leg pipe on each elbow
6. Put the leg pipe over each nipple on the base

We did not glue or otherwise permanently secure the PVC pieces to each other or to the base - just hand tightened. The length of the nipple inserted into the PVC held the stand upright.

Step 4: Attach the Skeleton to Stand

Since I was dressing all my skeletons in Halloween apparel, I didn't worry too much about hiding how I was attaching them to the stand. I simply used packing tape (duck tape would work too, but may leave tape residue) to secure the skeleton. I wrapped tape (a few revolutions) in 2 places: ribs and legs (see photo.)

Step 5: Enjoy and Decorate Your Standing Skeleton

Dressing the skeleton is fairly easy.

For dresses, simply put over the skeletons head and secure with binder clips in the back if the dress is too large.

For pants, I removed the scaffolding (with the skeleton attached) pulled the pants on, secured the waist of the pants with binder clips, and put the PVC pipe back over the nipple. I was able to do this alone, but if you have a friend to help guide the PVC over the nipple...it makes it easier.

More than one skeleton...

To attach more than one skeleton to a base, simply make the base longer. The rest of the steps remain the same. Make sure you allow for any clothing and/or prop clearance between skeletons. The base that we made for 3 skeletons was 5' long.

Comments

[americaplum]

my husband has just made one of these for me. Thank you. But instead of the tape, I asked him to put a hole in both sides of the PVC pipe that is left sticking up at about 3 inches down. I threaded a zip tie through the holes and around the skeleton at about the 2nd rib down from the neck and cinched the skeleton to the pipe this way. Next, right above the T-joint I used another zip tie and cinched him here. No muss, no fuss, and easy to take him off if the need arises. You can use two or more zip ties to extend the length of a tie if need be.
Then I thought a little more and I have a character that I hadn't used for a while because I had no stand for him, I used to use an old floor lamp. I just have a mask, a wig stand, and a hooded cloak. I would balance the head on the part where the light bulb fit (with the lamp unplugged : ) add the mask and slip the cloak over. I pinned the arms to a staff I made from an old branch. But, now I told my husband we could put a t-joint at the top of this pipe and stick some arms in. He said better yet, use 2 small pieces of pipe in the t-joint and then add a 90-degree elbow to each small piece and then put the arms in. A stand with arms : ) The 33 inches we had leftover from an 8-foot piece we bought for the first stand was a perfect amount. You could even change the stand to one way or another for your characters.

[MsSweetSatisfaction]

Very clever and I bet it really adds to the feel of any party! I love how the dress covers up the stand, gives it a creepy feel.