I have just finished my first puppet.I would love some suggestions on how to attach the rod to the arm.Looking foward to some advice.

Hi:

There are lots of methods.  I just did a search of the forum for arm rods and came up with a lots of posts.  If you use the same search terms it will lead you to them.  Probably a lot easier than my listing them. 

The main thing to consider is do you want them removable to permanent. Probably the best removable method is to make a Velcro band that attaches to the end of the rod and can wrap around the wrist.  For permanent and quick, you can put a 90 degree bend in the end of the rod, insert it into the wrist and hot glue it in place.  But really, check out the posts.

When making the rods there advantages to using square dowels for the handle end instead of round.  Easier to grip and manipulate.  I usually use coat hanger wire for the main rod part, but there are lots of options here too including piano wire, aluminum wire, #9 wire, brazing rod, fiberglass rod like for old fishing poles....

Get back with us if you need more ideas.

Marty

I like to glue expansion nuts into the wrist of my puppets and then I use 1/4 inch fiberglass rods for arms rods.  The expansion nuts works as a socket for my removable arm rods.  The look is very similar to a permanent rod only its detachable.

I use doll joints, and insert them into the palms, as suggested in The Foam Book. It's very easy to do; but are for permanent rods, not detachable.

Check here on Michelle's website. 

http://www.puppet-planet.com

Click on: Links and then Removable Arm Rod.



Hope this helps.


Angel

Here's one idea.....what I like to use for my puppet arm rods is the wire that is used for hanging the drop ceiling tile frames. You can find these pretty cheap at your local Home Depot or Lowes Hardware stores. I usually cut them in half to the desired size. Then I like to bend about 2" at a 90 degree angle at the top of the rod. I then use some small gage jewelers wire and wrap a tiny loop at the end (see photo). Next, while the bottom of the wrist is still unsewn, I insert the arm rod into the hand with the loop into the puppets palm. (now is the tricky part) I then use my "U" shaped sewing needle and stitch the fabric of the palm around the loop to hold the rod from slipping. I then finish off hand stitching the bottom of the wrist to help secure the rod in place. I like(so far) this "L" shaped design because it gives me a really nice bendable wrist action I can achieve with the puppets. I would really like to hear how some of you do a professional looking removalable armrod. I've yet to find one I can do.
Thanx-

Ran

(heres a quick sample video of this type of armrod and the wrist movement I was talking about..)
http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p10/toonasylum/?action=view&current=ArmRod_sample.flv

 

Thankyou everyone for all he great suggestions.I am goin to try them and see which one woerks for me.I have learned so much from all of you.I just hope that one day I will be able to dohalf as good as all of you!
Once again thank you very much.

Wisersmom.