How do ball joints work,and also the neck joint work? I'm making my first marionette entirely out of wood.where are the essential joints in a puppet and how do I construct them?

Thanks

I see that Billy has already replied to your other question, but here are a couple of P&S posts with a few more links that may have information you could use:

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,2475.msg20844.html#msg20844

http://puppetsandstuff.com/community/index.php/topic,1197.msg7802.html#msg7802


Depending on your experience in woodworking and woodcarving making ball and socket joints might be a little ambitious for your first puppet. If you look around online and at the links I posted you might find simpler, if slightly less precise solutions.



Ron G.

Thanks for the info. I agree that what you suggest is easier and that should be my first step.these will be very helpful when making it.

However for future referance how do the joints work?they are a bit of a mystery to me?

I wouldn't go near a ball joint in my early puppets. I would start with a tongue and groove joint at the most. I have seen ball joint for the waist in my books and I will try to find the diagram and send the name of the book to you. (I think it was one by Dwiggins, but i am not positive.

I've been looking on the internet for an explination of how to make them and I cant find anything. I dont really want to buy a book. why can't I find anything and why doesnt anyone want to explain it to me? is it a secret? Please help me with this.   

Have a look here, maybe is what you are looking for

http://www.jimgamble.com/how/ball/ball.html

Thanks Jorge ! why didn't I think of Mr. Gamble.... Perfect choice.

Billy D.

Great thanks. Yep,looks complicated. Stay with the easy stuff I think,unless there is a better explaination of how to make them.

Thanks again.

Jim Gambles joint is actually pretty simple.   Another way you can make the joint between the head and body, is to use two screw yes.  You open up one of them a bit and hook it into the other then close it back up. You can do the same for the wrist connection between hand and arm is you want.

I like leather strips for wrist.
In the inner face of the joint, the strip will allow just the movement to inside (to touch the stomach), but I think this can be enough. For elbow and knee, this simple carving works well. (arms and legs are made from brush handle