Any birthday coming up for you?......the Dave Privett (why do most puppeteers have the name David...LOL) video is worth every cent and you will learn the rod snap technique.

Daryl H

Sorry jlucci, I was so determined but had no time to experiment, I had to stick with methods I knew before or understood well enough to do them straight out. My project ended up with NO arm rods actually! That's one solution I suppose. I'd still like that puppet to get a removable arm rod so I'll be checking out the video Daryl (Stiqman) suggested when I know how much it is and can budget. Have a look at Daryls BlogTV topic on rigging "smoke grey" fishing line to hand the second hand, this eliminates one arm rod at least!  Daryl I'll be checking out DR Puppet's moving Eye mechanism soon for sure.
Scoob

For my puppets, I use a metal tube purchased from Ace Hardware.  I cut the tube to two inches.  I then glue the tube to the wrist just enough so the tube is not covered by the fabric.  I then use a piece of piano wire, also for Ace, as the rod.  The wire's diameter is less than the I.D. of the tube.  The tube and wire in located in the small metal parts shelf.  I also have seen plastic tubing at a local hobby shop.  This could also work.  The wire then just slides in and out of the tube.  For more ideas you can also get the Foam Book.  In my not so humble opinion the Foam Book in a must for any puppet builder.

Craig

craig,I'd imagined something like that, there are e a few ways to do it but  how do you stop the wire coming out again? or just running through? also, if you turn the wire, what stops it from just turning in the tube instead of applying pressure to the limb of the puppet?

Scubasteve,

There is usually enough friction to keep the wire from turning in the metal tube.  I keep the wire from going through the tube I put some hot glue in the tube at the top.  I used to soldier it, but that takes too long and is very messy.

Craig

Right so the diameters of the tube and wire are THAT close a match, I see. I suppose that also prevents it from coming out too. Hot glue, is elegant solution too.
Do you hide it under the fabric, would it be too much trouble to ask, do you have a close up picture of the attachment? You've described it well but nothing beats a picture.
Thanks for sharing,
Scoob

I agree with you on pictures, but sadly I have none.  I usually have it extend about a eighth of an inch past the fabric skin.  I sew up around the tube.  I got the idea from David Pannabecker, only he puts the tube at a right angle to the hand.  Here is a link to the way he does it:  http://www.armslength.com/Arms~Length%20Productions/faq.php

Craig

I am familiar with the vice that David Pannabecker uses for the rod insert it is like a marshmallow shaped device that is put into the wrist area of the arm.  It has a little "gripper" thingy magig inside to grip the rod a little for holding.......but it seems Craig that your system works very well for you.....I just wanted to explain that there is more to the pictures you see than just a tube to insert......it has a little mechanism under the material.

Daryl H

Daryl's right, when you search for patent information about Arms~Length, this site is available:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0016990.html

Which shows in detail how the mechanism works, very complex... Mr. Pannabecker is quite the puppet genius! 

and as a side note Daryl, I'll put the Dave Privett videos on the B-day wish list

Yeah,  I knew there was more to it then just a simple tube and rod.  But that is how I got my idea.  I just wanted to give Mr. Pannabecker the credit for steering me in that direction.

Craig