{"product_id":"studio-secrets-wire-armature-kit-aluminum-wire-bone-tubes-epoxy-putty-foam-foot-nuts","title":"Studio Secrets: Wire Armature Kit (Aluminum Wire, Bone Tubes, Epoxy Putty, Foam, Foot Nuts)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShips in 1–2 weeks.\u003c\/strong\u003e We put each kit together by hand when you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat it's for:\u003c\/strong\u003e building a strong, poseable puppet skeleton for a fraction of the price of a ball-and-socket kit. It's the classic stop-motion armature: aluminum wire joints, rigid \"bones\" in between, and a light foam body. This kit has everything to build one or two puppets, plus the tricks veteran animators use to make wire last.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's in the box\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAnnealed aluminum armature wire in two sizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/8\" for the spine and legs, 1\/16\" for arms, fingers, and fine detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminum tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e slips over the wire as rigid bones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-part epoxy putty:\u003c\/strong\u003e for bones, hip and chest blocks, and feet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpholstery foam:\u003c\/strong\u003e for bulking out the body\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eM4 hex nuts\u003c\/strong\u003e to build into the feet for tie-downs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA clay barrier wrap\u003c\/strong\u003e and a step-by-step trick card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe studio secrets\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAluminum only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper wire work-hardens and snaps after a few hundred bends, and steel is too stiff to pose. Annealed aluminum bends smoothly and survives far longer before metal fatigue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrill-twist your limbs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fold a length of wire in half, hook the loop over a nail, and clamp the loose ends in a drill chuck. Run the drill slowly and you get a tight, even two-strand cable. It's stronger than a single wire, and clay and foam grip the twists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLock the bones.\u003c\/strong\u003e A plain wire limb bends in one floppy curve. Keep the wire bare only at the joints (ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist). Slide tube over the thigh, shin, and forearm sections, or pack them in epoxy putty. Once it cures, the limb bends only where a real joint would.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRock-solid feet.\u003c\/strong\u003e Wrap epoxy putty around the foot loop and, while it's soft, press an M4 nut flush into the heel. Once it's cured you have a permanent threaded socket for tie-downs (see our Threaded Tie-Down Kit).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoam, not solid clay.\u003c\/strong\u003e A solid clay body sags under its own weight. Cut foam to shape and wrap it on with thread or contact cement. You get the bulk without the weight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePut a barrier under the clay.\u003c\/strong\u003e The oils in plasticine can soften some foams over time. Wrap the foam body in cling wrap or foil before the clay skin goes on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBaking Sculpey on the frame?\u003c\/strong\u003e Aluminum carries heat. Wrap the wire that runs into the unbaked body in foil so oven heat doesn't travel down the spine and melt the glue or foam inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot for children under 14. It has small parts, and the cut wire ends are sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gainesphere","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67602614354286,"sku":"GS-SECRET-WIREARM","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1009\/3972\/7214\/files\/400360__90630.1693335360.1280.1280.jpg?v=1790799408","url":"https:\/\/gainesphere.com\/products\/studio-secrets-wire-armature-kit-aluminum-wire-bone-tubes-epoxy-putty-foam-foot-nuts","provider":"Gainesphere","version":"1.0","type":"link"}