Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 16:45:41 -0400
From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
Subject: Re: PUPT: Rod Arm Controls..........question


>Does anyone recommend a certain glue to attach
>the dowel onto the wire arm control of a rod puppet?
>Also........have you used a wooden hand on a rod
>puppet and how did you attach the wooden hand
>to the wire hand control?  Thanks for your input.

Hi Conrad,
  Stephen answered the first part of your question pretty well.  I might
suggest that you cut a shallow groove from the hole you drilled up to the
end of the dowel then force the rod into this groove before lashing.  This
will give you more torque if needed.
  We sometimes use a method like that but more often we just use a two part
kneaded epoxy.  Comes in a tube pre-measured so it is simple to use and
very strong.  However, like Stephen says, nothing is failsafe.
  As for the second part of your question, you can attach a rod to a wooden
hand by cutting a groove much like that of a buscuit joint.  It has to be
deep enough to hold the eye you bend in the top of the rod (or at least
deep enough to allow the eye to go in far enough to pin), wide enough to
allow easy movement of the rod, narrow enough to keep the rod in the same
plane which will allow movement of the hand when you twist the rod, and
long enough to allow  you the motion you need vertically. Once the groove
is cut just drill a small hole for the pin that will hold the rod in place.
To cut the groove you can use a dremel and cut off wheel or several sanding
disks stacked together. Depends on the scale of the hand and type of wood.
  Hope this isn't too confusing. If it is, email directly for further
explaination or consult a puppetry book on rod puppets.  This is a fairly
common technique so should not be too hard to find pictures of it.




  --- Personal replies to: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
  --- List replies to:     puptcrit-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu
  --- Admin commands to:   majordomo-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu