HOW TO MAKE FIGURE SUPPORTS
STYLE 1
These are simple supports that work on most any figure. Even ones as heavy as the Triple H wrestlers as shown in the examples above and at the end of this section.
If the ground is firm but not so hard you can still insert the rod shown below in the ground, this simple hook is all you need. This one is just over 3" long.
If the ground is firm but not so hard you can still insert the rod shown below in the ground, this simple hook is all you need. This one is just over 3" long.
But if the ground is quite soft, as it is in Indiana after repeated rains and my crap CLAY backyard, this longer hook with a foot support works best. The rod on this one is about 7" long.
The hook parts of these two supports were both made from 1/32 metal rod but the size is up to you based on what is available…and the tubing you can get to fit it for the optional foot brace.
The hook on both are simply bent to reasonably match the curve of the shoe/boot of the figure.
Above are three pictures showing the foot brace assembled. The foot brace consists of two parts soldered together as shown. There is nothing magical about these dimensions. The big thing is that the top of the brace is no bigger than the boot/shoe you plan to put on it so you have only the hook to worry about hiding or touching up in an image program.
I concentrated mostly on painting ONLY the top and top edges, as well as only the top inch of each hook, flat black to also aid in hiding it from view. The bottom and the "spade" section should never be seen.
I concentrated mostly on painting ONLY the top and top edges, as well as only the top inch of each hook, flat black to also aid in hiding it from view. The bottom and the "spade" section should never be seen.
These dimensions worked very well for my Triple H wrestler but would have to be notably smaller for GI Joes or Cy Girls.
Which, from a distance, you can see below looks good and needs no touch up to share.
Below you can see two different BEFORE and AFTER pictures of this figure running. In the first of each set you can clearly see the supporting hook. But in the second you can see the results after some minor touch up with a good image program.
I don't know about you, but I am very pleased and impressed with the results and I am my own worst critic.