Brig Posted August 13, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 13, 2011 I recently picked up 2 mannequins...freestanding. only problem is their feet are a bit wide...too wide to fit into regular boots (even wide!)...how do you guys overcome this challange? I thought about building a stand and sawing off the feet...any good techniques you guys have found? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted August 13, 2011 Share #2 Posted August 13, 2011 it can take a 10 wide to a 10 narrow in seconds - someone is bound to have one you can borrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted August 13, 2011 have one, but am afraid the poor SOB won't be able to stand if I take some off the sides Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Andrews Posted August 14, 2011 Share #4 Posted August 14, 2011 You can patch "bunion holes" with BONDO auto body fiberglass. Same for changing facial features (such as Metrosexual flit face to Sgt Rock hardguy mug). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted August 14, 2011 will they balance shaved? or does anyone have a good do-it-yourself stand design? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtbrown Posted August 14, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 14, 2011 Frankly, I have never trusted one of those guys to stand there on his own two feet, especially if the public is present. Then you have a guaranteed tip-over! Make a brace/stand out of plywood and steel pipe and hook it to his backside. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted August 15, 2011 how do you attach it? straps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtbrown Posted August 16, 2011 Share #8 Posted August 16, 2011 how do you attach it? straps? A lot of uniforms have belts. Run the pipe through the belt or use a cable tie to the belt. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Andrews Posted August 16, 2011 Share #9 Posted August 16, 2011 When displaying outdoors, I pound a two-foot piece of rebar into the ground, then wrap a bungee cord around the mannequin's leg. This works out to be boot-top level and the bloused leg mostly conceals the bungee. I used to use tent pegs -- big ones, metal -- but then the bungee was too low to hide. I have also used TWO rebars, one on each leg. You could also use wooden stakes, like tomato stakes or pieces of broomstick, to move the bungee up higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted August 17, 2011 Share #10 Posted August 17, 2011 Had to cut and grind two of mine down to fit WWI boots. Now they're wearing jungle boots. After the jig saw, a wood rasp or 4 1/2" disk grinder smooths the feet pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHolly Posted August 18, 2011 Share #11 Posted August 18, 2011 I've currently only got one dressed out mannequin and his name is Fritz so he wouldn't be welcome here. In the past I had several freestanding mannequins, all related to Fritz. I used to cut the feet so that they fit inside the boots without damaging the boots. Then I would stand the mannequin with his back against the wall. This worked like a charm and I don't remember any mannequin ever falling over. There was one that required putting a hook in the wall and then wrapping a piece of wire or string around the hook and then through his belt. The only thing wrong with the method I used was that you could not get a 360 degree view of the mannequin. But it worked for me. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USARV72 Posted August 18, 2011 Share #12 Posted August 18, 2011 I agree with Dave, all of mine lean on a wall or stack of footlockers. RTO here is so back heavy there is no way for him to stand on his own. One of mine has a square hole in the back of one calf for a rod to fit in for support. IIRC it's just above the top of most boots. Seems that most older mannequins have "normal" size feet. :think: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC RAIDER COLLECTOR Posted August 18, 2011 Share #13 Posted August 18, 2011 Some mannequins have a hole in the calf area for a rode to slide in. I have one that has this and one that does not. On the one that does not have this feature, I took a 6 inch wide piece of flat metal and wrapped it around the mannequins calf area. After I had the proper form, I welded it to a steel 3/8 rod on one side. I them used large hose clamps to attach it to the leg. I lined the metal with felt to protect the leg area. I formed the rod to hug the leg and let it extend about 3 inches past the bottom of the heal. I them made a base and welded a piece of box tubing to the base. I just set the base down and then raise the mannequin and let the rod slide into the tubing..and BAM..you are set up. As far as the feet go, I try to at least find a size 10 shoe or boot if possible. Then cut the feet to fit. Be sure and stuff the toe area of the boot or shoe as this will help make it stiff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted August 19, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted August 19, 2011 WWII boot sizes were relatively small...the larger sizes bring hundreds more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtbrown Posted August 19, 2011 Share #15 Posted August 19, 2011 I'll ask here. What do you guys do to brace a mannequin wearing boots and breeches? No pant leg to run a rod up because it's tucked into the boot. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC RAIDER COLLECTOR Posted August 19, 2011 Share #16 Posted August 19, 2011 The size 10 idea is only a suggestion. I have worked with smaller sizes before. I have had no problem working it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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