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Will
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How to Make Gandalf's Staff ( The White)

 

This is a tutorial showing you how to make Gandalf's white staff. You don't need a whole lot of materials and I show you an easy way to make the ornamental work at the top of the staff.

I use foam for this project but you can improvise from a lot of materials including cardboard! And, I show you a couple of different ways to do it.

The template for this project is here

I also have a video for this project at the bottom of the page.

Will has a youtube channel with over 650 videos on projects you can make. Check it out right here

 

The Completed Project:

Gandalfs staff we make

 

Earn a Certificate of Contribution!

Certificate

If you make this project email me a picture! I will email you a certificate of contribution from stormthecastle.com You can print it up and hang it on the wall.

 

 

Materials Used for this project:

  • 1 stick such as a broomstick, rake handle, shovel handle or even a 1' thick wooden dowel. Between 4 and 6 feet in length. Or any length that is comfortable for your height.
  • Some foam to carve the ornamental head of the staff ( You can use cardboard if you can't get foam)
  • White Paint
  • Apoxie Sculpt - Totally optional but gives a good look to the staff (Apoxie Sculpt 1 Lb. White )
  • Sand paper, emory paper or emory boards
  • A hobby knife or X-acto knife to sculpt the top of the staff
  • The template (Right here)

Note from Will: The Template and the tutorial are both absolutely free! But would you consider a donation of $1 to support my work? Paypal makes it very easy and safe. Click here to donate $1 - Every little bit helps Will to keep making great tutorials and templates. Thanks!

 

Let's Begin

Print up the template and trace itPrint up the template and take the page with the staff top on it. Place it on foam and trace all the lines pressing firmly. This will transfer the pattern to the foam. (It causes an indent that you can see.)

The foam I am using is a reasonably strong foam 3/4 of an inch thick. You can use foam anywhere from 3/4 to 1 inch thick.

I bought my foam in the home depot.

 

 

Draw out the pattern

Now you can see the indents in the foam and trace them with a pen or sharp tip marker. Make three of these.

 

 

 

 

Cut out the pieces

Cut all three out. Just cut around them. Don't yet cut the detail work.

 

 

 

 

How we will assemble them

We are going to be assembling them together like this. But first we need to sand or rasp a bevel in them so they fit nicely together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detail of how the sand them

We are going to sand these so they have a bevel. Do this along the edges shown in yellow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sand the angled edgeSo, run the pieces on sand paper like this. Or you can use a rasp of some type.

Test the foam pieces against each other frequently to insure a nice match between them.

 

 

 

 

 

Test fit them

Test the foam pieces against each other frequently to insure a nice match between them.

These look pretty good. I am going to sand them more and reduce that excess between them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A look at the details

This is what the backside bevels will look like. Note that this picture shows all the detail holes have been cut. Don't cut yours before beveling. That is next!

 

NextOkay! Let's continue with the tutorial or watch the video below

 

 

 


 

Apoxie sculptApoxie Sculpt 1 Lb. White

Apoxie? Sculpt is used around the world by sculptors, restorers, miniaturists, hobbyists, crafters, repair persons, and students. It is used in museums, schools, motion picture studios, aquariums, and theme parks. Apoxie? Sculpt, is a self-hardening synthetic clay that combines the features and benefits of clay with those of epoxies.

 

Gandalf's staffUnited Cutlery UC1386 Lord of the Rings Gandalf the White Staff

This authentically detailed replica is a reproduction of the actual filming prop built by Weta Workshop of New Zealand and used in the motion picture triology, The Lord of The Rings. United Cutlery, industry leader in fine movie reproductions, has meticulously recreated the prop using only the finest grade materials and craftsmanship. Close attention to detail was a top priority. It is presented with a wall display and includes a certificate of authenticity.

 

Gandalf beard

Lord Of The Rings Gandalf Beard And Set Wig, White, One Size

 

 

 

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