As Soon I got my hands this staff I knew I was going to make it as close to the FOTR one as I could. Kit and UC did a very good job straight out of the box and only a few things needed to be done. Mostly the rune carved on the side and the hole going all the way through for the leather strap.
Here is a photo from FOTR for reference.
Here is it straight out of the box.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
2First I started on making a new spike. The one it comes with is resin, I wanted one made out of metal. I started out with a 1/2x 3inch bolt
almost 3 hours of grinding, sanding and filing. I burnt my hand many times from the metal heating up. Dunked it in water to cool it down so I could keep going. Here is the before,
and after, with comparison to the resin one that comes with the staff. Darkened with brass darkening solution and rusted with hydrogen peroxide and salt.
[/QUOTE]
I don't have any photos of the drilling, carving or painting, just the finished piece.
I also was able to use my wooden Gandalf pipe a made over 2 years ago (and actually fits into the staff and is almost the exact same length as the resin one!)
almost 3 hours of grinding, sanding and filing. I burnt my hand many times from the metal heating up. Dunked it in water to cool it down so I could keep going. Here is the before,
and after, with comparison to the resin one that comes with the staff. Darkened with brass darkening solution and rusted with hydrogen peroxide and salt.
[/QUOTE]
I don't have any photos of the drilling, carving or painting, just the finished piece.
I also was able to use my wooden Gandalf pipe a made over 2 years ago (and actually fits into the staff and is almost the exact same length as the resin one!)
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
4Looking good!
I think I will be more than happy with UC's resin spike, but I just gotta ask: N2, would you be willing to reproduce that leather strap more than once, for resale? Would love to add that to my staff when I get it. You could throw it in the box when you ship my palantir stand.
I think I will be more than happy with UC's resin spike, but I just gotta ask: N2, would you be willing to reproduce that leather strap more than once, for resale? Would love to add that to my staff when I get it. You could throw it in the box when you ship my palantir stand.
This Space for Rent
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
5That looks great!
If you ever wanted to sell the resin pipe...I'm your buyer!
If you ever wanted to sell the resin pipe...I'm your buyer!
Last edited by Arwyniel on Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
6As always, that looks fantastic! I wish I was brave enough to take a drill to my staff for a proper modification. But... no way, no how. I may try my hand at making a leather strap, but if I do it will have to wrap aroind instead of through the staff.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
~~ Thorin Oakenshield
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
8It looks like the strap is only tied around N2's staff. He's a brave craftsman but I don't know if even he is daring enough to drill a UC replica and risk damaging it.
This Space for Rent
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
9Look again Val, and read my post. I indeed drilled the hole and it was a fair amount of work. The drilling was easy, but widening it the the knot opening was a hassel.Valkrist wrote:It looks like the strap is only tied around N2's staff. He's a brave craftsman but I don't know if even he is daring enough to drill a UC replica and risk damaging it.
And yes I can provide a leather strap in your box.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
10I beg to differ. In the third pic down in his last set of pics you can see the leather thong passes through the center of the staff.Valkrist wrote:It looks like the strap is only tied around N2's staff. He's a brave craftsman but I don't know if even he is daring enough to drill a UC replica and risk damaging it.
N2, would you be willing to share some details about the leather? I'm curious about the thickness of the strip as well as its pre-looped and tied length. Any other tips regarding how you configured it would be much appreciated.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
~~ Thorin Oakenshield
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
11That is some amazing work! It took me a few times going back and forth between the before and after picture to realize what exactly you did.
Very impressive, it looks fantastic!
Very impressive, it looks fantastic!
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
12Yes, I see the hole now. The reason I made that comment previously is because the pictures further up were not loading up on my phone when I first looked at this thread. All I had to go on was the photo with Gandalf, the two pipes, and the last one with the strap showing head on, which doesn't show the hole.
This Space for Rent
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
13Nicely done!
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
14N2 , the added rune looks amazing as well , as always , and I feel like a broken record , very well done ! ! ! I don't think I would have the courage to try and carve the rune into the staff , drilling the hole maybe . But As of now i will be happy to order and have the staff and hope Kit is right that they will make the next staff with the crystal , light up or not , just want that Moria staff
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
15Buckeye wrote:I beg to differ. In the third pic down in his last set of pics you can see the leather thong passes through the center of the staff.Valkrist wrote:It looks like the strap is only tied around N2's staff. He's a brave craftsman but I don't know if even he is daring enough to drill a UC replica and risk damaging it.
N2, would you be willing to share some details about the leather? I'm curious about the thickness of the strip as well as its pre-looped and tied length. Any other tips regarding how you configured it would be much appreciated.
Thanks everyone!
Here is the leather strip that I bought from Michael's. I bought both, but the lighter one on the right was too thick. I measured the loop I made and it measures 13 inches and has about 2 to 3 inches of overlap, so about 29 inches should do you. If you go back to the photos Kit posted he said it hangs down 27 cm.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
16Thanks very much, N2.
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
~~ Thorin Oakenshield
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
17Looks really good Andrew. It's great that your wood pipe fits perfectly.
I had a go at carving the hole and rune in my staff a few days ago. I have some leather saddle strap I'm going to use for the wrist strap, whenever I can dig through my mess of a workshop and find it. I may make a steel spike, but i think I have some old iron nails spikes that I may be able to mod. I have one I use as a tobacco tamper when I smoke too, but it's a bit too thin for the hole.
I had a go at carving the hole and rune in my staff a few days ago. I have some leather saddle strap I'm going to use for the wrist strap, whenever I can dig through my mess of a workshop and find it. I may make a steel spike, but i think I have some old iron nails spikes that I may be able to mod. I have one I use as a tobacco tamper when I smoke too, but it's a bit too thin for the hole.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
18Your rune turned out great! I had to go over mine a second time as the first didn't have a steep enough angle to it and looked too thin. I'm not 100% sold on my strap yet, but it was the best I could find around here for now.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
19The strap looks good to me. The one on the prop is more of a dark brown color, but in some images it looks light brown, so who knows. Good work on the spike too.
Here is the nail spike I use for smoking. These are on ebay all the time, sold under various names - antique or vintage iron nail, antique square cut or square head nail, square cut raisin head nail, rose head nail, antique horse shoe nail...but just searching antique nail should bring them up. Anything that looks like this in a 3 1/2" to 4" length can be cut down to look like the prop spike.
Here is the nail spike I use for smoking. These are on ebay all the time, sold under various names - antique or vintage iron nail, antique square cut or square head nail, square cut raisin head nail, rose head nail, antique horse shoe nail...but just searching antique nail should bring them up. Anything that looks like this in a 3 1/2" to 4" length can be cut down to look like the prop spike.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
20I guess I could have posted this earlier too, but it looks like you figured out how the strap should be tied.
I did not like the way it was tied on our prop, so back when this was going to be a LOTR product, I made this reference from all of the movie images I had that show it.
I did not like the way it was tied on our prop, so back when this was going to be a LOTR product, I made this reference from all of the movie images I had that show it.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
21Thanks for additional photos. The one from Bagend shows it the best where the leather is tied. Curious, does your Vauen pipe fit in the staff?
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
22No. The stem curve and bowl shape on the Vauen are not accurate. It's an excellent pipe though.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
23An amazing job!
I have ordered the staff, and what hurts me most is not having the Gandalf rune on it.
Maybe i can try to make myself, but if you can help with a little of specifications as you have done the Rune, the dremel type that you have used, what kind of tip, etc.. I would greatly appreciate it.
The rune is painted inside, right?.
I have ordered the staff, and what hurts me most is not having the Gandalf rune on it.
Maybe i can try to make myself, but if you can help with a little of specifications as you have done the Rune, the dremel type that you have used, what kind of tip, etc.. I would greatly appreciate it.
The rune is painted inside, right?.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
24I used an exacto knike with a straight cutting blade, not the sharp angled one that nomally come with it. Kit's photos show it much better, but the side is carved at a 45 degree angle and you would not be able to achieve that with a rotory tool. Yes you will have to paint the rune once you are done carving because it exposes the raw or white polyresin underneath.Argolas wrote:An amazing job!
I have ordered the staff, and what hurts me most is not having the Gandalf rune on it.
Maybe i can try to make myself, but if you can help with a little of specifications as you have done the Rune, the dremel type that you have used, what kind of tip, etc.. I would greatly appreciate it.
The rune is painted inside, right?.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
25My Gandalf staff should be arriving on Monday. I will probably have to add the rune. The hole for the strap doesn't feel necessary for me- but maybe one day it will happen.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
26I used a flat exacto blade too, like a chisel blade, but I started with a V cut using a Dremel with a conical high speed cutter bit. Sketch the pattern on the part with a sharpie or soft lead pencil. It's nothing difficult, but I suggest practicing on some soft wood first, if you have never done this type of work.
If you mess up, you can always fill it in with some polyester resin, like automotive Bondo, and try again.
If you mess up, you can always fill it in with some polyester resin, like automotive Bondo, and try again.
Last edited by Nasnandos on Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
27I'm not too worried about carving the rune- I've done similar projects before.
Great advice all the same! I was probably going to use the regular angled blade- but the straight edge seems like a much better way!
Great advice all the same! I was probably going to use the regular angled blade- but the straight edge seems like a much better way!
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
29Here's a question- what paints did you use to fill in the rune and hole?
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
30You can use acrylics or petroleum based enamels, just don't use anything glossy. I always custom mix colors, so I can't give you an exact brand or shade of brown. I just mixed a bit of black and yellow into a brown color that was close until I hit the right shade. If you have a generic brown, red, yellow, white, and black, you can make a good match to just about any shade of color on the staff.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
31Thank you- it's hard to know without having the staff in hand.
I do already have some Testors in flat brown, light brown, and wood. I can probably cook something close enough up!
I do already have some Testors in flat brown, light brown, and wood. I can probably cook something close enough up!
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
32Thanks for the info guys! very thankful!
The knife you say is somethingh like this:
The knife you say is somethingh like this:
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
33The top chisel blade, or the second blade in this photo will be much easier to use for this. You can use that standard xacto blade in the photo you posted, but it's easier to carve the 45 groove sides using one with a less sharp point angle.
KRDS
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
35I have started etching in the rune to my Gandalf Staff.
At first I was going to carefully plan it out by making a tracing of the rune onto the staff- but then I just decided to freeball it. It's turning out pretty decent. I'm calling it a night and will do a few touch ups and paint later.
At first I was going to carefully plan it out by making a tracing of the rune onto the staff- but then I just decided to freeball it. It's turning out pretty decent. I'm calling it a night and will do a few touch ups and paint later.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
36Now that I am making progress on my Gandalf staff.... I now really want to go ahead and drill the hole.
I have never drilled through aluminum (it's aluminum... Right?) before. Does this require a special kind of drill bit?
I have never drilled through aluminum (it's aluminum... Right?) before. Does this require a special kind of drill bit?
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
37Nope, it's relatively soft as far as metal goes. Just start small and work your way up and go from both sides till you can see all the way through.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
38Excellent! I will probably start on that project this week.... As soon as I complete the rune.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
39Okay apparently I need new drill bits.... I just bent one trying to drill through the staff. Darn. I guess this is a good excuse to buy new tools.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
40Here's my finished rune:
I might touch up the paint if I ever feel that it must be done- but right now I'm happy with it. It looks genuine in my eyes.
Now I just gotta drill!
I might touch up the paint if I ever feel that it must be done- but right now I'm happy with it. It looks genuine in my eyes.
Now I just gotta drill!
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
41Great job on the rune! Just start small on drilling the hole and work your way up. I ended up having to do a little clean up with a Dremel bit afterwards.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
42Thanks!
The drill bits that I have must be pretty cheap ones- because first I used a smaller bit just to get it going- but after trying for several minutes the bit bent into a 90 degree angle! They must have only been meant for soft wood.
The drill bits that I have must be pretty cheap ones- because first I used a smaller bit just to get it going- but after trying for several minutes the bit bent into a 90 degree angle! They must have only been meant for soft wood.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
43I was watching a show called 'Merlin the legend' on the History channel. There was a section where they were talking to Alan Lee. He went on to say the movie makers had given him the pipe staff as a gift at the end of filming the Hobbit and he showed it right there in his work studio.
He then showed the pouch attached to the leather strap on the staff. He did say he wasn't sure it was ever shown in the film but it holds flint for Gandalf to use to light his pipe.
Just though some of you might be interested. Here is a screen shot of the pouch.
He then showed the pouch attached to the leather strap on the staff. He did say he wasn't sure it was ever shown in the film but it holds flint for Gandalf to use to light his pipe.
Just though some of you might be interested. Here is a screen shot of the pouch.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
44Thanks for the photo Idril. Now I want to find that show, as I've never seen it. Sounds interesting.
Re: BOFA/FOTR Gandalf staff modifications
45I wonder where the old wizard kept the leaf? ... In his pocketses?Idril wrote:I was watching a show called 'Merlin the legend' on the History channel. There was a section where they were talking to Alan Lee. He went on to say the movie makers had given him the pipe staff as a gift at the end of filming the Hobbit and he showed it right there in his work studio.
He then showed the pouch attached to the leather strap on the staff. He did say he wasn't sure it was ever shown in the film but it holds flint for Gandalf to use to light his pipe.
"Eternity is an awful long time, especially towards the end."
"What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing.
It also depends on what sort of person you are.” -- CSL