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[TR Rose]

I have a few costumes planned for 2010 that involve tall props. One has a staff that's about 6' tall, and the other has a long spear. One of the conventions I'm going to has a 4' weapon rule - you can have longer weapons, but they must disassemble into 4' sections. I also need to transport these babies to the convention (and store them in a tiny apartment). A 7' tall spear isn't gonna fit in my VW Beetle... >.>

How would I go about making a collapsible (or able to be taken apart) prop like this? What materials would I use?

My first thought would be something involving PVC pipe, but how would you connect multiple pieces without the joints being obvious?

I've not done much in the way of prop work, so any advice would be helpful. Thanks so much! ^^

[Ani_BEE]

I had asked about ways to coupler PVC pipe in this topic.
http://www.cosplay.com/showthread.ph...light=PVC+pole

[rubyredrose]

Hi Rose!

I'm going to recommend the same method I recommended to Ani_BEE for hidden joints. It worked really well with my Freya spear, which is like...8-9 ft tall. My only comment is if your spear has a heavy head to it, be aware that PVC piping WILL bend visibly if you don't reinforce it with a wooden dowel inside.

If your prop has convenient joints, you can use the PVC connector suggestion the above mentioned thread...but DO pick up PVC glue for a strong bond. (and use the glue outside, and leave it there for a while, because the fumes are TOXIC).

[TR Rose]

That sounds really helpful, thank you both!

I figured there was another thread somewhere with similar questions...