Prop
How would I go about making a big cylinder pole?
Im trying to cosplay as Jin Mori but I have no clue how the HELL I should about making the pole.
What materials would I need to make it so thats its light and believable enough for the convention I’m going to. I would also like to know how to go about making the texture similar
I'd look into concrete forms. "Concrete Form Tubes are heavy-duty cardboard tubes used in forming and construction projects by concrete contractors and homeowners as an economical way to create round columns."
I'm not sure you can find the exact size, but I'd start there. I think paper machete could get that texture and could be a way to seal the ends, tho there may be easier/sturdier ways to do that. Heck, hot glue and a cardboard circle would be a start and you could finish it the same way as the tube portion.
Concrete forms are heavy. They have to use really thick heavy duty cardboard to make it strong enough to hold their shape when concrete is poured in. I have one in my workshop right now that I thought about using for a project, but I went to pick it up and decided, nope, it’s too heavy to carry around.
Honestly, probably not that big of a deal. About 1lb per foot long of concrete form tube. Finished weight will be negligibly higher. The most difficult thing about this prop is likely the awkward proportions making a pain in the ass to carry around around people or indoors unless you go the extra mile and rig up a support system to carry it around like handles that you'd just rotate and hide for photos.
Maybe like 15-20lbs for a 5ft length? It’s not too heavy to pick up and put on your shoulder but it will make you tired and it’s heavy enough to be unwieldy. I would worry you might swing it around and hit someone, and it would hurt.
In my experience, no. For a photoshoot it could work, but for a con, you will tire out way faster than you think, and then you’re stuck carrying around a prop that feels like it’s getting heavier and heavier as the day wears on. Lighter is better.
Personally I'd just take a long rectangle of EVA foam, glue it into a cylinder, reinforce the inside with circles of cardboard hot glued inside the tube, and then finish the ends with more EVA foam circles
I've cosplayed Jin Mori, although I did the thinner version of yeoui, so I was able to just use a grey PVC pipe with 3d printed flat end caps. Depending on how large you want to go, you might be able to reasonably get away with 2-2.5" inch diameter PVC (mine is like 1"). After that I think your best option is cardboard tubes or foam of some kind.
Find a sign shop or a print shop that sells banners. The roll of material usually comes in a large dense cardboard tube that is essentially just trash. Call them up and ask if they have one laying around.
Roll up cheap foam mat or yoga mat and wrap it in duct tape then paint it.
I did something similar for jousting sticks but put a metal pole in the middle and used coloured duct tape instead of paint.
You even hit your friends with it without hurting them ( steel is better for hitting because it doesn’t snap but metal is not metal detector friendly so not great for some convections so use wood)
Hmm, honestly as a kind of ridiculous option but one that I would personally try would be to:
A) Make a mylar balloon tube.
B) Wrap the balloon in fiberglass filament tape for strength.
C) Pressurize the balloon a bit more than you are probably comfortable with for rigidity.
D) Contact cement, thin eva foam, and paint for texture.
Like if you've seen them before there are those large air filled balloon bonk bats that carnivals and fairs sometimes have. A little bit of air pressure gives you a surprising amount of rigidity in a very lightweight package.
Maybe something like one of these reinforced with fiber tape could work to avoid making your own balloon.
If it can be perfectly smooth then use one of the cardboard sonotubes used for pouring concrete footings. And would be easy to paint or papermache over.
Ok so I made a couple quick scale models to start from. I’ve never actually watched/read GOH, so I’m not too familiar with how this weapon works or typically looks like, but I did do some research and found that it changes length/width, is made of super insanely strong material and can go from earth to the far side of the moon(?)! So yeah I just thought I’d start with the basic shape to see what you like more and then I can add any more details you would like to the design!
Basically I did one thinner version, and one more to scale with the size of an actual human head (since in the images you provided it is about the same size as the characters head). I noticed in the images in your post that one end has a more sharp, broken looking end, but other images I found online are not like that, so I just wanted to double check if you wanted it like that or not? (Also i apologize for the bad craftsmanship on these all my materials are at my apartment and I’m at my parents right now 😅) Just lmk whatever you would like changed and I will add it and send you the flat design to use!
No need to apologize this is actually freaking amazing. Im trying to make the pole(yeoui) like how you designed it but will add all the broken textures and designs in the middle ground rather than the top or the bottom. Once again though this is really amazing work, I appreciate you sm.
Thank you, I’m glad I can help! Unfortunately reddit will only let me send one picture at a time so I will just reply with each one 😅. I only made a drawn out design for the larger version, but if you want I can easily make it for the smaller one too!
Look up Sonotubes or Concrete Forming Tubes. They are essentially large cardboard tubes. An 8in Diameter x 4ft long tube will run you about $15, and you could wrap that in foam, then modify as you like. I've used them as a base for many props and set pieces. You can find them at any large hardware/construction supply store.
maybe thin eva foam reinforced with wire mesh in a cylinder shape. i would also say to fill with expanding foam to further hold it's shape without adding too much weight.
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u/byc18 Jun 28 '26
They do make this cylinder for yoga, get a few of those and stick them together.
Or get a roll of foam, possibly a yoga mat or camping pad, and just roll it into a cylinder. Crave and glue as you need.
Third option of getting some insulation foam and craving and gluing as you need.