These are step-by-step instructions on how to make a Removable Armature for figures, sculptures, dolls and action figures in 1:12, 1:8 and 1:6 scale to use with the Screw-It Lock-It Hold-It Armature Stand, like you see on the picture just below.

TOOLS & MATERIALS:
Almost all tools and materials are available for purchase at Morezmore Ebay Store.

– Proportions image: There is a huge number of proportions charts on the internet: google “female proportions”. If you like the one I use (by Andrew Loomis) – here it is. Click to enlarge and print.

– thick wire for armature (14-18 GA)

– thin wire for armature (22-28 GA)

– Lock-It Nut – that little black thing you will see on the pictures below which will make it possible to screw your armature onto the armature stand

– Armature stand. There are different types of armature stand that we sell:
a) rotating with a round 12″ base
b) non-rotating with a round 12″ base
c) rotating with an oval 9″ x 12″ base
d) non-rotating with an oval 9″ x 12″ base.

We also sell the stand metal hardware (without wooden part), if you want to make your own wooden base.

There is also a small companion hand-held tool – “Get a Grip” Armature Handle

– And lastly, we sell a completed ready-made Wire Armature with Lock-It Nut if you want to see a example

– wire cutters – to cut the wire

– long nose pliers – to bend the wire into shape

– brass tubes (optional, if you decide to make brass modules) – to make the removable head, arms and legs modules. I think it is easier to sculpt the parts separately, then bake it, then put it on the body, and finish the connections. Brass tube 3/32 fits nicely over wire 17 Ga. It slides on and off easily. To stop sliding (before putting the head on the armature for the final last time), slightly bend the wire, the tube will get “stuck”

– brass tube cutter (optional, if you decide to make brass modules) – to cut a piece of tube. The cutter cuts the tubing and leaves the opening hole intact. Other tools can be used to cut the tube (like wire cutters), but the end of the tube gets flattened with wire cutters.

STEP-BY-STEP IN PICTURES:

Here you can see, the thin wire wrapping stops at the knees and elbows – to allow for brass modules. If you are making a one-piece armature (no modules), continue wrapping the thin wire over the thick wire all the way to the end of the legs and arms and head.

The thread on the horizontal arm is 8-32. You can use any nut or nut plate that you can attach with the wire. I tried hex nut, barbed nut, t-nut and wing nut, they are hard to attach and wobbly. Then I found this self-locking nut with two holes and also “channels” for wire. It is the best because it can be threaded with the wire and tied to the armature very securely.

Well, by now you should have the completed armature, it will look something like this:

If you making brass modules for the head, arms and legs (optional), here is the rest of the steps: