HOW TO 3D Print a Collapsible Gandalf Staff

Britt received a fun challenge from her friend and past college professor to create a Gandalf the White Staff that could collapse for easy travel.
Links:
Join the Extra Credit Club! punishedprops.com/extra-credi...
Gandalf Staff by jamundsen
www.thingiverse.com/thing:459709
Acetone Smoothing Article
rigid.ink/blogs/news/acetone-...
How to Make a Glue Pot - Works for Acetone ABS Mixture
• How to Make a Poor man...
"Raft" vs "Brim" (Skirts too!)
www.simplify3d.com/support/ar...
Tools & Materials:
From the Local hardware store:
Dowel
5 gallon bucket
Scrap wood
Acetone
ABS Filament - Matterhackers
www.matterhackers.com/store/l...
Ultimaker2 - Matterhackers
www.matterhackers.com/store/pr...
Power Drill - Amazon
amzn.to/2xS7bPC
5-Minute Epoxy - Amazon
amzn.to/1JQNtVH
Latex Free Gloves - Amazon
amzn.to/2AgSLzf
Respirator - Amazon
amzn.to/1zJnYks
Sandpaper - Amazon
amzn.to/2qfQRXo
Blue Shop Towels - Amazon
amzn.to/2z5Wm2q
Rare Earth Magnets - Amazon
amzn.to/2mQcWdK
Primer - Amazon
amzn.to/2qf0xS0
White Extendable Pole - Bed Bath & Beyond
www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stor...
Metal Cutting Bandsaw - Amazon
amzn.to/2NLhXQ0
Heat Gun - Amazon
amzn.to/1K5fiNo
JB Weld - Amazon
amzn.to/1Et39ye
White Satin Spray Paint - Amazon
amzn.to/2AfQtjF
Rubber Chair Tips - Amazon
amzn.to/2K2y4GZ
Pledge Floor Care Finish - Amazon
amzn.to/2mNaqow
Cast Magic Powder - Smooth-On
www.smooth-on.com/products/ca...
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#PunishedProps

[@punishedprops]

Visit our website to check out the all of the materials and links mentioned here! punishedprops.com/2018/07/30/3d-gandalf-staff/

[@PhoenixWrites2309]

Punished Props Academy, have you seen any of the weapons and costumes from the videogame "Bastion"? I think you'd enjoy making some of them.

[@punishedprops]

The Bastion style is super beautiful! Transistor, as well!

[@AMSteele90]

Where the hell did you get a life size sweeper bot!?

[@garruna33]

Punished Props Academy g

[@jacobamundsen4837]

Hey super cool! I'm the original designer of the file, Jamundsen. Thanks for using the file and giving credit! Looks awesome!

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

Collapsible pieces like this would be great for traveling too, it's super smart! Great job guys! !!

[@punishedprops]

Thanks, you two!

[@scraplichfield994]

Rejuvenate Scythe please

[@hoopyfrood7887]

Gandalf's staff has never looked more like a cleaning appliance, I love it!

[@DamienRobertsonYYC]

Using a small fan (make sure it isn't affected by acetone) to move the air around will help with the acetone smoothing, since acetone vapours are heavier than air. This is why you had the issue with the uneven smoothing. Great idea on using the rig.

[@punishedprops]

Using a fan is a great idea!

[@evilutionltd]

Just hope it doesn’t spark.

[@DamienRobertsonYYC]

Some fans are designed to be explosion proof. Those are the ideal option this situation. An impeller, would be the next option.

[@samaker4]

You Shall ! pass, right this way dear sir. Great build Britt

[@punishedprops]

Hahaha, thanks!

[@willhays3682]

sa-maker I think it was that or you shall not pass🤷‍♀️

[@riyuga2702]

The in between skits are awesome love the show

[@punishedprops]

Glad you like them! We have so much fun keeping prop making light-hearted :)

[@adity7001]

It made me smile watching your slow motion at 8.38 and was amazed the lengths you have gone to achieve your passion. I am entertained with your work.

[@mombo240]

i am using a collapsible pole for a ruby crescent rose right now ! seeing you get excited about how the locking piece worked is exactly how i reacted

[@punishedprops]

Yes! Glad we're not the only ones impressed by that lock :D

[@briancurry3840]

Woah. This prop is amazing! Great job!!

[@lexmarchus3228]

Love the skit for the intro! Be great to see more

[@e-bike-bys-vykken7422]

that d2 sweeper bot behind her is amazing that must have taken ages to print

[@davidnichols4402]

Acrylic Floor Care! I never would have thought of that. It's a good day when you learn something. Thank You!

[@punishedprops]

You're welcome! Evil Ted recommended it to us.

[@ianjtgove]

This prop is amazing! Google put this video in my recommended because about a week ago I published an Instructables tutorial for a collapsable walking stick that was made from the legs of an old camera tripod. Also I like that you showed how the mechanism of twist-release collapsable poles work, because I didn't open up mine when I built my walking stick, so I wondered how the twist-releases worked (until now!). Thanks for this video, especially the tips on the acetone smoothing. Keep up the amazing work!

[@BIGDADDY0H]

You guys are great...must admit, sometimes y'all post things that I feel are either out of my league or just something that's not something I would normally build, but then I watch them, and I'm always inspired and take away much new knowledge anyway....Thank y'all for what you do....Keep the intros going....they're awesome....😎

[@punishedprops]

Yay! We're glad we inspire you!

[@missrzhrtjennieruthdelurey2908]

The work on this staff was amazing and I can see how wonderful a 3-D printer can be!

[@punishedprops]

They are a really awesome and useful tool! - Paige

[@GokhanSaglam82]

Great little tricks hidden inside are gems. Thanks a lot guys

[@punishedprops]

You're so welcome! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@llamafromspace]

Haha love this intro. I was like dying for the classic phrase

[@AndrewD50297045]

That's awesome! Great idea!

[@heidismith9872]

Thank you for all you very useful info!! I discovered you last year when trying to make a Mononoke costume for my daughter. This year I am making Nausicaa for her. You are the only anything I can find on making the gun and knife. Not a popular character I guess. Thanks for making this costume a little less “blundering from scratch”!

[@punishedprops]

Awesome! Glad we could help :)

[@ritinkornas5336]

If you don't want to get a messy bed for printing ABS, you can put a PEI sheet on it, and it's really magic, ABS stick super well to that with a heated bed at ~110degree celsius :) Regarding your acetone smoothing problem. If you want to get everything smoothing and not the bottom only, you need to warm your acetone in the bucket, but that's something rather dangerous to do so I strongly discourage that. In the case of the glass jar, you can put it on an electric plate for cooking for example, low temperature. Personally my technique to smooth things is "acetone rubbing", I use some paper towel with a bit of acetone on it and rub the surface to erase most of the printing lines and then finish with sandpaper. For the inaccessible areas like the gem, I use a very diluted acetone/ABS goo that I gently brush on the part to smooth, usually make things smooth enough for looking good, and by applying multiple layers, it doesn't penetrate as deep that the vapour, that way you avoid problem of parts becoming soft (and that can deform, which can be annoying for tight fits), or the problem of seeing the infill pattern if you walls are too thin. Also, that way I don't take risk of getting lots of acetone vapour. Still I do it with respirator in a ventilated area most of the time or if I will stay more than for a small touch up. And last thing, for ABS I do recommend a brim indeed ;) Best to get a perfect bed-touching surface of the propos, is to get a first layer over extruding by 15 to 30 % (depends on filament) ;)

[@punishedprops]

Thank you so much for the info!

[@ritinkornas5336]

@AlbusLux hum I think it would be rather dangerous to get a fan and this electric motor in the acetone vapour. From my understanding, the risk of fire hazard is one of the problem of acetone vapour smoothing, so adding a potential source of sparks in the vapour is then a dangerous idea :s even though it could indeed be working to redistribute the vapours. It makes me wonder about "humidifier" machine, I think they have an ultrasonic vibrator to break the liquid water in super ultra thin drops, so it can then start in suspension in the air. Could an ultra sonic vibrator be set under the glass jar containing acetone to make an acetone fog? (Because if you spray the acetone directly on the props it will be a bad result...) Or maybe but warning it's dangerous !!! I'm wondering about airbrushing some acetone on the props, as it is very thin drops... ? In an super super super well ventilated area with a respirator for chemicals and closed mask on the eyes, plus full jumpsuit eventually... And if your airbrush doesn't have any plastic parts meltable with the acetone. But I repeat, it pose a couple of dangers!!!!

[@wanderingjim7402]

Very good I like the format

[@hendrikmuskus8209]

THEY ARE SO ADORABLE

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Super Cool, thank you Britt!!!

[@punishedprops]

You're welcome! Glad you liked the video :)

[@ugoandreatricoli1947]

The acetone's "sanding" application and his glossy effect is awesome! Great job as always :)

[@punishedprops]

Thank you! It was a fun experiment, for sure.

[@ugoandreatricoli1947]

Punished Props Academy do you know if this "technique" works also with new type of resin 3d printed? Or the acetone reacts only with the old plastic filament. Or it is necessary a specific plastic material? I'm not understand English very well and I'm not sure if you've talked about this in the video. 😊 Bye

[@Madeleinewith3Es]

That turned out amazing! And good call on the duster handle for the staff, I'm planning something now that needs a long, collapsible handle, and I was thinking of curtain rods, but that handle looks way lighter!

[@punishedprops]

Thanks so much!

[@DragonGateDesign]

Looks awesome

[@leonardomapache]

You guys' giggles in the intro are adorable.

[@punishedprops]

Prop making is serious business! :D

[@AKmusic893]

Awesome prop!

[@GeekOffi]

This is amazing staff

[@donaldmcdaniel1773]

I am going to carve one as soon as I can. It will take some time, using wood and not plastic. I will try to build a light and a real crystal in the flower bud, wish me luck!

[@BMDura]

By using a small electrical fan you can add airflow inside the container so you can get the top parts of your prints

[@MonkeyManThe3rd]

Looks dank af

[@dirtydan7686]

You guys are so talented

[@punishedprops]

Aw, thank you!

[@MakeBrooklyn]

That school sounds like way more fun than the one I went to!! Cool method letting the acetone melt it just a tiny bit to smooth it out.

[@punishedprops]

His class was the most fun class :)

[@tomisham9900]

The staff came out really cool! I like the collapsible idea a lot!

[@punishedprops]

Thanks so much! =D

[@TheLapari]

@@punishedprops Yeah, cool idea! I might have done it reverse way so the smaller end hit the ground, and the crown would merge smoothly to the staff part. :)

[@theultimatesteelshooter8610]

I only 3D print using PLA as it’s super simple to work with but it requires sanding and priming to get perfectly smooth finish. The method I settled on was first shown to me by Joe silvagi for doing my Mando armor … Rustoleum 2in 1 filler sandable primer followed by 320 wet sanding followed by dupicolor primer then 600 wet sand. Finish with dupicolor primer sealer and you’re ready for painting. The automotive grade spray can primer is key as the nozzles are 10x better than Rustoleum and provide a perfect finish without the need to use airbrush or LPHV spray guns. Also I always spray a black mist “guide coat “ of black primer on for each round which makes it so you see here you still need to sand the piece perfectly even.

[@RebeccasStudio]

I am in stitches :D I love the skits.

[@punishedprops]

We're glad you're enjoying them as much as we do! - Paige

[@RebeccasStudio]

Punished Props Academy they are great

[@tourdeNoh]

this is sooo cool

[@shawnpeeples5661]

Has anyone noticed that some of the cuts make it look like Brittnany barely blinks? Specifically the moments when she's talking directly into the camera at the end. Great build and a nice idea to make use of a collapsable pole. I'll have to use the idea on some projects to see how much easier it makes transport vs sectioning the handle into multiple pieces.

[@punishedprops]

She's ALWAYS WATCHING.... We're pretty pleased with the collapsible aspect. Staves and other similar items can be really tricky to ship or travel with. Making them collapsible is a wonderful solution! - Paige

[@sadpanini]

What an interesting alternative to sanding!

[@pastorscottmarsh8627]

so cool!

[@russfunk7615]

Hello again!😊 on plastics that don't hold paint well. I found that plastidip as a base works reasonably well. It can be painted with oil paint (brush on) and sealed with a polymer sealer. ..

[@pchilds80]

How adorable is britt

[@E_M_actor]

Great work 😍😲😵👏👏👏

[@itzdono]

Have you tried putting acetone on a paper towel inside of an airbrush jar & airbrushing the crinkly bits out with the acetone vapor. Different tips could give you different effects & detail. & next time, leave a space for a crystal & pop it in the middle when it's still pliable. The branches will dry around it, holding it in place. Then, wiring a light through the bottom will be spectacular. A cheap camera strobe would be a nice touch. Diffused through the crystal would be a very effective flash. Then the hollow tube could be filled with batteries. You could hide a button switch in a replica of a knot of wood on the larger top section of tubing. There's also wood grain paper you could lacquer over the tube or print it yourself to make sure the color matches.

[@punishedprops]

Awesome suggestions, thank you!

[@jason-kk2nr]

8:39 LMAO I love how dramatic she is. I’m subscribing 😂😂

[@reforzar]

Cool techniques.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

You had me at Gandalf...😳❤❤❤

[@punishedprops]

Huzzah!

[@crisrose9707]

you can glue pla (and most likely abs as well) together with airfix glue. you dont need to use much and you dont get any squeeze out if you apply it sparingly.

[@altermunmis]

Speaking as a chemical engineer, you could use a fan inside the bucket for the smoothing process with acetone.

[@PhoenixRevival00]

Oooh. Nice! This had some good info relevant to my current needs. Also? That intro... LOL nerds! XD

[@punishedprops]

Our business is super serious! :D

[@PatrikTerminate]

Could have used a tiny bit of weathering to bring the shapes out and make the insides slightly darker, but still a very good job!

[@punishedprops]

I agree, weathering would help.

[@GuanoLad]

I like how Bill's and Britt's builds are always so different to each other. I can't even clearly articulate what those differences are, but their work is nonetheless richer for it.

[@punishedprops]

Britt: "It's like Bill is more technical with a build and I just poke at things until they look nice."

[@GuanoLad]

Well, I wouldn't put it like that, it's more like holistic vs detail.

[@ranielmarpuri2001]

Loved the build. Details were awesome. Loved the video. The humor was okay. But please... BLINK man ! im sorry, got this phobia for non blinking humans. Awesome channel.

[@cerberouse1]

A long time ago when i played Second Life, there was a vendor who made collapsing Staves and Wands; this was so similar to the design i couldn't help but remember how much it pissed me off because his stuff was always so much better than mine in the markets xD

[@punishedprops]

Ha, that's a great story! :D

[@richterdracula7414]

you can reduce the gap between the raft and the piece, that give you more adhesion when printing

[@dirtydan7686]

I love your vids

[@GregAtlas]

Use a small fan inside the container to recirculate the acetone air to get a more even melting.

[@edwardbarton1680]

If you're going to use pegs, the holes should be added to the model before printing. This way, you can ensure proper alignment. For best results, make 3 holes, not forming an equilateral triangle. That way, there's no possibility of improper rotation.

[@larsgottlieb]

Honesty. It suits you

[@wildmangeorgesrcchannel6916]

If you wanna add a heat source then take a bowl fill with water and microwave the water then set the jar in the hot water

[@punishedprops]

Handy tip!

[@merrick3627]

Just as I'm trying to talk myself out of a 3D printer you upload this. WHY

[@Cosplay_slug]

Merrick362 It’s clearly a sign 👀

[@punishedprops]

3D Printers are a really useful tool for making, but they're definitely a serious purchase! There's nothing wrong with taking the time to make that decision! - Paige

[@spyersecol0013]

I bought my 3D printer after seeing "Braq"the dragon. Had to have one lol!

[@minibigs5259]

Ender 3 is such a bargain right now

[@Faiq_h]

You can do anything you put your mind to it and there are videos of creative artists that can guide you so a 3d printer is not always needed. Plus there are maker spaces and other places you can go to if you want to make a one off print. IF you do decide to go into 3d printing, there is are very supportive groups out there that will help guide you into that world. It doesn't have to be expensive so long as you adhere to your budget and it is easy to look into the higher end models. But do not dismiss a good entry level model as it will give you insight on how to make better prints and not break the budget you set yourself to. DO research what you need to thoroughly. DO ask as many questions as you have. #d printing is an investment and the payoff can be awesome when you start making prints and even designing your own and sharing it with others. Cheers.

[@gmscott9319]

8:02 - Staves Love it!

[@punishedprops]

I love that you caught that :D

[@QueenFiria]

I would love to see/learn how you would do the gem if you were to use the other method.

[@JGDeRuvo]

Great job Brit! Would love it if Bill made the BSG Colonial Sidearm on video.

[@punishedprops]

We have a write up on a build Bill did wayyyyy back in the day of that particular prop. Unfortunately we have no plans to re-make that one, but you can check out what we documented here: punishedprops.com/2011/11/01/bsg-pistol/

[@MichaelTotin]

Love it. I have to admit that I'm putting more effort into prototyping with 3D prints and then casting them. As that gives me a broader choice of stronger materials to work with. I might have tried printing this one with wood filament and then used real wood for the rest of the staff, cutting it into sections that could be screwed together for breaking it down, instead of being collapsible. But I guess that isn't as cool. ;)

[@punishedprops]

I think that would be cool!

[@-themchelper-7998]

Finally I can be Gandalf where I go,wow man can’t wait to work a TSA. “YOU SHALL NOT PASS!Please step to the side for a pat down”

[@coleg.4499]

To stop the infill from showing in the final print you could go into cura and adjust the infill overlap percentage.

[@dentalobject1940]

I wish I could work with you guys everyday.

[@derschwartzadder]

cheers on the dramatic music at the end 🤣

[@punishedprops]

Music and slow-mo is the best!

[@EthanFilms]

"Twiddly Bits" Thats the name of my new folk band

[@punishedprops]

Ha HAAAAA - Paige

[@Plastic_Spaceman]

Fantastic build video as always guys! This will be super helpful when I print/build my Wabbajack staff.

[@punishedprops]

Awesome! Show us how it turns out on Twitter: twitter.com/chinbeard - Paige

[@HabiteerWorkshop]

Have you tried using Duplicolor scratch and filler primer? dries way way faster than rustoleum (almost instant), goes on a lot smoother and sands really nice too

[@punishedprops]

That primer is super nice!

[@chillaxter13]

I use a walking stick in place of a cane. I wish I could get you guys to build a functional staff similar to Gandelf the Gray's... I'm only about an hour away from you too, just south of Seattle.

[@blepblep8267]

if you put a little fan inside your ABS smoothing chamber it smoothes much more evenly.

[@punishedprops]

I could see that working, but any kind of spark from the fan motor might ignite the acetone vapor. I know it's a really small chance, but I don't think it's worth it.

[@blepblep8267]

actually, makers muse ran a spark generater in an acetone filled glass and it didnt ignite, it needs a proper open flame to do so, ive been running mine for ~16 months and even when i had a fan burn out do to mis-matched wiring it didnt ignite

[@commandershepard1457]

Now, you should make Andúril

[@rosecovell930]

I kinda think it'd look better if the pole was flipped. That the thicker end of the pole starts at the top then tapers down to the bottom, giving it a sleeker look.

[@Raygun222]

Make the Mace of Molag Bal, please. That one would be challenging.

[@daily-janitor]

My next idea are full body wings that can fold and possibly levitate when modes change. What materials would be best for aerodynamics and insulation?

[@ender_slayer3]

Okay, the staff isn't what caught me off guard. The thing that caught me off guard was the frame from the tower in the background

[@kurtownsj00]

I printed the same top-piece for my Gandalf the White staff I'm working on lighting up, and while I like how it looks....I noticed the top of the model is pretty far off from the PJ movie version (rather than the "lines" gathering together they stay seperate).

[@cyclone19692000]

really enjoyed the video and the project the only gripe is no retracted shots as that was a design feature

[@blackoak4978]

I think the only change I'd make is to putty the connection between the top and the staff to make it look like one piece

[@blakester3043]

Another method that might work for a collapsible pole would be to thread a thin bungee cord through multiple tubes, similar to how canes are made for blind individuals

[@punishedprops]

That's a great idea!

[@omegacyclon]

Very Nice design with the option to shrink the staff for better portability..maybe i could leave the screw part just in case is need a staff for mopping...kidding...is perfect!! ... Btw..first time i detail those wonderful light eyes. 👁👁😊👍

[@punishedprops]

Haha, I like the idea of leaving the attachment to swap out different staff/cleaning supply heads!

[@omegacyclon]

Punished Props Academy lol like cleaning with Magic? Or magicaly cleaned..or at least clean with style?

[@Wartooth91]

when it comes to removing stickers, i like to just run it under hot water. let the water get really hot, and run over the sticker for a few minutes, then take a sponged with the rough scrubber side and just scrub off the sticker. i find this removes the adhesive.

[@punishedprops]

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that next time.

[@Wartooth91]

i like to use this for various jars and containers i think will be useful and dont want a "pickles" or some other logo on it

[@AliDraws]

'Nu-uh! you're supposed to say "YOU SHALL NOT PASS! " its the ONLY GANDALF LINE EVAH!' nice opening skit there xD

[@AnymMusic]

Is there a way to smooth out a print and have it dull/matt(?) instead of shiny?

[@Tinkbook]

Awesome build!!! Hey what about the scythe from season 7 of Buffy.

[@GaiaChrono]

I am curious if the pole is still decent structure to lean on and use as support. I am guessing not because of the collapsible feature, but if it is I'd love to know!

[@duckrutt]

Thanks for the boop Britt, I thought I was going to be possessed by Saruman forever.

[@punishedprops]

You're welcome! Boop!

[@daily-janitor]

So I have a couple project ideas. One is an accurate cosplay of Roger Janitor from Little nightmares where the arms would extend, I want to incorporate sensors for touch but how could I make it so I can feel what the prosthetics feel?

[@firstname3430]

Sand blasting may be a better option in the future.

[@Sam-de6qx]

Nice job on the staff guys. Why don't you check out the video on how to smooth out 3d prints on DIY Perks channel on KZbin, where he also uses acetone.

[@YourPerch]

You are the cutest!

[@skylarpotter2112]

OMG I LOVE THAT I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(

[@christiankelly5130]

You guys should try to make an extendable predator spear

[@artiequick3583]

I read the title and though it could collapse like the blades of those lightsaber toys

[@jason-kk2nr]

sometimes you just gotta know how to make a collapsible Gandalf staff because people always be trying to pass

[@Impossible_Fishy]

BECAUSE I’M A MODERN ROUGE