MadDog Mike's Platterful of Pupule - Quicksand Quincy

For someone who's not yet retired, you are still more productive than me. Great work as always!

Where is the volcano going to be set up? Love those waterfalls with the little palm trees. Sawfish nose! Wow.

Thanks Hamo LOL Creating "art" is my form of relaxation
Thank you danlovestikis Teresa's sister is an elementary school librarian. She has the library decorated with some jungle ruins stuff (leftovers from VBS). The volcano will join the jungle ruins

Volcano looks very nice, hope we get to see it in action.

And I’m glad you decided not to cut the nose off of a Carpenter shark and make your own.

Lol

[ Edited by hang10tiki on 2023-08-13 19:50:46 ]

Thanks Jon. There won't be any "action" with the volcano. Because of the location and proximity to little rug rats, I had to skip the smoke, explosions, and burning sulfur :( LOL

As far as the carpenter sharks, those are a protected species - having a real one can get you several thousands of dollars in fines!

OK Hamo, on to the next project

The Royal Hawaiian had these cool rechargeable lamps on the table so I ordered a couple from Amazon.

3 modes including a flame mode but they didn't look very "Tiki". So I decided to fix that. No pics of the first few steps but I rolled out a slab of clay and wrapped it around my cocktail shaker (right size and shape), cut out the holes, textured it with a lava rock, let it dry a bit to firm up, and removed it from the shaker.

Into the kiln

Out of the kiln and ready to glaze

Ready to fire again

Verrrrrry niiiiice

I haven't been around here in like 10-15 years or something. I remember when this thread started and I just spent the night reading all 61 pages.

I just demo'ed my basement with plans for a bar and came to get inspiration. The stuff you're making is amazing.

Fan man, you went right to the top for a good dose of inspiration. It doesn't get better than MDM & all his pupule.

hang10tiki and Will carve thank you very much, you are gentlemen and scholars!

TikiFan welcome back after a long absence! You are too kind, I hope you found some entertainment and inspiration.

My Tiki table lamps are out of the kiln.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dbbefae756a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=2e02e4c81142e5421865face4218a2df
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dbbf1098392.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ff756e5269db631ac95eadd58545b64d

2 last finishing touches and they will be done. Added some cooled lava down the side. When fired it should foam up like the stuff on the jar lid
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dbc01242ce9.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f1994e47ac2fcbb0da80076adc81f606

And I ordered a sheet of red acetate to wrap around the lamp to see how it looks red
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dbc0a2ca33d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=abee8a6944ed3aad4595848391cee223

One last photo of my table lamps. The dimensional cooled lava came out OK but not as raised as I had hoped.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dce27d5a629.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=fd51e95002a011adfbca8af3aae643be

On to the next project Hamo LOL.
In the Disneyland queue for the Jungle Cruise is a cage with a huge spider that moves occasionally to startle and amuse the guests. I wanted something similar but decided on a scorpion 🦂 and I want him to jump at you, not just wiggle a bit. I ordered a huge 8 inch scorpion on Amazon but they fudged the measurements a bit. He's actually only 3.5 inches, he would be 8 if he was stretched and and laying flat. I'll work with this for now and swap him out later if I want.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dce3cfb0f3c.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b95cd98aa20d7131f5457699aeeb8e68

Here is my plan. A solenoid pushes the control rod which swings the scorpion forward againt the bars of the cage.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dce45821008.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f5fe618d23a6cdfb29eb8ca70b9de194
The stroke on the solenoid is 1.5 inches, the pivot point on the control rod is 1/4 of the way down. That should translate to 6 inches of movement at the bottom of the rod/scorpion.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64dce5ad30f99.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b1c20e52cea6c43d0e9eba17ad51f2cd

For now I'll control it with a SmartSwich and my phone. Eventually I'd like to add a tap sensor and a relay so he jumps it you tap on the cage. Parts are arriving daily, I'll keep you posted

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-08-16 08:08:00 ]

That is so creeepy goood!

See lots of those in people’s shoes here in Vegas

Whew--I'm tired just looking at all you've accomplished in the last couple of weeks....

danlovestikis that was the goal :D
hang10tiki and Hamo LOL

A little more work on my scorpion box. Here is a short video of the mechanism in action
https://youtu.be/7rf-BluZrkE

Working on the actual box/cage. I wanted it to look aged and rustic so I used old lumber (where possible) and didn't worry about making it fit like fine furniture.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e6200c0481a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b3dd15556166cb9a2c785e1845dbe297

This specimen collection tag will go on the box, printed on Manilla cardstock.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e6205523af9.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=78ba10d0db5d80214e714f3249fd1576

Does the tag say 4 specimens? I only see 1? Damn! There are 3 of those buggers on the loose! LOL
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e620ab06bbc.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=3b6709eaf07fe9fd9bfba3045371d237

Up next some dark stain for the box, sand and rocks on the bottom of the cage, maybe a feeding tray in the cage with some plastic crickets or mealworms? I ordered a power supply and a tap sensor to active the scorpion when someone taps on the cage but those are coming on a literal slow boat from China :(
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e623c95e618.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=268f7829be658dbdecf9469f49dbcc99

Just about done! Need to mount it to a pillar face-high in my patio and finalize the activation once my tap sensor switch comes in.
Here's a video https://youtu.be/2b3YTTirR4U

And a couple pics
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e78f6feae41.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=dac48960238a3bd1f1d9b59e898671ac
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e78f7816236.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1a0a9aa038d077bca791d7d74579d61e
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/64e78f8036f1d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=3d20e3a224541401917eb02ded04868b

Spectacular!

Thank you sir!

This looks so real. I bet everyone will tap. I hope that boat starts moving faster.

Awesome Mike

Should I send you the anti-venom?

That's a real scorpion that's been preserved?

I think you've made a scary contraption. The next video should show a person who doesn't see that coming. Love the first one.

hang10tiki is that anti-venom topical because I'm NPI (nothing by injection) LOL

danlovestikis he does a good job a scaring people LOL And he's mounted to a pillar just a face height to really maximize the effect 😁 There are some real, preserved crickets in his food dish (I dipped dried crickets in 2 part resin, I don't know if they will last or not?) but he is made of plastic. Ordered from Amazon (the retailer company, not the river/rainforest ;😉 )

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-09-07 21:09:55 ]

A little video of my scorpion https://youtu.be/BuVslkrZZEM?si=7kM64Nemhjr2M_ob

Last year I made a faux neon sign that was inspired by the on on top of my father-in-law's Tiki restaurant in the 60s.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6500cd376be2c.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=2f009fe487b87c12f0267dbfad566186

I used EL Wire, it was easy to work with but the light it put out was underwhelming. Here is a pic of the EL Wire, it shows much brighter than it really was.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6500ccc21fda5.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=46161c404a34c721fb044fcb02bcb598

I discovered LED Neon that is SO MUCH brighter! But so much harder to work with. It wasn't nearly as flexible so I couldn't use one piece like I did with the EL Wire. It needed to be cut into 9 segments and each of the segments had to have wire leads soldered onto tiny little terminals on plastic ribbon. I suck at soldering LOL Managed to get it all soldered up and I am much happier with it. The EL Wire put out a faint glow, the LED Neon actually puts out a bright light as you can see by the light shining on the ceiling.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6500ce7734d4a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1c88f60efab5dfb5a79a7bc12d0b4ce6

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-09-12 13:49:19 ]

I know how much El Tiki means to you and Teresa. I think this is wonderful. You are a terrific man.

Yes, El Tiki is definitely a big part of our genesis story. El Tiki inspired "artifacts" make Teresa happy and that makes me happy <3

Good job El Mad Dog

Thank you Hang10!

I saw a pool noodle octopus arm posted somewhere so I thought I would make one.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65204b66bace3.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=557ea435b981869f51a8c809c7f7b632
Tapered the pool noodle, an electric carving knife works very well.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65204b898de72.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a670caa243ff6711ee3514881a783096
Cut a flat surface where the suckers will go. Painted the flat surface white and purple spots on the rest. A bunch of suction cups in 3 sizes from Amazon painted red and glued on

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65204bb003099.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7817478e8816a0d67c68290f65f8624d
A 4 ft piece of 3/8 rebar with two 1/2 bolts welded on allows me to bolt to the ceiling joist plus give shape and support.

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65204bd4b655f.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=4cdc3d05e0a21b8c9d169285096e3b7d
Finished. Bolted to the ceiling and holding a lightweight lamp

That's really cute. What did you use for the suckers?

Thank you Wendy, the suckers are plastic suction cups

I've been working on a "lake" made from blue rocks. More pics in the Pele Bar thread in the Home Tiki Bars section

Finished
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6522b5b42e8dd.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=f0dd2ce197fb79d3db3224bb73e0d766

Hawaiian for "Fake Lake"
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6522b5d077e13.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b320aa76901e5e26980d6f4ccd2e5842

Nighttime view
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6522b5e8d1753.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=102cebf032d906328f535fc4a415e8e1

Some residents of the lake
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/6522b5ffc06d0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=1e21ead7a3e51e2a7dbc45137ca98a7a

Nice project. Good job too.

Bet you are the only one in your neighborhood with one.

When I was a kid, I found some green oil paint and painted a green square. I thought I could play pool. Only there were not holes for balls to fall in. Also, the paint didn't dry for a year. Not good for a storage closet, my mom was not happy.

So, my suggestion is that you don't wade or dive into your new pool even though it looks so inviting. Love it.

Thank you Will and danlovestikis. Will, there are 9 pools on my block (including one empty and one green) but no one has a lake like mine LOL
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652562e114482.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=e872c447229e52637437df4155d7317a

New Project - a pig shaped ceramic dish for Kalua Pork
Cut a block of foam maximum size for my kiln (about 10 inches long)
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65241decc62a0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=69e3733424ea0a4d551cb79f7bc63b1c

Rough cut with a hot knife
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65241e0cab869.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=292b41e42af36d1a4087a1cdc1fa506a

Smoothed and shaped with a rasp
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65241e293ac43.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=8ac5955790ae457976e08ea6bacf1977

Covered with tissue paper and ModgePodge to smooth it more. Slabs of clay will be laid over this form to make a pig shape. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/65241e327f5b4.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=282019d66bf32f4be3328ba574f0c238

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-10-09 08:39:00 ]

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-10-10 07:42:49 ]

This is already fun to watch!

Thank you Wendy <3 Hopefully I will get more done this weekend.

Working on my piggy again. Rolled out a slab of brown clay and layered it over the Styrofoam form. Added ears, eyes, and a tail. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c260c8c166.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=c738bf77bf999ac8ea15df97f412c90e
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c260c51c03.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b2180fca7e0cc5733e0f7530af82c003
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c260c742f7.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=55684cc5b8daad1b303526a73a4e4b3f

The plan is to split the pig and allow it to dry and firm up a bit. I coated the pig form with Modge Podge so that I can use it again if I want. I'll pull the two halves off the form and then rejoin them.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c264517f7a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b9a30a5caa6e145405b33bd21466baca

"If was at that moment he realized he had messed up"
I have used this technique several times without the Modge Podge. The tissue is stuck to the foam with paper, it serves as a mold release so the clay doesn't stick to the form. The paper sticks to the clay and I peel it off or it burns out in the kiln. Alternatively I dissolve the foam out of the clay with acetone. I don't have to split and rejoin the clay but I can't reuse the form. I thought I had a solution to save the form for later use in case I wanted to make another. But with no paper to serve as a release, the clay stuck to the form. I ended up using acetone so now the foam form is destroyed AND the pig is split.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c28a09c8d8.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=ebc033461a12c0b5cff6fbca0333e97f

Used a score and slip method to rejoin the pig halves.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c28d4e0a50.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=aae8012a548eccde95506040f27cc3af
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c28d4b6e85.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=14dc94b11e5c1d9be579aeafe911ed9c

Next, cut off the top of the pig to make a lid and added a lip to the lid so it doesn't slide around
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c293da5e41.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a28fcebe73ffaedfea926c7bcd37e687
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c296c7e5cf.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=a4b96523fedbdf9eee1145c29010d05e

Rolled another slab for the bottom, scored and slipped it on. Dished the bottom to form a "foot" or rim that the dish will rest on. This helps it to sit flat after firing. Check out the foot on any coffee cup (drink the coffee before turning it over ;) )
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c29ffd7775.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=0779e5b61e8898a745af928daf271f80

Rolled some clay coils to fill the seam inside between the sides and the new bottom
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652c2a3710fbb.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=7ae328c1f9198ccee182f629f43e916c

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-10-15 11:08:54 ]

Added a pineapple slice on top to serve as a knob for the lid.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652d906c6b66a.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=9c3658fbcf45a89a4a72ead1610f594d

Came up with a name, "Kalua Porky". Now sculpting is about done, just need to let it dry slowly for the next week or so before firing
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652d91c106839.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=0815b464950cfc2dbb653316db9c775e

I was trying to decide between 2 signs for my "fake lake". The Rated G was more appropriate with my young grandsons running around (aged 2, 7, 11, and 14). But I liked the PG13 one too. Two rings at the top allow me to flip and display the one I want.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652eb71b88b36.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=2bf6349a475bb6346cc8a1f69645a79c
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/652eb71fa2a6c.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=83be6dd235f5b1d91bf1e2da70ffa481

I too enjoy the option of flexibility.

Great page Mike

I will say

I did duck when I saw this

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/21154/653432c39581d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=b5ec8b391c55e6226f0a7e9dd62e02c6

Piggy Piggy...looking good. I'd say the one sign is totally fine for the youngin's....I knew I loved women when I snuck into the ladies dressing room of a ladies store when I was 6

Will carve flexibility is an awesome thing. Too bad we can't even touch our knees anymore, let alone our feet LOL
hang10tiki good call! Reminds me of the OLD joke about the three brothers, the championship pig with diarrhea, the cork, and the organ grinder's monkey ;)
Or Got Rum? hmmm... a little Peeping Tom? LOL

My little pig developed a crack inside. Maybe it dried too quickly? Maybe it stuck to the drying surface as it dried and contracted. No use in pointing fingers and laying blame now LOL
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/653863819e96d.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=c1ee6245e949e65aa87b647e020d1013

I've got a repair technique I've had success with before using "calcined clay" and glaze. Raw clay is smashed into little bits and allowed to dry. I also made a little pinch pot dish
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/653864ae8ce53.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=71587b50ae41a4c5b57b52aaa46306f5

The dried bits of clay are smashed into a powder and screened into the little dish.
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/653864f677e62.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=fbbd50feb7c4cab44ac12cdd95034b8b

The pig went into the kiln tonight along with the clay powder. Once fired (calcined), the clay dust particles will have shrunk as much as they are going to shrink. I'll mix the powder into a paste with liquid clear glaze and pack it into the crack. Then clear glaze the whole inside of the pig and fire again. Since the clay powder is the same clay as the pig it will be the exact same color and it's preshrunk so it will fill the crack. We'll see how it works :D

[ Edited by MadDogMike on 2023-10-24 18:03:13 ]

I like doing repairs. Your clay dust is a bit like Magic Mend. I loved that stuff. I was always so greatful that you told me about it.

Pig is so cute, love the tail.

Signs so clever. Your yard is so much fun. How tall is the grandson who used to play on the pirate ship?

Wendy, that little boy is almost as tall as me now. He had passed his mom and dad LOL.

My repair worked OK. It's a little rough because I didn't have a fine screen to sift that clay powder with but it will work. Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/653ad98c72bec.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=074a3f5806605d483d431a944e3d64bb

🐷

Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/11023/653e709c02155.gif?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=00ef748d7e10e9793d677d7e72ed5449

[ Edited by Or Got Rum? on 2023-10-29 07:48:02 ]

LOL hang10tiki and Or Got Rum?

Finished my piggy!
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/654121eaf2410.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=5805859192b106641ead24b8b356f325
Image Missing: https://tikicentral.com/resize.php/uploads/8801/654121ea557b0.jpg?w=1280&h=1280&fit=max&sharp=5&s=d57cb789ac9a9a28b230eb22888b915f