HIGH5orDIE's budget 'Fid' how to

[HIGH5orDIE]

As a few of you already know, I make my own fids.
So I figured I would share my technique for fid crafting.

 Stuff needed:

Plastic clothes hanger (Ivory/beige look best)
Wire cutters (or super strong scissors)
Whittling knife or carpenters knife (I tend to use both but either will work)
Sand paper
Lighter


Start by cutting about 9" out of the bottom of the plastic hanger using the wire cutters (or strong scissors)

Now this part may sound odd...
I use the sidewalk to sand it down to size for two reasons
   1. The sidewalk is coarse in a more unpredictable way then sandpaper and creates a better look.
   2. The dirt the plastic will pick up help add some 'age' and tend to make it look more like bone.
Set it down on the sidewalk and using your foot ( shoes on ) step on it longways▼, apply weight and slide your foot forward and backward, flip it and repeat until desired thickness is achieved. (NOTE: side to side will create an undesired look.)


Using the whittling or carpenter knife shave off the excess plastic in a potato peeling motion (I do this over a garbage can as it tends to get everywhere) BE CAREFUL
After smoothing it out with the knife hit with the sandpaper to get rid of the little hair looking bits still hanging on.

Now you may have noticed the sides that didn't get sanded on the sidewalk are still shiny. Creating texture here will maintain that bone look and dull down that shimmer.
The same potato peeling style motion angling the carpenters knife closer to 90 degrees will cause it to skip about the plastic making tiny cuts creating that texture.

Now we need to decide which end is which...  Using the lighter with the flame 1/2" under the plastic I heat the last 3/4'' of one side spinning the end so it evenly heats the plastic(heat for about 40 seconds). I immediately flatten that soft plastic between to pieces of wood. Wait 15-20 seconds for it to cool before releasing otherwise it will be a mess. This will become the needle eye.

Using the carpenters or whittling knife in a screwing motion on this newly flattened portion will create the eye of the needle. Sand it down to reduce any shine heating produced


Now to sharpen the opposite end I place the sand paper on a flat surface and rub the end to a point.
When finished sharpening it should look something like this...▼

 
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Now add a little distressed hemp twine and you got yourself a fine looking fid to adorn your Cap'n Jack wig.



Screenshots I used for reference...

[Banditxx1]

Thanks a lot for this very detailed and very useful instruction manual.

[Blade Savvy]

Searching out hangers as I type! Really useful - thank you.

[HIGH5orDIE]

Super glad someone read it because it took me about two hours to write, craft and take and upload photos  . If anyone decides to give it a swing and you have a question please don't hesitate to ask and please experiment if you feel you can improve upon it, I'm always open to constructive criticism.

[HIGH5orDIE]

Want to move this over to tutorials. Anyone know how to do that?

[Mojo Turbo]

I know how to do that!   

[HIGH5orDIE]

 

[MikeSparrow]

Awesome tutorial my friend. I've been trying to figure out how to go about making one and this has set me on the right path!

[Captain Matt]

I just wanted to add my appreciation for the tutorial! No matter what direction I end up going for mine, I am going to take on the challenge you have so ingeniously demonstrated!

Thank you!

Captain Matt

[HIGH5orDIE]

Awesome tutorial my friend. I've been trying to figure out how to go about making one and this has set me on the right path!

Glad to help and thank you for the compliment sir

I just wanted to add my appreciation for the tutorial! No matter what direction I end up going for mine, I am going to take on the challenge you have so ingeniously demonstrated!

And I appreciate the appreciation ;-)
Enjoying your progress posts BTW, things are starting out very promising. I thought I got lucky finding a Zizzle pistol last year but the Robert Kaufman fabric you recently boasted posted about blows that away. Kudos   

[Captain Matt]

The pistol is a stellar find as well! Thank you so much for the encouragement! This is a journey I have been wanting to begin for years and I had an idea how engrossed I would get in it, knowing my nature...however...the level of that said engrossment is all consuming!   

Let me know if you still interested in securing 6 yards of the fabric -I am willing to entertain a lesser amount per yard in exchange for something on trade as well!

Enjoy the awesome energy and inspiration in your upcoming week of adventure!


Captain Matt

[HIGH5orDIE]

The pistol is a stellar find as well!  Thank you so much for the encouragement!  This is a journey I have been wanting to begin for years and I had an idea how engrossed I would get in it, knowing my nature...however...the level of that said engrossment is all consuming!   

Let me know if you still interested in securing 6 yards of the fabric -I am willing to entertain a lesser amount per yard in exchange for something on trade as well!

Enjoy the awesome energy and inspiration in your upcoming week of adventure!

Embarking upon the CJS costuming journey is fun but INDEED all consuming. Thanks, I may take you up on that offer as my goal of modding a Costumebase frock coat to appear more screen accurate ... bombed.

[Captain Matt]

Most excellent sir!

Keep me posted!

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