Make Easy Faux Texture for Props and Costumes!

This technique I am going to be using is refereed to as stacking. It is really great because you can create interesting shapes that look much more complex than they actually are with just a stack of material. The general basis is to have a shape, and then to alter that shape with each new layer. You can use any flat sheet of material, be it paper, plastics, MDF, or metal. I chose to use some scrap wood. When you are using more hefty materials (not paper) it is best to have access to some shop tools. Luckily, here at TechShop in San Jose, I have access to everything i need.

For this instructable, I used:

A wood band saw
Some wood files
glue
and clamps
oh, and some sand paper

Mine is a hydraulic arm looking thing...don't judge...

Using the band saw, I cut out my design. Fist I did some rough cuts, and then came back and did more precise cuts. My main safety concern was to not cut myself (duh). I achieved this by not ever having my hand in the path of the blade.

I then used my files to clean up any areas that were to hard to get to.

*Note- The machine was off when i took this picture...safety first!

I then traced my original design, and then modify it. I shrunk mine with each subsequent layer. I then cut out each smaller layer.

I then sanded all of my pieces so they would be easy to glue

I then applied wood glue and clamped it down. Once it dried, I Painted it (badly) and huzza! : I have a cool step thing! yay!