I know there are all kinds of classic props that you just don't find for sale out there anymore, if they ever were mass-produced. I'm talking about things like water buckets that actually contain rope or yarn that looks like water splashing out, or foam props, or whatever.

How about a dedicated sub-forum devoted to "How To" make these kinds of things?

I make a LOT of my own props; some are gimmicked "real life" items (like my fake squirting ketchup and mustard bottles; I got the bottles two for a buck and the gimmick is simple), some are props I made from scratch (like my kazumpet, a full-size trumpet, with a kazoo for a mouthpiece, that actually produces the sound of the kazoo from the BELL of the horn, not from the kazoo; I can even use a toilet-plunger mute and get all the funny wa-wa sounds like jazz players do). Others are a combination of me-made items and store-bought things that I got good deals on (There's my giant battery that I made from scratch that I use in my "cell phone" gag, then there's the giant air pump I bought that looks like an industrial bug sprayer. It's used in my Clown Vs. The Giant Fly gag).

I'd love to see a sub-forum category with detailed descriptions of how to go about making one's own clown props when, of course, it's not possible (or easier or MUCH more expensive) to support some other clown that sells props.

Lou Jacobs most famously created hundreds of routines and many well-loved props. I know there have been many others who did likewise. I'd love to be a part of helping clowns continue in a great tradition of making our gear when we can.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Glupi, in the '60s I had a toy that sounds a lot like your kazumpet. It was made of plastic tubes that looked like plumbing and it had a red bell. when you hummed into the mouthpiece the kazoo sound came out the bell. It was quite large and the tubes and joints could be twisted to form different shapes. I have no clue who made it. I can't recall what it was called but it was [something] Horn.

Great idea, Glupi!! (As usual!)

I am working on some props and ideas for props that I would like to share with others, as well as get some ideas for how I can build some of my own props.

I'm all for it I'll try to write down some of the stuff I've made, and work out plans I'm a trial and error builder by nature but most of the stuff I make is very simple so shouldn't be too hard to jot down.

Might be an idea to see if we could get people to post ideas of what they would like to see and we could even work it out between us, many heads are better than one and all that.

Smartii

H.G., there's a similar thing out there now called the Super Saxoflute. Many toy stores have it, and I want one badly.

It was marketed under one or two different names over the last 50 (yikes!) years, but the concept hasn't changed.

Seems if we make things colorful and wacky-looking, people will tend to overlook the lack of actual practical value the thing has.

Kind of like a lot of entertainers today... and clowns.

(runs before angry, fro-wig mob attacks)

I am making my own bike and a confetti bucket right now. The bike is one of the things you will just need to see. The bucket has been easy.

I took two metal buckets cut one of them in half and made a two inch hole in the bottom of it close to the side. I put the half bucket inside the other and sealed it with silicone. Now I san put confetti in the bucket, pour water into the hole and the water is trapped between the two buckets.

Its should be dry today so I can do a test run with it.

just looked up the super saxoflute that thing is pretty cool! i may have to by 2! one for me and one for my 4 year old!

great idea on the how to thread! if folks could include a pic or two as well that would be awesome as well!

I like the water Bucket idea thats great! i was thinking about something like that the other day but couldn't think how to do it! i was just gonna settle for the ole switcheroo way of doing the trick!

sweet i'm in

This topic is a fantastic idea! :applause: