How to Carve a Cylon Pumpkin

Three Methods:Cylon Pumpkin Stencil Carving a Cylon Pumpkin Cylon pumpkin carved only (no paint)

Cylons are an alien race from the Battlestar Galactica series. Even if your trick-and-treaters don't know who the Cylons are though, this amazing cylon pumpkin will intrigue and amuse those calling on your house this Halloween. This sci-fi Cylon pumpkin sculpting will outdo the usual neighborhood carving, so have at it!

Cylon Pumpkin Stencil

To use this template, print it out and tape it to your pumpkin wherever it fits best. Try to pick a surface that is relatively free of blemishes, if possible. Then, use a sharp, narrow implement like a toothpick to poke holes through the paper and create a guide that will help you carve your pumpkin.

Cylon Pumpkin Stencil

Method 1
Carving a Cylon Pumpkin

1
Assemble the items needed to complete the project. These are listed below under "Things You'll Need".
2
Begin as with a usual pumpkin carving. Cut around the stem of the pumpkin using the kitchen knife. Once open, scoop out both the seeds and the pulp.
3
Decide where the "eye hole" will fit on the pumpkin. Using a marker, make a thin and long rectangular shape across the central front portion of the pumpkin.
- However this is drawn, it must be the right shape, length and width to accommodate the flashing LED lights, so you might like to hold them up to make measurements as you're detailing the shape.
4
Carve out the eye hole shape using the craft knife.
5
Prepare the overall appearance of the Cylon pumpkin. Place the pumpkin on a surface covered widely with newspaper (to protect the surface from being sprayed with paint). Using the silver or gray spray paint, spray the whole pumpkin to cover. Leave to dry.
- Once dried, outline the Cylon helmet design above the eye hole region.
- Using black paint, fill in the helmet outline.
- Painting the whole pumpkin is optional. If you choose to leave the pumpkin unsprayed, instead of using black paint, simply mark out the helmet outline and file down the helmet area using a microplane. This will create a relief design. See the alternative method below for more details.
6
Attach the 9-volt battery to the scanner. If you need to see the schematics of the "Larson Scanner" kit, it's available online for free.
7
Place both the scanner and its battery into a clear plastic bag. Seal the bag so that moisture cannot penetrate through to the battery and scanner.
8
Pop the scanner into the eye hole of the pumpkin. The LED lights should be showing outward through the eye port. Adjust into place as needed.
- The scanner can be held in position using toothpicks.
9
Place the Cylon pumpkin on display. A little mist from dry ice adds the finishing touch.

Method 2
Cylon pumpkin carved only (no paint)

1
This version allows you to get away without spray painting but is still as effective.
2
Find a suitable size pumpkin. Assemble the carving items and other items as outlined below.
3
Draw the helmet design. Follow the pattern provided in this image.
4
Carve the pumpkin as shown in this image. Remove the pumpkin skin and only leave portions of it to provide design relief or lines.
5
Attach the battery to the scanner. As noted above, schematics for doing this successfully are available free online through a quick search.
6
As above, pop the scanner and battery into a plastic bag that seals. This prevents moisture damage from occurring.
7
Slip the plastic bag covered scanner and battery into place. Test it out, then set it on display.