How to Build a Cheap Stunt Dummy

Head down to a local clothing store, preferably one with manikins in the window. These shops will often store old models they no longer use and are willing to give them away. Sometimes they will ask for money but the manikin is not technically an item they sell, so bartering is completely acceptable. The ideal model for the sake of building a dummy is just a torso. If they only have a full body manikin, some amputation might be necessary.

Swing by a thrift store or a costume shop. Both these places carry wigs, and where there are wigs, there are Styrofoam heads. The clerks may show some hesitation when you ask to purchase a head because it's a rare request but sometimes they'll give them away for free, so shop around.

Next you'll need stuffing for the limbs. You want something light that allows the legs and arms to flail away from the body, foam padding is ideal. Most upholstery shops have scrap foam they are throwing out anyway. Don't be afraid to ask for it, they're usually happy to help. Also, foam stores are more common than you'd think and they have extra pieces you can pick through as well.

Tape the Styrofoam head to the neck securely. If actual likeness is necessary, pick up a mask for the face, but usually just a hat will do to cover the head.

Apply tape inside the shoes and pant legs generously to keep the two connected without showing off the tape. Fill the latex gloves with air, tie them off like you would a balloon, and attach them the same way to the shirtsleeves. If you're picky about the color of the hands on your dummy, cover them with cloth gloves.

Now the fun part, stuff the more rounded pieces of foam you found in the sleeves and pant legs. Some cutting of the foam might be necessary to make it look more realistic.

Finally, dress your dummy in the shirt and pants, tape both articles of clothing to the torso to keep them in place. This should give you a fairly life-like dummy that is strong enough to be tossed from high places or thrown through windows.