Spooky Sam's '09 $20 prop: The Gravity Grabber

[SpookySam]

Introducing - The Gravity Grabber.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0813.jpg

Here it is mounted to the ceiling:

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0577.jpg

And here it is in operation:

Props :: MVI_0583.flv video by Spooky_Sam - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid193.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/MVI_0583.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid193@@AMEPARAM@@193@@AME PARAM@@z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/MVI_0583

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Used wiper motor off craigslist $10.00
Used PC power supply at garage sale $3.00
Diode $0.17
Leftover thermostat wire $1.44
Wire nuts $0.39
2.5 square feet of plywood $0.50
2 feet of 2x4 $0.16
Screws $0.15
2 feet of 1/2” gray conduit $0.22
Bolt, nut, and washers $0.13
1/10 can of black spray paint $0.10
1/10 can of white spray paint to cover black – changed my mind. $0.10
Drop down mechanism total $16.35


Foam skull from clearance last year $1.00
Wire hangers from cleaners Free
Packing peanuts Free
Part of a roll of duct tape (not much) $0.35
Plastic grocery bags Free
White kitchen trash bag $0.08
¼ can of brown spray paint $1.12
Corpse total $2.55


Grand total $18.90

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There are essentially two main components to this prop.

The first is the motor & lever mechanism that houses the simple mechanics that cock and release the prop. The housing was built using plywood and 2x4 pieces. Conduit is used as a lever that the wiper motor acts against to raise and drop the prop. I used the parking switch function on the motor to allow the use of a momentary switch to trigger the prop. 3-conductor thermostat wire was run between the power supply/activation switch and the lever box. A diode prevents the parking switch from shorting the power supply. I painted this portion of the prop white with spray paint to blend to the ceiling.

The skeleton was created using mostly wire clothes hangers and a cheap-o foam skull. I used some packing peanuts and duct tape over wire to create the hand form. The rest of the body was shaped using only wire hangers with a bit of duct tape. For the arm, I also utilized one of the cardboard tubes off of a wire hanger for pants to create a radius and ulna. Once the rough form was in place, I began tying on plastic bags to “flesh out” the corpse. Using a heat gun, I melted down the bags to give a rotten appearance and used the trash bag to skin the torso using the same principles. I used a spray-on/wipe-off technique to paint the corpse.

I'll post some "build in progress" shots for you later.

[Joiseygal]

Holy Crap Spooky, very nice prop!!! I love how you corpsed the skeleton and the idea of it coming from the ceiling. Very original!

[RoxyBlue]

The corpsing is fantastic! I had no idea you could do that with plastic trash bags.

[Sickie Ickie]

absolutely outstanding!

[Revenant]

THAT is some first-rate corpse. Love the technique idea; gotta try that.

[Draik41895]

that is some most genius work!I love it.did you think of melting it yourself?

[Bone Dancer]

That is one great looking corpse. Looking forward to more pics. Excellent job, Bravo.

[SpookySam]

Here is a photo progression of the body

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0267.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0278.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0280.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0283.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/IMG_0337.jpg

[DeathTouch]

Two thumbs up.

[joker]

WOW another great prop idea from SS!!

Will definitely have to try the plastic bag corpsing technique.

[SpookySam]

that is some most genius work!I love it.did you think of melting it yourself?

Yes - I had originally done it a little bit to make my Zombie Grave Escape look a little bit rotten. I figured it was a cheaper way to "skin" my prop with the materials I had on hand. Originally I was concerned with their durability, but the bags on the Escaper have held up very well so far. Plus if you layer it enough, you end up with a pretty tough outside shell that can also flex quite a bit.

[spideranne]

That is awesome. Love the plastic bag technique.

[Don Givens]

Great work and an ingenious use of cheap and readily available supplies. I love it.

[hpropman]

Wow, Yet another great use for a wiper motor. very ingenious use of the plastic bags. I like the look of it more than more traditional corpsing methods. When you melted the plastic were you wearing a respirator because the plastic will give off toxic gasses when it melts.

[SpookySam]

Nope, no respirator, just good ventilation. Plus I'm not really melting down the the plastic. I use the heat gun to weld the plastic to itself and shrink it down. There were some fumes, but not a lot.

[dave the dead]

That's a great looking corpse SS.

[Beth]

Very realistic looking!!! Well Done!!!!!!:jol:

[SpookySam]

Thanks, Dave. That means a lot coming from you.

[Terrormaster]

Wow Sam, that's awesome... Great job on the corpsing, would have never thought to use plastic bags for skin.

[smileyface4u23]

That is really impressive! I'd have never thought of using the plastic sacks to corpse - that is a really great idea!

[joker]

The first is the motor & lever mechanism that houses the simple mechanics that cock and release the prop. The housing was built using plywood and 2x4 pieces. Conduit is used as a lever that the wiper motor acts against to raise and drop the prop. I used the parking switch function on the motor to allow the use of a momentary switch to trigger the prop. 3-conductor thermostat wire was run between the power supply/activation switch and the lever box. A diode prevents the parking switch from shorting the power supply. I painted this portion of the prop white with spray paint to blend to the ceiling.


So your using the park function of the wiper motor to return the prop to the UP position? And the momentary switch turns the wiper motor on just long enough to release the prop to allow it to swing down?

In the up position is there anything else that helps defy gravity?

[Dixie]

Just stunning... corpsing with plastic sacks, I'm in awe. Thanks so much for the progression pics. It's a beautiful piece.

[IMU]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Great prop, wonderful effect. :)

[hlmn]

Very nice. Some pics of the lever and mechanism if oyu have them please

[Just Whisper]

I am so impressed. And I love the grocery bag idea. Cuz I have those. Great prop, for under $20. or not, it's still a great prop. Unique.

[Bethene]

VERY cool corpse, SS, love the plastic bag corpsing idea, who would think thats what that is with it done!!??! Very creative!

[lowdwnrob]

That thing is amazing. I would love to know exactly how the drop mechanism is made. Once again awesome prop.

[SpookySam]

Joker -

No, the wiper motor is the only thing holding the corpse up. That is one of the reasons I made it so light weight. The whole idea of this thing started when I was trying to think of a way to make a simple non-pneumatic pop up that would reset itself. I'm pretty sure I can invert the prop and use a spring to force it up instead of gravity to pull it down. The thing is, gravity is a lot cheaper than a spring.

[SpookySam]

I'll try to get a pic or a drawing to explain the mechanics a little better when I get some time.

[Parabola]

Excellent entry! Love the look of the corpse and the overall idea is great.

[beelce]

WOW....This guy is sweet!! Nice work SAM....that's what I call bang for the buck....love the corps

[Lady Nyxie]

That would scare the pants off of me. Nice work.

[Spanky]

You realize your going to be famous for this technique, right? You've invented a new corpsing method- Bravo!!!

[HauntDaddy]

That would scare the crap out of adults let alone kids!!!!

[Merlin (The Quiet One)]

Great corpse! and a very cool idea!

[halloween71]

wonderful prop smart use of everyday props.

[Sickie Ickie]

How do you stain the bags without tearing them?

Would this hold up outside?

[Uruk-Hai]

Fantastic corpse and great animation! I'll have to try one.

[Wildcat]

The ceiling would be unexpected. Looking great.

[SpookySam]

Sickie -

The bags should hold up fine outside as long as you use multiple layers and your prop doesn't have a huge surface area to catch the wind. Whatever you make can be very light weight using this method depending on the sub-structure, so you'll want to make sure it can't blow away.

I didn't have any trouble with the plastic bags tearing...just don't apply too much elbow grease. I used spray paint and lightly wiped off the paint in some areas .

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks, Spookie. :)

[Ms. Wicked]

Holy smokes! That is an amazing prop!

[Lilly]

very cool ..
nice corpsing technique idea

[ghubertu]

Hopefully you have extra undies for the kiddies!!! I've never seen corpsing like that before, a pleasant option to mache.

[Monk]

I am considering taking this on as a project, I really love the idea.

[Warrant2000]

That is one great looking skelly. I can imagine it lighted with a green flood when it drops!

[Demon Dog]

Wow - animation, a new (to me anyway) and very effective corpsing technique, an often underutilized direction for a prop - coming from above, and all for under $20: you've really pulled together a great prop. Very well done, Spooky Sam!

[Haunted Bayou]

I love the corpsing on this. Great prop.

[Frankie-s Girl]

This prop freaks me right the hell out... GREAT job! :D

[Terra]

I bookmarked this baby! What a great prop.

[SpookySam]

Here are the basics of how the drop mechanism on this prop works.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z305/Spooky_Sam/Props/PROP.jpg

[Devils Chariot]

That's is not only a clever motorized prop, but an very very very excellent corpse! Great job SS!!

[dubbax3]

That's is not only a clever motorized prop, but an very very very excellent corpse! Great job SS!!

Couldnt have said it better. I love your corpse. Thats why I love this forum where else can you say something like that?

[Spooklights]

I would love to see what use you're going to put this to. I know it would scare ME. It's going to be even more unexpected because it's on the ceiling. Great job!

[Sickie Ickie]

great how to on the motor set up. Thanks!

[pyro]

wow now thats different-love the movement hang'n fron the cieling

[STOLLOWEEN]

The plastic bag corpsing is brilliant...I did a test a few days ago on a skull...the heat gun on a plastic bag yielded an incredible texture..thank you so much for the info, I'm definately incorporating it into some props for the 2009 season.

[heresjohnny]

This is what I like to see, very original concept and techniique. This prop gets my vote, great job!

[Dark Angel 27]

omg that would make me jump! i would never have seen that comming!

[Bone To Pick]

Genius, Spooky! Great design, and major bonus points for such elegant corpsing with plastic bags!

[Day of the Dead]

Unbelievable how cool this looks!

[CB_Christmas]

HI!!:D:) Im curently making the corpse part of this (I dont have a motor) And so far its turning out great!! If (when lol) it turns out great in the end, i might make a life sized skeleton(mabe to stand by my front door and hold up a candle or lantern?) Anyways......... thanks for the great technique!!!:D

[CB_Christmas]

Can Anyone explain how the ribcage is constructed? im having troubles. thanks in advance!!!!!:(

[SpookySam]

CB,

I built the ribcage by bending wire hangers to create the ribs and wrapping them with plastic bags. I heated these to shrink them down a little bit and then "skinned" them with more plastic bags. It isn't the best description in the world, but hopefully it gives you some idea.

[CB_Christmas]

thanks!!:D im almost done with mine now.... im just waiting till my father brings the heat gun home from work... I have some pictures from when i was making it and I will upload it along with a pic the finnished product... how exactly did you "skin" it? I was having trouble with that (as soon as you tell me how to, I will ask myself why i didnt know that and probably feel like an idiot);)

[SpookySam]

The "skinning" was me just using a plastic trash bag over the ribcage to shrink down and tear holes in. Looks like the remnants of skin stretched over the skeleton.

[CB_Christmas]

ok so heres some pics (please tell me if im doing something wrong!)

Before i repainted the skull.....( I really didnt like the way it looked)http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4852-1.jpg


After I painted the skull and added some eyes i bought at Michaels today (looks much better in my opinion.....:D;))

http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg

[CB_Christmas]

http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4852-1.jpghttp://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg

[CB_Christmas]

http://<a href="http://s937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/?action=view&current=DSCF4862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>http://<a href="http://s937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/?action=view&current=DSCF4862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[CB_Christmas]

http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpghttp://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4852-1.jpg

[CB_Christmas]

why wont my pictures work?

[CB_Christmas]

:Dahhhh i figured it out... sorry about all the posts guys, im still new to this :D
heres before the paint....http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4852-1.jpg

heres after (look better?)http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4852-1.jpg

as I said before, let me know if im doing something wrong of if you have ideas. thanks!

[CB_Christmas]

after (sorry, again I cant figure this thing out! the pic above if before)
http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg

[CB_Christmas]

http://http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/DSCF4862.jpg

[CB_Christmas]

DSCF4862.jpg picture by CB_Christmas - Photobucket
DSCF4852-1.jpg picture by CB_Christmas - Photobucket

[CB_Christmas]

Im SOOO happy how it turned out!
6295_248684875421_844040421_8211287.jpg picture by CB_Christmas - Photobucket

[hpropman]

he looks great nice job.

[CB_Christmas]

thanks! I will probably make a few more!

[AzKittie74]

DUDE!!! You are gonna need to keep a mop near by people are gonna end up wetting them selves from this!! haha

[Chrysaor]

Thats amazing!
Really want to make one now!!!

[CB_Christmas]

Im going to be using this technique to make an arm holding a candle as a light to put by my front door... i will post pics when i get it finnished.

[CB_Christmas]

http://<a href="http://s937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/?action=view&current=DSCF4992.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/th_DSCF4992.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>
her hair and torso are made from the melted plastic bag technique.
Thanks Spooky Sam!

[CB_Christmas]

http://<a href="http://s937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/?action=view&current=DSCF4992.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i937.photobucket.com/albums/ad215/CB_Christmas/th_DSCF4992.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

[The Pod]

He looks great! Nice idea.

[The Creepster]

where did you find 2 feet of 2x4 for .16 cents?

[pagan]

Hi All.
I just tried Sam's plastic bag/heat gun technique out on a prop I have been struggling to complete. I must say it is much easier (and better looking) than the burlap fabric and latex glue I have been using..

Thanks Sam!!

Awesome prop by the way!

[doggieshop]

Way Cool!

[Dead Things]

That looks sick, exceptional job!

[Eeeekim]

I would also like to thank Sam for the plastic bag / heat gun technique. I have a my first corps thanks to him and it's looking very nice..... Decayed.... Yucky?
People if you choose to follow in his foot steps then Work in a well ventilated area.
Actually go outside!
A fan and an open basement door DOES NOT CUT IT!

Thanks again Sam.
You rock!

[cabrisum]

Very cool, looking great so far. Keep going, I wanna see it finished!

[creatrope]

Any chance we could get a better shot or a line drawing of the mechanism? I like the way you got a fast, non-linear motion from a wiper motor - almost pneumatic in speed. Not quite getting it from your description. Great job!

-creatrope
http://www.creatrope.com (my halloween builds)

[Optym]

That would look cool on the ceiling of my front porch ;) very nice! and I so want to try your technique with the corpse next year