NJ/PA M&T - May [Archive]

GhoulishCop

05-01-2011, 07:36 PM

Soooooo.....we having a May meeting? It is the 1st after all. Are we on for Elaine's this month? The 14th or some other date? We're all so quiet lately...Shhhhh!!!

Rich

niblique71

05-01-2011, 07:52 PM

I thought our group was finished..... No Interest at all.... Anyone say different??

Unless there is overt protest, our meetings are the second saturday of EVERY Month. The date can change if there is overwhelming reason to move it. and the location can change from month to month on a regular basis... But let's Plan on the second weekend of every month from now on. Now we NO LONGER have to spend 23 pages of every post on who can make it and who can't. Since we've only had One meeting in the last 7 months I can say that we need to resolve this. The MEETINGS WILL GO ON.....

Who am I to make this decision????? I'm the guy who cares enough to keep this going... Unless someone steps up (Like Rich just did) our group will die. From Now on you can schedule your other activities around our group meeting on the second saturday of every month. If that doesn't work... I'll form my own group....and hope for the best. I'll probably be building something by myself, but at least there'll be something scheduled.

trishaanne

05-01-2011, 08:56 PM

Sorry...I've been a BIT preoccupied lately! I'm up for whatever!

niblique71

05-01-2011, 09:41 PM

Patty, of all the people in our group... my comments were NOT directed at You. We had ample opportunity to relocate our last meeting.... even though attendance was looking low before Kenny's accident. And it's NOT this past meeting (or lack thereof) that has inspired my comments. It's been 7+ Months since we've had regular meetings. Prior to that my understanding was that we almost never missed a month except october and X-mas.

I care DEEPLY about all of you and think our group is special, which is why I want to keep things going.,.. BUT we need to change the way we schedule things a little bit. I'd rather have a meeting with 3 people than no meeting at all. Hence My suggestion of meeting every second saturday of every month (even possibly October)

Patty, No Disrespect to you and Kenny, we all hope your BOTH doing well. Again, My comments were NOT directed at you.

trishaanne

05-01-2011, 09:45 PM

Just busting your chops...it's been a while since I've been able to do that..lol

sharpobject

05-02-2011, 03:53 PM

Gee - I could have sworn we had a Make & Take in March.........

May 14th is no good for me.

niblique71

05-02-2011, 06:00 PM

Gee - I could have sworn we had a Make & Take in March.........

May 14th is no good for me.

Besides our March Meeting, the last one we had was in September of Last year. That is a 6 or 7 month break.

Anyway, What date works for you Elaine??? then we can start on a regular schedule starting in June.

trishaanne

05-02-2011, 08:47 PM

If we're meeting on the 14th, do I need to make my own birthday cake? :rolleyes:

Joiseygal

05-03-2011, 10:01 AM

I think if we are going to have the meetings on a set date it would be nice to get everyones input, but I like the suggestion. Since Elaine will most likely be hosting the meeting this month I think we need to make sure what works best for her. I am hoping I will be able to stay over night, but I have to see what is going on. My daughter is having her prom this month and it will be a little hectic getting things ready. Anyway I will keep my eyes open to this thread to see what is going on.

niblique71

05-03-2011, 07:26 PM

Elaine, the floor is yours for this month.... When works for you??? Do we have a project for this month??

FRIGHTGUY

05-03-2011, 09:38 PM

I like the set meeting idea, it does make it easier to schedule things knowing exactly when a meeting will be held and as the semi new guy in the group I won't have to dig through all the comments and confuse myself to no end trying to figure out where, when and at what time we will be meeting. Some input on what everyone would like to build or work on would be cool too! I loved the grave grabber prop build. As a home haunter with very little actors to help out the more animated props to grab a Tot's attention the better. Also I would love to add some height to my cemetery which I believe Rich had suggested awhile back. Possibly an Oblisk? Do the M&T's have to be focused on one build or could there be two going at a time and you choose your own adventure???

BobC

05-04-2011, 05:48 PM

Wow, everyone is so serious. Lets do some jumping jacks and loosen up. I don't like the talk of no more Halloween group. I do however like the idea of a set date every month. Even if the group meetings jump around I can host a few times I am game. Lets not break up lets stay together baby..we can make it work...:D I think I am free every Saturday in May. Where does Elaine live by the way??

GhoulishCop

05-04-2011, 08:04 PM

Attica! Attica!

FRIGHTGUY

05-04-2011, 09:36 PM

Prisoners have escaped the correctional facility!!! GhoulishCop fell asleep on the job!

niblique71

05-04-2011, 09:44 PM

Prisoners have escaped the correctional facility!!! GhoulishCop fell asleep on the job!

Nah, he's Just watching another re-run of Star Trek, The Wrath of Khan

GhoulishCop

05-05-2011, 06:43 AM

"Prisoners have escaped the correctional facility!!!"

No doubt it was because I was at the donut shop.

Since apparently I'm the only one without a life and can make a M&T any day -- weekend or not -- I'm open to whatever day anyone chooses. But I like the set schedule idea that Greg came up with too. It helps in planning future events.

"Oh, you want me to go to your wedding? I'm sorry, I have a Halloween Make & Take to attend that day. Maybe I can make your next wedding" (I mean, I'm not the only one who's been married three times right?).

However, since May seems to be a tough month for a bunch of people, I'm putting out there that I'm making plans to work on my new cemetery pillars on the 14th. I can make them anytime, of course, but figure I'll set one day aside specifically to do that. Anyone that wants to work on a project of their own choosing can bring it over and you can work on it too in a warm, loving atmosphere. Or at my house. Either or. I'll spark up the barbie for some burgers and dawgs, put some cold ones on ice, and turn up the stereo loud enough to annoy my neighbors. Typical Saturday at my house.

I've had one or two of our group mention they'd be willing to come by that day and work on their own props, and I'd be willing to host the whole lot of you. Maybe that's what we should have in the future: a flash mob M&T! We all just suddenly appear at someone's house and starting building props.

For me, once a month M&T's has always been too long of a time to go between building stuff; I'm working on props regularly (not completing, mind you, but working on them). But I like doing it better in the company of my haunting peeps. I love you guys! <sniff!> Jeff and I have gotten together a couple of times and did our own thing while basking in the warm glow of Halloween love. It was fun (though some of the embraces were awkward)!

Anyway, I'm up for regularly scheduled M&T's, which I'll happily attend, but in between I'll post a date or two that I'm setting aside to work on props and if anyone else wants to come over, hang out, build props, and engage in the general mayhem that seems to attend these get-togethers, I'm all for it.

And while I'm rambling, I'll throw out another idea I've been toying with: a group build to help others build props that might be beyond the ability of one person to complete on their own. For example, if someone wanted to build a mausoleum to house their FCG, but didn't want to spend three months building it alone -- and it's not like something that can be brought to a M&T at Pattie's -- one day a bunch of us go and help that person construct the mausoleum. It might not get finished, but the bulk of the work might get done and any finishing details can be completed by that person later on. Then another time we go to someone else's house and help them with their big project. This would all be in addition to our regularly scheduled love fests.

As I mentioned at the start of this long ass post, I apparently have no life so I'm available more days for this sort of stuff than most people. And I also obviously have way too much time on my hands to sit around and think shit up.

So, I'll be happy to go to Elaine's when she's available for the official May gang bang, but next week I'll be in my driveway with my foam and Monster Mud working on my pillars. Anyone that would like to stop by and spend the day with a really cool guy...can call NoahFentz. Otherwise you can come over to my house and work on a prop.

If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you my address. If I like you, I'll even give you my correct one. :D

Cheers,
Rich

(who's hoping all of that made sense)

NoahFentz

05-05-2011, 07:50 AM

Wow Rich <sniff> it sounds like you really<sniff> love Halloween....I remember those days when I first joined the NJ/PA group back in 2006.<sniff>NOW all this real life stuff is getting in the way...dammit!!

For me I'm along for the ride(no pun intended). I have an amazing wife that loves the fact that I dont sit in the house making noise and goes to these crazy Make and Takes with strange people. I do still feel guilty though because there are things that do need to get done around here. In the past I have rarely made the Make in takes during the months of May thru November because of the theater company, the house, vacations or just getting ready for Halloween.

I do enjoy the time that it does set aside for making props. That said I just dont have an interest or need for these moving props. I have made them but just not happy with the movement. I still have many ideas I want to do with my haunt but it would be some major changes. Right now I just keep adding small details to the same huant. Dont get me wrong. This is not an excuse for not coming. I will still go as long as I can get a ride (thanks to GhoulishCop, BlackCat and Vlad) but probably will work on props that go along with my haunt. I just dont want to build something I wont use. I hope I dont come accross as anti social...

It has been cool that GhoulishCop has come over to the house and we get some props done. I actually have the perfect work space. An unfinished living room. You can spill paint on the floor, nothing to break....So Im open for a Make and Take at my house one time.Bonus is I hear there is a haunt in the basement all year round....

May is a crazy month for me so I dont know as far as making it to SharpObjects's House, plus I WORK ON SUNDAYS. I have Fridays and Saturdays off. No overtime lately.July/August is out too. So if you dont want to watch me mow the lawn or work at a yard sale I would suggest stopping by GhoulishCop's house to build props..

Noah Fentz...its Jeff

NoahFentz

05-05-2011, 07:54 AM

[QUOTE=GhoulishCop;540168And while I'm rambling, I'll throw out another idea I've been toying with: a group build to help others build props that might be beyond the ability of one person to complete on their own. For example, if someone wanted to build a mausoleum to house their FCG, but didn't want to spend three months building it alone -- and it's not like something that can be brought to a M&T at Pattie's -- one day a bunch of us go and help that person construct the mausoleum. It might not get finished, but the bulk of the work might get done and any finishing details can be completed by that person later on. Then another time we go to someone else's house and help them with their big project. This would all be in addition to our regularly scheduled love fests.

[/QUOTE]

I like this idea too!!

sharpobject

05-06-2011, 06:19 AM

Sorry guys for not posting more often - but I had to wait to see what was going on with us before committing to anything. I don't think I can have the Make and Take at my house in May (and I feel real bad about that). Ralph accepted a permanent position in Florida. He starts next month and now we're in crazy mode to get the house all packed up before he goes (If he thinks he's getting out of that - he's nuts!!) I'm not even sure we'll be able to get to a Make and Take in May. Ralph is only able to help pack up on the weekends and there's not many left. Again, I'm sorry.

GhoulishCop

05-08-2011, 10:06 PM

Hey Elaine,

I'm thinking we should all be saying congratulations to Ralph on the new position, though I'm guessing we're all pretty bummed you guys are going. I'd hate you to think we're all ingrates with a "what have you haunted for me lately" mindset, so...congrats, Ralph! I know I'm going to miss you guys.

Cheers,
Rich

trishaanne

05-09-2011, 10:47 AM

NOOOOOO....Ralph and Elaine are NOT moving away from us!!! We never want the haunters to leave!! Ralph, congratulations on the new job, owever, as Rich said, we're going to miss you,. Elaine can move in here with us if she wants to...we'll keep an eye on her :D

I'm really going to hate to see you go, but I know that you guys are doing what's best for you. And we were hoping that we'd be the first ones to leave...dangit! If you need help packing, let us know and we can make it a packing party!

RoxyBlue

05-09-2011, 10:57 AM

If I may digress from this thread for a moment, and unrelated to the Make'N'Take discussions going on here - Spooky1 and I so enjoyed meeting some of you folks in the flesh at the National Haunters Convention. You're all exactly as I envisioned the NJ/PA people to be - totally delightful loonies:D

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread:) Congrats to Doombuddy on the new job! I know your NJ/PA buddies are going to miss you and Sharp.

niblique71

05-09-2011, 06:44 PM

As others have already said, Congrats to Ralph on a new opportunity. I'm sure there are mixed feelings going on for you about this. I was hoping you'd get to fulfill your wish of having one last mass gathering at you home. I really enjoyed the last one. We're going to miss you and we hope you stay in touch.

GhoulishCop

05-09-2011, 06:56 PM

I think Pattie had it right: we should all crash Elaine and Ralph's house and have a packing party as a going away haunters meeting. Anything that doesn't fit in a box gets thrown on the bonfire! Woohoo! No, really Elaine, we'll try and get as much stuff as possible in the boxes.

Rich

GhoulishCop

05-10-2011, 11:24 AM

Morning, all. Since May looks like a bust for the group, I'm extending again the invite to anyone interested to stop by my house on Saturday and work on a prop. I'll be out there working on my cemetery pillars.

A couple of you have said you'll be stopping by but everyone's welcome if you want to come. Just realize my house was built in 1921 so it's a tinderbox. Blow torches and other incendiary devices tend not to mix well.

Burgers, hotdogs, beer, and strippers are the planned fare, but the menu is subject to change. If interested, drop me a note and I'll shoot you the address.

Cheers,
Rich

trishaanne

05-10-2011, 01:05 PM

As of right now, I can say MAYBE we'll be there. Since the insurance company is mailing the check today, we will most likely be car shopping this weekend, since we have to turn the rental back in on Monday. This is going to take a while, I'm afraid. Trying to find something with low mileage for the crap money they are giving us. Send me your address anyway, please, because who knows, we may end up in that part of the start looking. Since Saturday is my birthday (:p), I'm wondering if I can convince Kenny to replace his Corolla with a mustang convertible for me...lol

GhoulishCop

05-11-2011, 05:58 AM

I was just reading through some of the blogs I follow and came across one that posted pictures from a Florida M&T that was recently held. What struck me was how neat everything was. And look at the way the food was precisely laid out. The whole scene was like a surreal, alien landscape to me!

http://ghostessdeanna.blogspot.com/2011/05/florida-haunters-converge-on-ocala.html

Of course, there were no chop saws, drill presses, grinders, or blow torches visible so maybe those were off somewhere else. They did show some nice props there, but I kinda like our "organized mayhem."

Cheers,
Rich

trishaanne

05-11-2011, 07:32 AM

Excuse me, but the food is ALWAYS laid out so you can reach it quickly..lol

hpropman

05-11-2011, 11:29 AM

Wow our group is changing and in some ways painfully - Congrats to Ralph for the new Job we will miss you guys. Patti How is Kenny feeling? I like the idea of helping a member build a prop that they may not have the skills for. I also like the idea of a set date. Rich please send me your address and I will see what is going on this weekend with the family. I would love to be able to host a meeting but I just do not have the space to set up a place to work. On a side note I was just informed that the theme for our week at summer camp is Halloween so I am excited about that. I have a few tree faces and will prop make my blaircrows. I also plan on bringing my large bugs and owls and stuff. You guys have any ideas on what else we can do?

niblique71

05-11-2011, 07:08 PM

sharpobject

05-11-2011, 07:52 PM

You know guys - I expect you all to take a field trip and come visit us. Matter of fact, if you'd like - I can scope out additional properties for you all so we can all be neighbors and still get together for the Make and Takes every 6-7 months or so ;)

I like the idea of a packing party (and we still have 3 dining room chairs for the bonfire). :) We're having a huge yardsale on June 4th. Because we're in the boonies, I talked 6 of my neighbors into having yard sales the same day in hopes we'll get more people to come. So if you're looking for anything.........

GhoulishCop

05-11-2011, 07:56 PM

Hey Elaine, if you're getting rid of your Halloween props... ;>

So are you going to be anywhere near Disney in Florida? When we do our road trip, we can all go visit the Haunted Mansion!

Rich

GhoulishCop

05-11-2011, 07:58 PM

For anyone thinking about coming to my house, I figure I'll be out there around 10 or so, but since I'm usually up at 5 or 6 a.m. feel free to stop by any time.

No confirmation yet on what time the strippers will be coming...

Rich

Joiseygal

05-11-2011, 08:12 PM

Rich could you send me your address. I have a crap load of yard work to do, but maybe I can get away for a few hours. Thanks!

GhoulishCop

05-11-2011, 08:27 PM

Sharon,

That's what they make Sundays for! Address is in route.

Rich

Devil

05-11-2011, 08:47 PM

Rich send me your address too. I do have a meeting for work on Sat. but I am trying to get out of it..!

NoahFentz

05-11-2011, 09:28 PM

Wow...For something that wasn't scheduled it sure is turning into a small little gathering...

When you say strippers...you mean paint strippers...right?

niblique71

05-11-2011, 10:04 PM

Wow...For something that wasn't scheduled it sure is turning into a small little gathering...

When you say strippers...you mean paint strippers...right?

Ummm well if her suit is made of paint??? Then Sure.... "Paint Strippers"

Joiseygal

05-13-2011, 05:23 AM

I'm going to try to get as much work as I can get done today. I think I'm going to come to your house because it will give me a chance to focus on working on a project I've been wanting to work on. :)

GhoulishCop

05-13-2011, 12:26 PM

Joiseygal

05-13-2011, 02:53 PM

Okay everyone! Looks like we have a confirmation on the stripper! :p

Rich

I thought you wanted everyone to come to your house????? Now you are going to scare everyone away!!! :eek:

Devil

05-13-2011, 05:53 PM

Sorry guys I have a conference call from 9am until noon on Sat.. I try to get out of it but I could not. Please take a lot of pics and vids of the M&T..!

FRIGHTGUY

05-13-2011, 10:22 PM

I'll be broadcasting live on Blogtv tonight at 11PM! Come say hello and talk some haunt with me!
http://www.blogtv.com/People/Frightguy

Joiseygal

05-14-2011, 08:43 AM

Rich I really want to go today, but I have to do mom duties. Cassie needs to go to work today and I have to go and pick her up in East Brunswick from a baby shower to bring her to babysitting in Springfield. If I go 45min. to your house and back and get her than my gas for my car is going to kill me. Also I would only be able to stay a few hours. :( I will catch the next gathering if you have one. Have fun everyone! Oh and when is the next Make and Take????

GhoulishCop

05-14-2011, 10:05 AM

No problem Sharon. It's a tough month for lots of folks, which is why I'm sure the regular gathering had a tough time getting together. I won't hold it against you too long. :D

FWIW, I decided to not work on my columns today, at least not yet. I'm first going to build a foam cutting table based on Joe's design:

http://hauntforum.com/showthread.php?t=16712

It will make skinning my columns much easier afterwards. I'm also going to build Joe's handheld cutter, for working on some larger props, but I also found this handheld foam cutter that will be useful when I need a steadier hand and want to do some close up work:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/181/0000023iq8.jpg/

It's a soldering iron with the tip removed and two pieces of copper bar bent at an angle with a wire running between. Seems pretty simple.

See y'all soon!

Rich

BobC

05-14-2011, 12:12 PM

Rich, is there any how to's on the foam cutting stuff? I have a huge need for these things and dont have the money for the pro models.

GhoulishCop

05-14-2011, 04:02 PM

BobC,

Joe's link in my post above gives a picture tutorial which I followed. Came out great. The only problem I had was on the power supply. I had an old train transformer for an N-gauge set which had 17 VDC output, but it didn't work. Oh, the transformer put out electricity, but the wire didn't get hot enough to cut any foam.

So I'm going to have to resort to Plan B which is to make the Garage of Evil power supply.

http://www.garageofevilnetwork.com/profiles/blogs/goe-labs-howtohotwire-foam?id=2243951:BlogPost:31075&page=2#comments

The only problem with that is the low voltage transformer only seems to be available online. They go for about +$20, so the whole power supply thing would be around $30 or less.

By the way, a real cheap foam cutter rig can be found here:

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/02/weekend-project-5minute-foam-factor.html

This is where I got the idea for the train transformer. I do note that the transformer they use has 20.5 VDC output. I don't know if that 3.5 volt difference means all that much (Joe?) so I'm opting to go for the beefier model.

In total, I think my foam cutter will cost less than $50, once I get the low voltage supply.

Rich

niblique71

05-14-2011, 05:15 PM

Hey Rich, I really wanted to show up today but Life got in the way. I only had a few errands to do this morning, and then customers began to call which totally ruined any chance of getting out. I really need a halloween "Fix". I'm begginig to shake from withdrawl.

I hope that we can have a June meeting (Sat, June 11th????), and I'll entertain any suggestions to get together in between our normal scheduled meetings for Mini MnT's. If Patty can't host I'll offer my place. I'd also love to see Sharon's, Rich's, and Jeff's place.

Has anyone heard from Ken and Karen??

How about Kenny??? How is He doing??

trishaanne

05-14-2011, 08:02 PM

Kenny is fine. We are available on the 11th if anyone wants to make it and if anyone can come up with a project. Let me know.

GhoulishCop

05-14-2011, 09:28 PM

Rich, is there any how to's on the foam cutting stuff? I have a huge need for these things and dont have the money for the pro models.

Hey, BobC, I just posted a step-by-step tutorial on my blog. A lot of it is obviously similar Joe's tutorial, but I've tried to cover every step of the process with pictures for each of the steps.

http://devilseve.blogspot.com/2011/05/foam-cutting-table-tutorial.html

As I mentioned before, the most expensive part of the build is the power supply. The table is relatively cheap.

Rich

NoahFentz

05-14-2011, 11:55 PM

Maybe we can build a giant one to cut that big hunk of styrofoam in Trishaanne's yard...

Joiseygal

05-15-2011, 07:20 AM

I hope everyone that attended Rich's get together had a good time! I would love to see what Rich could make out of that styrofoam. I think he is capable to carve a new car that actually runs! Anyway at least the rain held off yesterday!

FRIGHTGUY

05-15-2011, 10:52 AM

How did the mini make and take go? Pictures please!!! Would love to see what you worked on Rich. I worked on planting a garden...a spooky garden full of rotten tomatoes, gross green beans and putrid peppers! Muwwhahahahahah!!!!

BobC

05-22-2011, 07:55 AM

Rich, Thanks for the help. This is going to be one of my first projects this year. I also want the bigger version. I need to make alot of tomb stones for this years living dead theme....hope to see you all in June.

Hey, BobC, I just posted a step-by-step tutorial on my blog. A lot of it is obviously similar Joe's tutorial, but I've tried to cover every step of the process with pictures for each of the steps.

http://devilseve.blogspot.com/2011/05/foam-cutting-table-tutorial.html

As I mentioned before, the most expensive part of the build is the power supply. The table is relatively cheap.

Rich