Pneumatic Ankle Ticklers

[Eric Striffler]

Does anyone have a how-to about how to make some ankle ticklers?

I'm assuming PVC pipe with holes drilled every few inches and skinny ruber tubes shoved into the holes, then send some air through it to make them jump around.

I'm just not sure how to fasten all of that together, so if anyone has a how-to, please let me know!

Thanks! :D

[dynoflyer]

At Disney they have an attraction called "Honey I Shrunk The Audience". Under the chairs are tubes positioned to blow air at your ankles. They say something about escaped rats in the audience and everyone screams when the air hits their ankles. Simple and effective.

[BudMan]

Instead of just sticking the tubes into the holes, drill the appropriate size hole ( I think it's 3/8") and force thread male quick connect or hose barb fittings into the holes. Tap them in, remove, and then rethread back in with plumbers dope or 2 part epoxy. Use small hose clamps to hold the tubing on the fittings. Doing it this way will keep the tubing from flying off and no leaking.

[Eric Striffler]

At Disney they have an attraction called "Honey I Shrunk The Audience". Under the chairs are tubes positioned to blow air at your ankles. They say something about escaped rats in the audience and everyone screams when the air hits their ankles. Simple and effective.

Yeah, same thing.
I saw that show when I was little.
It was a great effect haha.

[Eric Striffler]

Instead of just sticking the tubes into the holes, drill the appropriate size hole ( I think it's 3/8") and force thread male quick connect or hose barb fittings into the holes. Tap them in, remove, and then rethread back in with plumbers dope or 2 part epoxy. Use small hose clamps to hold the tubing on the fittings. Doing it this way will keep the tubing from flying off and no leaking.

Yeah I realized that actually, that they'd fly off if I just "stuck them in". :P

[deathofdave]

Here is a link to a similar prop
http://www.vilethings.com/fiber_optic_pnuematic_whips_prop.htm
Hope this can help

[Frighteners Entertainment]

What I've done in the past was to use some copper tubing with a couple of barbed nipples, attaching latex tubing on the ends.
Worked very well for the snake pit.

[Eric Striffler]

Here is a link to a similar prop
http://www.vilethings.com/fiber_optic_pnuematic_whips_prop.htm
Hope this can help

As far as I can tell from the pictures,
this is exactly what I'm looking for.
Thanks alot! :D

[Brckee1]

It would be a lot simpler to just go buy a 1/8" NPT tapping tool at Home Depot or Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=232565-1083-358171&lpage=none

The package will tell you the exact sized drill bit you need. Then drill holes in your PVC pipe and screw the tap into them with any old wrench. This will make threads in the holes that will accept a 5/32" tube x 1/8" NPT male straight connector which you can buy for 62 cents each here.
http://www.fittingsdepot.com/Straight_connectors.html

Then stick lengths of 5/32" hose into the connectors. You can probably get it at any hardware store. Get the softer stuff.

Tap another hole for your solenoid or air hose to get air in. Probably 1/4" NPT
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=232530-1083-358181&lpage=none

I usually tap this into one of the end caps. The nice thing about the straight connectors is you can easily replace damaged or brocken hoses.

[halloweenguy]

I like your thinking Brckee1...seems easier with the straight quick disconnects

[SkeletalRemains]

Hey Erick,

Just wanted to let you know you will need a lot of air for this. Use surgical tubing for the whips, it is the perfect medium for the whipper hose. Also, make sure you plumb in at least 1/2" pipe to no more than about 6 ports or so. Unless you are using only one or two ankle whippers, 1/4" or even 3/8" supply is inferior. You need to get a high flow dump valve like an 1/2" Asco valve, with about a 5-gallon reserve behind it. I am having to fix a ton of these that someone built and they are worthless as they stand with 3/8" supply plumbing.

[Brckee1]

I am not sure of the dimension of the surgical tube. I used 5/32" hose and it worked great. I used 3/4" pipe, about 10 feet long with about 6 tubes. I used a 3/8" supply and a 1/4" solenoid valve with no problems. The storage tank is a must. I should have mentioned that. I use an 11 gallon storage tank for the entire room, which had more than just the ankle ticklers. I used them in my spider room.
Here is a video.
Giant Spider Mechanism :: spiderroomvid.flv video by Brckee1 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid43.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid43.photobucket.com/albums/e375/Brckee1/Giant%20Spider%20Mechanism/spiderroomvid.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid43@@AMEPARAM@@43@@ AMEPARAM@@e375/Brckee1/Giant%20Spider%20Mechanism/spiderroomvid

[TwistedDementia]

I used a similar setup as Brckee1 for a snake pit 2 years ago and it worked great. I got the 5/32 (4mm) fittings (60pcs for $20) and polyurethane tubing (1000' for $40) off ebay.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I forgot to mention, one evening one of our guests got pretty scared, stopped in the snake room. She stood on one of the hoses. Needless to say, it blew up. Scared her so much so, we had to show here the way out....

[TwistedDementia]

WOW, now that's funny LOL.

[Revenant]

I was wondering... how much actual pressure do ankle ticklers need? Seems to me the kind of thing that's more dependent on volume of air passing through than the pressure... could a high volume air mover be used instead of a compressor? Like an industrial blower fan? If it worked it would be a way of avoiding the tank recharge time... would probably be quieter too. Just curious...

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

I used a 3/4" lawn sprinkler solenoid valve. It'll handle 120 psi, and allows a very decent flow at a lower pressure. I also found that a good size reservoir is necessary as well as a flow control valve for fine tuning.

I don't think a blower would generate enough pressure. Fluid power is always a combination of flow volume and pressure.
If you used large cloth tubes, a blower would work great. Sort of like one of those tall attention grabbing, blower inflated, whipping around, used car lot things.
With smaller more rigid tubes, you'll need higher pressure to achieve the same flailing about motion.

[TwistedDementia]

I totaly agree with Doomsday, I think you right on the money! I use 10 5/32" hoses, 5 on each side of the hallway, attached to 1/2 pipe and a SMC solenoid valve at 130psi but you need a reserve tank right before the valve otherwise the hoses flailing action drops very rapidly after the initial burst.

[Northern Touch]

man this all sounds cool but do any of U have any pics of your set-up? I want to do somthing like this and I already have most of the stuff even a 5 gallon reserve tank....

[Northern Touch]

I guess no pics?????

[TwistedDementia]

I'll put pics up tonight for you.

[TwistedDementia]

I guess no pics?????

I couldn't get on the forum yesterday so I get them up for you tonight.

[TwistedDementia]

I guess no pics?????


Here's a sample.

http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/Pneumatic_wips.jpg

[Frighteners Entertainment]

Thought this might help.
And this is just a fabrication and assuming PVC isn't used?
http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/Pneumatic_wips.jpg

[TwistedDementia]

Yeah, what FE said.

[Northern Touch]

WoW!!!that shows me everything!!!! thankz boyz, a pic is always better then words....but what do U use to run the air into the PVC???did U just use another push fitting or somthing different?

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

I used 3/4" pvc and fittings, so a washing machine supply hose worked great to connect the "works" to the manifold.
It's pressure rated and has 3/4" female pipe thread fittings at both ends.

[TwistedDementia]

I used a regular compressor hose to a simple ball shut off valve and just had one of our actor's turn it on and off when the TOT's went through.
I think your better off trying Doomsday Cult Leaders way if you don't have someone to man the prop.

[Northern Touch]

i think both ways could be done in my haunt all try the 2 ideas and see what happen's thankz guyz.....

[TwistedDementia]

Good luck to you and let us know! Don't forget the pictures.

[Northern Touch]

yup I think i'm going to try that this weekend I so cought up with so many project that I have to stop and work to finish 1....

[ScareFX]

The newest issue of HauntSearch Magazine (http://hauntsearchmagazine.com) has an article on page 11 written by Brent Ross named "Creating Pneumatic Ankle Ticklers". It's a free PDF download. Click on Current Issue on the left side of the home page.

[halloweenguy]

Quick Question guys!!! I bought the 5/32 straight quick disconnects fittings mentioned by Brckee1 post ....Is 5/32 O.D. surgical tubing the best fit for this project or is another diameter better? The 5/32 does not seem to be a popular tubing size???

[TwistedDementia]

I use poly polyethylene tubing, it really whips around good. Surgical might not stay in the push fitting's.

[TwistedDementia]

6mm is the same size as 5/32, I find it on ebay often

[gadget-evilusions]

1/8", 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" od tubing are the most popular, but there are some in between sizes, 5/32" and 5/16". I think 5/32" is the only one I never have in stock. Maybe I should order some....

[TwistedDementia]

If you need it right away try these guys, I've ordered from here before.

http://www.controlresourcesinc.com/tubing.htm

[halloweenguy]

Thanks again TD and GE...I do appreciate both your responses!!!

Now for the vavle choices....I'm guessing that I will be feeding air via a 10 gallon storage tank to this setup using 3/4' pvc with a 3/4' sprinkler valve to pull this off???

Does this look like a good combination???

[TwistedDementia]

Sounds good! Make sure youre tank and valve are as close to the whips as possible, its going to suck the air big time, depending on how many whips you have.

[Brckee1]

To save air, I cycle the ticklers on for a couple seconds and then of for a second or so. I run this cycle 3 or 4 times rather than just turn them on for 5 or 6 seconds. If your controller can do this it's helpful. Otherwise just use as much storage as you can and have fun!

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

H-Guy, that's what I used. I just connected a switch mat between the sprinkler valve and the transformer. it works great.

[halloweenguy]

Thanks Guys!!! I will put this thing to the test this weekend...

[Sickie Ickie]

who has carries the cheapest switch mat?

[TwistedDementia]

Good question SI or.... would making your own be cheaper than the best deal out there?

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

There are plans "out there" to make switch mats, but since I'm a safety-nazi, I bought mine.
I picked up a few in a group buy that was organized on another forum.
Sorry, but I can't recall the company.

[Sickie Ickie]

I've tried making my own switch mats, but they haven't worked.

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

Mine are Tapeswitch Signal mats.
I did a little online searching but couldn't find the exact ones I have. What I did find makes me glad I got mine in that group buy! I think we paid less than $35 each, for a 10 X 24 mat.

Look up signal mats, pressure mats, safety mats...

[halloweenguy]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't 4mm is closer to 5/32??? I was using this table below 5/32 would be .15625
http://metricsteel.com/metric_steel_conversion.htm

I'm not trying to put anyone on the spot. I just don't want to order the wrong size.


Here is a mat switch link...$40
http://www.monsterguts.com/prop-control/triggers/14x23-pressure-mat/prod_96.html

[TwistedDementia]

Sorry about that typo I'll fix it, Thanks for being on the ball!

[Frighteners Entertainment]

It didn't state the brand of mat switch, do you know?


Here is a mat switch link...$40
http://www.monsterguts.com/prop-control/triggers/14x23-pressure-mat/prod_96.html

[Doomsday Cult Leader]

It doesn't give any rating information, either.

[Eric Striffler]

I'm so pneumatics retarded. Is there a site where I can look at diagrams fo these set-ups with more details on how everything works? I look at the plans for this and other penumatic props and I can't really rell how it all works. I mean I CAN tell, but I'm not sure what specific part each piece plays in making a pneumatic prop. I'm going to try Wikipedia or something, but if anyone has a better site, please let me know!

Thanks, guys!

[TwistedDementia]

Erick download this:

http://twisteddementia.com/New%20Folder/Beginners%20Guide%20Pneumatics.pdf

[halloweenguy]

Thanks again guys for all your help...I built 3 last weekend and they worked great. I played with various air pressure from 35-100 psi. very cool indeed.

[TwistedDementia]

We have to see pics halloweenguy! You know were all imaginationally challenged, if there is such a word? LOL

[halloweenguy]

I will try to get a video and pics this weekend...