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Tombstone Flapper - WIP

10K views 72 replies 32 participants last post by  RoxyBlue 
#1 ·
Here is a sneak preview of a new prop Spooky1 and I have been working on which I have dubbed a tombstone flapper. The basic mechanism is the same as that used for a peeper, but rigged to move wings.

The mechanism in action - click on photo or link:

Flapping Mechanism 2 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/

A close up of the connection at the motor:

Flapping Mechanism Close Up by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/

This will be paired with our new Lugosi tombstone, and a creature is in the works - stay tuned:)
 
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#4 ·
Are the videos not working for you? They won't show as images in the post, but clicking on the title will take you to the Photobucket location where they should play.
 
#8 ·
For some reason, when i saw the word flapper I imagined somehting dressed in 30's clothing with a feather boa and bobbed haircut!

yeah, this is proof that my brain is officially exhausted!
 
#13 ·
Thanks, everyone! This is a prop I've been wanting to do for a while and, as TM noted above, the marionette mechanism provides the versatility needed. I was pretty sure we could get it to work once we figured out how to attach the lines to the motor in a way that would keep them from winding up as the shaft turned.

I also got inspiration for the wing design from the following video. If anyone is looking to make working dragon wings for a costume, this might be the place to start for ideas. It also has some funny moments:).

 
#14 ·
Thanks, everyone! This is a prop I've been wanting to do for a while and, as TM noted above, the marionette mechanism provides the versatility needed. I was pretty sure we could get it to work once we figured out how to attach the lines to the motor in a way that would keep them from winding up as the shaft turned.

I also got inspiration for the wing design from the following video. If anyone is looking to make working dragon wings for a costume, this might be the place to start for ideas. It also has some funny moments:).

YouTube - How to Make Moving Dragon Wings
Very cool looking prop! Plus, the people that made that video you linked to have lots of great ideas!
 
#16 ·
An airborne Creepster - now THERE'S a scary thought:)

Here are some close-up shots of the connections. The string we used is, I think, synthetic and was meant to be temporary for the purposes of testing the mechanism. We'll either keep it or use spider wire to string the parts.

Top of the wing:

016 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/

Base of wings. The crosspiece of PVC is firmly attached with screws to the top of the wooden backing.

015 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/

The connection to the motor. The large eye bolt is an important part of this piece. It guides the string far enough out so that it doesn't get caught on the motor, shaft, or bar holding the washer during operation.

005 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/

Extreme close up.

008 by https://www.flickr.com/photos/152228041@N02/
 
#18 ·
I can't claim the use of the swivels as an original idea. I think I saw the use of swivels on a post somewhere for an FCG, so I used it here and on our FCG. It prevents the line from being cut by the sharp edges of the metal disk.
 
#19 ·
That looks great Roxy & Spooky! I love the simple mechanism. It should go forever without a problem. The swivel is key to keeping it working smoothly. Thanks for showing it. Here's Johnny uses swivels in his Wallbreaker Ghost.
 
#29 ·
Awesome Roxy! Any in progress shots of the mache work on the head? What did you start with for a base? I usually end up using foam skulls for my humanoid bases. I've tried Stoll's method of using templates but it never seems to form right.
 
#30 ·
I have in-process pictures of the head and hands on our home computer I can post later this evening or tomorrow. I actually started with a styrofoam egg I got at Michaels (they have them in their flower arranging section of the store) and carved it into a head shape for the base, cut the ears out of a cereal box, attached a piece of cardboard paper towel tube for the neck, and went from there:)
 
#31 ·
It's looking a little like a Chinese Water deer (except Roxy's has tusks, instead of fangs). :) I'm sure it will look much more demonic when it's done.

This is a real deer, not photoshopped.
 
#32 ·
I always thought a Vambie was a vampire-zombie, not Bambie-vampire!?!?:googly: Good work, I look forward to more.
 
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