[TwistedDementia]

Hey guy's! I'm also in the skull race( not actually in competition), trying to come up with a better animated skull for the minimum cash. I noticed Richie mentioned about helicopter parts. The most versital mount I could come up with so far is a helicoter swash plate design. My current R&D is very crud but I figure use the stuff I already have before spending money.
Also have any of you tried using a Realistic Rotting Skull instead of the bucky's. I know on the net they go for about $25 + shipping but I found 8 of them at Halloween USA for $5.95 a peice and cleaned them out. They have a lot more room in the brain cavity and thier a lot lighter, plus I'm experimenting with HDPE to keep the weight down.
I'm using VSA with several differen't board's, whichever one I have out.
Here is some pic's of my current progress.
I'll make a short video of the movement as soon as I get a chance.

http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/swash_style_gimble.jpg
http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/skull_HDPE_mount_plate.jpg
http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/skull_inside_linkage_plate.jpg

 

[Richie]

I noticed Richie mentioned about helicopter parts. The most versital mount I could come up with so far is a helicoter swash plate design.

Twisted,

You are a great detective and exactly correct as to what I'm going to use. It's actually the cyclic mount for a Bell 206 Longranger helicopter, which is as you described. I got my hands on my setup from a helicopter that had gone down in water, so the parts had to be retired, but are still in new condition. BTW...my flying record is excellent. It wasn't me who wrecked it. Needless to say, these parts need to be cut way down, I'm just showing what they look like unmodified. The underside of the ball joint, which really is just like your gimble setup, I believe are teflon coated and the fluidity of motion is wonderful. There are also parts in the photo that should enable me to make a version much closer to yours should I decide not to cut up assembled part.

 

[TwistedDementia]

Here's a video of the current progress, keep in mind this is totally prototype, the finished product is a lot smaller and can't be seen as much on the bottom. Man we're in the same boat! Let me know what you think.

http://www.twisteddementia.com/Video/short_clip_of_skull_movement_wmp.wmv

 

[Dr Morbius]

Link is to your homepage. I only see your haunt vids there.

 

[TwistedDementia]

Link is to your homepage. I only see your haunt vids there.

Just updated the link try it now.

 

[Dr Morbius]

Hey that works pretty good! Nice job!

 

[TwistedDementia]

Thank's, as I get further I be sure to share.

 

[Richie]

Hi there Twisted,

I realize you still have fine tuning to do to that wonderful creation of yours, but if that is basically the type of movement I can expect from the neck bracket I'm working on, I'm going to be very happy. Fluidity of motion is a must on my project, from the looks of yours, it is for you as well. Great job!

 

[TwistedDementia]

That's what takes so dang long, I try to improve over and over, maybe to much?

 

[Dr Morbius]

I'm in the same boat with mine. Always tweaking, but as long as it's always improving with each tweak, then it's not a waste of time. If I weren't seeing better results everytime I make a minor change, I would call it done.

 

[TwistedDementia]

Good Point.

 

[Richie]

maybe to much?

Hey, I learned years ago to limit compromise, if possible. The most important lessons for me since about 1996 when I started making life size figures was patience and perseverance. Without keeping both of those in proper check, allowing either one of those to get the best of you, it's possible you may never be totally satisfied with your creations. Besides, anyone looking at that video can tell how hard you've been working on it. Keep forging forward!

 

[TwistedDementia]

Much appreciated, I'm glad I've found a place to share idea's we all can benefit from.

 

[Dr Morbius]

Any thoughts on your jaw servo? Looks like you have plenty of room to mount one...or five! LOL!

 

[TwistedDementia]

Yeah, It's going to mount above the HDPE plate near the center, reason being I want to insert a rod down into the back of the jaw vertically, that way you don't see any linkage on the out side of the brain cavity. That leaves me a lot of room for the eyes.

 

[TwistedDementia]

I haven't been able to log back on to the forum until now, but here is some updated pic's of my R&D.

http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/swash_style_gimble.jpg
http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/swash_style_gimble_inside_skull.jpg
http://www.twisteddementia.com/Prop_Pics/swash_style_gimble_bottom_skull.jpg

 

[Dr Morbius]

How did you attach the bearings/collar or whatever they are to the "eye"? or does it go all the way through in one piece?

 

[darryl]

Just when I think I'm getting someplace. Now I have to start all over to keep up with the Hauntforumers!!

 

[TwistedDementia]

Just when I think I'm getting someplace. Now I have to start all over to keep up with the Hauntforumers!!

That's what we're here for, to help out. I haddn't worked on mine for a while untill I came to this forum and now I'm back in full gear.

 

[spokanejoe]

I am still only seeing haunt vids- even when I refresh the page. Could you post a direct link to your vid of the skull?