Oh, this a an amazing build!!!! Great idea an skill. Love that his foot is on the shovel instead of on the ground; it really makes it look like he's trying to dig.
Question: the gold/copper colored metal "arms" that the wiper motor spins - do you buy/make those separately? When I look up wiper motors online, they don't seem to have those included.
Those are just some scraps of aluminum I cut to the length I needed. The home stores sell it in various lengths, thicknesses and widths. Some wipers come with a shorter arm and you will only need the longer one. In my case the wiper came bare so I had to make both. Just a little tip in case you didn't know - The shorter arm determines how much travel you will have since it pushes the long arm. The amount of travel will be double the length of this short arm. A 2" arm will give 4" of travel. A 3" will give 6" and so on.
Aw shit, I don't know. About the size of the average car rim so yea, around 18" I guess. Size isn't that important and a larger one would be more stable. Use a treated board or whatever you can find works. Don't get hung up on doing it exactly like I did. I just use whatever junk I find useful a lot of times lol. I liked those spool ends because I had a good/free supply of them at the time from my work. Our ropes come on crappy wooden spools now so I can't use them anymore.
I've been getting them off ebay for around $20. Have not bought one in a couple of years though so I don't know if the $20 ones are still around. True Blue Auto parts was the seller.
Does anyone know where i can find out more about the mechanics? I really want to build this but i don't understand it. I've never built an animated prop before and i know nothing about wiper motors.
Search "Animated grave digger" on youtube for more videos on it. There are a few that go into more detail about the mechanics than I did. The Facebook group Haunter's Hangout is also a great resource for prop making.
We were talking earlier about displaying him for xmas and swapping out the cover for an elf's lower half, then placing the upper half in front of the shovel. lol
And the cauldron creep stirring a cauldron full of Elf On The Shelf that are posed like they are screaming and trying to escape. Scatter a bunch of little skellys in green leggings and pointy hats around the ground there too.
Oh, this a an amazing build!!!! Great idea an skill. Love that his foot is on the shovel instead of on the ground; it really makes it look like he's trying to dig.
Awesome! Thanks for posting!!
Love all your work. Thanks for sharing!
Love this prop!!! Great affect without a great deal of complicated construction.
That came out really good. Nice Job!
Damn that is so cool. I love your motor cover up! It turned out perfect. I am loving your videos.
Fantastic looking prop. Well done! :)
Wow, that turned out great!
Seeing all the work you put into the hands.. I may try one with the heat gun
I didn't like the way heating the fingers curved them.
Oak Lane Cemetery got ya .. you are a pro
Meh, not a pro, just particular
Oak Lane Cemetery it shows.. just awesome stuff
Very cool Love it !!! HFL!!
Looks awesome btw
Thank you
Onewish1nj71, you won the huge contest on Haunt Insiders. Let them know that Branson Haunted Hills found ya and told ya!
Question: the gold/copper colored metal "arms" that the wiper motor spins - do you buy/make those separately? When I look up wiper motors online, they don't seem to have those included.
Those are just some scraps of aluminum I cut to the length I needed. The home stores sell it in various lengths, thicknesses and widths. Some wipers come with a shorter arm and you will only need the longer one. In my case the wiper came bare so I had to make both. Just a little tip in case you didn't know - The shorter arm determines how much travel you will have since it pushes the long arm. The amount of travel will be double the length of this short arm. A 2" arm will give 4" of travel. A 3" will give 6" and so on.
Man you didn't have any problems drilling holes in you shovel?
Yea, hardened steel it hard to drill. Use good bits and a drill press to make it easier if you have access to one.
Yep...I need to get my but in gear!
What size spool was used? 18" diameter?
Aw shit, I don't know. About the size of the average car rim so yea, around 18" I guess. Size isn't that important and a larger one would be more stable. Use a treated board or whatever you can find works. Don't get hung up on doing it exactly like I did. I just use whatever junk I find useful a lot of times lol. I liked those spool ends because I had a good/free supply of them at the time from my work. Our ropes come on crappy wooden spools now so I can't use them anymore.
Where do you buy your wiper motors from?
I've been getting them off ebay for around $20. Have not bought one in a couple of years though so I don't know if the $20 ones are still around. True Blue Auto parts was the seller.
Amazing skill! Love the creativity. Makes me want to go to the store and build something!
Does anyone know where i can find out more about the mechanics? I really want to build this but i don't understand it. I've never built an animated prop before and i know nothing about wiper motors.
Search "Animated grave digger" on youtube for more videos on it. There are a few that go into more detail about the mechanics than I did. The Facebook group Haunter's Hangout is also a great resource for prop making.
This is well done!
The cover really makes the whole prop complete! nice!
And I can switch to something else if I tire of it.
We were talking earlier about displaying him for xmas and swapping out the cover for an elf's lower half, then placing the upper half in front of the shovel. lol
LOL. Elf with kicking legs would have been epic.
And the cauldron creep stirring a cauldron full of Elf On The Shelf that are posed like they are screaming and trying to escape. Scatter a bunch of little skellys in green leggings and pointy hats around the ground there too.
Ha, would be epic!