NJH Feb gathering and vampire sleep research. We don't bite (much)

niblique71 · #1 01-24-2012

Hi All,

Since our Jan meeting is happening so late in the month, I thought I'd get the Feb Thread started. Unless we fold time and space, there will probably still be a little work left to be done on January's projects. Whether you finish them at home, or at this meeting, We'll still need a new project to get started on. In the Unlikely event that my new and ultra cheap coffin lid design isn't practical, we can always resort to the original bullet proof design in the original coffin.

The second Sat in Feb is always an option, but as usual, our meeting date will be a group decision.

Throw some project ideas out there and let's see where it goes.

We'd love to see some new people and old friends that haven't yet made the trek out.

I'm planning the Fester build for April or May unless the world ends a few months early. Stay tuned as I'll propbably begin a thread on that soon.

Lastly, For those that aren't familiar with the legend of the NJ Hookerman, Here's the Cheezy video that more or less describes it. I grew up with this legend and would frequently trek to the old railroad bed that still exists to this day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwhKbMBRNW0

niblique71 · #2 01-25-2012

Ok, NJ/PA is meeting on the 18th, so that leaves the 11th (Second saturday) or the 25th. I'd consider a Sunday if we can't make a saturday happen. Let's get rolling on project suggestions. and firm up a date.

GhoulishCop · #3 01-26-2012

I thought the sub-head for this thread was going to be:

"NJH Feb gathering and vampire sleep research...We suck!"

Right now all dates look good, but are always subject to change. And I prefer the version of the legend where the lightman OD'd on Viagara and needing to find release started stalking all the seedy side streets the area looking for loose women to patronize. But maybe that's a different Hookerman legend.

Rich

GhoulishCop · #4 01-31-2012

Maybe we can keep the pneumatics theme going this month with a relatively simple pop-up prop. I guess it would be like a Trashcan Trauma, only I want mine in a wooden crate.

With my haunt slowly transforming into a monastery scene (stressing the slowly aspect of it), a trashcan would look somewhat out of place. But I envision a set where I have numerous crates piled up, or barrels even, in a corner. Jute is hanging around, cobwebs are strung from wall to wall. And one of the crates/barrels houses the pop-up that will be activated as the ToT approaches.

Alternatively, if we want to get away from pneumatics, I'd also like to build a monster-in-a-box. I salvaged a fan motor and Allen H. from StiltBeastStudios suggested making an MIB with it by having a chain attached to the motor and whacking away inside the box as it spins.

Obviously, that's something simple I could probably knock out in an hour at my house (hah!), but I figured I'd throw it out there. FWIW, I don't envision my MIB to be a traditional crate-sized box, but rather a small cage-like box (or a barrel again) because I'm thinking of having the crate/barrel carried by a Monster Mud prop. That might take some planning since I'd have to make sure the figure didn't get knock over when the MIB started its act. It would also require me to build the figure too, and since I still haven't finished my gravedigger as yet, well, let's say the box is likely to be thrashing around on my porch before anyone is found carrying it.

Rich

GhoulishCop · #5 02-01-2012

I forgot we had that interactive project list going. I think the Grave Escape was discussed last week for the February build. That should be a relatively inexpensive build after our "blowout" air cannon! Even the shiastu massager is cheap if you don't already have one.

Oh, and FWIW, I emailed the company I got the dump valve from about replacing the faulty valve (and for suggestions about what might have been causing the issue with the cannon) and haven't received a reply. Guess I'm going to have to call now. Hmmm. Customer service might be lacking,unlike the "service" Jeff provided!

Rich

niblique71 · #6 02-01-2012

I like the idea of a simple pneumatic pop up for one reason. We can switch the selenoid valve out on our Air cannon to a larger one and still make good use of the smaller one.

As was discussed in your "Misfire" thread, there is the possibility that at lower pressures (Under 100psi) the selenoid we used might not reliably trigger the dump valve. I for one would like to at least see what larger selenoid would do, especially at lower pressures.

What I'm guessing is/was happening was 4-fold.
1- The dump valves are new and not broken in. The Rubber valve stopper might be stiff
2- Cold weather could contribute to the stiffness of the new rubber valve
3- We were using pressures at the lower effective PSI range of the dump valve.
4- All of these things combined could make the 1/4" selenoid less effective as a trigger

Anyway, If Bobs on board for a simple Pop Up I'll join in. Otherwise. A shiatzu grabber would be cool. Chime in Bob. I'm open to a ton of other props.

Also, I don't mind doing a few more expensive props (like a $100 Air Cannon), But we should also think about some $20-$50 projects for the near future.

niblique71 · #7 02-01-2012

Date?? Given the NJ/PA schedule, we have the 11th and the 25th available.

GhoulishCop · #8 02-01-2012

Despite a demanding social calendar, I'm good for either date!

Rich

niblique71 · #9 02-02-2012

Well Bob must be having a really busy week blowing leaves off the municipal sidewalks or scaring canadian geeese with his new air cannon. Either that or he's trying really hard to reproduce that famous Marylin Monroe scene with it.

Unless Bob chimes in with a different date, I'll make an executive decision to have our meeting on the 25th. That will give us a little more time to nail down a project, get parts, etc.

Speaking of nailing down a project, let's try to get ahead and get a project worked out for March. Although the Air cannon worked out OK in January, I would like to prototype and get a definitive parts list and perhaps even test out next project.

Fester will likely be scheduled for a May build

niblique71 · #10 02-04-2012

Rich mentioned doing a shiatzu grabber (Grave escape??) prop again today. I kinda like it since my funds will be low for another month or so, and If I remember correctly everyone has at least one massager already. I have TONS of PVC and Fittings already, so we'd probably only need a skull (Foam?), a skeleton hand, and some plumbers tape as well as some screws etc to get the basic mech going. Also we could do this build indoors in the warmth and glow of the red hot wood stove in the basement.

Thinking of the near future (March?), I'd also love to show my technique for making realistic posable latex skeleton hands. They will be a necessary part of completing the fester build in a few months anyway. Also you'll really like them for your shiatzu grabber.