I just wanted to chime in real quick here... This thread is the reason I joined the Halloween Forum... What a fantastic job you're doing on the 3 axis skull! I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use many of your ideas and see what I can come up with also. I'll be sure to share any info as well. This is my new favorite site!

This will actually be my first animatronic project. I've already received my threaded rod (1/2" outside diameter), rod end (1/2" inside diameter) from McMaster. I'm going to see if I can make it work with the larger components. I also just ordered a Pirate Skull like yours, but haven't received it just yet.

I was just tearing apart on old CD-Rom drive and found an interesting little motor/screw-drive combination... Maybe I can find some way to use that for the left and right eye movement somehow? It's nice and compact. Has anyone else considered using CD-Rom parts for their animatronics? I think this one only requires 9volts.

If not, I can always use normal servos.