Thread: ScareFactory Pirate at the Wheel Effect

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Hello everyone,

We are bring back the Pirate theme this year. The kids and parents have asked the past few years for me to bring the pirates back so this year I am.

I really love the ScareFactory "Pirate at the Wheel" prop (http://www.scarefactory.com/catalog/...nimations.html). I don't have the $6300 to purchase the prop. If I did, I would order him right away. I have a Pirate at the helm with a moving wheel. I would love to put him on a moving base with some motion similar to the ScareFactory prop.

My question is how do I get a slow smooth movement like theirs? I played around with using air cylinders and the movement is too fast and jerky. Anyone have any ideas - I have a bad habit of over complicating things so I maybe overlooking something simple.

As always - thanks for your help!

SouthernHaunter

Hey Southern Haunter, that sure is a great prop.

I'm no expert on pneumatics but have you tried a flow control connector on your cylinders.
http://www.frightprops.com/pneumatic...0736-0017.html

This reduces the speed of the cylinder and should therefore reduce the jerkiness you've been getting previously. As i said, i'm not a expert so someone may want confirm what I've said to be correct or not.

Thanks
Phil

If you're looking for a continous movement , I would try a low rpm motor with a cam attached to it. Mount the pirate base on a hinge or some sort of pivot point and have the cam raise and lower the base.

I was going to try this using air bags to push the corners up and down, but using a motor would be cool too.. =) I also love that prop.

I think the motor is the way to go too. Much simpler and more reliable. Scarefactory is beginning to use more electric motors in their props these days for the same reason.

Is there anyway you can get valves that adjust how much air can come out (like an air regulator) electronically?

I use an old color-wheel motor for my pirate at the helm. I customized the armature to attach at the bottom of the wheel. The best feature is that if the motor binds it auto reverses without damaging the prop or motor. http://www.halloweenforum.com/member...-daylight.html

if you use an oddly shaped cam it will raise and lower it at different heights and speeds
it gives a more random effect.

This is the way I would do it...

Build a 2x4 wood frame underneath then take a two 3 inch PVC Flange and mount that in the middle of the frame on each end. Take a piece of 2 inch thick wall PVC and cut it to fit in the two flanges. You might be able to use a 2 inch flange and grease it up enough so the axle rotates.

Build your wood floor and mount that to the PVC axle by bolting it all the way through the PVC. Drill two 1 inch holes at a angle into the PVC axle (one on each side and not all the way though) then take a piece of 1 inch PVC and jam it into the hole and connect each to the floor as support beams....(like a Y) then do that on the other end of the floor. This should be able to support enough weight for this prop.

Move the prop with a wiper motor on 5 volts. Most of the weight of the prop should be centered in the middle over the axle and that will cut down on the weight being moved. If the motor is having trouble moving the prop you can use two Van backdoor openers (shock like devises that makes opening and closing back easier ) to help with the weight.

Here's a picture of a exorcist bed that and I know it's not the same thing but if it was mounted on a axle it would move like a rocking ship.





This prop sits and rotates on a axle and it's made with medal and not PVC but it's built the same way...or close but it uses air instead of a motor

Thanks for all the information, it is all very helpful. Hopefully I can make this enhancement happen. The wheel moving on my helm is great. However, having the base move in a rocking motion in addition to the wheel movement would be great.

Thanks again everyone.