Thread: My scarecrow, current progress

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So I figured I'd post some pics for the current progress for my scarecrow.

I have the post, which will be mounted in the ground. He's hinged to the post with a flagpole mount, which worked out great. The main support is a 1" aluminum pole - very strong, very light. Hips are formed with a PVC ring to which the pants are now attached (no pics of that - did that late last night).

Shoulders are PVC, arms are hinged with zip ties. When it falls forward, the arms will swing forward as well. Cables tied to the arms will be used to pull the 'crow back up into position, at the same time retracting the arms.

To do next is to rig up the restraint system (a cable will keep the crow from falling too far forward), and work on the head, which is one of the most complicated parts. It will be hinged and it will lift before the crow falls. As well I need to make the lighting for the inside to look like a flame. Then if I have time, I'm going to try and animate the face... the head will be one of those fake carvable pumpkins from AC Moore, covered in burlap. The PLAN is to attach the burlap to the pumpkin, and cut out a mouth on it. Using string tied to the burlap, and run through eye hooks, I'm hoping to have a servo tug on the strings to hopefully pull the burlap into a grin or scowl, if I can get it to look right. We'll see what happens.

Here's some pics:

Nice work on the scarecrow.

I'd like to make one some year, maybe 2012 for me. Keep posting the pics on your progress.

Great idea using the flag pole and holder!

Originally Posted by chop shop

Great idea using the flag pole and holder!

It dawned on me as I was shopping at Lowes. It's both a hinge for it to fall forward, and by drilling a hole in the side of the pipe, it's also a non-permenant way to lock the pipe into the hinge (tighten the screw so the end goes through the hole - pole cant come out) yet also be an easy quick-release.

This is going to be a great prop.

Pricing out all the electronics costs right now for the flame light inside the head. And need to order a wiper motor, I thought I had an extra - I used both I own last year they are built into props. ugh!

Originally Posted by lorddamax

It dawned on me as I was shopping at Lowes. It's both a hinge for it to fall forward, and by drilling a hole in the side of the pipe, it's also a non-permenant way to lock the pipe into the hinge (tighten the screw so the end goes through the hole - pole cant come out) yet also be an easy quick-release.

Awesome...I filed that one right into my brain.

So I spent the last 36 hours working on the head. Seeing teabag's scarecrow (which is AMAZING) really jazzed me up to go all out on the head. I sent to far as to buy a second pumpkin to work on prototype designs so I didnt mess up the real thing. Here's what I have so far. Lets hope the video post works:

Very cool!!! I need to take an electronics class to keep up with you guys!

Very nice, I cant wait to see the final product.