Thread: expanding door

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i saw a door at disney that expanded out it looked realy cool would like to build one does anyone have any ideas

expand how?

Search the forum for the "breathing grave". Maybe it is the same concept but standing up.

I remember the scene that you're referring to: Looks like the door is bowing outward in the middle. It's probably similar to the axe-wielding-maniac-trying-to-chop- through-the-door prop, only with less violent action and the effect is distributed over larger surface area, rather than just several axe strikes.

Think that typically a sheet of spandex is used for the door, but instead of pneumatics, perhaps a more regular/constant mechanical movement would work better?

My guess would be a wood frame with a little wood attachment to hold the door knob & then a thin foam over the frame painted to look like wood ( depending on the make of door ) with some kind of bladder behind.

If you have seen the tv mini series Making Monsters, they made aliens that breathed. They molded the bodies from soft foam latex but put an air bladder close to the surface of the chest during the casting process. This may not be the cheapest and most diy friendly way but thats the first thing that came to mind

I remember those doors in the Haunted Mansion hallways that are being pushed out by partially seen skeletal arms.
I would think the door is cut in half and hinged in the middle. Then maybe held in place at the top and bottom by loose hinges or springs, so it can move when being pushed from the inside. Probably by a slow moving gear motor using a rotating crank with a rod attached to the door.
That would be my guess.