Thread: Material and software question

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I know I haven't posted in a very long time, but I have had a lot of things going on. I'm not even sure this is where I should be posting this. Anyway, I am in the process of building several props. Some of them call for Great Stuff, but as far as I know once you open the can of Great Stuff, you eiother have to use it all up or wastes what hasn't been used. Does anyone know a way around this? I hate spending what little money I have to waste 75% of a can. I was hoping someone knew a way to maybe seal up the can so it can be reused later on.

My other question is about software. I am trying to design a motorized Cellar Dweller prop where the doors thump and jiggle as if something is trying to escape, then a short pause, then the doors burst open and a zombie shoots out. For this I need to build a cam. I think I can do it with a single wiper motor and a cam. I was wondering if anyone knows of a CAD program that I can use for this. Cheap is good, free is better. I look into a bunch of CAD programs, but for one they are too expensive, and they also have many more features than I need. I just need something I can use to draw the shape of the cam (which I will cut from plywood), see how the action will work, and then (hopefully) print out the cam shape so I can cut it out with my jigsaw. Thanks

Have you tried google Sketch up? It's not a true "cad " program but you can do some good drawings once you get the hang of it. And it's a free download.

Hi Pennywise.
Here's a link to a basic CAD programme that you may find useful.
It's quite simple to use and it's free to download.

FREE CAD Download

Thanks guys. Maybe I am looking in the wrong part of the webites but all I can find is how to draw designs and nothing about designing mechanics. I will keep looking though

Your Greatstuff can and nozzle can be cleaned immediately after use with some acetone. It will melt all of the residual material out of the plastic nozzle and the valve on top of the can. You can use as little Greatstuff as you like and clean up the can/nozzle for the next time you need it. It is amazing how far a can will go and last if you clean it after every use. Acetone will also remove the "stuff" from your hands as well. I haven't tried it but I'll bet MEK and other "hot" solvents like lacquer thinner would do the same thing.

I reuse the great stuff can too.... but I just cut the end of the nozzle off. The great stuff hardens on the end, so just cut it off shorter and your good to go. I havent trid this for more than 3 time use... so I don't know how many times you can get by with this... Also, when done.... turn the can upside down and spray the great stuff... air will come out and clean the nozzle. Thats works some too.

thanks indianholmes for the great stuff tip. Now I can finish working on the props that will use Great Stuff rather than wait until I have a bunch of props set up and Great Stuff them all at once.

Thanks Lynn for the tip on turning the can upside down...looks like I will be working on some props today.

Now , I am not sure where I got this from , but , I used this cam on a wiper motor for my MIB ( monster in a box ) and talk about prefect . have this roll on a round dowel or a large bolt ( which is what I used - make sure to grease it up good - ) aka - cam follower .
The way it hits and bounces is never the same as the next rotation of the cam . Due to the speed of the wiper motor and the way the cam is designed .
If you use the template/cam design .. I used a 7 inch by 7 inch square chunk of 3/8 plywood and again , it works like a dream .
the way it bounces the lid , there is no rythem to it and it really makes you think there is something in the box , trying to get out .

Boogieman, that is awesome! I would definately like to try to build this. Can you elaborate a littel on how the whole thing goes together? I saved the pic of the cam and will print it out tomorrow. Thanks.

I believe that cam design came from a monster in a box from cindybob. Try this link http://www.cindybob.com/halloween/mib. I think they have a template to download. I would verify this but I'm at work and the filters are blocking me from opening the page.