Thread: Trashcan terror

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I was talking about the barrel (though the trash cans are noisy too). Here's Fright Props version of what I'm talking about:

YouTube - FrightProps Hopping Drum

I was talking about 55 gal. drums. They don't have handles, but they are loud if they bounce around on concrete!

I think I'll go with a steel drum. I've dropped the bike pump idea (even though I have it hooked to a solenoid and working already) and I'm going with the 20" double acting cylinder that Sam Animatronic was selling here. I'm getting it without the pressure pad and the price was too good to pass up. I should have plenty of stroke and power now to deal with the steel lid. I think I'll probably hinge it at the back (rather than attaching the lid to the head) so it makes more noise. Now to get the drum!

Just got my 55 gallon drum...



I just need to paint the lid and add some "Toxic Waste" signs and it's good to go cosmetically. I should have the air cylinder tomorrow and I already have the mask. I just received the audio boards I'm going to use for the monster scream sound when it opens and I'm redoing one of my prop controllers for this year so I need to finish that as well.

Now I need to decide if the whole lid is going to pop up or if I'm going to hinge it at the back.

Originally Posted by OpenTrackRacer

Just got my 55 gallon drum...



I just need to paint the lid and add some "Toxic Waste" signs and it's good to go cosmetically. I should have the air cylinder tomorrow and I already have the mask. I just received the audio boards I'm going to use for the monster scream sound when it opens and I'm redoing one of my prop controllers for this year so I need to finish that as well.

Now I need to decide if the whole lid is going to pop up or if I'm going to hinge it at the back.

I'm in the same boat...determining whether or not to hinge the lid...its pretty heavy

Are you using an air cylinder or a bike pump Scatterbrains? I switched to a 1.5" bore 20" stroke double acting cylinder so I think I'm okay either way. If I'd stuck with the bike pump I probably would have gone plastic (or with a metal trashcan).

Originally Posted by OpenTrackRacer

Are you using an air cylinder or a bike pump Scatterbrains? I switched to a 1.5" bore 20" stroke double acting cylinder so I think I'm okay either way. If I'd stuck with the bike pump I probably would have gone plastic (or with a metal trashcan).

Door Closer ...

The last one of those I did used a metal 55 gallon drum. They look great! I brazed brass fittings right to the steel for all the air and electric lines to the bottom side of the drum, as I have mine filled with water. I have a corpsed bucky torso that pops out and cackles at you (jaw moves with sound). Green lights in the bottom and a bubbler create the "acid" look. All pneumatic so the water won't damage any of the workings. An old school but still effective prop.

Bill.

I used the blue plastic 55 gallon drums and painted them black.
I just think they are easier to work with if you have to drill holes. You will need holes in it if you plan on hiding your air hose.
Just my personal preference.

Hate to complicate things here but it's a good idea to replace the lid with something lightweight (like plastic or aluminum) if you're going to attach the mask to the ram. You're going to have a stuffed plastic mask pushing up on the heavy lid all night. How long do you think that latex will last?

Some of the more expensive pop-ups use a second cylinder to open the lid, while some of the cheaper ones and homemade props actually lift the lid and the head is attached to the lid so it rises with it. This keeps it from going any higher than the top of the lid though.