Thread: A decent drop panel

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I've hit a wall guys...as I build my permanent haunt (FINALLY) I really have yet to come up with a decent, foolproof drop panel for my actors. Amazing how something so simple can throw a monkey in the wrench, but maybe Im just too close to see it. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

I'm planning one for this year too. This is one posted on Monster List and looks to be one of the better/easier ones I've seen. I think Im going with this plan. hth

https://home.mchsi.com/~laz456/2006%...drop_panel.htm

I am building one this year also, but I want the frame to stay in place, and just have the picture drop. I got two 1/2" aluminum channels, and a piece of 1/2" plywood (which is actually15/32"). The plywood fits perfectly in the channel, with enough play to slide easily. I am going to screw the channels to the framing, and attach a gate latch for the release mechanism. It should work great, and come down with a BANG!!!

Originally Posted by Dr. Dark

I am building one this year also, but I want the frame to stay in place, and just have the picture drop. I got two 1/2" aluminum channels, and a piece of 1/2" plywood (which is actually15/32"). The plywood fits perfectly in the channel, with enough play to slide easily. I am going to screw the channels to the framing, and attach a gate latch for the release mechanism. It should work great, and come down with a BANG!!!

Sounds interesting. Can you post some pics of the process. I'm looking for different ideas on these things.
Thanks

Sure jdubbya....I'll put up some pics. Unfortunately, I have three projects going at once, and sometimes progress is slow.

Guys
Post some pictures.
I am getting ready to build a drop down panel soon.
The one from the Monster List has the entire picture dropping.
Like you guys said, I want only the picture to drop and leave the frame in place.
I will probably use a 4x8 sheet of plywood. Mount the picture frame to the front. I thought of using just some 2x4's vertically in the back with a notch routed in the edge for the actual picture. Then a 2x4 below to stop the picture at the bottom. My question is how to make a decent fool proof release at the top. The one on Monster List uses a lever hooked over a handle mounted to the top inside edge of the picture. That doesn't look fool proof to me.

Here are pics of my drop panel. Just a frame work and wood panel to slide up and down. I used a metal hook or nail placed in a hole in the top. The panel can be held by a person and looking out through the gap (dark on the backside and light on the panelside viewd) and watch for the appropriate time. WHAM drop the panel and the noise of it hitting the bottom scares them 100 %.

Hauntcrazy, I will post pics tonight when I get home. I just finished the wall for the drop panel last night, and it works like a dream! It's Fast, and LOUD!!!

Darkmaster
So you are just using a hook at the top.
I am just concerned that the actor inside will have trouble latching it back in the dark. Trying to come up with a way just to slide it up and have it lock in place with easy release to drop back down.

That's exactly what I have come up with. It works exactly as you just described. I used a gate latch, with one part attached to the panel, and the other part to the wall framing. A rope is attached to the release mechanism, with a small bungee cord providing the tension to reset it. As I said before, it is fast, and LOUD, and works EVERY SINGLE TIME! I'll also try to post a video of it in action.