Thread: My Monster in a box escapes!

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I created this effect after visiing Transworld in Chicago several years back.

I used an old Kitchenaid Mixer motor to turn a long length of pvc pipe fitted with eye bolt screws offset a few degrees along the shaft at each floorboard location. Dogear fence slats cut at the midpoint and pinned back together with a finish nail then anchored on one side with small hinges created the broken floorboards. Several of the same boards mounted together form a "door" at the end where a pneumatic cylinder opens that and pops up the monster.

[ame=http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/Dwozz01/Props/?action=view&current=100_1227.flv]Props :: Monster-in-a-box, rippling floor video by Dwozz01 - Photobucket[/ame]

That is awsome. Great job.

OMFG, I want the step by step tutorial for that! That was an awesome effect that put him right at your feet and nobody would be the wiser what was going to happen. LOVE IT!

Nice effect! I liked the use of the kitchenaid. Noticed that you're a newbie to the forum. Welcome and thanks for the tutorial.

...but I was/am a member of other groups and forums. Been out of the gung-ho prop building for a couple of years. I think I'm getting back in this year with some new ideas.

Thanks for the warm welcome!!

That video really doesn't do the prop justice. It's kind of dark and slow. I increased the air pressure slightly to speed up his arrival. That improved the affect greatly. I believe I'll add another cylinder to the right side of the door to make it smoother and reduce the ammount of stress on the linkage. Right now a piece of conduit connects the left linkage with the right linkage. It's too much energy loss. And with double the acting cylinders I use, they will pull the door shut fast and clean as well. The walls on both sides are 3/4 pink foam painted like peeling wallpaper and wainscott, and a 1/8" thick piece of paneling for the ceiling. There's also a flourescent ballast activated light at the end over the box that randomly flickers. The whole prop is built on 2" x 12"s which makes it heavy and sturdy. I can walk along the center of the floor when the boards are all down. I use a Prop2 with a PIR to detect motion for control.

That is awesome. I may have to do this at some point. My wife is going to kill you all now that i have all these ideas in my head running around. LOL

Excellent Job!!! Great minds think alike...I suggested that same idea for the ripple floor to another user earlier this year: Off & Running for 09. Our haunted shack prop begins. pics

I never got around to making it but man you did a Superb Job!! Congrats. I might have to do this for next year.

I wish I could figure out all this motor stuff you guys do. I need to go to a local class on mechanics. LOL......that is great prop.

Saweet!!!!!!! Great job!

I saw this a while back through the Garage of Evil. It's without a doubt one of my favorites that I go back to look at once in a while.

Thanks for giving more information on how it's done!