Thread: E-Z swivel head prop idea ?

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Ok. My daughter asked me to make her a life size (3 1/2 Ft.) alien. I am getting together all the stuff to make it and have worked out my own design plan.

At first I planed to make it a 100% static prop, then I thought it would have more eye appeal if at least the head had some movement.

I thought about using an oscillating fan for the head (I have seen this done) but I don't want to deal with the weight.

I am also a newbie to all the high-tech stuff. Then I had an idea......you have heard of a "Bobble head" type doll right ?

How about a "swivel head" type of head for a prop ?

To explain what I have in mind, take a Styrofoam drink cup and take a pen, invert the cup and balance the cup on the point of the pen so it is at it's center of gravity and balanced straight , push down the cup a little so the point makes a small depression.

Now blow at the cup and note how it bobs and swivels. This is the basis of my idea for a head on my swivel head alien .


I'm thinking of making a paper mache head and making a cone shape that would be glued to the inside curve at the top of the head. Up through the neck would be a long wooden dowel sharped to a point . The point would sit inside the cone.

The cone would allow the head to move but keep it positioned . I would put a small hook on each side of the inside of the head, at ear level , and hooks on each side of the dowel. Then, take a rubber band and put it through 3 to 4 washers.

Loop each end of the rubber band on each hook, let the washers make slack in the middle. Do the same on the other side of the head.

I think the rubber bands and the counter weight (washers) should allow the head to swivel in a breeze and pull it back in the opposite direction, then return it to the forward looking position till the next breeze.

You would have a moving prop without electricity or extension cords. No power source would be necessary so the prop could be used anywhere. (Well, in theory)

For indoor use you could direct an oscillating fan to blow at the head if you wanted to.

The wind /head movement would work kinda like an old time weather vane.

Anyway, that is the idea I'm toying with. I don't know if this has been done before, it may have. Few ideas are truly an original.

So I would welcome your comments/input , or have any of you already tried this?

Whadda think ?

Simple movement idea.

Balance will be a challenge. You could use some really fine piano wire for your centering posts. A cross of piano wire will center and hold the head level, but allow for movement, provided the wind is strong enough. FWIW

Yes, I was wondering about balance. I think I would need to use "shims" (wooden wedges) to level up the whole prop o get the balance for free movement.

You have a head which weight wise is not balanced. Not sure how a shim will help. Perhaps the best idea is for you to take your plastic cup and put weight on one side. Then see how you can balance it and still have it move the way you want it to. Start with your basic idea and that will help you engineer your prop.