Thread: Can you use an old fan that turns to make a prop?

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I was thinking this morning about motors and I got the thought of buing a small cheap fan that turns left to right, remove the fan blades and put it inside a foam head with a mask to it. For where the fan belt, I would try to make an attachment that maybe made eyes roll around.

I wonder it that would work. Did anyone ever tried this?

there is a problem with the motors overheating:

Oscillating head movement

I have also had problems with them getting stuck part way through the big night.

this is an interesting application for one though:

My DIY Goul in the Window

I have used oscillating fan motors to make simple head turning props.

I don't have any pics, I'm afraid, but if you think of a tombstone peeper where the head turns side to side rather than bobbing up and down you'll get the general idea.

If you can design your prop so that the OFM is not buried inside, but can be exposed to a through flow of cool air you shouldn't have too many problems. I usually remove the plastic cowling from around the motor to ensure maximum exposure to airflow. The air temperature here in the UK around Halloween time is generally on the chilly side, but in warmer climates with still, warm air overheating may prove to be a problem

Using a lightweight polstyrene skull on a pvc pipe support, attached to the motor with a large jubilee or hose fastener through a PVC tee piece will help to prevent sticking by reducing undue load stress on the motor's oscillating gear system which is not designed to be weight bearing.

thank you, this is very helpful!

Hey,

I am gathering a few motors from work which run at 23rpm. Togather we should be able to create a few linkages that will work for this if the fan doesn't. These are pretty heavy duty and are designed to have a continous duty cycle. (Dental X-ray processor motors from GE).

Doto, sound's good. We'll have to try something out in the future together! I never tried nothing with motors before. Should be fun.

Some more props that have already been done in this realm:
RF Haunt: Raymond's Halloween Website
Prop Tutorials - Halloween Haunt, How To Make Props, Haunted House, Decorations, Haunting, Home haunt, Projects, Instructions, Tips, Directions
A Haunted Halloween - Projects: Werewolf
Reaching Hands - Halloween Prop
http://usersites.horrorfind.com/home...c_werewolf.htm

Some interesting stuff here, Mr C.
Thanks for the links!

I have used one for years with no problems. Mine is an outdoor prop of a demon sticking his head up from hell and looking around. I've never had a problem with the fan before, but this past year the light coming from under his face shorted out because of the rain...