Thread: Lizzie Borden Tombstone (with a twist)

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After seeing some members on the Forum making some "Lizzie Borden" tombstones, it gave me an idea. I have been planning for years to attempt to make some sort of a skeleton Pop-up type prop, similar to a pneumatic type, but using a different mechanical set-up. The Lizzie Borden theme gave me a new idea. I love the quick action of the pneumatic props I see, but I like building motorized props and can't afford to invest in pneumatic equipment right now. I think this set-up I'm using might break some new ground in mechanical props. The only drawback to this prop is that is has to be MANUALLY reset after each trigger. But it's worth it to me, since it's so simple to use and inexpensive to make.

First, here's the tombstone I made:






Just a note for anyone hesitating to make a tombstone because you don't have a decent hot wire cutter---I cut everything on this tombstone with a small hand saw, an exacto blade and one of those little pumpkin carving saws. I used a Stanley foam sanding tool to round the edges of the stone (thanks to Terra for suggesting this tool). For the large letters I used stencils and an exacto knife (held at a 45 degree angle) to cut them out. The small cursive letters I used the Microsoft Word program to write the phrase. I then taped the words on the styrofoam and used the exacto to "poke" a pattern around each word (kind of like the pumpkin carving patterns) and then used the exacto again to carefully cut out each letter. It's a bit time consuming, but easy to do. The skull columns on the side are from a Cemetery Kit I bought on sale at Big Lots.

OK, here it is in action:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...urrent=005.flv

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...urrent=006.flv


The heart of this mechanism is a small electrical device called a "solenoid". It's a square unit with a small metal rod that slides back and forth inside it's hole. The rod is pulled out a bit, then when the 12 volt DC power is applied it magnetizes and quickly pulls the rod into the unit. I use this as the trigger to release the hatchet. The spring I use to propel the hatchet is from an old dishwasher. You can find the springs underneath the door of the dishwasher (they're attached to a cable that keeps the door from quickly falling open).
This mechanism costs about $8.00 in parts to build. The solenoid runs about $3.50, the spring was free, then the 12 volt wall wart to power it was around $3.00. I use a keychain remote control from Lowe's to trigger it remotely, so that's extra. I made the hatchet out of foamboard (from the Dollar Store) and used wooden dowel for the handle. (A 5/8 inch diameter dowel rod fits very snugly inside the dishwasher spring.) A short section of 1/2" PVC pipe is screwed to the top of the hatchet handle to hold it in place on the solenoid until triggered.
I had to install some metal rails to kind of "guide" the hatchet to the center of the tombstone. The hatchet would have worked without the guides, but it didn't strike in the exact same place every time, and I don't care for variables like that.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v6...rent=012-1.flv

Let me know what you think of it. It's a fun prop to make and I think it's got many possibilities. Any questions about making the prop are always welcome!

Wow ! Awesome work and great idea

What a great idea! Nicely done!

looks great and i love the tombstone and idea

Very cool and original!!!

Very cool! Too bad you can only do once before reseting.

Dave that is going to scare some folks. You did a really nice job with it.

WOW!!! The stone is absolutely beautiful! and the hatchet is just too cool. Love It!!!!
I've never seen this effect before. VERY creative!!

THAT is a great prop!

I didnt read the description and went straight for the video. I wasnt expecting that AT ALL! Very cool and original. I was thinking a skelly was gonna pop up. Awesome job!!