Thanks! I feel a bit more reassured. I'll get back with you on trying to make "pop-n-stop" air props.
I'd be happy to help any way I can. I run six props off a 30 gallon compressor, and it works just fine. I also have a small 8 gallon in the shop. I would think you could run two props on your 10 gallon, if you use industrial pneumatics. They are much more efficient than screen door closers, or PVC cylinders, which tend to leak a lot of air. Industrial cylinders are much safer, and more reliable too, as they are made to withstand 250 psi. If you notice, all of my props are single valve, single cylinder set ups, except the Lowboy. That one has two cylinders, but they are metered the same, and provide a single movement (I'm thinking of re-working that one). There are lots of prop designs to choose from, but most are based on the four bar linkage. If you don't know what that is, Google it. Once you learn that concept, a lot of the mechanisms will make more sense, and you can let your imagination run wild! Let me know if you have any more questions.
Wow, sounds like a great shop. How many and size compressors u hav running? I have delved into pneumatics yet, but am ready. Maybe with you mentoring me, I would. I have a 10 gallon, 120 max psi compressor.
Thanks for looking, and for all the kind words. Yes, I build all of my own animatronics. I have a nice little metal fab shop in my garage (when there's not a haunted house in there), so I can build everything right here at home. I started out like a lot of others here, building animatronics using wood, PVC, and screen door closers for cylinders, but I wanted to make them more reliable, and safety conscious. None of the designs are original ( I printed off pictures of various machines and copied them), but I built them MUCH cheaper than you can buy them for. There is a pneumatics distributor here in town, so I get all the components really cheap. My newest prop is the scissor extender. I'll have to take some better pics, and get those posted. Thanks again for looking. Happy Haunting!
Hi Dr. Any prop pics to share with us? -Doc
