Thread: Need help on how to construct Jeepers Creepers retractable wings but afforable

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Ok, my wheels are turning for next Halloween and I want to be the Jeepers Creepers guy but I want to sport the behind the back retractable wings but I don't think I can afford to spend on pneumatics and that cool stuff, anyone have an alternative that will still remain somewhat true to the movie? Any help will be appreciated, thank you in advance..

I was wondering the same thing not to long ago and trying to figure out how to make it work with pneumatics or electric motors. I've realized now that a simple cable that you can pull to extend the wind and a spring to help bring it back is all you need. Hit up youtube and you can find a few vids on articulated wings that will give you the idea on the manual action concept. Good luck and if I ever get my designs built I'll post it up lol!

Thanks for the feedback, cable and spring, sounds good...

First get a three-pointed Jester hat, put in on, try to walk through a few doorways, do physically normal tasks. Now imagine a set of those wings hanging out there?
I would think one of THE main considerations in the design should be making it as lightweight as possible.
Really good shoulder strap/supports with a quick release buckle could become a life-saver.
Aerodynamically testing the wings by jumping from a high place should not be considered.
Sometimes small diameter steel rods are better than thicker pvc piping...
If you can't do light welding use a pop rivet gun to trap the steel rods between scraps of sheet metal bent over, around and under the second rod..

Do you want them to close and stay like that or flap? Either way you can do this with a motor use a wiper motor if you want the wings to snap shut or flap fast or a vent motor if you want slower movement.

A cheap tripod (couple dollars at a thrift store or yard sale) works great for the linkage...with a little adaption by removing one of the legs .

If you want the wings to open (or close) and stop you would need to use a micro switch to stop the motor or the parking switch on a wiper motor would snap them open then close.

Here's a few pictures that might give you some ideas on this

Mobility is not a concern because I plan on being still in my two car garage against wall opposite of the garage door..and yes, I would like for the wings to open suddenly so the onlookers can go "ooooooohhh, awwwwwwwhhh"...so far all this info is proving to be very insightful, appreciate the forum members help..

i found this way cool batman costume thing at goodwill. i bought it for my son for christmas because it was too cool. anyway, there is a little switch you push and the wings pop up and put...then, you crank the pull strings a number of times and that resets the wings. i have not pulled it apart but the entire mechanism is likely pretty simply...and they pop out very quickly.

i will try to video them and post for you to check out. he no longer wears it so it will likely make it into my next years halloween stuff.

chris

http://gizmodo.com/357316/awesome-ba...to-dark-knight

check out this link. i bought a used one of these at goodwill for 1.00

way cool. if you can find one of these, everything is there...just "bigger it up"

chris

Take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpWnYOcF4Ug

Doesn't help you build your wings but would make a great scare. Watch all the way to the end.