Thread: FCG via hook?

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Alright, well, I've looked through several FCG tutorials and how-tos...however, they all want a static base to them. I was wondering if it'd be possible to do a FCG and have it hanging by a hook. (basically, I have a heavy duty hook I hang a windchime from and thought a FCG would look awesome out there... plus everyone saying it's a good first prop is always good. ...also if it's not too much trouble I'd like to add glowing eyes to it)

I assume you are wanting to hang the frame/motor assembly from the hook and not the actual ghost. The problem you are going to have it the frame will spin and wobble if hung from a single point. I have hung mine by making a frame out of PVC and hanging it from that and also by putting plant hanger hooks in the ceiling!

Oh, and the glowing eyes is easily accomplished by getting a pair of strobing eyes that run off a 9v battery. Hauntmasterproducts.com is a good source for those.

Well, if it was possible, I was thinking about hanging the actual ghost... I wasn't entirely sure about the mechanics that makes it possible... or what a FCG actually does (move up and down I take it).... because if that's it then I could just put the crank on the floor and just allow some extra room in the lines and let the ghost go up and down like that. .. I think. (we're on the 3rd story so no one can really notice anything)

The frame/motor part of the FCG can actually be placed about anywhere but the ghost need to hang from 3 seperate points.....head, left hand, right hand.

It's possible to do this. You can seperate the mechanism from the ghost - therefore you'll get a "crank" of that measurement you want. Means the ghost will get as big as you want, if your motor is strong enough.

But you have to get 2 more hooks right and left from you're hook. 1 hook for the head, 1 hook for the left arm, 1 hook for the right arm.

By this way it's also possible to add more lines for other purposes, maybe legs or so, just fix another crossbar with hooks on it, drill 4, 5 or 6 holes in the washer and you're done. But if you do so, think about the strengthness of you're motor.

Or you have to built a separate rig which has to be well balanced on which you hang up you're ghost and a separate rig for the motor (but by this way you'll get an unwished motion back and forth when the motor pulls.

You can mount the rig for example anywhere behind you're hooks - get a longer fishing line - connect the fishing line to the washer with the 3 holes and run each line through another hook.

Peter

Okay, so, I finished making the body of the FCG.... my question is, what does the frame/crossbar do? I'm going to be hanging it from the balcony, 3 different lines and using an oscillating fan as my motor. Am I unable to just run the lines from the fan to the FCG or is there another stuff in there?

Hi ChangedReality, first have you ever seen a frame /crossbar of a FCG?

Before I've seen any (I mean in reality - not on pictures on internet - after I built it I complete understood it and was able to modify it). I also could not figure out what and how it does things before I held it in my hands.

I'll help you out and solve the problem with you if you want.

Peter

Hi, I just drawn a picture of what I mean I hope you can imagine it - please contact me if I were not able to make it clear - I'll try to.

But don't critize my drawing skill - it's horrible.

Peter

No, I've never actually have seen the crossbar of a FCG before besides pictures.

...so...the crossbar has eyehooks to hold the line in place... the washer has 3 holes for the 3 lines... the washer is connected to the motor and that's what spins the wires, the holes in the washer is what pulls the line tight and make it move? ....so... the crossbar is what the entire thing hangs off of and provides the central point for the motor so that it can move the ghost?

Sorry, usually if I can actually see something and inspect it in person I make quick work of understanding how it works and is able to reproduce it, not being able to interact with it makes it more difficult.