[Diabolik]

This is something I have been messing around with for the last month or so. I finally had a proper waist plate machined so I could build a completed unit. It is powered by a wiper motor and a 12 volt 5 amp power supply running through a PWM to slow things down. I am still doing a bit of testing and experimenting with it. I am hoping we will be able to release it as a kit in the near future.

 

[slash]

wow love it the movement is perfect for a creepy watchman in a cemetery I hope you do come out with this kit id buy one.

 

[Hallomarine]

YUP! Me Too!
How are you figuring out your waiste plate sizes? I thought I had it worked out, but I was wrong. My props use a lot of my old jeans, but I can't seem to get the waist size right
HM

 

[Diabolik]

YUP! Me Too!
How are you figuring out your waiste plate sizes? I thought I had it worked out, but I was wrong. My props use a lot of my old jeans, but I can't seem to get the waist size right
HM

Trial and error. I did take some actual measurements off of a person. This one was a bit easier since I started with the CAD file from our swaying zombie. This particular plate is 15 inches wide by 9 inches deep if that helps. Works well with pants that have a 36-38 inch waist. Basically you want the pants to be cinched a bit just above the plate. This essentially allows the plate to hold them up.

 

[Diabolik]

One thing I forgot to add was that the head and hands for this prop came from Ghost Ride Productions, www.ghostride.com

They are by far my favorite vendor of body parts for these types of props. We have them made with the PVC embedded so attaching them to our props is very easy.

 

[thenightmarefamily]

looks great, i might have to build on for the 2015 season.

 

[Saruman of Many Colours]

Very nicely done!

 

[punkineater]

Perfectly timed movement for a graveyard watchman.

 

[DaveintheGrave]

He looks great! Nice slow movement and I love the head.

 

[Diabolik]

Thanks for the comments guys. I am a little concerned with the side loading on my bearings the weight of the upper body is creating. I think I have come up with an easy solution and should have a chance to test it out in the next day or so. I might be obsessing over this, but I want to make sure the mechanism will last for the long haul.

 

[bobzilla]

Love it!
Great job

 

[Diabolik]

Love it!
Great job

Thanks Bob!

Ok, so I couldn't wait until tomorrow to try my fix. I bolted him back together with the bracing installed and problem solved. There is now zero side loading on my bearings so this thing should run a long, long time with no worries. I basically created a brace to support the spine from leaning forward. It attaches to the spine using a Slip-T fitting. I was able to assemble this with all off the shelf parts I have here and there are only 2 additional holes that need machined into the waist plate for this change. I'll sleep a little better tonight.

 

[StanFam3]

Really great! If the price is right, I'd be interested in a kit.

 

[The Halloween Lady]

Wow Ryan I just LOVE it!!! I can envision a lot f different possibilities for this kit. I have used my zombie kit for different creatures for the last two years and it has performed flawlessly. I can't wait for this kits release.
Nice work!

 

[Hallomarine]

The thing I like is, you base all (or most) of your work on PVC. I have started working with PVC on a couple of non-Holiday related projects with good success. Unlike wood, (my second favorite medium to work with) PVC has a 99.99% consistancy rating, making the work go faster, not to mention cheaper if a mistake or change is made.
HM

 

[slash]

love this!

 

[Diabolik]

A quick update on this kit.... I thought I had this about ready to go, but we ended up having an issue with some of the machined parts and we are awaiting another batch. I just finished the plans, so I am hoping to have some of these available very soon.

 

[Deadview]

I would love to see a video of the movement close up and see how the structure pivots. Great job.

 

[Diabolik]

I would love to see a video of the movement close up and see how the structure pivots. Great job.

Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://vid38.photobucket.com/albums/e130/astreamk1/Watchman%20Mech_zpstpk6idf0.mp4

 

[Deadview]

Thanks for the video up close. The movement is nice and smooth. Well developed and planned.