[theVanyr]

I am planning / buying the materials for an Axworthy ghost build. And having never built one before, I have questions of the wise ones among us.

1. First off - does anyone know why it is called an "Axworthy" ghost?
2. How long a line can you run (which bridges into the next question)?
3. What string/line material do you recommend? (kite string, etc.)
4. Bicycle wheels aside, we want this gal to fly slow and not horribly level (nothing above 45 degrees from horizontal), what motor would you recommend? Or what motor worked well for you?
5. Does anyone have experience with an electronic toggle switch? That is, a sensor turns the motor on (ghost runs), and then another sensor turns the motor off (ghost halts).
6. How tall and how heavy can the ghost realistically be? I realize this is something a function of the motor, but if we want a 5ft tall ghost (snagging aside) is that a problem for the way it moves, looks, etc.?
7. Why do we do this stuff to ourselves every year?

Plan thus far:

• The run is across the front of the house - coming in from a tree mount at ~30ft elevation, dipping to 12ft over the door, then up and to the left to reach the apex of the roof (thus travelling across the front of the house), travelling along the roof peak to double back along the house, then up to the tree again.
• The ghost will be black cheesecloth with a glowing green paint job. UV tube on the back slope of the roof will charge the paint before it hits the front yard, but we want subtle.
• We are looking for a control circuit to shut the motor off as the ghost arrives at the UV tube, and then a motion sensitive switch on the porch to re-activate the motor.
• Total running distance ~120ft, perhaps less/more with the elevation changes. We would like the ghost to complete a full circuit in >20 seconds.

 

[mickkell]

Axworthy is the guy who invented it.
Your run can be as long as you want,with a real tight line that is.
I use fishing line,200lb test.
I recommend a treadmill motor,unlimited torque and unlimited speed adjustment.
The lighter the ghost the better,weight is your enemy.
its fun

 

[theVanyr]

Treadmill motors run expensive! Anyone have a supply location? Or further suggestions for motors?

 

[mickkell]

I paid 20 bux for a complete working unit,they are cheap on CL.

 

[DaveintheGrave]

I'd say just about any motor will work, but it needs to have some good torque and run probably 30 RPM or more. I never used the bicycle wheels. I just attached a pulley to the motor shaft.

Even something like this from SurplusCenter.com would work. I'd put a wider pulley on it though:

http://www.surpluscenter.com/Electr...RPM-24-VDC-GEARMOTOR-W-DRIVE-WHEEL-5-1660.axd

And I used the Spiderwire brand fishing line as my string.