I thought a thread dedicated to posting “helpful” solution items might make an interesting read. We all come up against projects doing something for the first time and might not know about things that could make our projects easier/cheaper maybe even better. So share if you have or used something others might also find helpful. Try to keep it to one item per post.
If Only I had Known, Thread of Helpful things...or what you didn’t know was out there
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Ghost of Spookie
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Yes floral wire is pretty strong. Get some lower gauge wire and that stuff is pretty tough.
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So here is what I mean (and yes, using it steady not as a flash). 2 photos. Same shutter speed and f stop. Super dark scene originally on camera. Using my light (not as a flash) it enhances the photo without it looking harsh. Also great for video too.So, just steady on or are you using the hotshoe as a flash?
I've found my best photos tend to be done in fully manual with a remote shutter and a handheld light meter. I'm usually running it at F22 and having to manually count out on the bulb setting even to get exposure right.
This shot was a 20 second or more exposure, for instance.
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2,349 Posts
I’m a fan of tent stakes. They usually go on clearance at the end of summer. Since they have a lip on them they can easy fit over the metal frames for most animatronics. I also use them for graves. A strip of Velcro on both the tombstone and the stake works wonders.
Lots of zip ties. Cause they don’t hurt anything and they’re cheap. I’ve also taken all single lights out of our jack-o-lanterns and replaced them with dollar tree string lights. So much brighter and easier to link cords together.
Garden stakes with pipe insulation can make for an easily collapsible fence with chain. We have been able to fully fence our yard and the stakes break down into one bucket and the chain goes in one trash bag.
The other thing I learned this year was how much PVC is my friend. I was able to make certain props taller when needed. If the pipe was too small, gorilla tape saved me. Also, since we are constantly dealing with wind I had not figured out how to put a prop on the porch without it toppling over. Realized when I tripped over our patio umbrella stand it could be a total win. And it was!
Thanks for the info on those beaded strips @Ghost of Spookie. I have never seen those.
Lots of zip ties. Cause they don’t hurt anything and they’re cheap. I’ve also taken all single lights out of our jack-o-lanterns and replaced them with dollar tree string lights. So much brighter and easier to link cords together.
Garden stakes with pipe insulation can make for an easily collapsible fence with chain. We have been able to fully fence our yard and the stakes break down into one bucket and the chain goes in one trash bag.
The other thing I learned this year was how much PVC is my friend. I was able to make certain props taller when needed. If the pipe was too small, gorilla tape saved me. Also, since we are constantly dealing with wind I had not figured out how to put a prop on the porch without it toppling over. Realized when I tripped over our patio umbrella stand it could be a total win. And it was!
Thanks for the info on those beaded strips @Ghost of Spookie. I have never seen those.
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2,203 Posts
I bought a bag of foot-long black pipe-cleaners at a thrift store a while back that have proven handy time and again for simple tie-offs and minor maintenance. Dunno what they'd cost new, but I imagine they're probably available at craft stores like Michael's and so on. ?
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12,156 Posts
I only recently discovered these, extension cords with outlets every so many feet:
I use them for my blow molds all year & they're great. Add in one of these things that cover any 2 connecting cords & you're set:
Woods 3130 Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord Power, 3 Grounded Outlets Spaced Every Three Feet, 9-Foot 14- Gauge Extension Cord, 15-Amps, 125-Volts, 1875 Watts, Ideal For Powering Appliances And Decorative Lights That Are Spaced Out - Outdoor Tri Source Extension Cord - Amazon.com
Woods 3130 Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord Power, 3 Grounded Outlets Spaced Every Three Feet, 9-Foot 14- Gauge Extension Cord, 15-Amps, 125-Volts, 1875 Watts, Ideal For Powering Appliances And Decorative Lights That Are Spaced Out - Outdoor Tri Source Extension Cord - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
I use them for my blow molds all year & they're great. Add in one of these things that cover any 2 connecting cords & you're set:
Amazon.com : FARM INNOVATORS INC Farm Innovators Model CC-2 Connect Water-Tight Cord Lock-Green : Extension Cords : Garden & Outdoor
Amazon.com : FARM INNOVATORS INC Farm Innovators Model CC-2 Connect Water-Tight Cord Lock-Green : Extension Cords : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com
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1,529 Posts
The only issue with these is they are limited in their reusability. I find after 2 runs they don't latch anymore.
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4,289 Posts
Great reminder, I keep forgetting to get these!
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286 Posts
I haven't had any issues yet. I wonder if some brands / types are better than others?
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1,529 Posts
Almost certainly. Not impressed with the ones I got off Amazon.
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2,015 Posts
Zip ties... zipping shorter ones together they become any length needed.
Paddle wire ... even the cheap stuff from the dollar tree comes in handy.
Office clips... cheap, come in many sizes and can clip things to things
First time we learned about office clips we were doing a small haunt scene with others for our group's party. Everyone had a pop up canopy and we were told if we get black plastic we can make walls for our canopy by hanging it with office clips to the bars of the canopy. Once we learned that OFFICE CLIPS found millions of uses.
Cup Hooks... screwed into wood or whatever when used with office clips can hang just about anything by flipping over just one of the clips handles and hooking onto the hook.
Clamp Tite tool... https://clamptitetools.com/ so many years ago I don't recall Frog purchased a couple of these at the fair. Best dang tool to turn wire into a clamp. As a auto mechanic you can imagine the uses but here at home it made clamps to hold PVC pipe to T-posts, worked so much better then zip ties or rope.
Watch for coupons... Harbor Freight always has a 20% off.... close to holidays there are weekend only 25% and this weekend a 30%. Canvas drop cloths, inexpensive paint sprayers,Paint brushes, packing tape, zip ties, gorilla glue. When we out grew a 10x10 canopy we moved into one of their 20x10 portal buildings. We've found their tools aren't always that great for longevity but they have so many other things a haunter can make use of.
Paddle wire ... even the cheap stuff from the dollar tree comes in handy.
Office clips... cheap, come in many sizes and can clip things to things
First time we learned about office clips we were doing a small haunt scene with others for our group's party. Everyone had a pop up canopy and we were told if we get black plastic we can make walls for our canopy by hanging it with office clips to the bars of the canopy. Once we learned that OFFICE CLIPS found millions of uses.
Cup Hooks... screwed into wood or whatever when used with office clips can hang just about anything by flipping over just one of the clips handles and hooking onto the hook.
Clamp Tite tool... https://clamptitetools.com/ so many years ago I don't recall Frog purchased a couple of these at the fair. Best dang tool to turn wire into a clamp. As a auto mechanic you can imagine the uses but here at home it made clamps to hold PVC pipe to T-posts, worked so much better then zip ties or rope.
Watch for coupons... Harbor Freight always has a 20% off.... close to holidays there are weekend only 25% and this weekend a 30%. Canvas drop cloths, inexpensive paint sprayers,Paint brushes, packing tape, zip ties, gorilla glue. When we out grew a 10x10 canopy we moved into one of their 20x10 portal buildings. We've found their tools aren't always that great for longevity but they have so many other things a haunter can make use of.
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2,203 Posts
I will definitely be getting one of these before next October. Looking at one that is a little more expensive but with connections every 7ft. Thanks for the tip! ?
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286 Posts
I was just taking some Christmas cabling down and forgot to bring my side cutters with me to snip a large zip tie. Then I remembered your comment and poked my fingernail in behind the locking tab. It released with not that much effort!
^Yay - score for recycling/reusing there!
I always try to reuse ties - especially if I can get them for free when they have been used at work. The small ones are a bit fiddly and annoying but we all have to do our bit to cut plastic waste don't we.
I always try to reuse ties - especially if I can get them for free when they have been used at work. The small ones are a bit fiddly and annoying but we all have to do our bit to cut plastic waste don't we.
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53 Posts
The little led flashlights (pocket size) you can get for about a buck each. Make good spot lights for individual characters. Or from underneath. For that camp fire ghost story look (remember as a kid. Holding the flashlight under your chin & telling spooky stories?) LOL. They can be zip tied just about anywhere for that spot light effect. Are cheap, last a long time & are useful other times as flashlights. I carry a couple in my car & truck plus in my night stand drawer. They are aluminum, so pretty durable too.
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2,203 Posts
I love these headband LED lights for working on my haunt at night. Those ones that clip onto the visor of your ball cap are great, too.
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Costco usually sells these in a big pack! I save them all and just buy the backing year after year.
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2,192 Posts
I just placed an order for 12 bulbs and the battery pack comes in 12 so I should be set for awhile....Going to make a half mold of the lantern I got at Big Lots soon because it comes apart in 2 halves so molding will be easy....After casting in fiberglass, I needed something exactly like this to light them....Thanks!....ZR
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