[dwleo]

Funny by 5

 

[HalloweenBob]

The time has come!

My new store will open at 11:00am Saturday. Please visit it, drop me an email from the page, share it with friends, or whatever you can do to help get the word out. I've spent most of the last year reworking and improving my designs and have come up with what I think, is the best 3 axis skull out there. I might be a little biased, but take a look and decide for yourself. If anyone wants to place an order, please bear with me on delivery times as I just get started. I need to build up parts inventories and the 3D printing is a slow process. I'm asking for 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. I'll be basically making skulls to order until I can get a handle on the quantities I will need.

I hope to see some of you lurking on my page at http://HalloweenSkulls.com.

Thanks for all the support throughout the years, and I hope this will start some new conversations.

 

[jamma]

My new store will open at 11:00am Saturday. Please visit it, drop me an email from the page, share it with friends, or whatever you can do to help get the word out. I've spent most of the last year reworking and improving my designs and have come up with what I think, is the best 3 axis skull out there. I might be a little biased, but take a look and decide for yourself. If anyone wants to place an order, please bear with me on delivery times as I just get started. I need to build up parts inventories and the 3D printing is a slow process. I'm asking for 3 to 4 weeks for delivery. I'll be basically making skulls to order until I can get a handle on the quantities I will need.

I hope to see some of you lurking on my page at http://HalloweenSkulls.com.

Thanks for all the support throughout the years, and I hope this will start some new conversations.

Looks like someone has been putting a 3D printer to good use! Best of luck, Bob. I'll be one of your first customers.

 

[HalloweenBob]

Thanks. The store is now open and ready.

 

[ZombieRaider]

Thanks. The store is now open and ready.

Wow Bob! You've made incredible progress since your last post in Oct...I've been planning on buying a small 3d printer this fall to toy around with animatronic projects....I noticed on your photo at the store your standing beside a Stratsys printer which is incredibly expensive....The only person I know that personally owns one is Jay Leno.....Did you buy that for this endeavor or do you have access to one?.....Feel free to ignore that personal question, I'm just being curious and a little jealous either way LOL...Once you get going and established, you should look into doing a 3d printed raven!....That's also on my 3d print wish list.....Also think about updating your link from sindy skinless to your new site so every time you post, there is a link....I would've used it at least 3 times already....Congratulations on your business start up!.....ZR

 

[HalloweenBob]

Thanks for checking it all out! No, that's not my own personal machine. I have access to it at work. I do have outside 3D printing sources now that I am done prototyping.

Thanks for the heads up on my signature link. I had forgotten to update that.

Bob

 

[ZombieRaider]

Thanks for checking it all out! No, that's not my own personal machine. I have access to it at work. I do have outside 3D printing sources now that I am done prototyping.

Thanks for the heads up on my signature link. I had forgotten to update that.

Bob

That's really cool Bob....I've been re-visiting all the 3d sites this weekend and ended up placing an order this afternoon for a Prusa i3 MKllS kit with the multi-material upgrade...My sister has one and loves it....Definitely not for everyone but I've been researching for over a year now.....I've seen many bits and pieces - working eyes/lids, hands but yours is the first working 3 axis skull I've seen printed....Thanks for pushing the limits.....I know it's a long road but you've inspired me with a working proof of concept.....ZR

 

[HalloweenBob]

Yes, 3D printing has finally started to get reasonably priced enough to use for manufacturing, not just prototyping. I figured I would take advantage of that. The 3D print costs will only come down from here on out, so I don't see the cost for doing business this way going up in the future, I see it coming down. Glad to be the guinea pig.

 

[HalloweenBob]

It's time for a Grand Opening Sale. Giving $100.00 off each assembled 3 Axis Skull. The coupon Code is here: VCHEDWMX8K0K
For all the details, check this thread:http://www.halloweenforum.com/annou...pening-sale-halloween-skulls.html#post2241265

Thanks, I've been busy getting everything ready, and it's looking good. I have videos up and lots of info on the website. In 2018, I hope to start development on moving arms like the ones I built for Sindy Skinless, but more robust, so they can go on the road easier without worry.

As Time permits, I will continue to update as I make progress.

 

[jamma]

Just a quick note of recommendation for Halloween Bob's new skulls. I was (I believe) the first person to buy the DIY kit back in July. In a nutshell, I'm quite impressed with the product. The engineering is extremely clever (would you expect anything less from Bob?) and the 3D printing is beyond what most hobbyists can achieve. I own two rather expensive, high end "prosumer" printers, a dual extruder Raise 3D N2+ (raise3d.com) and a four extruder Stacker3D 500 (stacker3d.com) and I can't achieve the quality and precision of the parts in Bob's products, which are printed on seriously expensive printers-- and it shows!

Bob has been very proactive with his support, even noticing when the UPS delivery was delayed due to the truck getting into an accident! (package was unharmed). Even though I took the DIY route, he provided me with a carefully curated list of additional parts complete with prices, vendors, and online links. He worked with me as I came across a couple of alternatives, and together we figured out what might or might not work. BTW, he sells fully assembled skulls and unassembled full kits too, of course.

As for assembly, he has a series of videos that break it down step by step. I'd say the trickiest part is soldering the tiny LEDs for the eyes. I have a big magnifying glass on my "third hand" soldering clamps, so I was able to do this without too much difficulty. Bob has an even cleverer suggestion that involves using your phone's camera as a magnifier, which I never would have thought of.

His custom DMX board was not available until recently, which kept me from finishing the skull until this weekend. Happy to report it all works beautifully. Again, he proactively reached out with a fix for a minor mechanical issue with the board that was simple to implement and will be addressed in subsequent batches. The skulls movement is natural and the whole thing is wonderfully self contained. He even gives you a neck piece (vertebrae) through which you run the wires and support rod so that the illusion isn't broken by unhidden wires and mechanics.

As for the price, I think it represents good value for the product you receive. I've made five 3-axis skulls in the past, based on Bob's original design. If you've done this too, you'll realize that creating a high quality, reliable, fluid skull that can be consistently controlled by VSA takes many, many hours to get right. If you give your time any sort of value, you'll come to see that Bob's product is a good deal. Of course, many of us love the "making" aspect of this hobby. I know I do. But I also really enjoy coming up with creative routines for my animatronic characters. The HS skull will let you more quickly get to this part of the fun. Something to consider.

In sum, two thumbs up for:
a) engineering
b) 3D print quality
c) customer support
d) value for money

I'll try to post pics when I get a chance and would be happy to answer any questions you might have, too.

 

[Diabolical]

That's pretty cool. It would be really cool to learn that. It really looks difficult to even setup. Maybe after I get done with Terra tutorials I will try that.

 

[HalloweenBob]

Jamma, Thank you so much for the review. You were indeed the first customer placing your order just a few hours after the store opened. I would love to see pictures and hopefully a video of an original routine that you designed for the skull.

@Diabolical, the level of difficulty is directly related to whether you choose the DIY version, or the fully assembled skull.

 

[Sadler Vampire]

Hi Bob... What is Sindy and the boys up to this year?

 

[HalloweenBob]

Just released this yesterday:

I've got two more that I'm editing now, and they'll be ready before Halloween.

In real life, I'm taking them on the road up to Essex Junction, VT where they'll be performing for kids after going through a haunted attraction. The attraction is geared for the younger kids, but their parents will be there too, so we'll have a good audience. I get some of my best reactions from young kids who aren't entirely sure what they're looking at.

I post updates on the videos every time I release them in this thread (http://www.halloweenforum.com/hallo...ing-skeleton-quartet-videos-2009-present.html)for future reference. Subscribe to that one and you'll see them all as soon as they come out.

 

[HalloweenBob]

Wow, it's been a while since the last post here. I've been very busy and haven't had much time to keep up with things.

Last year, I made myself 5 new skulls for the group using my Halloween Skulls product, and gave everyone in the group a new head. Of course that meant changing all the settings on all my past routines as well.

Starting the business, my regular job, and reworking all the skeletons have pretty much kept me straight out. Last year, I only made 2 new songs which will be posted in the thread listed in the post above. I didn't even get a chance to update that last year.

This year as things are settling into a routine, I was able to put together 5 new routines for Sindy Skinless which are in video post-production now. I'm getting ready for the live shows in a little less than a month.

In The Halloween Skulls Store, I will be adding the moving arms to the list of products by next season. In the picture below Sindy is sporting the new prototype arms. They are 3D printed, of course, and pretty much completely hide the servos and wiring.

Here's an image of what Sindy and the gang look like now with their new heads and a bit of spiffing up on their wardrobe.

Some of the eyes look really blown out and too bright in the picture. In reality, they are all set to the same brightness. Certain colors seem to affect the camera more than others.

Hope everyone's Halloween is fantastic!

 

[frugalfrightgirl]

No questions, just WOW!


DB

I actually have a ton of questions. I've been making static props for years, but since last year, my husband has started getting involved. Last year he programmed our Stranger Things wall. He has never used a servo, but bought two to add to my demodog this year, and program the opening of head, and the turn of head. Since we are newbies, where do you suggest we start in learning how to use those servos correctly, or even find the right brackets? We've been to servo city, and a few hobby stores and seem to be spinning our wheels. I'll take any advice. Thanks!

 

[HalloweenBob]

I actually have a ton of questions. I've been making static props for years, but since last year, my husband has started getting involved. Last year he programmed our Stranger Things wall. He has never used a servo, but bought two to add to my demodog this year, and program the opening of head, and the turn of head. Since we are newbies, where do you suggest we start in learning how to use those servos correctly, or even find the right brackets? We've been to servo city, and a few hobby stores and seem to be spinning our wheels. I'll take any advice. Thanks!

Feel free to call me and ask whatever questions you have. You can also check out my business: Halloween Skulls My phone number is on the webpage.

 

[HalloweenBob]

For anyone still following this thread, here is the link for the playlist of all my Sindy Skinless Videos. Every time I make a new video, it gets added to this playlist.