Jeff Juneman Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 I wanted to do the 3 axis type of skulls but didn't have time this year so I made these 4 guys up and tried it out. I am using a 6v DC wall wart transformer with a DC card to make the jaw move. It took me just an hour to hack the skulls and a couple hours to program the song. There is still a little refining to do but the reaction time is not too bad.Here is a link to the video on YouTube: I'll have another song to post in a couple of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Puryear Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 What are you using to move the jaws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBullard Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 Looks Great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Juneman Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 This is the "Talk Through Boris" skull that I used. There are a few other types of self animated skulls available in the $12 to $25 range. I just tied into the motor and sent a 6v DC current pulse from the DC board to open the jaw. The motor spins and wraps the string around it's shaft. This in turn pulls on the mechanism that opens the jaw. There are also led lights in the eyes but I haven't used them yet. The attachment shows the inside of the skull. Attached files Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Juneman Posted October 5, 2008 Author Share Posted October 5, 2008 Here's another song. I had this one in use last year (Thanks to T. Y.) with light up pumpkins. I had to convert all the fades to solid on/off to make it work better. It still needs a little work but I thought I would post anyway. Hey, I'm having fun with it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halloweenqueen Posted October 5, 2008 Share Posted October 5, 2008 That's fantastic!This is my first year with LOR so I'm just doing some lightning effects and a ten pumpkin choir this year, but I want to do some animatronics for next year.I wish they had Boris available. I haven't seen him anywhere this Halloween. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daren Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Jeff,Looks awesome. Any chance you'd have time to walk the newbies thru a how to on doing this with LOR. This is my first year and I'm doing the pumpkin choir thing, but next year I'd really like to have Boris in the show. I found 1 wired and 1 wireless Boris on ebay. I don't know much about electrical, but I can solder and if I knew what parts to use and what wires to connect I think I could manage. Thanks. :cool:Daren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinFL Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Here is a source for assembled and kit Buckey and Lindberg skulls as well as parts to build your own:http://www.graveyardmadness.com/store/index.phpHTHBob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanglinModifiers Posted October 6, 2008 Share Posted October 6, 2008 Jeff Juneman wrote: This is the "Talk Through Boris" skull that I used. There are a few other types of self animated skulls available in the $12 to $25 range...Great job on this! And thanks for sharing. I'm going to have to keep an eye out for any of these guys on post-Halloween clearance. Looks like they'd be a cheap source for motors. What stores are carrying these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Juneman Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 I have to agree that GraveYardMadness looks like an excellent place to go to get the 3 axis stuff. I just found them too late this year so I went my less expensive route. You also need a board that will control servos for these and LOR has not come out with their new board that wil control enough servos to run 3 axis skulls. You can bet that I will have a few of the 3 axis skulls in use for Halloween 2009! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobinFL Posted October 7, 2008 Share Posted October 7, 2008 Jeff If you are using DMX in your set-up, you can get an inexpensive ($49.00) DMX controlled 8 channel card from NorthLights.com. Works great with LOR. They also have a board for controlling LED (eyes and such)http://home.att.net/~northlightsystems/DMX512toRCservo.htmHTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Juneman Posted October 7, 2008 Author Share Posted October 7, 2008 Thanks! I do not have any DMX stuff yet. I was waiting for LOR's new board to come out and just use it. I have been looking around at other options but since I didn't have time to build the 3 axis skulls yet, I held off on the controller cards. I also know you can use one of the 8 channel LOR cards to control 2 servos. I might try that (Since I already have one) first and then see what else is the most cost effective.Thanks for all the comments and help from this forum! Also thanks to all the other inventive pioneers and their great ideas so I wouldn't have to do all the work from scratch. I am not always the best at creating new ideas but can usually see something I like and build it.I'll post some details on how I did the current build in a day or so for those who are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWSanta Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 OOOOOoooooo.... That's awesome!!!! I'm so going to buy a DC Card and try this out in the off season. Not enough time for this year. Hope we can find some talking skulls.Have to see how it goes.. I was going to try the other VDS Software but, that was just more work, I'd rather just keep it all LOR....Sweet thanks for the Tantalizing ideas!!Your Video's are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schristi69 Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 BobinFL wrote: Here is a source for assembled and kit Buckey and Lindberg skulls as well as parts to build your own:http://www.graveyardmadness.com/store/index.phpHTHBobPrices are a little steep and not even a how to on how tp put it all together.Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom L. Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Great job Jeff. What is the name of the song? Can I get it from Amazon or Itunes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Juneman Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 It's a cover version of Helter Skelter by "The Bobs". Go to http://www.bobs.com and you can get the mp3 from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom L. Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Thanks JeffI was able to download it from Amazon. Great song for talking skulls! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Ancona Posted April 29, 2009 Share Posted April 29, 2009 Jeff Millard wrote: BTW, did Boris' wind up string fray on you at all? I'll bet I've run the sequence 20 times since I wired them, and the strings are starting to show some wear. I'm just a little worried that they'll fail during the display... and that would stink... real bad... but I can't think of any way to fix it....Jeffhow about some nylon thread - type used to sew canvas such as on a boat / tent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoore60 Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 Jeff,As I read, the item that came to mind that might help you would be Dental Floss.Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleeaz Posted April 30, 2009 Share Posted April 30, 2009 What about fishing line? Probably will not tangle since the jaw mechanism is spring loaded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now