Waving Santa, Maybe?

[Really Big Christmas]

Last Year I made a Santa for my Front Yard. I also made a North Pole too. I sculpted he faces and Hands.

This Year I would like to put Santa On a Deer and make it like All dressed up.
This is how I made Santa. And this The Deer I want to use. Do any of you have ideas How I may Make Santa wave? While he is sitting on his Deer? Thanks RBC
White Tail Deer (http://www.biggameproshop.com/mckenzie-aimrite.htm)
Click Santa's face for a small slide show.. I have the full slide show if anyone needs it to make one.. I know I may have to make a new body for him but that's ok..:D Thanks for your Help.


http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/Blinky_12/Santa/th_makingasanta018.jpg (http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/Blinky_12/Santa/?action=view&current=deb6f94c.pbw)

[ppohlman]

Nice setup. Your santa looks awesome!

I've heard of several people using windshield wiper motors for their animation.

[Really Big Christmas]

Nice setup. Your santa looks awesome!

I've heard of several people using windshield wiper motors for their animation.


I have too, But I know nothing about Motors.But I catch on real fast. If some one were to make a drawing or show a slide thing like I made where I could copy it I know I could do it.:D Thank for The comment about My Santa, He looked even better in person.

[alwysrit2]

You might want to do a search of a halloween forum like http://www.halloweenforum.com/
-Don

[Really Big Christmas]

You might want to do a search of a halloween forum like http://www.halloweenforum.com/
-Don

Lol , I thought I knew you. Hi this is RBC from that forum do you know who may have done something like this? From that forum? Thanks Blinky

[deplanche]

You might want to do a search of a halloween forum like http://www.halloweenforum.com/
-Don

Can someone please remove that link? I can only handle one holiday decorating addiction at at a time! :)

[alwysrit2]

Deplanche, Technically that is my holiday of choice, I use the blinky flashy from here and incorporate it into the october time frame. Then since I have all of the controls, I put a little display up in december. Its all about halloween around here.
(Blinky? as in the 2 axis blocks Coop?)
The only wiper motor conversation I remember (there were others, just don't remember specifics) from there actually got repeated here a few months ago, it was the witch with the cauldron from http://www.scarefx.com/project_witch.html.
It seems like there were also threads using smaller motors from wire frame deer and such.
-Don

[deplanche]

Actually, one of the big reasons I went the DIY route, rather than just exchanging my Mr. Christmas, was that I wanted to use my own music for Halloween animation. Not sure if I will get to that this year.

As far as the original topic of this thread, I have found several small motors on the wire frame deer and other similiar decorations, that people toss out. I have "rescued" 2 deer, a snowman, and 2 light poles this way. Only problems with them have been light related - broken bulbs, cut wire - nothing to do with the motor. If you keep an eye out at the curb when people are spring cleaning, getting out their displays, or putting them away for the year, you may get lucky. May not help you for this year, but something to keep in mind for future projects.

[TERBObob]

Another motor to use is the BBQ rotisserie

[Greg Young]

A wiper motor, or a rotisserie motor would be the options I would go with. I have used both in the past (and continue to use them) with great results. I prefer the latter, as they are simple 110 volt units, and easy to gear up/down, depending on the application.
The motors for the wireframe deer, etc while they work don't seem to hold up very well, at least not up North. I have had to service those much more frequently, and they don't offer anywhere near the same degree of torque.
That being said the torques offered by the other 2 options I mentioined are more than you will likely need!
Greg

[Really Big Christmas]

A wiper motor, or a rotisserie motor would be the options I would go with. I have used both in the past (and continue to use them) with great results. I prefer the latter, as they are simple 110 volt units, and easy to gear up/down, depending on the application.
The motors for the wireframe deer, etc while they work don't seem to hold up very well, at least not up North. I have had to service those much more frequently, and they don't offer anywhere near the same degree of torque.
That being said the torques offered by the other 2 options I mentioined are more than you will likely need!
Greg


Thank You All so Much I ROFL when I saw the the post that said remove the link for HF..I to Know what HF is,lol all I can say is click my banner.

Greg and Terbobob do you have links where you use Rotisserie motor maybe a drawing how you did the arm piece coming off the motor. Like I said I can sculpt like crazy but a Mach I'm not Thanks Hugs Blinky

deplanche Thanks for the cool idea but where I live there are no curbs,So Shopping at Curby's is out.I cant do dumpster diving either.,lol

[TERBObob]

http://www.scary-terry.com/wipmtr/wipmtr.htm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper1.htm

these might help you out a bit

[Really Big Christmas]

http://www.scary-terry.com/wipmtr/wipmtr.htm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper1.htm

these might help you out a bit


Lol I was thinking about this project would something like this work? I know you know House..
http://spookineering.250free.com/torso.html


and if so How would I make it work for the arm.?

[Really Big Christmas]

Ok, I have looked at those links Thanks Terbobob
Now here is what it said in a nut shell
A short cam is attached to the output shaft of the gear reduction. This cam spins around as the wiper motor turns. The cam is connected to a long rod; as the cam spins, it moves the rod back and forth. The long rod is connected to a short rod that actuates the wiper blade on the driver's side. Another long rod transmits the force from the driver-side to the passenger-side wiper blade.

So If I under stand this right I only need the push rod that comes of the motor to the passenger side to make one arm wave? plus the motor and snake cam.But would I have to make some kind of track for the rod to flow through?
Did I understand this right? oh ok Now I got it. I would need everything but the driver side wiper part and where the passenger wiper is would be the the arm post for Santa, Duh sometime a takes sec for my brain to wrap around something. Please be Patient with me I 'm trying..

[TERBObob]

No ....
you need the drivers side of the arm , the motor , and the arm coming from the motor itself .
now , you could also eliminate the gobbly goo and simply use the motor , the pivot arm ( the one that is snapped onto the motors little arm ) and just use that . No guide would be needed . This would all depend on how much throw ( waving distance ) you want the Santa arm to travel .
And about using a servo ... this is all fine and dandy , AND would work , BUT ... you also have to realize that a servo would not have the torque power that a wiper motor does and you can usually get a used wiper motor from a junk yard for around $20.00
Now , myself , I personally prefer the BBQ rotisserie motors ... why ? because they are 110 volts and there is no need for any mega amp power convertor ( from AC to DC ) And , the RPM of a rotisserie motor is one that just seems to fit the bill for MANY slow mo apps . ( and I honestly think that this speed would be PERFECT for your waving arm . )
Use the same principle when making the attachments for the arm from the rotisserie motor as shown in the wiper motor setup . Remember , ALL you need is the one smaller arm coming from the wiper motor directly to the pivot of the arm . based on how far that bottom section of the arms pivot is , will be how far the actuall waving arm will travel .

[Really Big Christmas]

TerBobob: Thanks for you help and very good friend and his name was BOB too,lol

gave me 3 Bar-B-q motors so that would work great, the question I have is what do you all use for the roto pin that comes out here the spit should be. How do you make your pins/ bolts?

Man , I love this Forum, I would have paid double..

[Really Big Christmas]

Deplanche, Technically that is my holiday of choice, I use the blinky flashy from here and incorporate it into the october time frame. Then since I have all of the controls, I put a little display up in december. Its all about halloween around here.
(Blinky? as in the 2 axis blocks Coop?)
The only wiper motor conversation I remember (there were others, just don't remember specifics) from there actually got repeated here a few months ago, it was the witch with the cauldron from http://www.scarefx.com/project_witch.html.
It seems like there were also threads using smaller motors from wire frame deer and such.
-Don

I watched you video of the Pirates wow way cool. Wish I know more how to make a flashy blinky thing like that

[Really Big Christmas]

(Blinky? as in the 2 axis blocks Coop?) yep, I tried to help, and got my face pushed in the mud on that deal.

NO, Blinky as in Blinky The House Elf from the other Holiday Season,lol

That is a no no to say here,lol

[Really Big Christmas]

I want to take this time to say, Thank You for all your Help !!!
Quoted of Terbobob.:
Remember , ALL you need is the one smaller arm coming from the wiper motor directly to the pivot of the arm . based on how far that bottom section of the arms pivot is , will be how far the actual waving arm will travel .quoted

ok, I'm trying to understand what you are telling me. and it's probably simple too.But being this is my first moving arm, could you make a drawing of what you are talking about.where I should locate the motor Thanks. It doesn't have to be some huge blue print . Are you talking about putting the motor in the elbow or wrist area or in the body it self? Thanks for you Help. Hugs Blinky

Here is a drawing that you can draw on. Thanks I can't do this set up I don't have air compressor.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/Blinky_12/Pneumatic%20Drawing/Wavefig.jpg

So I guess the best Place would to be to put the motor at the elbow ?

[TERBObob]

Ok ... just an idea .
The rod ( so to speak ) from the motor is common square stock ( key stock ) . Can be bought in various lengths from you local hardware store . ( but use the shortest possible )
Use a scetion of the rod and weld/solder it to a chunk of flat steel - about maybe an inch wide, but thin .. ( not too thin , otherwise it will flex on you , and you don't want that . )
Next take the far end of the flat steel you already cut and drill a hole in it . ( make the hole a small size - around 1/4 or so ... and find an old Bic pen ... ( ya know... those cheapies that come about 12 to a package ) and take the pen , remove ALL the guts , and then CRAM it into the hole you just drilled - this will serve as a bushing and is easily replacable )
Then take your dremel ( or anything to cut off the excess pen tubing on both sides , BUT ... leave about an 1/8 of inch EXTRA on BOTH sides ) and cut off the extra .
Then , get yourself a machine bolt and nut that will fit inside the pen tubing ( think its 8 /32 ... although the second number is only the thread on the bolt , not the diameter ) and make sure its long enough to go thru the pen tubing , PLUS two fender washers that you will need - one for both sides . Bolt-fender washer insert into pen tubing , then another fender washer , then nut .
Now ... to hold the key stock in place ... I use silicone ( please do NOT use this until the silcone has cured/dried , because the fumes from the silicone ARE toxic ! ) to hold the key stock in place in the square hole of the rottissierie motor . Its both flexible and waterproof .
Now , you are gonna need the same setup ( pen tube , fender washers and machine nut and bolt ) for the longer arm that will pivot on the bottom of the waving arm .
Pending on how far down the waving arm , you make the pivot , will determine how far the arm will travel . Same holds true for the pivot arm on the motor side . ( Now , think of a bicycles grears for a moment --- you want the BIGGER pivot at the motor side and the smaller pivot at the waving arm side - why ? to reduce stress on the motor - less torque required this way )
Look at the pic I modified and you can knida get an idea as to what I am talking about .
The RED dots are where the pen tube - machine nuts and bolts , and fender washers go .
The blue rectangle is the rottisierie motor . the yellow piece coming off that to the top left , is the piece of flat steel . and of course , the squarish hole in the middle of the blue rectangle , is the square hole where you put the key stock into .
The green dot , is the waving arms permanant pivot to the forearm section . ( will also need the pen tubing , machine bolt/nut and fender washer setup for this as well )
And , or course , you will need to figure out how/where you want to mount the motor itself.
What I have done , is take the TWO bolts that hold the cover on ( it also hold the little motor inside , so its mounted ) and just use LONGER bolts in replacing the ones already used .
Hope this helped a little

[Really Big Christmas]

Terbobob: you said "Hope this helped a little "

Sweety that has helped alot Thanks so Much !!! Now I know I will have my waving Santa Thanks To You Big Big Hugs, Blinky
Now that I have a Drawing to go by I know I can do this, Thanks

[Really Big Christmas]

So from this set-up all I have to do is take out the 45% elbow joint. And cut the PVC pipe so it will have room to move/bend inside each other. then put the motor set up in the body and run it threw the pipes. add a pivot joint on the elbow ( wonder if a hinge will work here) and fasten the upper arm over the rods.then anchour the top rod inside the upper arm at the end by his wrist so it doesn't flop around . Is that How it would be done? did I understand you right.?

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l50/Blinky_12/Santa/makingasanta225.jpg

of course I would have to change the angel of the PVC joints at the shoulder too , but I wanted to show you how I made the arm last year.
Oh I also made him real hands just not stuffed gloves this year and I bought Santa some pretty gloves too.

[Really Big Christmas]

These are the motors In plan to use. I also will make the head move too.
http://www.britestar.com/products.ASP?PID=7567&SID=3600005
and this is the way I plan to set up the motors, only I will be using plexaglass or plywood to mount the motors in the right spot to make the Arm and Head move.
http://spookineering.com/torso.html
This setup Belong to a friend of my by the name of "House" you guys would like him.

( i decided to use the Bar-b-q motors to make a turn table for the penguins.

[Really Big Christmas]

I want to take some time and Wish All My New Friends her at DIY Happy Easter!!!!

I Hope the Easter Bunny left you extras and Parts for your displays and stuff like that in your basket..

[TERBObob]

http://www.britestar.com/products.ASP?PID=7567&SID=3600005

If you use one of those for the waving arm , I am afraid , you'll be disappointed . They will not last due to them not having enough torque to do the job you are wanting it for .


i decided to use the Bar-b-q motors to make a turn table for the penguins.

If you switch the deer head motor with the BBQ motor as to where you want to use them , I think you'll be MUCH happier . Again , the deer head motor does not have the strength for duration as the BBQ motor does and waving the arm ( up in the air with pressures coming at the gearing from when it hots bottoms side on each end is a bit more pressure than the deer head motor would be able to handle for any length of time , whereas that motor would work great for a turntable since the pressure is evened out )

[Really Big Christmas]

If you use one of those for the waving arm , I am afraid , you'll be disappointed . They will not last due to them not having enough torque to do the job you are wanting it for .



If you switch the deer head motor with the BBQ motor as to where you want to use them , I think you'll be MUCH happier . Again , the deer head motor does not have the strength for duration as the BBQ motor does and waving the arm ( up in the air with pressures coming at the gearing from when it hots bottoms side on each end is a bit more pressure than the deer head motor would be able to handle for any length of time , whereas that motor would work great for a turntable since the pressure is evened out )

Thank you for the heads up, I will do it with the Bar-b-Q motor Thanks.
Hapopy Easter to You and Yours \^/bunny ears