Sickie Ickie's Non-Entry

[Sickie Ickie]

Okay, I had to call this a non-entry because I'm not allowed to enter, but no one said I can't have fun, too! :D

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2597.jpg

So for my angel project I found a large doll with a hard plastic body at the thrift store for $2.50. Can you tell which one it is? heh

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2595.jpg

I am planning on using my talking toy animatronic chicken I bought for around $3 (after Christmas sales) to make flapping wings for the doll. I did some quick adding and this would be cheaper than making my own mechanics this time.

I'm having a bit of a challenge trying to figure out if I want the wings to flap vertically, so the angel can be sitting...or horizontally so the angel can be flying. I also may be limited to the kind I make by amount of room I have in the body.

I have some pics I'll upload later. Unfortunately, I didn't take a pic of the complete skeleton of the chicken before I opened up the plastic and cut it down. It's extremely simple though, and if you've ever taken an animatronic toy apart before, you know how it's done. The bottom is usually held to the fabric by a cable tie going around the perimeter, and a spot or two of hot glue, which may or may not be followed by sewing. Cut that tie, pry or cut the fabric from the glue and sewing using force or a razor knife.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2596.jpg

The plastic skeleton inside may be covered with a fabric "pocket", so the fiberfill won't get into it. Just cut that pocket and start degloving ( turning your figure inside out.).

(If for some reason you want to keep the button that makes your figure talk, you have to pull the limb inside out and cut the threads holding the button to the inside fabric.)

In my case, since the beak opened and closed the plastic skeleton was attached with a dab of hot glue at the upper and lower beak. The knife and some prying helped that come off.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2601.jpg

So now I have the plastic skeleton in front of me, but I only want to use the wing movement, not the head. Two different motors.

I open up the plastic case by the four screws holding it together, being careful to open slowly to see where any gears go if they become dislodged.

There's some gears to turn the body back and forth. Don't need that.

Gears to move the head and wings up and down. Need those. Although I don't need the head in this project, I still need the wings to flap.

The beak moves by a 2nd motor. I can use the head and motor in another project.

I don't need the speaker.


I already know I have to disconnect (cut) wires from the circuit board in order to get direct power from the batteries I'll hook up. This way I don't have the programmed toy chip interfering.

[Sickie Ickie]

Cut the wires to the board from everything. Now I can get rid of the board. Since I don't need the panning left to right, I can get rid of that gear plate at the bottom.

On closer exam I notice that the wings are guided up and down by an elongated hole in the neck. In order to cut off the head, I'll have to keep plastic beyond that hole so it doesn't get off track when flapping.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2604.jpg

I removed the head via a small hacksaw. Like a knife through butta'...

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2594.jpg

The gears for the wings are contained in a smaller enclosure that was in the big skeleton, so I can just remove the wing gear enclosure and use that.

I should be able to just hook up a battery pack to the wires and the wings will flap. Add a switch to turn on and off. Maybe I'll cannibalize the battery box from the toy...hmmmmm.....

Pictures coming up soon...

[EnlightenedGrinch]

Aww.....why aren't you allowed to enter? The voting is anonymous anyway, so we can't suck up to you by voting for your entry!
Your project sounds...ummm.....INTERESTING! It's good you're using a toy chicken to make it instead of the Foul-mouthed Talking Parrot. That wouldn't be very ANGELIC. LOL
Can't wait to see pics.

[putrid]

So it's not going to squack like a chicken??? JK LOL Totally cool dude! Looking forward to seeing pics.

[Sickie Ickie]

I added pics to the first section to make it easier to follow.

EnlightenedGrinch, thanks for the words of confidence. :) I just don't want to have anything be in question about this contest. Especially since this is the first of many to come. :D

[bethene]

looks interesting Sickie, can't wait to see what you do with it! I now will have to be on the look out for derranged,annimated toys, I immagine the head and wing motor could be put to good use on quite a few things!!

[Just Whisper]

Sickie,
The babies look so adorable. I think you should enter them, maybe put little halos on their heads, and ...oh wait...I guess they cost a whole lot more than $25. Well, they were kind of a gift...you know...from above....right?
Can't wait to see your finished project. And we'd love to see more pics of the twins on here.

[Sickie Ickie]

Thought I could have been mistaken and chopped the neck off to see if it would still work...nope. Now to plastic glue it back on. :o

[putrid]

That chicken looked happy being choked. ( I know, but I couldn't help it LOL)

So what are you planning to make the wings out of?

Dude, save the sunglasses. Get a Van Halen t-shirt and make a mini pack of Lucky Strikes.....LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Love the joke, Putrid. LOL

Well, decided to break into another one. LOL I'll use the too far revised one for a haunt prop. Good think I buy more than one of a kind when I can find a good deal.. At least this made it able for me to take more pics of the beginning stages. Let me update you so far.

Here's the cable tie that holds in the bottom I was talking about:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2615.jpg

This one didn't have glue or sewing after breaking the tie, so it was very easy to deglove.

Tried the motor at different speeds. The battery holder that it came with holds 3 AAs. That's 4.5 volts. (Each AA is roughly 1.5v)

Speed was too fast. I reduced it to 3.0 v and it worked slower and looked better for what I'm using it for.

Now, here's a riddle...if you use a three battery holder (remember AAs are at 1.5 v each)...how can you get 3.0 v?

G
I
V
E

U
P
?

My answer: I took one battery and flipped it around.

My reason: If you take 2 AAs in series (end to end) voltage is battery 1 + battery 2= 3.0 volts.

If you take 2 AAs in parallel (line up two batteries side by side and connect the tops, then connect the bottoms like a ladder) that still only = 1.5 v, but you have more milliamps.

more milliamps = longer lasting batteries.

so by flipping one battery, I increase the MA to make the batteries last longer, and decrease the voltage from 4.5v to 3.0v.

In general, more volts makes something go faster; more MA makes something have more torque.

I'll post some pics in a moment to help you understand.

[Sickie Ickie]

Well, twins and 4 yr old on the comp got in the way yesterday, so let me continue.

Here's a pic of the modified battery holder.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2612.jpg

The middle battery is turned around. I just put a blob of solder on the flat end (+) of the holder so it would touch the flat bottom of the battery. The nub end of the battery (+) goes into the spring. There's a red circle around the solder job.

Here's the inside of the toy before removing the wires.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2618.jpg

I cut all the wires leading to that board (speaker, press switch on limb, wires to the motors, etc.) and unsrewed the circuit board to discard of.

That left me with this:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2613.jpg

Notice the red wire after being cut from the board is still connected to the on/off switch for the toy. This is the way I want it. I could have cut it, but since it's so handy, I left it there to turn the battery pack on/off again.

The nice thing about DC (battery powered) motors is that most times it really doesn't matter what direction you hook up the wires, they still run. So, I did a quick solder tack job to the wires in case I need to lengthen them later in the project, and here's what we have.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2619-1.jpg

Now the wings move a nice slow speed when I turn on the switch and off when switched off.

My next part is to figure out how I want them mounted on the doll...

but for your amusement, here's what the animatronic did before I choked the chicken. LOL

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/th_100_2614.jpg (http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/?action=view&current=100_2614.flv)

[Sickie Ickie]

looks interesting Sickie, can't wait to see what you do with it! I now will have to be on the look out for derranged,annimated toys, I immagine the head and wing motor could be put to good use on quite a few things!!

Yep. Like haunt props, too. Widdle demon anyone? LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Lookie what I found today at the thrift store for 3.95 :

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2620.jpg

This will save me a bit of moola with clothes, wig, etc. Plus, it's even larger. You can see the size leaning on our couch. I was a bit concerned with the other baby it would look like cupid. LOL

Now to see if the wings will fit in the back, before doing even more adaptions to the wing unit. :D

I'm also wondering how to keep real feathers clean and in good condition (?).

[Sickie Ickie]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2622.jpg

Starting on figuring out placement for the wings. Here's a pic of the back. There was a protrusion from the motor, so I used that pin to hold the assembly still by punching a hole in the back roughly about where needed it to go.

I inserted the pin into the hole and that helped hold it while I drew an outline around the motor. I then removed it and cut out the shape with a razor knife. I then modified the shape as needed.

[bethene]

love the doll Sickie, she is perfect for a angel! And under 4 bucks??!! Can't beat it! Can't wait to see how she turns out. I don't have any ideas for keeping the feathers clean.Will think on it though.

[Just Whisper]

Sickie, is she going to be an indoor or outdoor prop? Can you spray them with an acrylic spray without ruining their fluffiness? The doll is perfect. Great find.

[Sickie Ickie]

Thanks gals. The wings have to be ultra light due to the small amount of torque on the mech. Just Whisper, acrylic spray may be the way to go. She will be inside a window display in my front yard.

[putrid]

Wont your hose get cold if you put your window in the front yard? JK LOL If you can't find feathers I might have a how-to written down around here somewhere of some paper wings I made years ago. I used that crinkle paper that was supposed to look like corn husks. At the time it came in 100's of colors. The paper and cardboard may not be as light as feathers but might be easier to come by. I'll get a pic and post it on the weekly. If you like em and I can't find my notes I'll just re-learn how to do them. LOL Gotta get more organized. LOL

So, not using the smaller dude eh? ......Van Halen.....JK LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Wont your hose get cold if you put your window in the front yard? ...

Only if I stand naked in it! LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Yepper, quite the van Halen look LOL It's always a kick seeing how people's project come alive and progress and change as they're being made.

[putrid]

Wont your hose get cold if you put your window in the front yard?

Leave out one letter and it can change everything....LOL HOUSE.

Are you planning on embellishing the dress or adding materials to it?

[Sickie Ickie]

Not decided yet. I *do* like the look of garland around the head with candles, but don't know if that would go okay with an angel...

[Just Whisper]

Wont your hose get cold if you put your window in the front yard?
I am biting my tongue so hard right now it is bleeding. "Don't say a thing,Don't say a thing,Don't say a thing". Okay, I am turning this off and going to bed before I lose my restraint and say something I know i will regret. LOL Sometimes I just take all the fun out of my days.

[Sickie Ickie]

Person #2 putrid. LOL You are fast becoming one of our best straight men. :p

[Sickie Ickie]

Well, I've been sidetracked the last several days due to my wife's illness and lack of sleep from the twins. heh Been thinking about the best way to attach the motor to the hole in the back of the doll. I'm hesitant about plastic cement because of the different compositions between the motor casing and figure. I could sandwich it in wire mesh, but I'm thinking why go through that trouble if: A) No one is going to see it, and B) It's not going to be heavy load bearing. Methinks Duct Tape may be my best bet...of course I could use Gorilla Tape...

[Sickie Ickie]

Oh. Also I decided not to have the wings go straight up and down, but rather at an angle for a sitting position. Hopefully future pics will make this clearer.

[Candee]

BOO ...T... FUL Babies! and ..... Awww @ the Poor Chicken!... I mean Chicken's! Ya know I read this stuff you all do and say to myself....
" SELF" .... these people have way too much time on their hands to know how to do all these cool things they all do ! Keep up the good work everyone!

[Sickie Ickie]

If I had all the free time, the project would be done by now! LOL 3 young kids and my wife have kept me pretty busy. :confused:

[theedwin]

I hear the "too much free time" thing all the time. I just make the time.

Edwin

[Sickie Ickie]

Candee was being tongue in cheek, heh, but you are right Edwin. I hear it a lot from people who don't understand, too.

[putrid]

If I get that from someone the conversation usually goes like this,
them " You have WAY to much free time"
me "I have a life. You watch WAY to much TV"
That shuts em up. LOL

Candee LOL Definitely tongue and cheek.

[Sickie Ickie]

Great answer Putrid!

[SantaPaws]

Okay, I had to call this a non-entry because I'm not allowed to enter, but no one said I can't have fun, too! :D

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h231/Sickie_Ickie/christmas/angel/100_2597.jpg




I already know I have to disconnect (cut) wires from the circuit board in order to get direct power from the batteries I'll hook up. This way I don't have the programmed toy chip interfering.


Ok, you can't make a baby for less than 20 bucks. LOL

[Sickie Ickie]

Sure you can. Peope do it all the time! LOL You just can't afford to birth 'em or keep 'em for that! :p

[Just Whisper]

So true sickie,
Although I believe it only cost me right around $35. for my first son. It was 25 yrs ago and I was active duty military. Not a bad price, but when I tried to return him for a refund at the hospital they said they don't take sales merchandise back. I keep trying to take my husband back to WalMart. I heard they'll take anything back. So far no luck with that either. I also found out it's too late for an abortion when your kids are 17, 18, 19, and 25. LOL (just kidding of course).

[putrid]

Hows this non entry project coming along Sickie Ickie? (It's obvious your good at making babies LOL)

[Sickie Ickie]

At a stand still. Micheal's has gone out of business by me, and I need to locate another store around here that has a source of white feathers.

[putrid]

Do you have a Halloween or costume shop anywhere? Would a white feather bowa work?

[Sickie Ickie]

yeah, but the costume shop we have here over prices everything big time.

I'm just gonna have to make the trip over the state border to Indiana to Michael's.

Unfortunately I won't get this done at the same time as you guys, but hey- I wasn't eligible anyway! LOL

[bethene]

if a feather boa might do the trick, I have seen them at Walmart if that helps, they have a pretty good craft department,I actually recall feathers there too, but don';t hold me too it, just if a walmart is closer, it might not hurt to check it out. other wise maybe a fabric strore.

[Sickie Ickie]

Walmart, eh? There's one up the street from me. I'll check it out! Thanks!

[Sickie Ickie]

They had'em. Thanks for the tip! :) So, I got my foam board and white feathers. Won't be able to work on this tonight, but I'm hoping I can tomorrow morn. :D

[Elvira]

AH HA HA HA that chicken cracked me up! I love it. Awesome job on it.

[Sickie Ickie]

Well Elvira, I have to admit that this wound up in the To-Finish piles of props. Sometime soon perhaps. I still have the secret Santa thang this month, and then who knows. A lot depends of whether I have a job by then.

[Elvira]

You have a great start on it, and its cute as... well ya know. I am still laughing at it.