Just Whisper's (small) How-To site

[Just Whisper]

Making It Happen At Christmas (http://melissawatts.webs.com/)

[LeeLee]

Your site is really kewl. How is it you have come to design all these elaborate decorations. Are you just a hobbiest or do you work in movies or something? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Hitman]

Hello
a great site Thanks
I think I will try the Gift box one first :lol:
The wife will love that
Any chance on ideas how to make the lid open and the bear come up.
I guess the bear could actually be mounted to the lid so then the lid would only have a motor or something.

Again thanks
Hitman

[Just Whisper]

Wow LeeLee, that is quite a compliment. Thanks. Actually I have no idea how I got into this. Gradually, for sure. My background is aircraft mechanic. I have no engineering skills, no electrical knowledge, just lots of imagination and patience. I like to tinker. I almost never have a "blueprint". Just an idea, and I build as I think, and think as I build. Sometimes it works, and well, sometimes it doesn't. So I start again. I can now take lots of mechanical/electrical things apart and repair them. I sit for hours and figure out how to animate something, or decide if it is even possible. I always have a tablet in front of me drawing plans. And I would LOVE to work for the movies or disney doing animatronics. But no formal training usually means no job. Anyway, I love being a "hobbyist". It is who I am. Thanks again, I am glad you liked my site. I am still adding to it, and i have to do my Halloween How-To's this summer.

[Just Whisper]

Yes Hitman, the lid actually does open and close on my large box. Here is a link to a site that has instructions for the same type of prop. Just modify it as you see fit. Opening Tomb (http://usersites.horrorfind.com/home/halloween/spookdawg/openingtombstone.html).
I used a Dayton gearmotor 2Z806C, 6rpm on mine. It is a discontinued motor though, so the new sub for that is Dayton 1MBF5, 6.5rpm. Works great.

[Warrant2000]

I love that easy to follow How-To. You build as I do...think/build...build/think. :)

In fact, today at a particularly boring meeting, I was drawing some plans...

[LeeLee]

For someone who strictly thinks in concrete terms, what you do Just Whisper is like magic to me. As I am sure you know someone with the skill to imagine and build can get work in the movie industry. Just being able to think is nearly a lost art today. The only downside is so much is being done on computers these days that real nuts and bolts aren't what they used to be.

Perhaps in your case the saying... build it and they will come... applies ;)

[Just Whisper]

Thanks LeeLee. I just love it so much. I am miserable when i am not building something. It is like a drug to me. I have to be thinking constantly, and I guess my mind fills in those thoughts with "things to build". LOL

[SantaPaws]

wow that is an awesome site!

[Sickie Ickie]

SP, Just Whisper is going to give an awesome lecture at the PLUS 2009 convention on Christmas props.

(Sorry, JW. Had to brag on ya. )

[Just Whisper]

(Sorry, JW. Had to brag on ya. )

Well, I knew if anyone let the cat out of the bag it would be you sickie. Thanks for the good word though. it always makes one feel good to be bragged about.:) I probably wouldn't be so nervous if it wasn't a national symposium. Maybe just a local show would have been easier to start with. Oh yeah! We don't have any around here. Hmmmm, maybe next year I can start one. Just a thought.

[Just Whisper]

BTW, I am still looking for someone who is going to Louisville to the PLUS Symposium this year. I need a roommate to help split the cost of a hotel room, and Sickie has already turned me down. LOL Any of you girls on here going?

[DanoNJ]

Hello
a great site Thanks
I think I will try the Gift box one first :lol:
The wife will love that
Any chance on ideas how to make the lid open and the bear come up.
I guess the bear could actually be mounted to the lid so then the lid would only have a motor or something.

Again thanks
Hitman

Wiper motor would be your best bet. Lots of torque and will run for a good length of time. Use a wal mart for power. I have a number of animation items with this set up. Normally use a 3 - 9vDC wal mart. And yes, just attach the 'head' to the underside of the box.

[Sickie Ickie]

I think you mean wall wart?

[DanoNJ]

Nice site. I have actually used the elf idea to create a Toy Factory.

[Just Whisper]

I saw that thread Dano. It looks great. thanks for the nice words. I am really excited to see the Toy Factory when it's done.

[DanoNJ]

I think you mean wall wart?

typo....do that alllll the time.

[Just Whisper]

typo....do that alllll the time.

Who Sickie? Never.... LOL Putrid either. Ha Ha Ha

[Sickie Ickie]

nebber ebber ebber. :)