• Halloween Yard Display: Alien Spaceship Crash

    History: I moved to a new neighborhood over a year ago, and as Halloween 2012 approached I quickly found out that tricker treating participation on my block is very low.  Standing on the street, I looked up the street and down, seeing two other neighbors aside from myself with porch lights on.  Overall, the street was dark and parents didn’t lead their kids down my street.  This all resulted in me counting less than 10 kids to my door, and me with leftover candy. Sad face. Halloween 2012: Yard Display The graveyard from last year was great and I got plenty of compliments for the clever names (written by my…

  • Marvel Arc Reactor Shirt: Modification

    I have dabbled with arc reactor costuming before, so when I learned of an official licensed arc reactor shirt from Marvel I jumped at the opportunity.  What I got was a good product.  Plenty bright to be seen behind a black shirt.  The arc reactor runs on AAA batteries and is velcro removable for washing the shirt. I bought mine from ThinkGeek for $30. The only problem I found with the shirt was the shirt itself.  The arc reactor is not heavy but is enough that it pulls down the collar of the shirt, making it sit awkward on your chest.  In addition, the shirt wasn’t comfortable.  I wear a large, so I ordered a…

  • Outdoor Movie Screen

    As all the worst stories begin, I found myself on pintrest and stumbled onto a new project.  Hosting movies in my backyard with a projector.  The idea is not so far fetched, movie goers have loved watching their entertainment outdoors throughout history. Nostalgia, etc. I did some research into the idea and pre-built screen kits.  The cheapest pre-build kits are on ebay.  It does not matter where you would purchase your kit online, none come with the poles.  Too big and expensive to ship.  Visiting the hardware store to look at PVC poles, I also look at connectors in the plumbing isle.  There I see all the parts that they…

  • New Sound Options in the Store

    I often get asked about offering sound functionality in my prop kits that I sell. As demonstrated by my energy sword design I had a solution for sound, but it was not a solution that I could extend to my cheaper kits. Sound is hard, not just hard but expensive. Till now. Introducing the 300 second USB recording module from <a href=”http://www.electronics123.com/300-second-usb-recording-module.html”>electronics123.com</a>. I have fully inregrated their sound module into the Backlit Ammo Counter offered in my store via an adapter circuit. The sound module can also be used stand alone, but you do not need me for that, go buy one from Electronics123! They are good folks. The need…

  • Functional Pip-Boy

    Getting around to finishing my Pip-Boy project, this is my plans and research so far. Last fall, I purchased a Pip-Boy cast from Skruffy of theRPF.  The cast I received from him needed very little sanding to get it to fit together and look right. I was inspired to go beyond this by another member named pudding of theRPF who posted a video of a functional Pip-Boy he made with an android app and an arduino for the serial interface to the phone. I think I can go beyond this. Smaller, more functions, and more accuracy.  I asked a my buddy to code up a universal pipboy webapp that will…

  • Cortana Prop Circuit

    Project is a cortana prop. Partnered with James Hodson and friends to complete. My portion is complete. Have a circuit board here that is the size and shape of the Halo Data Crystal (the thing that can contain an AI such as Cortana). What is a Data Crystal Chip? Please see the Halo Wiki [halo.wikia.com]. Feature set: Circuit board is designed to look like a naked “cortana” data chip. Board can be placed in a molded outer shell to be more accurate. More details to come. Compatible with multiple power sources depending on final usage: LiPo cell (internal shell design) Alkaline (wired to slot connector) USB (wired to slot connector)…

  • DC Adapter Swap

    View this photo set on flickr USB access point was originally powered by a 5V DC wall adapter. You can purchase additional wall and car adapters online for ~$20. Simple modification allowed me to plug into any USB port for power. Allowing me to use any of my existing USB wall and car adapters. I removed the old DC barrel jack and soldered in a new jack that matches a USB to DC power cable I purchased. Can purchase the DC jack to USB cable here: SparkFun Item 8639 The DC jack can be purchased here: SparkFun Item 119

  • Guide: Weapon Counter Display Overlay

    Took a lot of trial and error, but I think I came up with a method to make a display overlay that I can be proud of.  Thanks for the help James Hodson(jlhR2). Click More Info for the full guide. The overlay is meant to go on top of my ammo counters, but also looks good when used alone with a light behind it.  The overlay is made of several transparency sheets layered atop one another plus a sheet of tracing paper toact as a diffuser.  Could probably substitute tissue paper.The image files to print out are below. You will need to re-size the images to fit your weapon before…

  • DIY Recoil Action

    Goal here to add the sensation of recoil to a prop rifle gun.  I have seen it done with compressed air and motor pistons, but neither are easily synchronized with electronics and capable of rapid firings for full auto fire.  Leaves me with the third option of using a solenoid.  To fire a solenoid with enough furiosity to kick the gun into your shoulder involves some serious power requirements. I did a dry run yesterday and came up with this circuit.  The solenoid is rated 12-24V and 3 lbs force.  Using the circuit below it was weak at 18V, fully actuated at 27V, and actually had some kick at 36V. …