I know the motor is probably the most expensive one part, but if one were making an FCG rig by the Phantasmechanics plans, about how much on average would it cost? I'm asking because I have no knowledge of any mechanical stuff and wondering if, in that case, it just wouldn't be better to buy a rig from someone who does make them to sell. (I'm talking ER visits in case I cut off a limb while trying to use power tools, etc.!) Really, I want to know the average do-it-yourselfers cost. Thanks.
If I remember correctly I got all the parts to make two rigs for around $45. So you figure just over $20 a piece. I got lucky and was able to get motors through a friend of mine who could get them at cost from work. Sadly enough he no longer works there. I was a bit hesitant when I built these (had a friend help while I did most of the watching). But after doing two (err um watcing someone else do them) I have built one or two of my own that actualy worked and surprise surprise I made NO trips to the ER.
Im not going crazy.. its just a nice place to visit.
Hey Ooogie, thanks for the reply. You know, my husband COULD get me the motor right from Grainger in our area. He does commercial refrigeration work and they have an account. BUT, since he doesn't get in to all my Halloween stuff too much he's reluctant to get it for me. Now, if I told him I needed it for a garden project or fountain or something he'd go for it. I could just buy the stuff or a whole set-up and there wouldn't be a problem, but I kind of wanted to try my hand at it just to say "I did it!" Nobody in my area has one!
After the $50 motor I think it breaks down to around this..
Marionette (foam head, hangears, and cloth - $10)$15 if you get LEDs
L stock (4 foot section is around $6, you'll need 2 - $12)
bolts, pullys, washers, eye bolts, and ropes - $10 to $20)
I'd say, the whole thing cost me around $80 to $90 with motor
I spent about 67 on the Dayton motor, and about 40 dollars on the parts to build the frame. Keep in mind, I got many of the nuts bolts, and stuff in bulk, so I could keep on building. The aluminum gets expensive. Also I spent about 40 on my ghost itself, due to UV paint, LED eyes extra cheesecloth, and all that. So 150 later and I have a nice creation. I also just built another one with VERY Bright Blue LED eyes. They are almost too bright, even after I put a resistor on it. My rig wa built using the directions supplied at Kickthefog.com
The owner of the site is a good dude, and has explicit instructions on making a failsafe rig, mine turned out wonderful.
Cinders...I'm a 40 year old housewife who threw one of these together last year myself and it was very simple. I even called Grainger myself and bought the motor and they were more than willing to just "say" it was for my husbands workplace.
I used the directions from Kickthefog and found I could change the angle stock aluminum to 1x2's in wood to save alot of money. Everything worked great once I got the length of the eyebolts figured out so the rope didn't wrap around the crankarm.
Thanks for all the great replies. OK, I'm getting convinced to just go ahead and make one myself. Great boost of confidence from Deadna! I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.......!
If you want it can be done very cheap. I had my FCG in my garage. I did not build a rig. I use left over aluminum stock from what I bought to make the crank arm to attach the motor to a couple of 2x4 scraps and then attached those to the rafters of my garage. I attached the eye-bolts (instead of pulleys) to the rafters also.
My “rig” cost less than $10. The motor cost $50 – so once you have the motor how much you need to spend is really up to you based on what your requirements are for display
I can't remember who suggested it, but someone scrapped the whole frame idea and just used a square piece of plywood with a hole in the center for the motor,and the eyes screwed right onto the plywood also.No alum. frame,no bolting,welding etc..That would cut out a ton of work and a good part of the cost.
Average Cost to make FCG? (Rig Only)
Linear Mode
