So this costume peice has been in the works for well over 5 years. Started with building it out of K'nex. After proving the simple concept worked, I upgraded to metal. While the tail worked alright in the end, it was too heavy, and was very hard to counter-balance correctly with simple hardware springs. I then tried plastic, but my method of hinging the pvc was too crude to make a working model. A model made out of a foam swim noodle was next, but the hinges were too weak to support itself under its own weight. So after a huge cycle of experimentaion, and a boost of motivation from seeing James Cameron's new movie Avatar, I've come full circle back to an upgraded design made out of K'nex:
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sMnTjYniPo[/media]
I'll let the video speak for itself. it works Great! Here are some more detailed shots of the tail. I have since built another more 'color coded' tail, and wraped the original in tape, perhapse for future painting. I usually dont make final costumes out of K'nex, but since the model works so well, I figure why not?
basic box construction, and a hinge peice from my original design.
Twin tails, one in vid is taped above. 5 segments hinged horizontaly, followed by 2 more segments, hinged in an alternating patern.
Back plate with two belts passing through it.
the alternating hinging at the base.
the 5 strait segments, horizontally hinged.
All segments are tensioned per their weight with an increasing number of rubberbands.
I plan on doing an update video soon, hopefully for detailing all the working parts, so sorry if this is a bit vauge. Hope it satisfies you all for now!
Also, its been a while since I've posted here. If this needs to go in the 'general discussion' instead of the noob forum, let me know.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sMnTjYniPo[/media]
I'll let the video speak for itself. it works Great! Here are some more detailed shots of the tail. I have since built another more 'color coded' tail, and wraped the original in tape, perhapse for future painting. I usually dont make final costumes out of K'nex, but since the model works so well, I figure why not?
basic box construction, and a hinge peice from my original design.
Twin tails, one in vid is taped above. 5 segments hinged horizontaly, followed by 2 more segments, hinged in an alternating patern.
Back plate with two belts passing through it.
the alternating hinging at the base.
the 5 strait segments, horizontally hinged.
All segments are tensioned per their weight with an increasing number of rubberbands.
I plan on doing an update video soon, hopefully for detailing all the working parts, so sorry if this is a bit vauge. Hope it satisfies you all for now!
Also, its been a while since I've posted here. If this needs to go in the 'general discussion' instead of the noob forum, let me know.
I know someone who might REALLY like that since they are now HUGE avatar fans and are actually studying the language they speak. :eek lol
