The Complete DIY Motors for Halloween Props Guide

Author: Evelyn y

Jul. 01, 2024

The Complete DIY Motors for Halloween Props Guide

Have you ever wanted to make your own DIY motorized Halloween props?

For more information, please visit High Quality Animatronic Monsters.

I have too.

It&#;s overwhelming if you&#;re just starting out because it seems like you need to be an engineer, a computer programmer or have some deep knowledge of robotics to build your own animatronics.

The beautiful thing is, you don&#;t have to be an expert to make cool animated props.

In this simple guide, I&#;ll show you everything you need to get started with motorized props of your own. 

Types of Motors

Animatronic prop motors are basically split into two main categories &#; electric and pneumatic (air pressurized.) 

Electric motors offer the lowest barrier to entry and are relatively easy to integrate into your own props. 

For more complex animated movements you&#;ll need to pair your motorized prop with a controller to program movements. It sounds intimidating, but don&#;t worry. You can buy controllers today that make it much easier than it once was 5 or even 10 years ago. 

And best of all, you don&#;t have to be a computer wizard to figure it out.

Let&#;s start by reviewing the different types of motors you can use.

Electric Motors

Electric motors are generally available as fixed speed, multi-speed and vibrating.

Fixed Speed (aka Deer) Motor

Source Fright Props

The simplest and easiest animatronic motor you can buy (or install) is a fixed speed motor. 

Some people call this a deer motor. 

These are the same motors you&#;ve seen inside the outdoor wire frame Christmas reindeer lawn decorations everyone had in the late 90&#;s and early &#;s. 

These motors operate at one speed and have built in power, so all you need to do is plug it in.

You can add your own fittings and gears onto these motors to create more than just back and forth movements. 

I have a few examples below to show you exactly what I mean.

What&#;s needed to operate:

  • Deer Motor, with built-in power supply

Use cases:

  • Basic movements
  • Lifting, turning, up and down

Examples of fixed speed motor props:

  • Deer Motor Tombstone Popper

Source YouTube
  • Deer Motor Floating Candle

Source Youtube

Where to buy fixed speed motors:

You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for a complete list of vendors who offer fixed speed electric motors.

Here are a couple of options to consider&#;

Source Youtube

Multi-Speed Electric Motors

Source Fright Props

These motors can operate at high and low speeds or a range of speeds.

This gives you a lot of versatility and control over your prop&#;s movements.

You&#;ll need a separate external power source and controller to run these motors.

You can pick up power supplies and controllers separately or part of a kit with a few different vendors mentioned below.

What&#;s needed to operate:

  • Electric motor
  • Controller
  • Power supply

Use cases:

  • Complex movements
  • Can be combined with motion sensors, step pads, beam sensors or hand triggers

Examples of multi-speed motor props:

  • Zombie creature with left and right movements

Source Youtube

Where to buy multi-speed motors:

You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for multi-speed electric motors.

Here are a few options to consider&#;

  • Fright Props Dual Speed High Torque Prop Motor, Buy it here
  • Monster Guts Premium 2-Speed 12V DC Wiper Motor, Buy it here

Vibrating Electric Motors

Source Fright Props

This motor is super easy to install. Simply strap it onto any static prop and get a seriously disturbing shake effect.

The built-in power makes installation a breeze.

And if you want to power multiple animatronics at the same time you can connect them all with one powerful multi-speed wiper motor for an ingenious symphony of movement.

Check out this arrangement of props linked together&#;

What&#;s needed to operate:

  • Electric motor (usually with built-in power supply)
  • Power supply (if needed)

Use cases:

  • Shivering and shaking movements

Where to buy vibrating motors:

You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.

Here are a few options to consider&#;

Electric Servo Motors

Source RobotShop

You probably know about servos because they power your favorite RC cars, planes, and boats.

What&#;s great about servos is that you can get them in a variety of different torques, speeds, and sizes.

Plus, tons of parts and accessories in the robotics market are already designed for similar applications. So there&#;s plenty of support online too.

What&#;s needed to operate:

  • Servo motor
  • Controller
  • Power supply

Use cases:

  • Complex programmable movements

Examples of servo motors:

  • 3-Axis Moving Skull Head Servo Motor Prop

Source Youtube

Where to buy servo motors:

Are you interested in learning more about Animatronic Dinosaur Costume? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.

Here are a few options to consider&#;

Pneumatic Props

Source Fright Props

Everyone&#;s been stunned by a pneumatic prop before.

These types of props use a large charge of air followed by hissing and &#;pop&#; sound that leave your heart pounding.

Pneumatic animated props are powered by a combination of air pressure and hydraulic cylinders to create startling effects. 

These mechanisms require a bit more expertise to make them work correctly. Especially compared to electric motors and parts. Here, you&#;re dealing with compressed air that needs to maintain a certain pressure in the lines that feed your actuators (the parts that move.)

I&#;ve included a few links below to some great tutorials to get you started.

What&#;s needed to operate:

  • Air compressor
  • Air hose and fittings
  • Pneumatic actuators (moving mechanisms)

Use cases:

  • Startle, lunge and pop movements
  • Up and down, lifting
  • Complex movements

Examples of pneumatic props:

  • Werewolf life-sized pneumatic prop

Source Youtube

    Where to buy pneumatic animatronic parts:

    You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.

    Here are a few options to consider&#;

    Motor Controllers

    With most animated prop kits you&#;ll need controllers and power supplies to make the motors spin, regulate speed, or control the air pressure inside your setup.

    Here are a few of the different types of components you need to be aware of&#;

    Simple Controllers & Triggers

    These are simple on/off controllers that are triggered by beams, motion sensors, step pads, manual hand triggers.

    Programmable Controllers

    Create movement patterns that can also include lighting and audio effects.

    You can program them all on the same controller or keep it simple and only focus on movements.

    Just because this is &#;programmable&#; doesn&#;t mean you have to be a programmer to use it.

    Some controllers make it really easy to program with the push of a button. You can press record, make your motor move in desired motions, then save it to a loop or trigger.

    Power Supplies

    Your controllers and motors will need power to work. Since only the simpler wiper and deer motors have built-in power supplies, you&#;ll need to select the right 12V or 100V power supply for your setup.

    DIY Kits

    You can find DIY motor kits ready to go with everything you need to get started.

    Some kits are available with very specific purposes, such as these&#;

    Electric DIY Kits

    Servo DIY Kits

    Pneumatic DIY Kits

    Tutorials

    There are some great places to find help with building your own animatronics.

    Here are some great videos, books and forums to help you get started&#;

    Videos

    Books

    Free Downloadable Plans

    Forums

    • RobotShop&#;s online tutorial forum has searchable discussions related to all aspects of animatronics and robotics
    • In the EFX-TEK support forum you can get help with programming your Prop 1 & Prop 2 controllers by EFX-TEK
    • Monster Guts has a small forum with a select few tutorial threads that you can check for updates
    • HalloweenForum.com has a growing tutorial database of all kinds, with animatronics mixed in. Recently, the forum was purchased by an outside company and many of the links are broken. But it&#;s still worth a look to find new tutorials as they&#;re added

    Conclusion

    Maybe you&#;ve been wanting to make your own animated Halloween props for a long time, but didn&#;t know where to start. Or, you thought it might be too difficult. 

    I think you should give it a try. 

    With this guide and resource list, you can start experimenting with your own designs right away.

    And I think the best way to learn is by actually doing.

    If you get stuck and need more direction, please post a comment below or in the Halloween Forum Facebook Group where I&#;ll help you get free assistance with any Halloween project you&#;re working on.

    Do you have an animatronic project in mind? Have you started building one yet?

    The Ultimate Guide to Halloween Decorations for Every Budget

    October 12,

    This is the GetOutPass blog. It's where we explore topics we're interested in. We hope you'll find them useful too! Feel free to stay and explore.

    Ah, Halloween &#; a time when the air grows crisp, leaves rustle underfoot, and a sense of mystery electrifies the atmosphere. It's that magical season when our imaginations take flight, embracing spooky tales and transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary realms of enchantment. And at the heart of it all lies one crucial component: decorations.

    Whether you're planning a hauntingly elegant gathering, creating a spine-chilling haunted house, or simply looking to bedeck your front yard with whimsy, we have summoned the spirits of Halloween expertise to curate the ultimate guide to decorations for every budget. From the creative wonders of budget-friendly DIY projects to the luxurious indulgence of high-end specialty stores, we embark on a journey that will leave your guests bewitched and captivated, no matter your financial prowess.

    Halloween Decorations on a Tight Budget

    If you find yourself on a tight budget this Halloween, fear not! There are plenty of ways to create spooktacular decorations without breaking the bank. Dive into your imagination and unleash your creativity with these fantastic ideas.

    DIY Decorations

    Look around your home, and you'll be surprised by the wealth of materials at your disposal. Old bedsheets can be transformed into ghostly apparitions, while mason jars and tissue paper can become eerie lanterns casting haunting shadows. Let your inner artist run wild, and soon your home will be a frightful masterpiece that didn't cost you a fortune.

    Dollar Store Finds

    Head to your local dollar store, where you'll discover a treasure trove of Halloween goodies. From spiderwebs and plastic skeletons to creepy crawlers and black cats, these budget-friendly items will add the perfect touch of spookiness to your abode.

    Thrift Store Gems

    One person's trash is another's Halloween treasure. Explore local thrift stores and rummage through their collection of oddities. Vintage picture frames, dusty candelabras, and retro dolls can be transformed into truly unique decorations. Give them a fresh coat of paint or add a touch of cobweb, and you'll have one-of-a-kind pieces that will make your Halloween display truly stand out.

    Outdoor Decor

    Mother Nature herself provides a bountiful array of decorations. Gather fallen branches, pumpkins, and leaves to create a bewitching outdoor display. Simple props like tombstones made from cardboard or scarecrows fashioned from old clothing will add that extra touch of macabre to your front yard.

    Mid-Range Halloween Decorations

    If you're willing to splurge a little more on your Halloween extravaganza, the options become even more terrifyingly exciting. Here are some ideas for mid-range decorations that will elevate your Halloween experience:

    Store-Bought Decor

    Visit your favorite local stores and explore their Halloween sections. From lifelike animatronics to spooky lighting fixtures, you'll find an assortment of moderately priced items that will transform your home into a spooky wonderland.

    Online Bargains

    The internet is a treasure trove of Halloween deals. Scour online marketplaces and websites for discounted items that will make your Halloween dreams come true. You'll be amazed at the range of options available, from inflatable monsters to fog machines that will leave your guests in awe.

    DIY Crafts

    For those with a crafty side and a touch of ambition, tackle slightly more elaborate DIY projects. Build your own haunted house facade or create a life-sized witch's cauldron using affordable materials like cardboard and foam. These projects may require some extra time and effort, but the results will be well worth it.

    Lighting and Effects

    Don't underestimate the power of lighting and sound to set the mood. Invest in colored bulbs, strobe lights, and eerie soundtracks to transport your guests to a realm of darkness and mystery. Illuminate your home with an eerie glow and watch as the atmosphere transforms before your very eyes.

    High-End Halloween Decorations

    Are you ready to go all out and create a Halloween display to remember? Then high-end decorations are the way to go. Prepare to enter a world of luxury and extravagance as we explore some opulent options for your Halloween festivities.

    Specialty Stores and Boutiques

    For those seeking exclusive and exquisite Halloween decor, specialty stores and boutiques are a haven. Discover handcrafted decorations, intricate props, and limited-edition collectibles that will make your display the talk of the town. From elegant black lace tablecloths to handmade ceramic pumpkins, these high-end items will elevate your Halloween to a level of sophistication.

    Professional Haunted House Suppliers

    If you want to take your Halloween decorations to the next level of realism, seek out professional haunted house suppliers. These vendors specialize in creating spine-chilling props that will give your guests nightmares. From animatronic zombies to lifelike skeletons, these high-quality decorations will send shivers down anyone's spine.

    Advanced DIY Projects

    For the ambitious and experienced, tackle advanced DIY projects that will amaze your guests. Create an elaborate graveyard complete with realistic tombstones, skeletal hands reaching from the earth, and fog that floats mysteriously between the graves. These intricate crafts require time, skill, and attention to detail but will leave your guests in awe of your craftsmanship.

    Hiring a Decorator

    If time is of the essence or you simply prefer to leave it to the professionals, consider hiring a decorator to bring your Halloween vision to life. An experienced decorator knows how to transform your space into a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece. Sit back, relax, and let them work their magic while you focus on other aspects of your Halloween festivities.

    Themes for Halloween Decorations

    Now that you have an idea of the budget and the level of extravagantness you want to achieve, it's time to dive into the world of Halloween themes. Choose a theme that aligns with your style and preferences, and watch as it weaves its spell throughout your decorations.

    Classic Halloween

    Embrace the classic Halloween symbols that have stood the test of time. Pumpkins, ghosts, witches, and black cats will bring a sense of nostalgia and charm to your decorations.

    Spooky and Gothic

    If you prefer a darker and more mysterious atmosphere, turn your home into a gothic mansion. Drape cobwebs across doorways, adorn your walls with framed portraits of the dearly departed, and scatter skeleton props throughout your space for an eerie touch.

    Fun and Whimsical

    For a more lighthearted celebration, opt for a fun and whimsical theme. Think vibrant colors, adorable ghosts, and smiling pumpkins. Create a playful atmosphere that will bring out the childlike joy in your guests.

    Haunted House

    If scaring your guests is your ultimate goal, create a haunted house experience. Utilize realistic props, strobe lights, and eerie sound effects to create an atmosphere of pure terror. Your guests won't know if they should scream or run away!

    Contact us to discuss your requirements of Dinosaur Animatronic Costume. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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