Head Popper
The video is the best way to view what it does. This how-to is a work in progress. If I need to elaborate on something, or add more pictures please let me know. (jeff.a.baird(AT)gmail.com)


Parts & tools I use:
  1. Tombstone
  2. Head to pop up over the tombstone. We got our head from Oriental Trading Company.
  3. Wiper Motor parts for replacing crank arm, powering the motor and mounting it. See my wiper motor how-to: Wiper Motor How-To.
  4. 2 2x4's that are short enough to not be taller than the tombstone you're selecting to use.
  5. Plank of wood (to attach everything to
  6. Length of 3/4" PVC. Mine was 2 feet, but depending on how tall your tombstone is, might need to be taller or shorter
  7. Eye screw (large enough for PVC to easily fit through
  8. Machine screw with two nuts
  9. 6-10 flat washers




Step 1: I took a spare plank of wood, and attached a couple 2x4's perpendicular to it (as seen in this pic), side by side using grabber screws. One of these 2x4's will be centered, while the other is slightly off center for the wiper motor to be hooked to. In the center 2x4, I took an Eye Screw and screwed it into the wood, near the top. It helps to predrill this hole, as the eye screw is a larger diameter and can split the wood.
Step 2: My tombstone is made of blue insulation foam. I attached it to the center 2x4 with some grabber screws, on the opposite side of the eye screw.


Step 3: I then attached the wiper motor to the second 2x4, positioned so that the crank shaft was centered in the middle of the central 2x4. For details on how I used the wiper motor, see my wiper motor how-to: Wiper Motor How-To. I replaced the crank arm that comes with the motor with a 3 inch aluminum crank arm, so it should have about 6 inch vertical travel. If you want the head to have larger vertical travel, then increase the length of the crank arm.
Step 4: I then took a 2 foot length of PVC, drilled a hole in one end, just big enough for my machine screw to fit. I slid the screw through the end of the motor crank shaft, and through the hole in the PVC with the spare washers inbetween the crank arm and the PVC. This will help make sure the PVC doesn't get stuck on the nut on the motor. Tighten one nut down just enough to hold the pieces together, without interfering with the spinning motion. To keep the nut from loosening up, use the other nut tightened against the original, and this will help make sure things stay where they are.


Step 5: The PVC then goes up through the eyehole, and the basic mechanism is finished. Place your head on the top, and your prop is ready to go. Just add any of your own personal touches to it.


Top view of the mechanism