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Mr. Hyde Halloween robotic top hat

Mr. Hyde Halloween robotic top hat
I was inspired by the Mr. Hyde character in Nightmare Before Christmas to make an animated top hat. I also loved the cable control creature that Dug North detailed in last year's Make Halloween edition. I wanted a creature that could pop up partially or fully and also move its head and open its mouth.

I have been learning the Arduino board and so thought it would be a great controller.

The Scary Terry web site <http://www.scary-terry.com/> details using digital sound recorders. I also wanted to have sound with my animated hat.
 
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Step 1Create the head sculpture

Create the head sculpture
My first step was to create a sculpture of the head. I already had a costume hat, so I measured the approximate size that seemed likely to hide completely inside the had.

I used Roma non-drying clay and made a quick sculpture. I had some costume jewelry around, so I selected a large and medium fake pearl for eyes.

Once the clay looked good, I brushed on a layer of liquid latex. To give it some body and yet keep it from getting too heavy, I added layers of toilet paper onto the wet latex and then brushed on another layer to seal it in.

Next I added Liquitex paint into the latex and brushed on a thin color layer.

After it dried, I powdered it thoroughly (baby powder or makeup powder) to keep it from sticking to itself and destroying the little mask.
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25 comments
Sep 21, 2011. 4:31 PMdlancaster1 says:
i want to do this but it looks extremely complicated, this isn't something a novice with electrical components could do?
Oct 17, 2010. 12:20 PMMcNoodle says:
how much did this cost all together?
Sep 21, 2010. 9:56 AMtenaciousbd says:
Which board did you go with? Is that the one that predates the Duemilanove? Awesome job by the way, I hope my minion turns out with even half the personality of this little fella.
Sep 13, 2010. 6:24 PMdugnorth says:
I'm so glad you liked my mechanical top hat in MAKE's Halloween special edition and were inspired to take it to the next level! Well done! The scissor lift was a great idea. I wish I thought of that!

All the best,

-Dug North
Sep 12, 2010. 12:52 PMnak says:
That's insane, love it :)
Sep 12, 2010. 8:27 PMnak says:
No problem, I want to live in an isolated place :P
Your project is just another inspiration for me to get into an arduino
Sep 8, 2010. 1:05 PMrachel says:
Sweet project!

Also your expression in the first picture is priceless :)
Sep 12, 2010. 7:27 AMjakieboy111 says:
how much does the hat weigh and that's pretty cool
Sep 12, 2010. 8:48 AMbdauterive says:
this is amazing!!! I would love to see this in person if possible.
Sep 12, 2010. 3:46 PMfrogmeetcog says:
Delightfully sick.
Bravo!
Sep 12, 2010. 9:28 AMraygris says:
excellent well done
Sep 12, 2010. 6:14 AMjamwaffles says:
Epic! This is so cool lol
Sep 8, 2010. 4:45 PMHowlPendragon3 says:
too cool man, too cool XD
Oct 30, 2009. 11:58 PMdepotdevoid says:
Hey, that is absolutely awesome!
Mar 19, 2009. 3:41 PMNEOKOF says:
THE BEST!!!!!
Jan 27, 2009. 9:01 AMAbhorsen says:
Fantastic!
Nov 3, 2008. 9:43 PMSuperCoPilot says:
sir you deserve a presidential commedation this is great and i am going to start immediately
Nov 2, 2008. 8:36 AMKiteman says:
That is excellent - shame about the battery life (maybe a belt-full next time?)

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