Inspired by the designs from supernatural themed movies these stilts are metal and plastic which makes for a safer and longer wearable appendage.
All of the computer generated templates and drawing files are located in the digi.rar file on the materials page.
I recommend that you download and read this entire instructable before beginning your project.
Build early so you can practice and get used to walking in these stilts. Play safe...
You can download the complete instructions in 2 parts in the materials section of this instructable.
I spent approximately $120 to build these. Expect the cost to be between $100 and $200 depending on your local materials availability.
The stilts shown weigh about 8 pounds each.
The stilts pictured were tested thoroughly bay a person weighing 200 pounds plus carrying an additional 30 pounds of weight.
NOTE!!!! To make up for the lack of video I am offering a 1 year PRO membership to the first person that posts a video of stilts based on my design.!!!
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Signing UpStep 1Tools and Materials
Power drill
Measuring ruler that can go up to 24 inches
Fabric tape measure
Hand Hack Saw
Center punch
Drill bits: 1/4, 19/64, 5/16
Marking Scribe
Heat Gun (not a hair dryer)
1 Lb hammer
Flat Bastard file
Additional tools (optional):
Drill press
Jig Saw or Rotary Saw
Bench Vise
Sewing Machine (If you are making your own straps)
Materials Required
6mm Sintra (6 square feet)
3/8 X 1.25 inch Aluminum Bar Stock (12 feet)
1/4 X 2 inch Aluminum Bar Stock (24 inches)
1 X 2 inch aluminum Bar Stock(6.5 inches)
1 X 2 Rectangular Steel Tube 1/16 inch wall thickness (4 feet)
1/4 20 by 1 inch Grade 8 bolts (36)
1/4 20 by 0.5 inch Grade 8 bolts (8)
1/4 20 Tee-Nuts (40)
1/4 Steel Fender washers(36)
1/4 Standard Washers(36)
1/4 Standard Nut(8)
1/4 Nylon Fender Washers(12)
1/4 by 1/4 Bolt bushing spacers(32)
5/16 X 1.25 inch bolts(4)
5/16 X 2.0 inch bolts(2)
5/16 by 3.0 inch Grade 8 bolts(4)
5/16 by 5.5 inch Grade 8 bolts(4)
5/16 Steel Fender Washers(2)
5/16 Standard Washers(16)
5/16 Nylon Fender Washers(4)
5/16 Nuts(20)
3/16 aircraft cable (6 feet)
3/16 cable sleeves(4)
5/16 by 9 inch turnbuckle(2) Verify the load limit to be over your weight
1.5 inch Velcro Strapping (12 straps 18 inches long)
1.5 inch nylon webbing (7 feet)
1.5 inch Velcro (6 feet)
1.5 inch Tri-Ring (24)
Red Loctite 271 Thread locker
Important Notes
If you are making your own straps then you will not need the pre-made Velcro strapping listed above. The pre-made straps are available at Home Depot but are weaker and considerably more expensive than making your own. I will cover how to make your own in a later section.
If you are unable to find the 1/4 by 1/4 Bolt bushing spacers then you will have to make your own from 5/16 inch steel or copper tubing. You will need a tubing cutter or hack saw for this. I will show the steps to make your own.
Sintra is available at plastics supply stores like Industrial Plastics & Paints. (ippnet.com) There are other plastics available like nylon and PVC but they are a great deal more difficult to work with. Sintra is foamed PVC which is light weight and has the strength required for this project. It is easy to cut and form.
The metals are available on-line from metalsupermarkets.com. If you go to the store be sure to check for pre-cut and scrap pieces which will be less expensive than the full lengths of bar stock.
Bolts and fasteners are available in specialty stores like calfast.com
Nylon webbing, Velcro and Tri-Ring are available from paccana.com or hudson4supplies.com
Big Box stores like Home Depot may have the materials listed here but the prices will be quite a bit higher than the specialty stores.
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Does any one else know of such a source?
I have made a few versions of digilegs with a wood base (backed with aluminum strips). Here is a video of me walking around in them. (The toes are still missing in this video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL62eXZgBZY
While they lack the thigh support/knee joint, they do have some large springs running down the back and a lock cable which allows me to rest in a standing position.
Thanks again.
I INVENTED THIS BEFORE KNOWING THEY EXISTED!
her's my story:
I came up with the idea about 5 years ago, after a while, I decided trying if it was possible. then, I spent the next years ( some months per year, until I dropped the project.. then continued.. then dropped again, a few times more)
when i did research, i saw that the concept existed, but there was no info whatsoever abut how they worked, so I had to start from zero, (and I mean piece of wood tied to the foot zero) came up with the idea of a suspension system that transferred the extra weight ( added from the leverage of longer feet) tho the legs. then added a spring to it. improved the foot and the leg strap like 4 or 5 times.... until...
two summers ago, I finally made them work, and quite comfortably. I learned to stand from the ground, or a higher surface, and to walk ( my TRUE first steps)
you can imagine how thrilled I was, It was the first and only project I could take from zero to "beta testing" by my own.
but they were made out of wood, so, they broke the firs time I took them to a park to try and walk longer distances. ( I was working on a budget of almost nothing, lots of scrap)
I made another pair after that, but something changed and they didn't worked, so I dropped the project once more.
I had the idea of making some kind of harness and transfer the weight further, to the hip, ( our gravity center) but never actually got to try it.
You can by now tell how important Digitigrade stilts have become to me, not for the project itself, but what they mean to me.
So, I'm really glad you shared this with everyone. looking at your project, I can see I was going the right way with my ideas. If you see mine they look like an early prototype of yours. I'll post some photos of the last prototype. your's look waay better tho :)
p.s: mine are longer :P
http://www.instructables.com/id/Unfinished-Digitigrade-Stilts-project-prototype-n/
greetings from the other end of the continent, Buenos Aires, Argentina :)
ElHombreMoorecielago
es raro escuchar eso de mi país ja ja, estoy acostumbrado a vivir acá y escuchar mas que nada quejas :P es cierto que es un territorio muy bonito. sé que hay lugares mas tranquilos en los que la gente tiene tiempo de ser bondadosa, aunque por capital no se ve demasiado ja ja!
me alegra escuchar buenos comentarios de gente de países limítrofes, siempre pensé que las naciones del sur deben estar unidas para crecer juntos.
un abrazo grande, che! :)
NoMooreMr.NiceGuy
I forgot to add the weight information, it has been added to the main page now. The picture shows me at the initial testing stage at a weight of around 200 pounds. I alo carried an additional 30 pounds in a back pack just to check my balance movement capabilities.
The addition of grip on the feet is always a good idea and is left up to the builder based on the requirements of the end user. I found that a rubber molded foot pad with a custom grip works. It can be made to leave huge paw prints behind you as you walk.
NoMooreMr.NiceGuy
Remember walking in this fashion is unnatural to us so practice is needed before you can walk freely
I wonder if you attach the cable a little further up do you think you'd be able to have the stilt move up and down as you walk? It'd give the walking a little more "natural" look., though it might be a strain on your legs.
I wonder if making the bottom part (the part that touches the ground) a bit larger would make it easier to walk in. Thoughts?
Making the "foot larger offers more stability but I did find that it added a tripping hazard. Modifications to the design are always recommended as you find a need for them.
This Instructable, OTOH, is awesome and I really have to have a go. ^_^
Random_Canadian, you have outdone yourself. Your stilts are truly a work of artifice!
Congratulations on completing such a complex project... and good luck with the second generation.
Should you get the opportunity, I too would appreciate seeing a video of your stilts in 'action'.
I will video the second generation but that won't be until later this year.
Nice work btw.
http://skeletonics.seesaa.net/article/235381352.html
Be sure to add the rocket launcher.