Introduction: How to Make a Scaled Model of Boo's Door Out of Wood

In this instructable, we will show you how to build a scaled model of Boo's Door from Monsters Inc. Since one of our favorite movies is Monsters Inc. we took inspiration from there and decided we would build the door of the little girl from the movie because who doesn't love a magic door that can move. Our prop is the door itself and Mike Wazowski (the green monster), his eyes along with the top of the door light up with different colored LEDs. Our prop is mostly made of wood and cardboard. Our circuit will be placed within the base of the prop so no one will be able to see it and the wires will travel up and behind the prop, hidden from veiw.

Step 1: KWHL


http://www.electrical-online.com/wiring-a-circuit-...

From this site, we learned which switch we needed to use to make a circuit with two sets of LEDs in parallel. We could not use a push button switch because we wanted a continuously circuit.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/arduino/arduino_dc_...

We learned how to program and how to set up the circuit so it would not explode.

Step 2: Gather Tools and Materials

Tools:

  • Bandsaw
  • Filer
  • Scrollsaw
  • Drill Press
  • Sandblock
  • Exacto Knife
  • Ruler
  • Compass
  • Pencil
  • Paintbrush

Materials:

  • Pine Wood
  • Wood/ Elmer's Glue
  • Cardboard
  • 3 5mm Red LEDs
  • 3 5mm Blue LEDs
  • Wires
  • 1 Batteries (9V)
  • Paint
  • SPST Switch

Step 3: Drawing the Scaled Model

We began our project by precisely drawing our prop on a 1:4 scale and labeled the measurements of each piece. We used the pictures of Boo's Door to plan out what we wanted our door to look like and we labeled each part as we were drawing based on the material we had available. We made sure to draw different angles of our prop as it is not a 2D object but will become a 3D prop and will be easier to be build once you understand how the dimensions work. Include a base in your work, as that is where a majority of the circuit will go.

Step 4: Building the Circuit

We began prototyping the circuit on a website online called 123Dcircuits(https://circuits.io/). It is a simple website with a breadboard where you can build your circuit and it will tell you if it doesn't work and why, it also gives you a schematic of your circuit. We started with the batteries we wanted to use and connected the LEDs from there and then tested out different methods for our LEDs to be placed. It was helpful because we tried 3 different ways to get our LEDs to runand decided to use a combination circuit where there will be two groups of LEDs that are parallel with each other while in the group they are in series. Follow the picture of our circuit and schematic if you would like to build a similar circuit. We used one battery and had a 3-way connection at the battery.

Step 5: Drawing and Cutting Out the Materials

We drew out the shape of the door and the base on the wood and the cardboard. We used the bandsaw to cut all the straight edges. We used the scroll saw to cut all curved pieces as well as a hole for the top of the door. We used an exacto knife to cut all the cardboard pieces such as the side holders and the green monster. At the end of all the cutting, we sanded the pieces down so it looked neat.

Step 6: Gluing It All Together!

As we put our prop together, we started with the base. We wanted the side panels to be wood and the top to be wood as well but the bottom was cardboard. Using wood glue, we put it together and left the back panel open so the circuit could fit inside. Then we moved onto the door where we also used wood glue to put it together, it had a thickness and was not just one panel of wood as can be seen in the pictures.

Step 7: Build Circuit in Bread Board

We took the circuit off of the "123D Circuits" and built it on our bread board to see if the circuit worked. We built the LEDs in a parallel circuits. We tried different colored LEDs to see which ones we liked the best. We decided to have three red LEDs for the door and three blue LEDs for the monster's eyes. The reason for moving onto the breadboard instead of immediately into soldering into the circuit is to make sure the circuit works in real life first and that all the components you need are available, it also helps to decide wire lengths when the circuit is in front of you and next to the prop.

Step 8: Painting and Building Props

After we put the door together and painted it different shades of pink as edpcited in the move to make it more authentic, we also built the gree monster that is one of the main characters and add LEDs to him. We decided to add three LEDs to his eye. After that we finished painting the base dark blue with purple dots, the monster green, and the side doors yellow.

Step 9: Laying Out the Circuit

Right before soldering the circuit into the prop, we made a schematic of our circuit out on the table so that we could measure the wire lengths and get everything in place as well as make sure the circuit worked outside of the breadboard. We tested the LEDs and made sure the battery was fully charged. We decided where to add the switch and got ready for soldering.

Step 10: Soldering

We then began to solder by first connecting the LEDs in series. We decided to solder the LEDs together by using a wire in between instead of connecting them directly. The individual set of LEDs are connected bya series circuit and the sets of LEDs are connected through parallel circuit. We, then, soldered the LEDs to the switch. We drilled a hole in the base to insert a switch. We, then, connected the switch to the battery. We made sure to tape the loose wires so the circuit wouldn't explode.

Step 11: Finishing Touches!

We glued the door to the base and the green monster to the door. We also attached the side doors to the pink door. We put the washer on the switch so the switch was secure. We removed any extra glue.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByRMyiJ4tjp8eVRqV...

Above is the video of the final project working

Attachments

Step 12: Conclusion

We love the presentation of our project. It is clear what is it and which movie it is from. The circuit is well hidden and it works well. All the LEDs light up equally. If we could do this project over, then we would add motors and make the side doors move. It would add more motion to the project. We would also make the monster out of wood instead of cardboard so it is more stable and uniformed.