HotHead (aka: Lunatic’s Flaming Skull)

Or Faux Flames in a Bucky Skull.

 

After hearing much discussion of “silk flames” or “faux flames” on the Halloween-L and HOWL2000 lists, I decided to undertake the project.  After understanding the concepts and playing with the materials, I decided that a flaming pot was too boring.  I realized that I could use a skull rather than a pot for the base of the flames. 

 

My original concept was to use the bottom half of a Bucky skull (sans jaw) and have the flames coming up out of the open skull cavity.  I wanted to use a 120Volt AC fan to simplify the prop.  After some searching, I located a 4”x4”x1 ½” fan at Radio Shack and decided to work with that.  Because of the size of the skull, I could not fit the fan into it, so I was forced to locate a smaller one.  After a visit to 2 other Radio Shack stores, I was able to locate a 3”x3”x1 ½” fan that does fit into the skull, but with no room to spare.  Being tired of searching for parts, I decided to do the best I could with the 3” fan.

 

 

After placing the fan into the skull, I realized that it protruded up out of the top and therefore I would have to devise a way to hide the fan.  I resorted to routing a hole in the top of the skull cap with a Dremel and placing it back on.  This change made a big difference in the way the prop looked and behaved, so some other adjustments were necessary to get it to perform to my satisfaction.

 

After assembling the unit, I decided that I wanted the light to be visible through the front of the skull.  The density of the Bucky skull prevented it from glowing the way I wanted, so I reverted to a plastic model skull that I had lying around.  The Bucky skull still works very well and is easier to come by, so I’m using it is the basis of this how-to.

 

Part List

 

(previous item can be cut from a string of unused Christmas lights)

(previous item was actually taken from a broken radio)

(previous item was actually taken from Monster Mud supplies)

 

Miscellaneous Items

 

 

Construction:

 

The Skull

First, remove the skull cap.  My Bucky skull cap was held on by a hook closure and a screw.  I removed both the screw and the hook closure.  Next, I removed the jaw.  This part is necessary only if this suits the look you desire.  I did this for two reasons: because I like the look, and because I wanted the angle of the bottom of the skull cavity to be less severe.  If you decide to remove the jaw, you can remove the screws that hold the springs that keep the jaw in place and the jaw will come right off.

 

NOTE: Because of the nature of the 4th class skulls, the one you use may differ from the one I used (it may not have closures, jaw springs, etc.)

 

Using a Dremel with a cut-off wheel, cut a hole in the top of the skull.  I marked the hole with a pencil first to make the cutting easier.  The size of the hole affects the dynamics of the flame, but adjustments can be made to counteract this (as discussed later).  I cut the hole small enough and back far enough so that it could not be seen easily from the front, and so that it was directly above the fan. (I tested this by placing the fan in the skull “brain cavity”.  If you are not certain of the appropriate size, start small, because you can always make the hole bigger if necessary.

 

 

Next, I had to “adjust “ the inside of the skull with the Dremel in order to get the fan to seat well inside the cavity.  The amount of routing you need to do will depend on the fan and the skull that you use.  In the bottom of the Bucky skull, there was a plastic “ball joint” where the skull connects to a spine.  It was necessary to remove this plastic, by taking out the screws that held it in place.

 

The Fan and Light Assembly

Because I actually cut the C7 lamp from a string of Xmas lights, I was able to leave a bit of cord on either side of the lamp, so I placed the light in the middle of the cord between the plug and the fan.  Using electric tape, I connected the assembly and plugged it in to test it. 


Next, I wrapped the cord around the fan and secured it with some craft wire.  I built a mini “reflector” for the bulb using aluminum foil.  I made the reflector small enough so that it did not interfere with the flow of the fan.  I fastened the reflector to the top of the fan with a small piece of duct tape. 


Then I affixed the lamp to the top of the fan using more craft wire so that the bulb was directly above the reflector. 


I threaded the cord through the hole in the bottom of the skull and then inserted the assembly into the brain cavity.




 

At this point, I was really anxious to see this thing work, so I cut my fabric pieces according to patterns on Wicked Beernut’s website. (http://www.wickedbeernut.com/Halloween/index.htm) and taped them to the inside of the skull cap using clear plastic tape so that the peaks were protruding from the hole in the skull. 


This part involved much trial and error, and I realized soon that I needed something to keep the fabric from both the hot bulb and the fan blades.  Before I proceeded with adjusting the flames, I stopped to build the “safety cage”.

 

Safety Cage

Using approximately one square foot of chicken wire and the skull cap as a mold, I fashioned a cage that fit over the fan assembly.  The cage served to protect the fabric from the fan and light and also assisted in keeping the cap on the skull during testing.  With the safety cage in place, I resumed my testing.



 

Going with the flow

There are many factors that affect the dynamics of this unit: the size of the fabric flames, the placement of the flames, the size of the aperture, the shape of the skull, the output of the fan.  To get the most favorable action from the airflow, I had to use three smaller flames rather than two larger ones.  I also had to cut one of the flames thinner and place them in an irregular pattern along the inside of the cap. 


Additionally, because this three-inch fan has half of the output (32 CFM) of the four-inch fan, I had to make the best of the airflow.  Using about one square foot of aluminum foil, I covered the cage. 


Then, one at a time, I punched holes in the foil using the gaps in the chicken wire as a guide.  This gave me the “baffles” that assist in creating the vortex that moves the fabric in a realistic fashion.  It also helped to concentrate the airflow on the aperture.  To make the small adjustments, I would punch one hole, test the unit, punch another hole and test, etc. until I got the desired effect.




 

Here are some photos of the results. Notice how perspective and ambient light affect the realism. Be sure to consider these factors when using this prop in your haunt:






 

Here is a short video clip (mpeg): COMING SOON!


 

Still to do

Keeping the lid on: For the purposes of testing and demonstration, I used clear plastic tape to hold the cap on the skull.  I intend to use a more secure (and still undetermined) method of fastening the cap to the skull, while still allowing easy access to the electrical components.

 

Details: I intend to give the skull a more "antiqued" look.

 

A better moustrap: I have begun testing some smaller and higher output 12 Volt DC fans using a transformer.  I hope that I can utilize my original concept by using these smaller units.

 

Acknowledgements

 

Wicked Beernut – His great analysis of the commercially available units as well as his templates for the silks were instrumental in building this prop.  His website is here: http://www.wickedbeernut.com/Halloween/index.htm

 

Mistress Celynn – Her Phantom Flames design was the original inspiration for this project.  http://hometown.aol.com/celynn/page1.html

 

My wife, Sheila - She gave me the idea of using the foil to create the baffles and concentrate the airflow inside the skull and built the base upon which HotHead sits.

 

Any questions, comments, suggestions are always welcome at hauntweb@hotmail.com



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