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Any Good Halloween Pranks Planned? — Parallax Forums

Any Good Halloween Pranks Planned?

ercoerco Posts: 20,256
edited 2014-09-23 17:29 in General Discussion
For 20+ years I have been scaring the kiddies on Halloween night using a variety of tricks, but apparently I scared our twins so thoroughly last year (when they were three) that they made me promise not to do a "Mean Halloween" this year, dangit. So I'll do something with a flamethrower or three (synchronized, I'm thinking), they bought off on that. It's killing me, as I'm known throughout our neighborhood for being a one man spookhouse and some kiddies will be disappointed. :(

Fortunately this never happened to me: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/828060/

So I'll mostly live vicariously through other people's scary pranks, including this one: https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=424706524296939

I know Ragtop's already on the case: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/149670-2013-Halloween-Project

Anyone else have anything good planned? Please share. Gimme something I can use, brother Forumistas!
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Comments

  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,241
    edited 2013-10-17 10:42
    I was thinking something like this:

    clown_under_bed.jpg
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2013-10-17 10:57
    Ack!

    OMG, do you pay the clown by the hour?

    doggiedoc wrote: »
    I was thinking something like this:

    clown_under_bed.jpg
  • bomberbomber Posts: 297
    edited 2013-10-17 11:00
    I was planning on making something involving a VERY high power blower motor (exhaust motor from a microwave), a hacked fog machine, LEDs, and a rattling trashcan. I had some good progress, but I suffered a very major injury before I could complete it and make a forum post :( . Well, there's always next year, I guess.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-10-18 10:45
    How about making a pie? Body parts in a disgusting presentation seem to have some impact.

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/150863-Black-cat-pie-with-spiced-ogre-eyes-the-good-recipe
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-18 12:17
    Thanks so much, but I saw my fill of "body part pie" when I watched Anthony Hopkins in "Titus Andronicus"...
  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2013-10-18 17:48
    I got me a crash test dummy suit for my segway . in fact I have it on right now ..

    10355452913_278d8e5d69.jpg
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-19 19:59
    Quick & dirty build, works fine. First test of blaster #1 for my first-ever multiple flamethrower project. Ebay $1 9g servo activates aerosol can. Servo tester used here for first test.

    My final project (barring a trip to jail or the burn ward) will be five microprocessor controlled, synchronized (Bellagio?) flamethrowers. Limited and careful use on Halloween night around all those cheap nylon costumes. :)
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-10-19 20:44
    erco wrote: »
    ...

    My final project (barring a trip to jail or the burn ward) ...

    That would be a great way to light up some pumpkins. The trick would be to get the burn front outside the pumpkin holes so that the pumpkin itself remains intact. Keep in mind Newton's 3rd law, though.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-19 20:58
    Yep, I plan to hide them inside plastic pumpkins (which normally have a candle anyway) or tombstones. The candle needs some kind of wind break, so I have some experimenting to do.
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2013-10-20 09:29
    I just do simple. I dress in baggy old coveralls, and a baggy ratty shirt, muddy boots and gloves. I use two left boots or two left gloves, and stuff various places with newspaper, and leave some hanging out. Sometime a 2x2 sticking out of one sleeve or pants leg. Basically I dress like a poorly made scarecow. I put a plastic skull in a hat by one arm, and BIG bowl of candy by the other arm. Then I lay down down and put a milk crate over my head, to reinforce the headless scarecrow notion, but I can still see out. Then I lay PERFECTLY STILL. Sometimes for 45 minutes at a stretch. Patience is key.

    A group of kids comes up. I hear them whisper,
    "that looks like a crappy scare crow",
    "that looks like there's a guy in there",
    "you go get the candy",
    "no you go first".

    The first kid grabs one piece of candy and jumps away. The second kid grabs a handful and jumps away. The third kids starts shoveling candy into his bag, and I grab his arm and shout "ONE PIECE!!!!!" and they scream and run away.

    Sometimes I get three or four good ones in and afternoon, but usually at least one. It helps to be still for a small group when a large group is close behind.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-20 19:55
    @prof: Yup, been there many times. Big fun until

    [video]http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/828060/[/video]
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-22 01:59
    I am Iron Man.

    Ground testing the Mark 1.0, configuration 2.1 flight control system. Vektor on Fire Control
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2013-10-22 06:05
    Cool! Nothing says "Trick or Treat" like sending the little ones home with singed fannies!!

    "...a nice char flavor and I love the grill marks!"
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-22 08:28
    "Trick or Tresemme!"
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2013-10-25 04:30
    Tom Mabe, a Louisville prankster created a flying Grim Reaper and took it to a local park, spooking runners and kids.

    The news said he used a RC helicopter but I think it must be a quadcopter.

    EDIT: Here is another video of one of Tom's quadcopter pranks http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/83617400/
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-10-25 11:33
    Make a nice big bowl of spaghetti noodles chopped to about 2 inch lengths, dye with squid ink for a nice black color, and refrigerate until cold.

    When kids come to your door, have someone unseen toss bits at the kids and shout "Worms!"
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-25 13:12
    GREAT video, Ron! I'd love to see some of the details on Tom Mabe's Grim Reaper... Is it suspended below an RC helicopter?
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2013-10-25 13:34
    erco wrote: »
    GREAT video, Ron! I'd love to see some of the details on Tom Mabe's Grim Reaper... Is it suspended below an RC helicopter?

    Yeah - pretty creepy! I think it has an internal quadcopter - maybe in a sort of cage to keep the cloth from being sucked into the props. Just a guess.

    Edit: I think I spotted a string to the reaper so it looks like it is being towed by a helicopter (or quadcopter).

    He said he will create another video describing how he created the Grim Reaper. If I come across it. I'll post the link.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2013-10-25 16:45
    He said he will create another video describing how he created the Grim Reaper
    Whatever he used it had to be capable of pulling some pretty good weight, especislly when going up with the wings spread out.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-25 17:20
    Flying a heli with that suspended below on a string would be difficult/amazing. There are plenty of trees around where he flies in the video it which could interfere, and just avoiding the string tangling, spinning and wildly swinging like a pendulum would be problematic. Amazing job, however he did it.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-26 20:14
    First test. Daddy Like!
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-10-26 20:29
    erco wrote: »
    First test. Daddy Like!...

    This is totally AWESOME! It's almost musical. Learn to modulate it and make a symphony! Maybe blend it with some Tesla coil action.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-28 08:43
    Thanks EA! You're right, some kinda musical aspect would be cool to explore. Originally I was going to do 5 flamethrowers, each keyed to a different note in the musical sequence form Close Encounters. Da- da- dee- doo- doo! Might still try that after Halloween. Right now I'm putting them in plastic pumpkins to find the right combo that doesn't melt. :)
  • ratronicratronic Posts: 1,451
    edited 2013-10-28 09:37
    I like too erco! Cool control of the nozzle's. That will scare the big kids too!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-10-28 10:54
    Pranks? Why not just celebrate Chiang Kai Shek's birthday instead and skip Halloween? Born Oct 31, 1887!

    In his youth, he looked remarkably like Bruce Lee.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiang_Kai-shek
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-28 11:14
    Good call, Loopy. My flamethrowers are equally prepared to celebrate birthdays (blow 'em out if you dare), July 4th, Chinese New Year, Bastille Day, Guy Fawkes' Day, Halloween, Christmas, and (with a few more flames), Chanukah.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-30 23:35
    IR remote selects between four different programmed sequences: counterclockwise, clockwise, alternating pairs, and pulse all.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPc4uIEYy_Q
  • Ron CzapalaRon Czapala Posts: 2,418
    edited 2013-10-31 06:04
    There are 3 blocks on Hillcrest Ave in Louisville where the residents go nuts for Halloween - it came in 9th on AOL Travel's Top Ten Halloween Neighborhoods in America

    http://www.louisvillehalloween.com/the-haunting-of-hillcrest-2013/
    Nearly 50 homes along the three block stretch between Frankfort Avenue and Brownsboro Road have begun an annual, friendly competition to outdo each other with elaborate yard and lights displays that frankly put some of the most elaborate seasonal Christmas light displays to shame. Fog machines pump out a moody mist, scary music plays and costumed characters wander the streets. Kids from across the Ville are welcome to make their way through the spooky displays up to the doorstep for treats on October 31st.

    Being a Louisville trick-or-treating mecca hasn’t always been easy. This is a grassroots event put on by neighborhood homeowners, not a civic event. Two years ago, it looked like the whole event might be stopped by the city due to overcrowding, gridlock traffic and rowdy behavior. It began to look like the neighborhood would need
    more security and insurance than it could possibly afford to reign in the chaos of the 2,000 to 5,000 folks that showed up at dusk on October 31st. Some of the neighbors decided not to participate and their houses went dark on Halloween. A plea for civility was issued and last year things tamed down considerably, opening the door for a bigger and more elaborate trick-or-treat wonderland in 2013.

    attachment.php?attachmentid=104696attachment.php?attachmentid=104697

    hillcrest5.jpg
    hillcrest9.jpg
    hillcrest5.jpg
    500 x 373 - 148K
    hillcrest9.jpg
    500 x 373 - 191K
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-10-31 06:40
    erco wrote: »
    ... My flamethrowers are equally prepared to celebrate birthdays (blow 'em out if you dare).....

    That inspires an artistic image expressing the sometimes futile circularity of life's joys and sorrows: a sculpture with a face poised to blow out the candles on a birthday cake, yet the "blow" is a gust of flame from your handy-dandy flamethrower gadget. I guess the cake and candles would need to be sculpted from firebrick and the candle flames would need to be little pilot lights of some sort. The cake could even have a Hot Wheels theme and tie in with a reputable product placement.

    erco wrote: »
    ... and pulse all.....

    That's a masterpiece!
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2013-10-31 08:42
    Walked the dog in old Kaohsiung after dinner, not a trick or treater in sight...
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