Have you ever wanted to make your own DIY motorized Halloween props?
I have too.
It’s overwhelming if you’re just starting out because it seems like you need to be an engineer, a computer programmer or have some deep knowledge of robotics to build your own animatronics.
The beautiful thing is, you don’t have to be an expert to make cool animated props.
In this simple guide, I’ll show you everything you need to get started with motorized props of your own.
Types of Motors
Animatronic prop motors are basically split into two main categories – electric and pneumatic (air pressurized.)
Electric motors offer the lowest barrier to entry and are relatively easy to integrate into your own props.
For more complex animated movements you’ll need to pair your motorized prop with a controller to program movements. It sounds intimidating, but don’t worry. You can buy controllers today that make it much easier than it once was 5 or even 10 years ago.
And best of all, you don’t have to be a computer wizard to figure it out.
Let’s start by reviewing the different types of motors you can use.
Electric Motors
Electric motors are generally available as fixed speed, multi-speed and vibrating.
Fixed Speed (aka Deer) Motor
The simplest and easiest animatronic motor you can buy (or install) is a fixed speed motor.
Some people call this a deer motor.
These are the same motors you’ve seen inside the outdoor wire frame Christmas reindeer lawn decorations everyone had in the late 90’s and early 2000’s.
These motors operate at one speed and have built in power, so all you need to do is plug it in.
You can add your own fittings and gears onto these motors to create more than just back and forth movements.
I have a few examples below to show you exactly what I mean.
What’s needed to operate:
- Deer Motor, with built-in power supply
Use cases:
- Basic movements
- Lifting, turning, up and down
Examples of fixed speed motor props:
- Deer Motor Tombstone Popper
- Deer Motor Floating Candle
Where to buy fixed speed motors:
You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for a complete list of vendors who offer fixed speed electric motors.
Here are a couple of options to consider…
- Fright Props Fixed Speed 110V AC 5RPM Deer Motor, Buy it here
- Halloween FX Props Low-Speed Mini Motor, Buy it here
- Monster Guts Mini-Motor 110V AC 5RPM Deer Motor, Buy it here
Multi-Speed Electric Motors
These motors can operate at high and low speeds or a range of speeds.
This gives you a lot of versatility and control over your prop’s movements.
You’ll need a separate external power source and controller to run these motors.
You can pick up power supplies and controllers separately or part of a kit with a few different vendors mentioned below.
What’s needed to operate:
- Electric motor
- Controller
- Power supply
Use cases:
- Complex movements
- Can be combined with motion sensors, step pads, beam sensors or hand triggers
Examples of multi-speed motor props:
- Zombie creature with left and right movements
Where to buy multi-speed motors:
You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for multi-speed electric motors.
Here are a few options to consider…
- Fright Props Dual Speed High Torque Prop Motor, Buy it here
- Monster Guts Premium 2-Speed 12V DC Wiper Motor, Buy it here
Vibrating Electric Motors
This motor is super easy to install. Simply strap it onto any static prop and get a seriously disturbing shake effect.
The built-in power makes installation a breeze.
And if you want to power multiple animatronics at the same time you can connect them all with one powerful multi-speed wiper motor for an ingenious symphony of movement.
Check out this arrangement of props linked together…
What’s needed to operate:
- Electric motor (usually with built-in power supply)
- Power supply (if needed)
Use cases:
- Shivering and shaking movements
Where to buy vibrating motors:
You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.
Here are a few options to consider…
- Fright Props Vibrating Prop Shaker Motor, Buy it here
Electric Servo Motors
You probably know about servos because they power your favorite RC cars, planes, and boats.
What’s great about servos is that you can get them in a variety of different torques, speeds, and sizes.
Plus, tons of parts and accessories in the robotics market are already designed for similar applications. So there’s plenty of support online too.
What’s needed to operate:
- Servo motor
- Controller
- Power supply
Use cases:
- Complex programmable movements
Examples of servo motors:
- 3-Axis Moving Skull Head Servo Motor Prop
Where to buy servo motors:
You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.
Here are a few options to consider…
- Monster Guts Skull Head Servo Motor Kit, Buy it here
- RobotShop Servo Motor, Buy it here
Pneumatic Props
Everyone’s been stunned by a pneumatic prop before.
These types of props use a large charge of air followed by hissing and “pop” sound that leave your heart pounding.
Pneumatic animated props are powered by a combination of air pressure and hydraulic cylinders to create startling effects.
These mechanisms require a bit more expertise to make them work correctly. Especially compared to electric motors and parts. Here, you’re dealing with compressed air that needs to maintain a certain pressure in the lines that feed your actuators (the parts that move.)
I’ve included a few links below to some great tutorials to get you started.
What’s needed to operate:
- Air compressor
- Air hose and fittings
- Pneumatic actuators (moving mechanisms)
Use cases:
- Startle, lunge and pop movements
- Up and down, lifting
- Complex movements
Examples of pneumatic props:
- Werewolf life-sized pneumatic prop
Where to buy pneumatic animatronic parts:
You can search the HallowLane Supplier Directory for vibrating electric motors.
Here are a few options to consider…
- Monster Guts Pneumatic Components, Buy it here
- Fright Props Pneumatic Components, Buy it here
Motor Controllers
With most animated prop kits you’ll need controllers and power supplies to make the motors spin, regulate speed, or control the air pressure inside your setup.
Here are a few of the different types of components you need to be aware of…
Simple Controllers & Triggers
These are simple on/off controllers that are triggered by beams, motion sensors, step pads, manual hand triggers.
Programmable Controllers
Create movement patterns that can also include lighting and audio effects.
You can program them all on the same controller or keep it simple and only focus on movements.
Just because this is “programmable” doesn’t mean you have to be a programmer to use it.
Some controllers make it really easy to program with the push of a button. You can press record, make your motor move in desired motions, then save it to a loop or trigger.
Power Supplies
Your controllers and motors will need power to work. Since only the simpler wiper and deer motors have built-in power supplies, you’ll need to select the right 12V or 100V power supply for your setup.
DIY Kits
You can find DIY motor kits ready to go with everything you need to get started.
Some kits are available with very specific purposes, such as these…
Electric DIY Kits
Servo DIY Kits
Pneumatic DIY Kits
- Mirror Bang Kit
- Cannon Prop Recoil Kit
- Slamming Door Kit
- Bouncing Drum Kit
- Monster In A Box Kit, Option 2
- Coffin Bouncer Kit
- Lid Opener Mechanism Kit
Tutorials
There are some great places to find help with building your own animatronics.
Here are some great videos, books and forums to help you get started…
Videos
Books
- The Ultimate Guide to Do It Yourself Animatronics
- Making Things Move
- Halloween Animatronics – Build a Zombie Crawler
Free Downloadable Plans
Forums
- RobotShop’s online tutorial forum has searchable discussions related to all aspects of animatronics and robotics
- In the EFX-TEK support forum you can get help with programming your Prop 1 & Prop 2 controllers by EFX-TEK
- Monster Guts has a small forum with a select few tutorial threads that you can check for updates
- HalloweenForum.com has a growing tutorial database of all kinds, with animatronics mixed in. Recently, the forum was purchased by an outside company and many of the links are broken. But it’s still worth a look to find new tutorials as they’re added
Conclusion
Maybe you’ve been wanting to make your own animated Halloween props for a long time, but didn’t know where to start. Or, you thought it might be too difficult.
I think you should give it a try.
With this guide and resource list, you can start experimenting with your own designs right away.
And I think the best way to learn is by actually doing.
If you get stuck and need more direction, please post a comment below or in the Halloween Forum Facebook Group where I’ll help you get free assistance with any Halloween project you’re working on.
