Turnstile Prop with Sound

[houseparent]

I finished a new prop today. It is a turnstile that makes a clicking sound just like a real one.

It didn't turn out as nice as I had envisioned it in my head, but my focus group (a bunch of VBS aged kids) seem to like it and think it is pretty cool.

For those that might want to try and do something similar. I used 1 1/4 inch PVC pipe. The wooden disk are 3/4 plywood I found in the scrap pile. The small one is 6" the large one is 10". I used 12 penny nails, and the clicker is just a piece of thin plastic from a small plastic box. A coffee can lid would work just as well. The stand is made from 2" PVC pipe, screwed to a piece of plywood, set down in the bucket. I then filled the bucket with sand.

I didn't glue the top piece to the stand so that it can come apart and be stored more easily.

My next project is a 6' Ferris Wheel that will actually turn. The whole thing will be about 8" tall. I bought all the parts (mostly PVC pipe) today and I just have to find time to build it.

[flutist14_99]

Great job!!!!:D That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen!

[Alison from Australia]

This is just incredible. Would you consider moving to Australia and coming along to my church??!!??

[JoleenTX]

I can't wait to see the ferris wheel.

[Teresa Peters]

Thanks House Parent for your great ideas, I have put my dad to work on this one!!!!

[houseparent]

My next project is a 6' Ferris Wheel that will actually turn. The whole thing will be about 8" tall. I bought all the parts (mostly PVC pipe) today and I just have to find time to build it.

I am about finished with my Ferris wheel. I plan to move the frame and wheel to the church tomorrow. All I have left to do is assemble the baskets which are already cut out and decorated.

It actually turns by using a drill with the trigger tied back to power everything and a wireless lamp remote control to turn it on. I tried several different scrap motors I had, and none were strong enough. I chose the drill because I have several of them and I didn't want to spend $100 on an electric motor strong enough to work.

I will hopefully have some pictures after the weekend.

[flutist14_99]

Could you possibly give us the lengths of the pieces of PVC pipe you used?
Thanks!

[houseparent]

The turnstile is up at the church so I can't check for sure until Sunday, but I think the top pieces are 18 or 20 inches long. The turnstile fits really well in a 4 foot wide hallway.

I didn't measure the bottom piece. I am 5'7" tall and just kept trimming until the cross bars hit me low on the hips, and then I had some kids try it to see if it would work for them. it did.