You could, but this isn't the place. Who's "we"? Please send administrative and programming suggestions to Don Bertino the list owner, not the list, or me (I seem to have no interest in reprogramming Netcom's computers to "set the list server" or even trying to figure out how that changes my mail program). I think Don is back from vacation next week, he'll love getting the mail. Everyone, I was asked to watch the list in Don's absence (no, he never learns), I don't have the time or the patience to partake in "spitting in the wind" contests on how mailing lists should be run. I will merrily and unceremoniously unsubscribe people who persist in this endeavor on the Halloween list. If you were hoping for the Wisdom of Solomon, you'll be sorry to hear that I would have cut the mothers in half and saved the baby from both of 'em. You can take up re-subscribing again with Don when he returns. Regards, Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 14:33:34 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 07:57:19 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: [HAL] Gravestone Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 04:16 AM 8/14/96 EDT, you wrote: > . . . and then there were 300+. [creepy laugh] > My memory of the list subscriber count was off, I apologize. Dang old age! It's closer to 200. This damaged memory cluster in my brain could also explain why my checkbook never balances. ;) Denny From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 15:23:47 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 06:01:43 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Photo request Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: DJ replies to my usual "let's-see-the-pics" whine: > I'd love to see photos from list members' displays, > too. I assume that posting them directly to the list > would be bad form, though. If other members have > photos to share, would you please post your email > addresses to the list? Then maybe we can > exchange photos privately via email. Can you get them on the web? There are free web sites out there, did you know? If you can get to the web, go to http://www.geocities.com/heartland/2007 and click on the Free Homepage link at the bottom. it really is free! From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 18:17:37 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 15:34:03 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: We're New Members! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Hi new Members, Stephen and Joni welcome to the greatest area for Halloween info I have found so far. Just be prepared to go from bats and crepe paper to huge live displays and many, many trips to your local Halloween store for more blood and body parts. Enjoy your visit..... Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 20:22:55 1996 From: skoelke@metronet.com To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 09:46:18 +0000 Subject: Re:Photos Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: > anonymous ftp and then email to the list a description of the photo along > with the ftp address. Or you can put a link of it up on your web page of you have one!!:):) Sue skoelke@metronet.com smiles are worth millions. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) http://www.metronet.com/~skoelke/ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 20:41:57 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 08:58:23 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Grave of Fire Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: > I'd strongly suggest >that if you're building this effect to use the proper pipe threaded fittings >and thread sealant instead of welding. > Welding black iron pipe, even if done by extremely experienced welders can >be very risky if the finished assembly is going to be used for gas lines. >The weld area needs to be preheated, welded, then annealed before the weld >cools if it's going to stand a chance of staying together. Extra precautions never hurt. My pipe was welded by an experienced professional. I have had it for 4 or 5 years now, and it has held up perfectly. Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 22:19:03 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 09:09:45 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Barry Wulfe Subject: Re: Flaming Grave - Extra Note! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I just realized that I left out one item in my original post. I did attach an inline flow regulator to the propane tank to control the volume of gas passing through to the pipe. I highly reccomend doing this. When I light the pipe section, I turn the gas on to a medium-low level to start. Using a long extension gas grill starter I circle the unit until all of the holes are emitting flames. Then I adjust the gas level as needed. Also, please note that This effect should not be used if there are high winds or rain present. Such an environment will most likely extenguish the flame, allowing the gas to escape unignited. If this were to happen in an area where the gas could concentrate, the results could be dangerous. Barry Wulfe bwulfe@txdirect.net From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 22:55:25 1996 From: Peepley@aol.com Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 16:40:39 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Off Topic Messages ?????? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Hell with Bob Dole - DENNY FOR PRESIDENT!!!! jas From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 23:10:11 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 20:44:09 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Spencers! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Stu, Thanks for the hint on were to find the good stuff. I will be giving him a call on Friday and place another order. How are your plans going? Are you as behind as we are?? We want to have our Dragon blow flames, we were thinking of a fan and some red and orange shiny paper to give the feeling of flames with a little smoke from a smoke machine. Have any ideas on how to make it look even more real? Without cooking all the good little victims.... I mean kids :) Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Wed Aug 14 23:30:27 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 10:59:59 +0100 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: makeup@earthlink.net (Tad Peters) Subject: Re: HAL: re: Photo request Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >At 08:36 AM 8/12/96 -0600, you wrote: >>Okay, DJ, we want photos! Photos! Photos, I tell you! >> >Lauren > >Hi, Lauren! > >Hmmmm. I'd love to see photos from list members' displays, too. I assume >that posting them directly to the list would be bad form, though. If other >members have photos to share, would you please post your email addresses to >the list? Then maybe we can exchange photos privately via email. > >I can start with one of our "Headless Living Woman". (I've already got that >one scanned.) If anyone wants to receive it (or photos of other displays I >might have) please send me a private email. > >And please, do share your photos! We wanna see *all* your Halloween goodies! > >DJ if anyone need their photos scanned just send them to me in an envelope, and I would gladly scan and send to don, and return them to you in a timely manner, granted it is not finals week. Tad. Tad Peters A. Harlequin Costume makeup@earthlink.net 9589 Foothill Blvd http://home.earthlink.net/~makeup Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 murphy_for_congress@desktop.tyrell.com (909) 948-2950 From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 01:30:51 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 20:47:50 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: We're New Members! -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Lauren, Don't tell me you are a prisoner fan?? That is where that line is from isn't it? Kathy hoping she is right From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 01:47:20 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 21:00:59 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Re[2]: Spencer's Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Come on Stu, You are keeping something from me, what scoop do you have???? I am waiting for the answer. I would love something new and exciting. Hubby does all the techno things but I like to buy things that I can make use of. I'm waiting...... Kathy sitting on the edge of the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 01:47:29 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 00:15:55 +0200 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: Melanie Laege Subject: No Hal.-Stores in Berlin Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Hey everybody, Im the poor one left in Germany. Unfortunatly no Halloween stores around here. Please send all the ideas you can fiend!!!! And do you guys have any idea how to make (no I dont want to kill anybody for that) skulls? You can only buy real expensive ones for medicine students over here. Thanks Melanie __________________________________________________________ Melanie Laege, Informationswissenschaft, Freie Universitaet Berlin melanie@fub46.zedat.fu-berlin.de From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 02:06:41 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 10:59:49 +0100 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: makeup@earthlink.net (Tad Peters) Subject: Re: [HAL] Gravestone Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: there is a group locally to me that does gravestones made from styrofoam and then covered with plaster of paris... and food coloring for a granite like look and feel. I haven't done it but just passing an idea along. Tad Peters A. Harlequin Costume makeup@earthlink.net 9589 Foothill Blvd http://home.earthlink.net/~makeup Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 murphy_for_congress@desktop.tyrell.com (909) 948-2950 From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 02:14:11 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 23:36:54 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Off Topic Messages ?????? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Denny, I have to say I now have the wisdom of Denny and I like it much better than Solomans. If we cut the Moms in half can I have half for my graveyard? Speaking of which, I saw a video where someone had a body looking like they were pulling themselves up behind a tombstone. Any ideas on how to do that one?? Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 07:01:23 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 23:42:08 -0600 (CST) Subject: Budget decor hint To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Just today, I went to the local MacFrugal's outlet, looking for Halloween goodies. I was lucky, indeed. I should explain that MacFrugal's is a chain that sells factory returns and closeout goods at low prices. There are probably many such chains throughout the country, and it might be prudent to see what is available in your area. Most of the Halloween goods they had shelved (they were still unloading and pricing items as I shopped) were under 2 dollars, and a few were quite surprising in quality. I found strings of Halloween lights, available in orange and purple (not quite the 'blacklight' variety) for only $1.50 per set. I nabbed a couple of life-size ceramic skull candle-holders of surprising quality for under $2.50 a piece - these were quite anatomical, and not the distorted caricatures you might expect to see. In short, don't overlook the discount chains. Halloween is everywhere, and playing now, in an outlet near you! Let the fun begin! -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 09:37:02 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:41:51 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Tombstone prop was: Off Topic Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 11:36 PM 8/13/96 -0700, you wrote: >Denny, I saw a video where someone had a body >looking like they were pulling themselves up behind a tombstone. Any >ideas on how to do that one?? >Kathy Is it a static prop molded out of foam or an animation? I've seen the static foam prop somewhere before. GAG Studios? Static of course is pretty easy. For an animated figure I'd be tempted to use an air cylinder and solenoid valve with my air compressor. I guess the next question would be, do you have an air source? If so, check out some of the archives stuff on PVC air cylinders and screen door closers used as air cylinders. I'll bet Doug is already working on another set of his fantastic drawings. ;) Another choice for animation would be the old reliable "fishing line over a tree branch" pulling the figure up. Denny B.T. Productions' Terror By Design 630-830-9561 fax 630-830-9577 Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 10:11:57 1996 From: skoelke@metronet.com To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 01:06:54 +0000 Subject: Re: Off Topic Messages ?????? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Here here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! skoelke@metronet.com smiles are worth millions. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) http://www.metronet.com/~skoelke/ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 10:32:32 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:41:52 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: President?/Off Topic Messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 04:40 PM 8/14/96 -0400, you wrote: >Hell with Bob Dole - DENNY FOR PRESIDENT!!!! >jas ...and if elected I promise to take all of the mummies, bones, spider displays, and skeletons out of the Museum Of Natural Science and use them for props in the new Haunted White House! That place is big isn't it? I need more fog machines. Denny From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 13:38:24 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 12:34:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Don Bertino To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: re: off topic messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: On Sun, 11 Aug 1996 milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > At 12:39 PM 8/10/96 -0500, you wrote: > (MUCH deleted) Really?? ;) > While I can't disagree with the general content of your post, I will remind > everyone that only the list owner sets policy. Don is currently on vacation, > save your policy suggestions for his return. I'm back and gone again... Had to come back for a day, then it's back to floating down the river in a inner tube.... A big inner tube... :) Mai Tai Please.... :) Denny, I want to publically thank you for doing a great job while I'm gone. I'd like to propose a solution to this. When a thread heads south, (which I am more than guilty of many times) Let's put the word "BANTER" at the begining of the subject line. For those that don't want to read those messages, please use one of the many mail filters out there, like procmail to automatically kill those posts for you. This mailing list has a good signal/noise ratio, or to me it does. This should help those people that disagree with me. > In the meantime you're all stuck with me. Until Don's return, I will happily > unsubscribe any people who feel the need to belabor this subject any > further. It's done. And I'm gone again. > >I'm not terribly happy with the number and (off topic) content > >of posts that I've seen of late, and if the trend continues > >I'm one of the ones likely to leave, > > I truthfully hate to see anyone leave this wonderful list but if anyone > feels compelled... > I said it last week, I'll say it again, let's get back to Halloween and > haunts. You said it. Have a good one! don bertino@netcom.com ____/^\_____________________________________ Disney ascii art & / \ || FDC MCP || / \ animations are at <______\ [] [] [] || [] [] [] || [] [] [] /______> http://www.calweb.com \----------------||----------||----------------/=== /~bertino===============\______________||__________||______________/===== From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 13:45:57 1996 From: DSparks@mercury.ligand.com Date: Wed, 07 Aug 96 11:09:57 PST To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re[4]: Window Display -> Low Light Video Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I would make some funny comment about you decorating your walker, but I am afraid of what you may send after me! :) The OTHER Doug dsparks@ligand.com ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Re[2]: Window Display -> Low Light Video Author: halloween-l@netcom.com at gateway Date: 08/06/96 10:10 PM Doug, The 23 yr. old daughter would make me 41. As for Denny, She likes Harleys, tatoos, and big dogs. Denny fit this description, except for the dog part of course. Kathy From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 14:05:04 1996 From: "Brian Henderson" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 22:47:35 -800 Subject: Re: [HAL] Working with styrofoam Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: > Anyone construct a hot wire cutting device for use with styrofoam? > I know they exist (have been built) - we built an entire set out of > styrofoam for Hound of the Baskervilles and the set construction > crew used one. It ran on 110V and the only thing I remember about > it was that it looked like a table saw with an arm reaching over it. > There was a wire running from the arm to the table. The wire was > hot and cut through the styrofoam like a hot knife through butter. > It also sealed the ends nicely. I wish I had a URL for you, but check out some of the web sites for R/C aircraft, they use hot wire systems for cutting foam core wings all the time and I know that there are several cheap systems described on the web. Hope it helps. -Brian From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 14:07:48 1996 Date: Tue, 13 Aug 96 08:55:40 PST From: "Sparks, Doug" To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: [HAL] Working with styrofoam Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Floral supply shops hold them, but they are prohibitively expensive. I checked last weekend and they wanted $75 for one. An alternative would be to check the modeling/hobby stores. Miniature modellers use stryofoam quite a bit. ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: [HAL] Working with styrofoam Author: halloween-l@netcom.com at gateway Date: 08/12/96 06:07 PM Hey all, I did the weekly visit to the Home Depot (builder's supply / hardware / halloween listmember toystore). I was able to find a pack of 6 sheets of styrofoam (approx 2' x 5' x .5") for $4.75. It is packaged as 'insulation' that you would place under siding and the like. Needless to say, I grabbed a package to try it out. Also got a glue gun etc. I checked out Michael's (the craft shop) and they were selling _one_ sheet of 2 X 5 X .75" for over $4.00! Given, their styrofoam was much denser though. Now to the question. (you knew there was one coming....) Anyone construct a hot wire cutting device for use with styrofoam? I know they exist (have been built) - we built an entire set out of styrofoam for Hound of the Baskervilles and the set construction crew used one. It ran on 110V and the only thing I remember about it was that it looked like a table saw with an arm reaching over it. There was a wire running from the arm to the table. The wire was hot and cut through the styrofoam like a hot knife through butter. It also sealed the ends nicely. Thanks in advance for the help. From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 14:11:16 1996 From: urshan@urshan.com Date: Tue, 13 Aug 1996 16:27:39 -0700 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Off Topic Messages/GE Blacklights/Request -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: unsubscribe signoff * netwide global local Dear list owner(s) User stern@urshan.com was maliciously subscribed to 10K+ mailing lists. Please unsubscribe this user. Thankyou, System Administrator - Westworld Communications At 06:01 AM 8/13/96 -0600, you wrote: > >08/12/96 11:36am >>> >Barry, > >Case in point - the person in > Takoma Park who owns a copy of the Morris >haunted > house book...was that you, Lauren, or someone >else? > > >Yep...That's me...ljones@aphis.usda.gov. > From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 14:19:10 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 09:38:34 -0400 From: wurst@eng2.uconn.edu (Karl R. Wurst) To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: [HAL] Working with styrofoam Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: The designs being bandied about for the nichrome wire cutter sound very similar to the one that I used in the puppetry materials class that I took last year, so I think you guys are on the right track. I have to second Denny's warning about being careful around the hot wire and add one of my own - melting stryofoam gives off toxic gasses. Work in a well ventilated area at least, and wear a respirator with an organic cartridge to be safest. -- - Karl ____________________________________________________________________________ Karl R. Wurst "Paradise is exactly like where you Computer Science & Engineering, U-155 are right now, only much, much, University of Connecticut better." - William S. Burroughs 191 Auditorium Road INTERNET: Wurst@CSE.UConn.edu Storrs, CT, USA 06269-3155 PHONE: 860-486-3784/0005/3719 FAX: 4817 0- WWW HOME PAGE: http://www-rfcc.cse.uconn.edu/WWW/KarlHome.html ____________________________________________________________________________ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 17:56:36 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:12:13 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: We're New Members! -Reply -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Actually, it's from X-Files, but The Prisoner was pretty cool, and one day I'm going to make the effort to watch all the episodes! >>> Michael Marcrum 08/13/96 11:47pm >>> Lauren, Don't tell me you are a prisoner fan?? That is where that line is from isn't it? Kathy hoping she is right From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 18:19:32 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:24:38 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Catalog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: The catalog I mentioned before is The Lighter Side, 941-747-5566 for catalog requests, 941-747-2356 for orders 24 hours a day. Among other things, they're carrying that pop-out face plaque, a Grim Reaper/lantern door knocker, and a skull-and-hands combination made to place on the ground to look like it's rising out of a shallow grave, and so on. Cheers! From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 18:55:07 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:11:15 -0600 From: Lauren Jones To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Flickering Flame Bulbs Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: For you DC-area folks, the Lamp Shop in Wheaton Plaza, MD is having a 20% off sale on everything in the store. Might be a good time to check out those standard base flickering flame bulbs and other specialty bulbs. I would wait on the C-7s, though, until the Christmas sales, or at least until they make it into the usual Christmas decoration locations. From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 20:00:21 1996 From: Peepley@aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 08:07:03 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Off Topic Messages ?????? Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: i have a friend who wants to get on this mailing list. how does he subscribe? thanks jas From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 20:16:49 1996 From: Stuart_McIntire_at_AISDC@ccsmtp.uage.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 96 12:31:58 EST To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re[4]: Spencer's Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Kathy, >You are keeping something from me, what scoop do you have???? I am >waiting for the answer. Let's just say I've peeked in the doors... ;) >I would love something new and exciting. Hubby does all the techno >things but I like to buy things that I can make use of. I'm >waiting...... It won't be a long wait...hang in there... - Stu stuart.mcintire@uage.com From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 20:34:30 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 16:19:16 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Budget decor hint Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: OK Doug, Where do you live, and do I have a MacFrugal's in the northern Calif. area that you know of??? I am really going to have to get in the car, without the kids, and start looking around. I still haven't had time to check out the store in Vallejo that Don told me about. So much to do so little time to do it in. Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 21:06:21 1996 From: sao@MIT.EDU To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: No Hal.-Stores in Berlin Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 09:18:30 EDT Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: > And do you guys have any > idea how to make (no I dont want to kill anybody for that) skulls? Try a toy store, in the plastic model section. At least stateside, you can find kits to build lifesize plastic skulls next to the models of assorted hot rods and the USS Enterprise. Also, it's easy to build cartoon-like skulls from paper mache'. Start with an inflated balloon, and tape on bits of cardboard to build up the jaw, bridge of the nose, and eye sockets. Cover with paper mache'. I used one of these skulls on my life-size skeleton puppet from last year; you can see a picture at " http://cascade.mit.edu/halloween/party.html " (For those who don't want to wait for the whole page to load [lots of pictures], click on the caption "Innocent (?) waif attacked by skeleton puppet!") :Andy From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Thu Aug 15 21:41:54 1996 From: Stuart_McIntire_at_AISDC@ccsmtp.uage.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 96 12:36:50 EST To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re[2]: Spencers! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Kathy asks: >How are your plans going? Are you as behind as we are?? Is this a trick question? Of course I'm behind! I'm the Great Procrastinator! >We want to have our Dragon blow flames, we were thinking of a fan and >some red and orange shiny paper to give the feeling of flames with a >little smoke from a smoke machine. Have any ideas on how to make it look >even more real? Well...I've never assembled a dragon. Somebody on this list has. I seem to recall seeing something in Don's archives right after I joined the list last year... >Without cooking all the good little victims.... I mean kids :) If you're going to do it, do it with Wessonality! Hoo boy - shades of Flo Henderson...now THAT'S a scary thought... - Stu stuart.mcintire@uage.com From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 01:07:28 1996 From: skoelke@metronet.com To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 13:11:12 +0000 Subject: Re: No Hal.-Stores in Berlin Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: (no I dont want to kill anybody for that) skulls? You can > only buy real expensive ones for medicine students over here. Denny has some on his www page for 20.95 you will have to ask him for a quote on shipping and handling though!! other wise if you are artsy you can make them out of home made play dough. Denny's page address is http://www.btprod.com/ SUe skoelke@metronet.com smiles are worth millions. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) http://www.metronet.com/~skoelke/ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 01:21:25 1996 From: skoelke@metronet.com To: halloween-l@netcom.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 13:25:34 +0000 Subject: Re: [HAL] Gravestone Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: ... and food coloring for a granite > like look and feel. I haven't done it but just passing an idea along. I know I know you have not tried this ..I love the Idea!! I am planninf a grave yard this year ..how soes this mixture take on a granite look ?? what color do they use ?? does this plaster of paris do the effect itself or is there a trick to it ??? anyone anyone??? Sue skoelke@metronet.com smiles are worth millions. :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) http://www.metronet.com/~skoelke/ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 01:31:05 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 14:40:33 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: rrhill@ucdavis.edu (Rick Hill) Subject: re: off topic messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >On Sun, 11 Aug 1996 milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > >> At 12:39 PM 8/10/96 -0500, you wrote: >> (MUCH deleted) > >Really?? ;) > >> While I can't disagree with the general content of your post, I will remind >> everyone that only the list owner sets policy. Don is currently on vacation, >> save your policy suggestions for his return. > >I'm back and gone again... Had to come back for a day, then it's back to >floating down the river in a inner tube.... A big inner tube... :) Mai Tai >Please.... :) > >Denny, I want to publically thank you for doing a great job while I'm gone. > >I'd like to propose a solution to this. When a thread heads south, (which >I am more than guilty of many times) Let's put the word "BANTER" at the >begining of the subject line. For those that don't want to read those >messages, please use one of the many mail filters out there, like procmail >to automatically kill those posts for you. > >This mailing list has a good signal/noise ratio, or to me it does. This should >help those people that disagree with me. > >> In the meantime you're all stuck with me. Until Don's return, I will happily >> unsubscribe any people who feel the need to belabor this subject any >> further. It's done. > >And I'm gone again. > >> >I'm not terribly happy with the number and (off topic) content >> >of posts that I've seen of late, and if the trend continues >> >I'm one of the ones likely to leave, >> >> I truthfully hate to see anyone leave this wonderful list but if anyone >> feels compelled... > >> I said it last week, I'll say it again, let's get back to Halloween and >> haunts. > >You said it. Have a good one! > I don't find the list too noisy. But the messages that are only half of an ongoing private communique can be annoying...mostly because I want to know what's going on! Richard Hill Computer Operations Manager Office Phone: (916) 757-3002 UCD Bookstore FAX: (916) 757-3010 UC Davis E-Mail: rrhill@ucdavis.edu From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 03:39:14 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 11:02:53 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: MilesManor Subject: Re: Budget decor hint Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Just my 2 cents... I found quite a few nice Halloween decorations at the "98 cents" store last couple years. __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 03:50:45 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 13:45:16 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: New Halloween Product Review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 06:21 PM 8/10/96 -0600, you wrote: >I'm not sure what the suggested list price is, but Wal-Mart was selling >them for $22.47. Not bad at all, as a standard 48" BLB tube delievers >40 Watts - only 5 more than this unit! This is the nicest part: There >is a 'no additional purchase required' $3 per unit mail-in rebate >coupon inside the package. This is good for rebates on up to 4 units >per customer. That makes my unit cost $19.47. Try buying even a 12" >blacklight and fixture for that money! I couldn't. The D.C. fixture >and 12" Philips BLB bulb I bought for a miniature display cost me over >$21.00, less batteries. Hey Nathan, also known as The Evil Dr. Black Light, I'm surprised you haven't responded to this subject yet. Be careful not to relate wattage to the amount of UV a black light will put out. Fluorescent black light output depends on the minerals in the phosphorescent coating (often Calcium cerium phosphate and Barium alumina silicate), efficiency of the glass to filter out visible light, surface area of the tube and wattage. The gasses used in any black light fluorescents will most likely be very similar percentage mixes of Argon and Neon and therefore not much of a variable. Don't get me wrong, it sounds like an excellent deal and perfect for the home haunt. Maybe it signals the start of a UV tube price war, that would be nice for a change! It's just that comparing it to a 40 watt or even 20 watt Philips BLB with an integral filter may not be accurate. GE does make very good BLB fluorescent tubes but I think they also make the cheaper and much lower UV output BL tubes. Nathan can you straighten me out here? Denny PS. There are some black light fixtures and tubes coming in from the Orient, they're easy to recognize because the tubes are only about an inch in diameter, smaller than a regular 24" tube at 1 1/2" dia. They're output is junk, watch out for 'em. The little crappy tubes are also sold without the fixture at very enticing prices. B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 03:57:25 1996 Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 23:18:21 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: President?/Off Topic Messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Of course you must first paint the white house black. Giant spiders in all the windows, and what a great graveyard the front lawn will make. And what about the huge strobe light hanging from the bottom of Airforce One. Halloween at the white, I mean Black house. Denny for President From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 04:10:18 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 17:30:05 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: Tombstone prop was: Off Topic To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >I'll bet Doug is already working on another set of his fantastic drawings. ;) Eeeehhha. Well, I'll admit that, when I first saw the initial post about the tombstone figure, I thought to myself, "Well, let's do one of those.." But then I said, again to myself, "Naah. People will begin to think I'm too much of a know-it-all, so I'll let this one pass. Don't want to wear out my welcome, as it were." The fact is, the advice Denny has given here cover the best and cheapest methods for doing it. Seriously. Especially the fishing line, if the display is below a tree. The tree would also offer potential for dramatic lighting effects, and provide shadow from streetlights, etc., under the right conditions. Now, since I don't need to cover that method with a set of plans, I'll give a shot... since you asked... ;-) at an unconventional method. You may not want to build this, but it may be fun reading the idea. And, yes, as usual, it involves alumnium stock. I'll do my best to provide a means of using either air or the ubiquitous Dayton gearmotor I love (but as of yet have no plans to marry.) But first, before the night is out, I will make good on my promise to finish the accompanying text for the "Grim Organsit" drawings now available at Don's archive pages. (Make that 'Organist', although he does indeed sit.) -Doug (waiting for the backlash) :-) *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 04:43:18 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:18:59 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Catalog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Thanks for the numbers and info. You are a great person to keep us up on this neat new stuff. Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 04:52:53 1996 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: ferris@terrabyte.net (Joan Berkowitz) Subject: MacFrugals & Other Stores Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 00:30:07 -0400 Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: We went to our local Mac Frugals, and they didn't have anything unpacked yet. We asked around and they said they are receiving the shipment sometime this week (Fri. or Sat.). Maybe down here in South Fla. they're truck are a few days back of yours. Meanwhile, we'll try Big Lots, another closeout store. Does anyone have them by you??? I know they are in Florida, mostly Orlando on up, and a few in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. OH!!!... We bought a dollhouse. A HALLOWEEN DOLLHOUSE in Franks Nursery & Crafts a few years ago. They're out of business here. Are they still up there?? So, we're goin' to make a dollhouse specially for Halloween... a real job if any of you made dollhouses. Gotta' go! ----------------------- Stephen & Joni Berkowitz ferris@terrabyte.net ----------------------- THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE ----------------------- From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 05:12:05 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 19:52:04 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "David \"HOMER\" Simpson (or one of the Clan)" Subject: Re: Catalog Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 05:24 AM 08/15/96 -0600, you wrote: >The catalog I mentioned before is The Lighter Side, >941-747-5566 for catalog requests, 941-747-2356 for >orders 24 hours a day. Among other things, they're >carrying that pop-out face plaque, Just got one, its awesome, haven't decided if its gonna be disguised in a wall with a checkerboard pattern or partially buried in a hole, but it works great!!! >a Grim Reaper/lantern door knocker, Pretty cool, after a slight paint job :) >and a skull-and-hands combination made to place on the ground to look like >it's rising out of a shallow grave. Looked alot better in the catalog, it was supposed to be foam-filled and it turned out to be a latex mask with hand excessories, so it'll have to be stuffed with newspaper or something. Also from the catalog, I picked up a set of skull pile candles, (they also have grim reapers) which are perfect for a spooky candelabra. They have baby aliens in containment jars, a wild assortment of sinister masks, and a brandnew bleeding skull fountain :) --Jason From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 05:22:15 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 23:13:26 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: Budget decor hint To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >Where do you live, and do I have a MacFrugal's in the northern Calif. >area that you know of??? Well, I'm rather far away, down here in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have been told that MacFrugal's is a large chain, but I have no information regarding their presence in CA. One interesting thing to note about the chain is that their huge warehouse, located in New Orleans East, burned to the ground last year. I was on my way home from work, and the sky was blackened by the smoke from the fire. When I finally saw the wreckage, it was a twisted steel nightmare. It still sits there, a bizarre piece of modern 'found art' to this day. It was suggested that the company paid an arsonist to flame their own facility, but I never heard the outcome of the case. They are obviously still in business, but I don't know the extent of their 'empire'. I cringe to think of all the lost Halloween bargains consumed by that fire! Sorry I can't be of more help. -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 06:01:19 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 20:49:08 -0600 (CST) Subject: Grim Organist Notes To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: This will be a bit lengthy, for which I apologize. However, it needs to get to the archives, and open posting is the best way to assure that it will. To those who have waited overlong for it, I apologize for its tardiness. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Construction Notes for "The Grim Organist" This text is keyed to the five jpeg files illustrating the construction plans for the frame of this animatronic figure (grimorg1.jpg through grimorg5.jpg in the Halloween-l archives.) The text alone does not contain sufficient information for the construction of the figure, so be sure to download them and reference the illustrations as you read. Cautions Before You Begin Cutting and Drilling If you have never worked with flat aluminum stock before, you will find that it bends and drills easily. Simply clamp it in a vise, and bend it (be sure to wear gloves, however, if you use your hands to pull directly on the stock.) If you use pliers, you may want to cover the stock with a rag where the tool grips it, or else you will leave marks. You should wear a mask and eye protection when working the stock with drills, grinders or hacksaws, as aluminum powder will be produced. Work in a location with no rugs, and be sure to wear shoes. Small, sharp, spiral shaped debris is often produced during drilling, and it can cut you. Be careful, and sweep up or vacuum as you go. Be sure to use a drill bit as close to the size of your fasteners as possible. Where you see an indication in the plans of diagonally spaced screws, it means that this connection must be rigid, and the joining should not be able to twist laterally. Use lock washers on all these fasteners. If necessary, add a third fastener to form a triangular pattern. Pivots in this armature are formed with bolts, thrust (lock) washers, and flat washers, secured by sets of locked nuts. You will see these indicated in the illustrations, and the order of their installation is important. These improvised 'bearings' are more than adequate for the slow-moving device we are constructing here. What you want to achieve is a tight fit, but one which allows free movement - in other words, a mechanical compromise. Use a lubricant (such as WD-40) to help the bearings along. Re-lubricate the bearing assemblies at the beginning of each season of operation. Motors and heat: The figure has 2 gearmotors in close proximity. They will get warm in operation, and this requires that you space any and all drapery well away from them. The cowl frame, when constructed properly, should automatically accomplish this. If you use thick, heavy fabric on the figure, and close off the face-opening with a mask, it would be wise to assure a ventilation route and add a small box fan to cool the assembly near the neck. This will help prolong the life of the motors. If you are not using a mask (face), cover the facial space of the hood with black scrim cloth, to assure ventilation; or, leave it open altogether, and paint the internal assembly black, using spray paint that will handle higher temperatures. NOTE: Do _not_ paint the area where the shaft exits the gearbox, or the insulation covering the electromagnets on the motors! Cover these locations with masking tape while spraying. Dimensions: These dimensions are approximate, as I have not had time to construct a figure to use as a prototype. Be sure to check your armature as you build. You may need to adjust positions of parts to conform to your version of the figure. If you encounter problems, be sure to contact me and explain the trouble you are having. Step 1: The frame shown in this step constitutes the upper body of the figure. It should be attached to a base as shown, and the base should be massive enough to support its weight such that it does not tip while in operation. The final form of the figure is actually up to you. I do not include plans for legs, feet, or a face. The upper body is intended as a drapery frame, and the final look of that drapery is determined by the cowl frame shown in Step 7 (grimorg5.jpg.) The figure is hooded, looking much like the 'grim reaper'. Not only does this approach make construction simpler, it also provides a more mysterious look for the character. He need not have a face at all. It is also up to you to provide an organ mock-up. Design the figure so that it can reach the keyboard. Step 2: This stage is fairly self-explanatory. The illustration gives the part numbers for the suggested motors. NOTE: The suggested motors are supplied with short electrical leads, and there is not a ground reference - the magnets on these motors are isolated from the frames. I recommend, therefore, that your main power lead's ground wire ('third prong') be connected to the frame of the figure at a screw connection. If you are using a rotisserie motor, be sure to determine how it is grounded, and check to be sure that no wires have worn insulation, or are threatening to short out. Open the enclosure and check visually, especially if the unit is old! If in doubt, ask someone with experience. You do NOT want an electrical fire in your Haunt, and fire inspectors will most likely examine this figure if used in a commercial display. Put safety first. Steps 3, 4, 5 and 6: The spiral cam is a very inexpensive alternative to a flat sheet metal cam. One great advantage of this design is that the cam can be adjusted by the user while it is in place in the mechanism. If you don't like the range of movement, distort the cam until you do. It can also be made with multiple lumps and deformities to add complexity to the movement. Be sure that the end of the spiral is bent downward toward the gearbox shaft to provide a smoother transition for the follower head. It is at this point that a sudden motion will occur in the linkage, and it can be a very positive addition to the figure's action. Be sure to take the time to play with the first cam you install before you proceed to the next major assembly. Make sure everything works smoothly. The follower heads for the arms' horizontal movement (which you install in Step 6) should track their cam over a fairly wide range of movement of the hinged assembly without slipping off the edge. Make adjustments here as necessary. The 'horizontal arm movement cam' should be the one with the widest range of diameters, as you want the figure to move its hands up and down the keyboard. Step 7: The cowl form consists of sections of coat hanger wire twisted together, as shown. Use pliers for this, and wear gloves while working on it. Make small loops in the wire at the points where it attaches to the aluminum stock. This can be done by twisting the wire around the bolt that is to hold it. Use a flat washer beneath the head of the bolt to assure a good grip on the wire, and if necessary, add a lock washer above it. When the frame is attached, you can shape it as you wish by hand. Be sure to test run your completed figure for at least an hour before you place it in your Haunt. Check for hot spots on the drapery. If the mechanism hangs, determine the cause and correct it. I know I have said this before, but BE SAFE. -End of Notes- ------------------------------ Thanks for your indulgence. -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 08:48:00 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:26:01 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Re[4]: Spencer's Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Stu, I have never asked which store you work for? I am trying to keep everybody straight after I did a major boo-boo earlier this month. Give me a little hint....I promise I won't tell a soul ( with or without a body) Kathy new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 10:03:59 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 17:49:58 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: MilesManor Subject: Halloween attire Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I found some very nice Halloween vests at the fabric store. They are pre-stamped with the pattern and directions. They have some for kids and women. The women sizes go up to size 20. I don't know what size the kids vest are. I want to make one for myself first! __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 10:51:37 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 05:16:31 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: We're New Members! -Reply -Reply Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Lauren, boy was I off on that one. I have never seen the X-files. I don't even know why it just is not one we ever bothered to see. We did watch a Sci-Fi marathon on the prisoner one week. We still talk about it and ask ourselves, " did you understand any of that". If you are into weird and dumb sci-fi go to your local video store and rent " A Polish Vampire In Burbank" it is so bad that you will keep watching just to see if it can get any better, because you won't even think it can get any worse. Talk more later. Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 11:18:29 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 21:41:26 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: "David \"HOMER\" Simpson (or one of the Clan)" Subject: Re: Budget decor hint Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 04:19 PM 08/14/96 -0700, you wrote: >OK Doug, > Where do you live, and do I have a MacFrugal's in the northern Calif. >area that you know of??? I am really going to have to get in the car, >without the kids, and start looking around. I still haven't had time to >check out the store in Vallejo that Don told me about. So much to do so >little time to do it in. >Kathy >the new kid on the crypt Kathy, There are at least 2 MacFrugal's in San Jose. I know its a far ride and I'm checking tomorrow to see if they have their halloween stuff around here. --Jason From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 17:49:55 1996 From: Peepley@aol.com Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 08:11:58 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: President?/Off Topic Messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I think Denny should declare Halloween as a national holiday, tax the hell out of everyone, give us the money to put on great haunted house shows across the US. jas From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 18:20:50 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 06:33:32 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Dragon was- Spencers! Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 12:36 PM 8/15/96 EST, you wrote: > Well...I've never assembled a dragon. Somebody on > this list has. I seem to recall seeing something > in Don's archives right after I joined the list > last year... > List regular and resident genius inventor Dave Bell has posted some info. on the way cool dragon he built, I'm not sure if I've seen it in the archives. If not, maybe Dave can be prodded to post details again. Denny ------------------------------------------------------- B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 18:42:06 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 06:49:49 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Tombstone prop was: Off Topic Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 05:30 PM 8/15/96 -0600, you wrote: > >>I'll bet Doug is already working on another set of his fantastic drawings. ;) > >Eeeehhha. Well, I'll admit that, when I first saw the initial post about >the tombstone figure, I thought to myself, "Well, let's do one of those.." >But then I said, again to myself, "Naah. People will begin to think I'm >too much of a know-it-all... Anyone that isn't grateful for your work will be merrily and unceremoniously removed from the... aw, you guys know the rest. > Don't want to wear >out my welcome, as it were." If contributing good, helpful (understated) information wears out your welcome, this list is in serious trouble. Denny ------------------------------------------------------- B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 19:02:15 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 08:26:28 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: MacFrugals & Other Stores To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >OH!!!... We bought a dollhouse. A HALLOWEEN DOLLHOUSE in Franks Nursery & >Crafts a few years ago.... So, we're goin' to make a dollhouse specially >for Halloween... a real job if any of you made dollhouses. Now, _here's_ something I should do, as I live in an apartment and don't have room for the big displays! I never thought in terms of a dollhouse - just a mini-diorama for the living room. One could easily take a basic dollhouse 'kit' and 'distress' it into a Haunt, couldn't one? Heh heh... Here's where the small blacklights come into play, too... and miniature spotlighting... Anyone carry miniature spotlight units, by the way? Affordable ones? :-) -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 19:42:49 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 08:17:59 -0600 (CST) Subject: Re: New Halloween Product Review To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >It's just that comparing it to a 40 watt or even 20 watt Philips BLB with an >integral filter may not be accurate. GE does make very good BLB fluorescent >tubes but I think they also make the cheaper and much lower UV output BL >tubes. Point taken, definitely. All things are not always equal. In the case of this unit, I am using, as a comparison, my past experience with 4' tubes in various fixtures. The Blaklite Stik unit lit gave the same _apparent_ coverage that my 4' unit did, although with UV, of course, it is hard to make objective comparisons using your eyes. It is not my intention here to steal the thunder of our wonderful retailers who carry the professional units, by the way. Please do not misconstrue my remarks, and by all means, as with any product, YMMV (Your mileage may vary.) As regards the BL type tube, It was always my understanding that they were (at least in the G.E. catalog) the same tube minus the integral filter of the BLB. That is, that the same phosphor coating was in use. I always wanted a permanent (and very thorough) piece of filter glass in a good fixture so I could use these less expensive tubes instead of BLB's. You don't happen to sell these, do you, Denny? :-) I found the Wildfire company on the web - for those who missed the thread on this product line, the company makes a very dark filter that passes almost no visible blue at all, reportedly. Now, here is a place I'd like to see competition arise. The Wildfire equipment is _very_ expensive, but it does allow a long throw, and is a reported 400W - whether in consumprion of power, or in output, I don't know. I suspect it is power consumption only, however. Perhaps one or more of our retailers can enlighten us in regard to finding (or cooking up) a long-throw, mercury vapor based unit. I'd love to be able to use UV the way Disney does - in a spotlight to concentrate it on a single prop or small area. Anyway, in conclusion, for those who need a 'whole bunch' of blacklight in their Haunts, the Blaklite Stik just seemed like a good idea. We could all also benefit from the professional stuff in the right setting, as well. How about some pointers? -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 22:06:28 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 11:35:53 -0600 (CST) Subject: Blacklight Data Quest To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: The Adventures of Blacklite Jones or: The Search for the Missing Microwatts I love a mystery, but can't stand an enigma... I decided to fix my lack of hard data on blacklight, and got on the horn to General Electric this morning. They were kind enough to fax me some information on the product line. In this literature, some interesting things came out, and some other interesting things were left out. First of all, to address an earlier thread on the safety of using blacklight in public, I include the following direct quote from the introduction to blacklight, as faxed to me: ---quote--- Ultraviolet Light Output from BL/BLB Lamps The GE Lighting BL and BLB series lamps are designed as sources to produce light with an emission peak in the area of 360-370 nanometers. Light with these wavelengths is within the range usually referred to as Ultraviolet-A or UVA. UVA is considered to be the range from 320 - 400 nanometers. Typically people have heard the term UVA associated with lamps used in tanning parlors. Another ultraviolet wavelength range, UVB, consists of light in the 280 - 320 nanometer range, and is associated with light which can cause sunburns. UVB is considered to be 100 - 1000 times more effective in producing damage than UVA light. Because of the design of the BL and BLB lamps, very little UVB is produced by these lamps. There are currently no federal regulations concerning a permissable limit for exposure to ultraviolet light. There is a proposed limit (from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH) for exposure to UVB. This recommendation has been extended to include UVA in a proposed ANSI (Americal National Standards Institute) standard which is currently undergoing review. The amount of ultraviolet generated by our BL and BLB lamps is such that normal exposure to the lamp would not exceed the NIOSH or proposed ANSI recommended exposure limits. Due to the narrow spectral output of the lamp, some individuals may experience some eye discomfort or strain with extended direct viewing of the lamp. Also, the light may cause the interior of the eye to fluoresce, which can be distracting and annoying. For these reasons it is advisable to appropriately baffle the lamp so that direct viewing of the lamp is avoided. -----end quote----- This basically agrees with a post I made some time ago regarding safety and exposure, i.e., don't 'spray' your guests with too much blacklight, just point the fixture at its target. Regarding the output differential between BL and BLB bulbs, I was sent a spectrum vs. output wattage (per 10 nanometers) plot, which was hand drawn. The data is indicated to be based upon a 4' tube (F40BL and F40BLB.) It shows the highest peak at about 370 nanometers (wavelength) for BLB bulbs which is at an amplitude of about 3.8 watts/10 nanometers. The peak for BL type bulbs is actually considerably _higher_, with a peak at 374 nanometers at an amplitude of 4.75 watts/10 nanometers. One must conclude, however, that if a filter glass is used, it would reduce some of the UV output. Probably, with a quality filter glass, the two sources would be roughly equal in output, as the exact same phosphor mix is probably in use. Consider this: It would make little economic sense to run two assembly lines with different phosphors to coat these two types of tubes, as it is not necessary to do so to obtain the desired output results. What is missing is the _output_ data for different tubes of differing wattages. The catalog pages faxed to me show the range of available sizes, but the spaces for output are all filled with dashes. I called back to ask about this discrepancy, and was informed that the curves for all tubes were the same as the F40 plot, but I was talking to an 'answer person' and not an engineer. I explained to her that it is obvious that differing wattages of 'white light' tubes produce differing lumen outputs (listed on the sheets for tubes such as aquarium bulbs, etc.) and that it must therefore follow suit for the UV tubes. She fell silent, and then simply said that there was no more information available. I thanked her and hung up. I began wondering if all manufacturers of this type of product fail to supply emission data. This led me to call two other manufacturers. The next call went to Osram-Sylvania, whose representative kindly faxed me a 9 page document with a wealth of information on applications, and within this was a section on measurement. "Aha!" I said to myself, "Now we're getting somewhere!" What I read was the following: ----quote---- Black Light Measurement An ultraviolet meter developed by Ultra-Violet Products, Inc., measures black light radiation (356.0 nm), without reference from visible light. Measurements are made in microwatts per square centimeter. ----end quote---- However, when I perused their data, the measurements were still missing. Why, I wondered, do they not purchase one of these units and test their own products with it? At this point I will add the following information on blacklight sources with this quote from the same source: ----quote---- Most _mercury_ lamps produce both visible light and blacklight. When mercury lamps are used for blacklight applications, they require external filters to filter out the visible light. A clear mercury lamp is a better source for blacklight than a coated mercury lamp. Clear mercury lamps are described as "Clear and Blacklight" in the large lamp catalog. ----end quote---- (What we need now is a source for the necessary filters. Retailers, can you help us out?) I kept trying to solve the measured output mystery, calling Philips Lighting next. I got the same response from the first person I spoke with regarding the lack of output data. I was, however, given the name of an engineer, whom I then called. I had to leave voice mail; ergo, the microwatt-per-square-centimeter jury is still out to lunch. We'll get back to you, real soon now. :-) -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 22:11:39 1996 Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 16:33:49 -0700 From: Michael Marcrum To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Budget decor hint Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Doug, Thanks for your reply. I would love to come to New Orleans to go shopping. I will have to tell Hubby that we are taking a small road trip to look for Halloween goodies. Thanks again. Kathy the new kid on the crypt From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 22:27:16 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 09:55:55 -0400 (EDT) From: "Donna J. Logan" To: milwiron@btprod.com Subject: Re: President?/Off Topic Messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: On Thu, 15 Aug 1996 milwiron@btprod.com wrote: > ...and if elected I promise to take all of the mummies, bones, spider > displays, and skeletons out of the Museum Of Natural Science and use them > for props in the new Haunted White House! > > That place is big isn't it? I need more fog machines. Not if Congress is in session...they're a natural fog machine..... ;-) From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 22:31:38 1996 To: halloween-l From: William E Rompala Date: 16 Aug 96 10:40:43 Subject: [HAL] Re: [HAL] Gravestone Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: RE: Thanks for all of your suggestions on the cutter, safety and painting. I appreciate it! -W -=- William Rompala Rompala Consulting http://www.netaxs.com/~romwil romwil@netaxs.com rompala_william@jpmorgan.com From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Fri Aug 16 22:56:08 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 06:33:34 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: How to subscribe was- Off Topic Messages Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 08:07 AM 8/15/96 -0400, you wrote: >i have a friend who wants to get on this mailing list. how does he >subscribe? >thanks >jas Everyone tell your friends! To subscribe send an e-mail to Put nothing on the subject line. In the body of the message put only- "subscribe halloween-L" minus the quote marks. Remember to remove any sigs. from the body so as not to confuse the Majordomo mail program. If people have problems, I'd be happy to help by direct e-mail or hopefully Don will be back next week to help so I can stop pretending I know what I'm doing. :) Denny ------------------------------------------------------- B.T. Productions' Terror By Design Haunt Supplies & Scare Wares From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 00:56:41 1996 From: Stuart_McIntire_at_AISDC@ccsmtp.uage.com Date: Fri, 16 Aug 96 13:55:18 EST To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re[6]: Spencer's Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Kathy, >I have never asked which store you work for? I am trying to keep >everybody straight after I did a major boo-boo earlier this month. Give >me a little hint....I promise I won't tell a soul ( with or without a >body) My "real" full-time job that I make a living at and for which I depend on to support my wife and three kids is as an inside sales rep/buyer for a reseller of computers and peripherals. My "hobby" job is, as you guessed, at a Spencer's. Last year I worked there for about five or six weeks. This year, I started on this past Tuesday at the same store which is located at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, MD. I try not to make much of a big deal about it for a couple of reasons. First, because Spencer's is not my primary source of income. Second, because I don't believe in doing the hard sell to the list members. As such, I won't make it a habit to quote prices or even try to list all the product the store sells for the benefit of the mem- bers of the list. I might mention items here and there which I think are particularly cool, or if someone asks who carries an item they can't find anywhere and Spencer's has it, I might make mention of it...but that's about it. So there you have it. By the way, your question is a good example of the E-Mail "signature problem" mentioned on the list a few days ago. If you didn't sign your posts with "Kathy - the New Kid on the Crypt" I'd have no idea who sent this message - or who to reply to privately. I've no idea what your E-Mail address is (my header says the sender is "halloween-l@netcom.com") and would have preferred to reply privately, but to do so, you'd need to sign all your messages like this: - Stu stuart.mcintire@uage.com That way, I know how to contact you... From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 02:49:56 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 11:29:14 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: MilesManor Subject: Mac Frugal location Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Hi Kathy, There are a couple Mac Frugals here in Sacramento. In fact if you drive down to go to the Michael's craft store in Rancho there is one in the next shopping center over. You could "kill two birds with one stone." And knowing you... you probably find and place in your front yard setup to use the two dead birds. ;-) __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 04:00:25 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 16:35:02 -0600 (CST) Subject: The Blacklite Adventure, Concluded. To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Blacklite Jones II: Just the Fax, Mam ("Snakelites! Why'd it have to be Snakelites?") Riiiinng! The phone on my office desk awoke me from my Halloween reverie. Perhaps good fortune was about to shine on me! It was the engineer from Philips calling, and he announced to me that he had some data for me on intensity of various tubes, and other data about the use of F40BLB (4') tubes in various different fixtures, relating to the distributiuon of the UV (it seems everyone in the industry refers to the F40BLB as the standard.) He promised a fax, which promptly arrived. A brief flashback, first. Earlier this afternoon, I passed by the local Radio Shack and picked up a packet of CdS (Cadmium Sulfde) photocells. These are basically a variable resistor, much like a potentiometer, except that it is light input that causes the resistance to vary. They are quite sensitive and vary from many MegaOhms down to a few Ohms depending upon the intensity of the source. I tested one on a blacklight tube in a darkened room, and _viola!_ It worked - turns out the little guys _are_ sensitive to long-wave UV! All that remains is to derive a standard testing procedure (as regards distance from the fixture, position relative to bulb center, etc.), develop a reference reading, and it will be a simple matter to begin testing different tubes for _relative_ output. Ahh, science! Now, down to business. The Philips information is the best I have so far received. There are several accompanyting plots of spectral data, along with an optput vs. operating life graph. The fixture/output data is interesting, as well, but is only related to fixtures containing either 2 or 4 4' F40BLB tubes (I think most of us use single tubes.) It will, however, provide me with the reference distances I will use in my own tests. Here is how the measurements were made: Assuming overhead position (or a simulation thereof) 6" below 12" below 24" below 1 Meter below (yeah, I know it's odd) 0 to 400 Microwatts/cm^2 Y-axis of plot >From 0 to 24 inches to the side of the fixture X-axis of plot As you would expect, no matter how close to the plane of the fixture you are, as you move out to 24" to the side, all the curves begin to merge. As an example, let's take the 2-bulb F40BLB setup, which has an aluminum reflector taped to the cover of the ordinary fixture behind the bulbs. At the _6" below_ position, the brightness begins at about 2800 Microwatt/cm^2 and falls off (in a nearly flat curve as you move out 24" to the side) to about 600 Microwatt/cm^2. At 12" below, (about 1250 Microwatt/cm^2) there is virtually no loss until you get about 14" to the side. At 24", the curve is even less dramatic, starting at about 700 Microwatt/cm^2. In other words, the further down below the fixture you go, the more even the light distribution is - nice, and handy. More interesting info: Philips suggests that the best UV reflector is specular aluminum. In the absence of this, they actually suggest good old foil wrap applied by hand! Another neat surprise is that Philips manufactures a BLB version of the PLS style bulb, Item PLS 9W/08 (the stubby little u-shaped lamp bulb replacement tubes that have become so popular.) With one of these in the right fixture, you can have something approaching a spotlight! This bulb has a 3000 hour useful life. Incidentally, the F40BLB is claimed to have a 20,000+ hour life, compared to 9000 for the 24". Now you can see what the popularity of this size is driven by! It should be noted that the 20,000+ hour life applies to tubes that are allowed to run continuously, and not often restarted. It drops to 15,000+ hours under frequent restart conditions. It occurs to me now that I should have called Philips to begin with, but them, I would have missed all the adventure and excitement! -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 06:21:05 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 20:21:46 -0700 (PDT) To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: MilesManor Subject: Checked out Mac Frugals Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I went to two up here in Sacramento and they just put their stuff out today. I bought a large spider web made of wire and string. It is about 3 feet across. I bought some ceramic skull candle holders. It is about the size of my 5 year olds head. I also picked up a few other halloween nic nacs. I really like the skull candle holders. Someone mentioned them on this list so I knew to go looking for them. The first Mac Frugals didn't have the larger skull, but the second one did. I bought 3 they were 2.99 plus tax. __________________________ |\/\/\/\/\/| Lynne Miles \0 0 0 0 / qoe@sna.com |~~~~~~| Orangvale, CA From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 06:45:48 1996 Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 00:49:34 -0400 To: halloween-l@netcom.com From: kahnn@pa.net (Nathan Kahn) Subject: Re: New Halloween Product Review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: > >Hey Nathan, also known as The Evil Dr. Black Light, I'm surprised you >haven't responded to this subject yet. Ha, timing. Was waiting till I could check them out in person and was at Wal-Mart not two hours ago for that very purpose. Unfortunately the Chambersburg, PA (10 miles north of my house) Wal-Mart does not yet have these blacklights. Will have to check out the Hagerstown, MD (10 miles south of my house) store and see if they have them there. >It's just that comparing it to a 40 watt or even 20 watt Philips BLB with an >integral filter may not be accurate. GE does make very good BLB fluorescent >tubes but I think they also make the cheaper and much lower UV output BL >tubes. Nathan can you straighten me out here? It is unlikely that the blacklight described has a 35W bulb. It is more likely that the entire fixture, including ballast, has a power consumption of 35W. The 24" blacklight bulbs that GE currently makes are 20W, and I doubt they would make a special bulb for this fixture. More likely that they made the fixture to improve demand for the bulb. (Typically 4' fluorescent "F40T12"s are 40W; 2' fluorescent "F20T12"s are 20W; 18" fluorescent "F15T8"s are 15W. For those of you who care, the number after the T is the diameter of the bulb in 1/8's of an inch. The T stands for tubular. The F stands for fluorescent. Believe it or not there is actually sense to the manufacturer's lamp codes. A PAR38 flood being a Parabolic Aluminized Reflector bulb that is 38/8" in diameter. Now I'm sure you all really wanted to know all that!) BLB bulbs are the same as BL's, but they have an extra filter to prevent visible light from passing through. I would bet that this GE light probably has a F20T12/BLB bulb in it. It is almost certainly half the UV of a 4' blacklight. Still, at $22 and change it is an excellent value. 24" blacklights are more flexible (you can't put half a 4' tube at one end of the room and the other half at the other end). And 24" blacklights are broken less easily (how many of you have broken a four footer while getting it out of storage for the season?) I will continue to look for these lights at Wal-Mart so that I can confirm (or disaffirm -- is that a word?) these assumptions. >Denny >PS. > There are some black light fixtures and tubes coming in from the Orient, >they're easy to recognize because the tubes are only about an inch in >diameter, smaller than a regular 24" tube at 1 1/2" dia. They're output is >junk, watch out for 'em. The little crappy tubes are also sold without the >fixture at very enticing prices. Yes, they are especially prevalent in 18" blacklights. The bulbs come out of Korea and they are very poor quality - low light output, early failures, inconsistent bulb lengths that do not fit properly in the fixtures. Also watch out for F40T10 blacklight bulbs, also skinnier than normal. These bulbs require a starter - I'm not sure where you would get a 4' fixture that uses starters, I didn't even know they existed. But one wholesaler out there is selling these bulbs, so you may find them at some unsuspecting theatrical suppliers that thought they really lucked into a deal on cheap blacklight bulbs. Regarding the Wildfire blacklights mentioned in the other post, they do have a proprietary lamp that is made for them by Philips. But other manufacturers are out there. One of the originals from Wildfire went off and formed his own company 3-4 years ago, but unfortunately went bankrupt. Lately Altman, one of the largest manufacturers of theatrical lighting, has come out with a line of "big" blacklights to compete with Wildfire, but they too are expensive (check out http://www.altmanltg.com). One of the Taiwanese importers here in the states recently advertised a new blacklight that utilized a 175W discharge lamp and retailed in the $300-$400 range. I thought "wow, this is great" and placed an order. Unfortunately my friend at this company said that when they got their first shipment, the lights were nowhere near as bright as the prototype samples had been, and they returned the lot. They still hope to have them, but probably not in time for this Halloween. And that's the blacklight scoop for today, Saturday 8/17 at 1:00 am . . . Nathan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nathan Kahn Home: kahnn@pa.net Work: nathan@theatrefx.com Work Web: http://www.theatrefx.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 07:24:17 1996 From: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 08:37:03 -0600 (CST) Subject: Checked out Mac Frugals To: halloween-l@netcom.com Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: >I really like the skull candle holders. Someone mentioned them on this list >so I knew to go looking for them. Fantastic! This is what makes the halloween-l list so neat. :-) I had no idea if MacFrugals was on the other side of the continent, but sure enough... Those skulls might have gone to a less appreciative person had I not opened my mouth. If you're out there lurking, and have never made a post, speak up! You can see from this how we can all be of benefit to each other. -Doug *********************************************************************** * Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency: * Doug Ferguson * * The Keys To The Kingdom * dwfww@jazz.ucc.uno.edu * *********************************************************************** From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 07:37:01 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 08:46:03 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Getting long- Re: New Halloween Product Review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: You Wrote: >It is not my intention here to steal the thunder of our wonderful retailers >who carry the professional units, by the way. Please do not misconstrue >my remarks, and by all means, as with any product, YMMV (Your mileage may >vary.) >As regards the BL type tube, It was always my understanding that they were >(at least in the G.E. catalog) the same tube minus the integral filter of >the BLB. That is, that the same phosphor coating was in use. I always >wanted a permanent (and very thorough) piece of filter glass in a good >fixture so I could use these less expensive tubes instead of BLB's. You >don't happen to sell these, do you, Denny? :-) >Anyway, in conclusion, for those who need a 'whole bunch' of blacklight in >their Haunts, the Blaklite Stik just seemed like a good idea. We could >all also benefit from the professional stuff in the right setting, as well. >How about some pointers? >-Doug Steal the thunder? Whoa, hit nerve didn't I? I never intended my post be thunder or threatening, as you seemed to have taken it and evidenced by this reply or your other one. Nor was I attempting to sell product, I'm sorry you took it such and apologize. The product I have sold to a few people on this list wouldn't pay for one hundreth of the time I've spent sending in ideas, suggestions or trying to help people. Hopefully, as a show of good intent and to show folks why I really subscribe to this list, I have removed my business sig., no further posts to this list will show it. I also will not participate in any threads concerning product searches or product discussions that touch on items I carry. On with the show... I wrote in my post: >Don't get me wrong, it sounds like an excellent deal and perfect for the home >haunt. Maybe it signals the start of a UV tube price war, that would be nice for >a change! As a user of many black lights myself (bought all my stuff full retail) I meant my post only to point out that wattage is not a good indicator of light output, nothing else. My above statement was as honest as I can be, nobody would be happier if the price of good black light tubes came down. Was I trying to sell product as you seem to suggest? Hell, to be flat honest I'd love to sell 75 to 80 of those 20 watt black light fixtures I list this month, which is how many it would take to make a mortgage payment. I haven't sold any yet this year. Just as an aside, I've NEVER (thank God) been without at least a 2 week backlog of work for my regular business. I work every day, start at 5:00 AM., work 'til 8:00PM. or later. Doing my normal M.E. and product development biz, I charge $60.00 to $75.00 an hour. Terror By Design makes me... oops, about $10.00 an hour that I sink back into stock. I do it because I enjoy it and I hope it goes somewhere. Sitting here, typing to the list is how I relax, not earn a living. When I mentioned in my post I didn't know if GE made a BL tube, it was true, I don't know. I'm about as far from an expert in UV light sources as a person can get, which is why I asked Nathan to help out. I can and have made both cold cathode (small cold cathode) and "hot" electrode UV and visible luminescent tubes in my shop. Yeah, I have and trip over all the equipment- high vac. mechanical and diffusion pumps, manifold, 10 KVA bombarder, choke, etc. and knowledge to make luminescent tubes in my very small shop. Scotty, the only living witness on this list to survive my shop and dogs can attest to this. I still say package displayed wattage is not an accurate indicator of output, it is a damn good indicator of how much electricity the ballast or transformer is using in a fluorescent or luminous tube fixture. >How about some pointers? Cool! 1. If it's wattage people are after, look into screw base incandescents. I've seen 75 watt black light bulbs going for well under $5.00 at party stores. Four of those will consume 300 watts of electricity, not too bad for under 20 bucks. 2. Answer to your other post: Phosphorescent coatings, electrode designs and their coatings that are used in black light tubes/any tubes are expensive, it makes perfect economic sense to run two lines or change the coating slurry and electrodes for a run of cheaper tubes. Why can stores sell "shop" tubes for $1.00 retail, while better quality, energy saving or long life tubes cost 4 to 8 times that? The difference in tubes is not just marketing hype. In my shop I can make a neon or luminescent tube in a few minutes that will last a couple years, no problem. I can also make a tube that will last 20 years. The 20 year tube is going to cost much more because of better design and engineering, manufacturing process, time and materials. I can stick a large, oversized electrode on a small tube, that tube will burn MUCH longer because of the surface area of the larger electrode and its' coating's ability to absorb impurities longer, it costs more, it takes longer. I can also use ceramic collar electrodes for longer life that cost 3 times as much as a regular metal shell, even the connection material sticking out the back of the electrode changes the price dramatically. It's actually very cut and dry. 3. Never suggest using round head screws on soft aluminum as cam followers. Find something that rolls, tear a wheel and axle off a toy car if you have to. I've gotta go feed the dogs. Hoover is getting real mad. Denny From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 09:35:04 1996 Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 02:30:40 -0800 From: Christie Hickey To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: NEW STUFF AT A. HARLEQUIN COSTUME Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Well we finally got some film devolped and there are a few new pictures of old stuff and some great new pictures OF NEW MASKS. They are in the Halloween Masks (latex) section. Have fun, -- Tad Peters A. Harlequin Costume makeup@earthlink.net 9589 Foothill Blvd http://home.earthlink.net/~makeup Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 murphy_for_congress@desktop.tyrell.com (909) 948-2950 From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 12:01:28 1996 Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 22:53:01 -0800 From: Christie Hickey To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: [HAL] Gravestone Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: how soes this mixture take on a > granite look ?? what color do they use ?? does this plaster of paris > do the effect itself or is there a trick to it ??? anyone anyone??? > > Sue > skoelke@metronet.com > smiles are worth millions. > :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) > http://www.metronet.com/~skoelke/ they mixed red and blue to get a black and then took a brush and splattered it. The plaster was still wet. -- Tad Peters A. Harlequin Costume makeup@earthlink.net 9589 Foothill Blvd http://home.earthlink.net/~makeup Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 murphy_for_congress@desktop.tyrell.com (909) 948-2950 From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sat Aug 17 14:57:42 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 11:07:50 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: The Blacklite Adventure, Concluded. Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: Reminder: All I originally said was wattage is not an accurate indicator of UV output and tried to give some of the other variables that can exist. I meant no offense with this comment, my humblest apologies again if this did come off as challenging, demeaning or emasculating. If my first reply on the subject was offensive or issued a challenge of some sort, my second one and this one (third and final) will certainly be worse. People in a hurry or getting drowsy can jump to my final sentence for a complete summary. :) I am very thankful for the excellent safety information concerning the use of black lights. At 04:35 PM 8/16/96 -0600, you wrote: >As you would expect, no matter how close to the plane of the fixture you >are, as you move out to 24" to the side, all the curves begin to merge. >As an example, let's take the 2-bulb F40BLB setup, which has an >aluminum reflector taped to the cover of the ordinary fixture behind >the bulbs. At the _6" below_ position, the brightness begins at about >2800 Microwatt/cm^2 and falls off (in a nearly flat curve as you move >out 24" to the side) to about 600 Microwatt/cm^2. At 12" below, (about >1250 Microwatt/cm^2) there is virtually no loss until you get about 14" >to the side. At 24", the curve is even less dramatic, starting at >about 700 Microwatt/cm^2. In other words, the further down below the >fixture you go, the more even the light distribution is - nice, and >handy. > "The further down below the fixture you go, the more even the light distribution is"? A kid with a flashlight can tell me... never mind. You're not working to a government contract are you? How do you separate actual useable (for our purposes) UV from visible light output in your test using a Cds photoresistor? If you're measuring visible light from the tube, why bother? I've been doing product development in one sort or another for 28 years, some good, some bad. I have dozens of patents with various companies in my name or with my name on them, some I'm proud of, some are pretty embarrassing. Despite my background and education (when I was awake, did I hear Stu say straight?), I tend to talk "grunts" as a unit of force instead of "Newtons". Hell, I'll even use "grunts" as a proper measurement of torque when I try to get the damn compensator sprocket nut off the low end of a Hog. Sure, maybe I'm simple minded but I had to learn to think and design simply. So after almost three decades of doing this stuff (yup, I sound like a typical old coot) this is what I'd do- Take the thing I want to fluoresce under UV and see which black light makes it glow brighter -for my buck- at whatever distance I'm going to use it at. ...and with a minimum of visible light given off by the black light. That's what it's all about, isn't it? I can even measure the amount of visible light given off by the UV luminous object if I want with my expensive light/lumen meter if I can find it. Nothing personal and I really mean no offense but your research, tests and figures are trash if my ghost doesn't glow. Denny From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sun Aug 18 00:04:15 1996 Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 14:43:23 -0400 (EDT) From: Lund To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Saving compressed air Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: A friend of mine is building something and he won't let me know what it is until its done. But he does have a problem and asked me to help out. When I find out what it is, I will post it. Here is the problem, the effect uses compressed air but no active air compressor. The air is contained in a tank (up to 140 lb psi) which has been previously filled. The air drives a piston and is controlled by valves for up/down movement. The problem is it runs out of air after a short while and the tank has to be refilled. Does anyone know how to recirculate the air in the tank so it is not lost. We have plenty of valves. Larry _ ___c Lawrence H. Lund \ _| \_ 179 Studley Street __\_| oooo \_____ Brentwood, NY 11717 ~~~~|______________/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ E-mail: llund@suffolk.lib.ny.us llund179@aol.com Phone: (516)-231-8790 Fax: (516)-434-9315 From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sun Aug 18 00:28:02 1996 Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 17:30:03 -0400 (EDT) From: "Donna J. Logan" To: DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu Subject: Re: MacFrugals & Other Stores Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: On Fri, 16 Aug 1996 DWFWW@jazz.ucc.uno.edu wrote: > Now, _here's_ something I should do, as I live in an apartment and don't > have room for the big displays! I never thought in terms of a dollhouse - > just a mini-diorama for the living room. One could easily take a basic > dollhouse 'kit' and 'distress' it into a Haunt, couldn't one? Heh heh... Actually, the magazine "Nutshell News", which is devoted to miniatures and dollhouses, does a Halloween issue most years where they highlight subscribers' Halloween projects, and explain how they "cannabalize" (their term) various dollhouse kits to come up with just the right effect. They also show projects which are just one room/diorama...one spectacular one was an interpretation from a Dicken's story (the title of which excapes me), where a woman who was jilted at the alter lives as a hermit for decades afterwards, and only on her death is a room discovered still set up with the wedding feast...only it's 50-something years later, everything is covered with dust and cobwebs, the food is all rotted, and rats and mice overrun everything. The woman who built the diorama of this, which was quite detailed, and looked like a photograph of a fullsized room and not 1 inch to 1 foot scale, said she'd worked on it for years.... "Nutshell News" is a good magazine for anyone interested in building miniature scenes....lots of "how-to" articles....which in the past have included articles on how best to photograph miniature scenes and dollhouses... ;-) From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sun Aug 18 00:31:16 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 15:43:35 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: New Halloween Product Review Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: At 12:49 AM 8/17/96 -0400, you wrote: >BLB bulbs are the same as BL's, but they have an extra filter to prevent >visible light from passing through. O.K. one more post from me about this, sorry... Just out of curiosity and since I shot my mouth off, I took two 20 watt shatter resistant Philips BLBs with about 80 hours of use in a fixture and used them to fluoresce (yellow green glow) a phosphorescent target 1 3/4 sq. in. from a distance of 12 inches. Through a 10x finder at 18 inches the meter read the target at 22 ft. candles. At 30 inches target distance the reading was 1.5 ft. candles. Big drop! I borrowed two 20 watt Philips BLs, with at best guess around the same usage. A friend had bought them at very close to the same time I bought mine and used them during the same time period. Under similar test conditions the target glowed at a little under 18 ft. candles. At 30 inches- 1 ft. candle. There are lots of things wrong with this test but it's still interesting... 1. The BLBs are shatter resistant coated, the coating cuts back on output some. 2. None of the tubes are new and are therefore suspect for intensity. 3. By "eyeball" visible light is substantially higher with the BLs. I did not measure reflected visible light off of other surfaces since I am not sure how much UV the meter picks up, if any. Many reflective surfaces also seemed to fluoresce a little, if not a lot. 4. My wife is real happy I'm using the expensive, dust collecting, light meter I had to have a few years ago. 5. I have no idea what phosphorescent materials are used in the target piece or at what wavelength they glow best at. Obviously, this particular target liked the BLB's for whatever reasons. Denny From owner-halloween-l@netcom.com Sun Aug 18 00:52:40 1996 From: milwiron@btprod.com Date: Sat, 17 Aug 1996 12:03:50 -0500 To: halloween-l@netcom.com Subject: Re: Tombstone prop was: Off Topic Reply-To: halloween-l@netcom.com Status: O X-Status: I sent this post to the list a couple days ago, for some very strange reason it was returned as undeliverable from a mail routing I had never seen before. If some of you see it twice, I apologize for the inconvenience. Denny ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- At 05:30 PM 8/15/96 -0600, you wrote: > >>I'll bet Doug is already working on another set of his fantastic drawings. ;) > >Eeeehhha. Well, I'll admit that, when I first saw the initial post about >the tombstone figure, I thought to myself, "Well, let's do one of those.." >But then I said, again to myself, "Naah. People will begin to think I'm >too much of a know-it-all... Anyone that isn't grateful for your work will be merrily and unceremoniously