building hinged wings - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

lurkette · 11-19-2006, 07:28 AM

We have a huge Carnevale celebration at a local "castle" every spring, and this year ratbastid and I want to go as crows, on stilts. I would dearly LOVE to have wings that can fold down and then be extended - I think it would be a great effect. We've got the basic design worked out - a simple frame involving one metal tube up the middle of the back (strapped on with a harness) with the wing frames bolted onto that at a pivot point, extending up past the pivot point just far enough for a chain/rope to be attached to the extended piece so that when you pull down the wings will extend out. Kinda hard to picture, but our real question is materials:

What kind of material will be

1. strong enough to withstand being pivoted back and forth a few times, and to hold up the fabric the wings will be made of

2. flexible enough to be bent into a slightly curved wing shape, but strong enough to hold the shape

3. able to be bolted onto the main tube at the pivot point.

Any ideas? Copper tubing? Aluminum tubing?

Pip · 11-19-2006, 12:12 PM

I don't quite understand the construction, but I'm thinking whatever is used in fishing rods (fibre glass?) would be good. Light, strong, bendy and able to take a beating or three.

EDIT: I hope we get to see some pictures when the project is done, it sounds like an awesome costume idea!

sjb · 12-07-2006, 03:31 PM

Just like Pip, I don't completely understand, but I agree, lightweight is going to be your best bet.

Think fiberglass and carbon fiber. I think kite construction might be a good model for you to use. If you start going with heavier materials like copper and chain, I think it will become impractical very quickly.

shakran · 12-07-2006, 03:55 PM

not sure how long these wings are gonna be, but tent poles (cut down to 2 or 3 sections of course)?

Mauser · 12-16-2006, 08:53 AM

Stilts + Large Surface Area + Slight Breeze = Broken Bones

You're basically building a cross between and kite and a sail, while standing on stilts which offer little balance. Be mindful of this and be careful.

p.s. have fun!

11-19-2006, 07:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	building hinged wings We have a huge Carnevale celebration at a local "castle" every spring, and this year ratbastid and I want to go as crows, on stilts. I would dearly LOVE to have wings that can fold down and then be extended - I think it would be a great effect. We've got the basic design worked out - a simple frame involving one metal tube up the middle of the back (strapped on with a harness) with the wing frames bolted onto that at a pivot point, extending up past the pivot point just far enough for a chain/rope to be attached to the extended piece so that when you pull down the wings will extend out. Kinda hard to picture, but our real question is materials: What kind of material will be 1. strong enough to withstand being pivoted back and forth a few times, and to hold up the fabric the wings will be made of 2. flexible enough to be bent into a slightly curved wing shape, but strong enough to hold the shape 3. able to be bolted onto the main tube at the pivot point. Any ideas? Copper tubing? Aluminum tubing? __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

11-19-2006, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Pip Likes Hats Location: Stockholm, Sweden	I don't quite understand the construction, but I'm thinking whatever is used in fishing rods (fibre glass?) would be good. Light, strong, bendy and able to take a beating or three. EDIT: I hope we get to see some pictures when the project is done, it sounds like an awesome costume idea! Last edited by Pip; 11-19-2006 at 12:24 PM..

12-07-2006, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
sjb Upright Location: Greenville, SC, USA	Just like Pip, I don't completely understand, but I agree, lightweight is going to be your best bet. Think fiberglass and carbon fiber. I think kite construction might be a good model for you to use. If you start going with heavier materials like copper and chain, I think it will become impractical very quickly.

12-07-2006, 03:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	not sure how long these wings are gonna be, but tent poles (cut down to 2 or 3 sections of course)?

12-16-2006, 08:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mauser Upright	Stilts + Large Surface Area + Slight Breeze = Broken Bones You're basically building a cross between and kite and a sail, while standing on stilts which offer little balance. Be mindful of this and be careful. p.s. have fun!