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Posted 10/16/2017 6:20:17 PM |
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Supreme Being
Last Login: 2/1/2024 7:08:20 PM
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Decided I needed a Bat Signal for my Halloween display and wanted something quick and easy. Now this is not going to cut it on display at a Comi-Con, but for this purpose it worked out pretty well. I took about three days to complete this, pretty much making it up as I went along. But if you have everything ready to go I think it could be done in a single day. Cost was under $100.00
Supplies needed:
36" fire pit ring
1 sheet 1/2" plywood
1 sheet 3/4" plywood
2 8' 2x4s
2" deck screws
1 1/4" drywall screws
1 light fixture
electrical fixture box
electrical wiring box
1 power cord
2 2 1/2" bolts with nuts and washers
3 cans of flat black spray paint
1 can of metallic silver spray paint
Tools needed
power drill
3 1/5 inch hole saw attachment
drill bits
Jig Saw
pencil
Framing Square
Cut the 1/2" plywood in half so that you have two 4'x4' sections. Mark the grid pattern on one of the sections using the framing square. The squares on the grid are 1" by 1".
Mark a 36" circle Making sure that the circle is centered on the grid pattern. Then trace in the bat symbol using the grid pattern.
Use this method to get a perfect circle:
Get a scrap board and put a screw in it 18" from the edge. Screw the board in in the center of one of the section. Hold the pencil to the edge of the board and mark a perfect circle as you rotate the board.
Remove the board and clamp the two 4"x4" sections together. Cut the outermost circle out with the Jig Saw but don't cut the inner circle or the bat symbol yet.
Fasten the circle without the bat symbol on it to the rear of the fire pit ring. You will need to pre drill holes in the metal ring. Use the drywall screws. I recommend 8 screws spaced evenly around the ring.
Repeat this with the front side making sure the bat symbol is facing out. Drill holes at strategic spots outside if the bat symbol to make tight corners easier for the Jig Saw and saw out the bat symbol, being careful to leave it attached at the wings.
Now, remove the bat symbol ring and spray paint it flat black. Set it aside for now.
Drill a 1/2" hole in the center back of the rear plywood then paint the exterior black and the interior metallic silver. the hole is for the electrical wires that will be put in later. Set that aside and start to work on the base.
Using the same circle making procedure above, mark several circles on the 3/4" ply wood and cut them out. I used 36", 30", 24" and had some others already made that I used as well. You will also need to cut out two small circles from some of the scrap pieces of the 3/4" plywood using the 3 1/2" hole saw to be used later.
Screw these circles together making sure they are centered on each other. It would be a good idea to put some casters on later, but that is optional. Just understand this thing is going to be heavy.
Unfortunately I don't have exact measurements of the 2x4 parts of the base because I was making things up as I went along at this point and forgot to mark down measurements. But you can see what I've done here and be creative and make your own modifications. All angle cuts were either 90 degrees or 45 degrees. 2x4s are put together with 2" deck screws, but 2 1/2 might be better. here's the pictures:
Paint the base flat black. Lay the base down and attach the fire pit ring by drilling holes through the base uprights and through the ring. here's where you will use those two 3 1/2" circles for spacers between the base and the ring. Run the 2 1/2" bolt through both sides and fasten loosely. lift the whole assembly up so it sits on the base.
Now attach the electrical.
Re-attach the front bat symbol. I put two supports behind the upper wings, but you may not feel this was needed.
That's it! Bat Signal done!! Unless you want to add some things of your own. I think it would be cool to add some old gages and maybe some nasty looking electrical switches.
The Completed unit is about 5' 10" tall. Pretty good sized:
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Posted 10/16/2017 7:23:45 PM |
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Forum Member
Last Login: 12/6/2023 2:20:22 PM
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Visits: 3,355
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That is wicked. I'm already picturing that in my backyard
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Posted 10/16/2017 11:16:21 PM |
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You reap what you sow
Last Login: 9/19/2023 12:52:32 AM
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Visits: 29,372
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Posted 10/17/2017 12:16:37 AM |
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DH was once A mail order bride...............
Last Login: 12/22/2020 2:14:32 PM
Posts: 2,526,
Visits: 12,771
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SWEET, but who showed up Batman or the Great Pumpkin?
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Posted 10/17/2017 5:41:20 PM |
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: 12/4/2023 11:08:55 PM
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hey sly,
Very impressive and wicked Bat Signal.
I especially like the use of interlocking multiple structural miters
to increase the strength of the signal support structure. vertigo
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Posted 10/17/2017 10:13:23 PM |
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Forum Member
Last Login: 10/1/2023 8:00:41 PM
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Visits: 1,388
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awesome looking
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Posted 10/18/2017 7:14:41 PM |
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Supreme Being
Last Login: 2/1/2024 7:08:20 PM
Posts: 1,684,
Visits: 5,332
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I especially like the use of interlocking multiple structural miters
to increase the strength of the signal support structure. vertigo
Yes, that was planned. Thanks for noticing. It's things like that that most people don't even notice or think about. So I'm quite pleased that you mention it. Worked pretty well too as it is fairly heavy but quite stable. I did tie it to metal stakes just incase though as a safety precaution.
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Posted 2/27/2018 10:15:58 PM |
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Junior Member
Last Login: 5/10/2020 8:35:22 PM
Posts: 40,
Visits: 473
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Nice looking prop! One day my batmobile will reside in a batcave with one of these on display, along with my bat armor in the display case...
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Posted 3/17/2018 3:27:29 AM |
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Forum Newbie
Last Login: 3/25/2018 9:44:44 PM
Posts: 2,
Visits: 4
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Hello
A cardboard pipe ø 30 cm is a good size but the first objective.
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