Ynot Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Looking ahead to my next big show in June, Young Frankenstein, I'm investigating options for effects for the lab... The obvious biggie would be a Jacob's Ladder (or 2...)which will likely be set safely atop the upper level of the planned staging. Now, construction of these from scratch does look to be well within my capabilities, but to save time and effort, if anyone has one or two that have already been put together, I thought I'd ask here. Even better, if they have perspex covers for them. So - anybody?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac.calder Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 (edited) Might be worth trying local schools... even my small rural high school in country Australia had (and probably still has) a jacobs ladder and a van de graaff generator. Both mounted nicely on 40 year old wooden bases Edited December 30, 2021 by mac.calder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmiller056 Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Try asking in the High Voltage and Tesla Coil maker forums. You may find someone local to you willing to help, demonstrate or lend equipment. Do remember that a Jacobs ladder is effectively a spark-gap transmitter and will generate copious amounts of wideband RF interference. The arc is an ignition source for anything flammable nearby. Ozone and short wavelength (ie hazardous) Ultraviolet light can be produced by the arc too. Time to do a Risk assessment...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistermorton Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 Big Clive (of course) has a video about making one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glyn Edwards Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 1 hour ago, alistermorton said: Big Clive (of course) Well who else would it be 🙃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cedd Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 We had some on Jekyll and Hyde and they played absolute havoc with the radio mics! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted December 31, 2021 Author Share Posted December 31, 2021 19 hours ago, pmiller056 said: Time to do a Risk assessment...... RA is already under consideration - looking at all of the obvious risks and placement/containment should mitigate most of those. Hadn't thought of the possible RF issue, but will certainly put that to the test when I have one to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted December 31, 2021 Author Share Posted December 31, 2021 21 hours ago, alistermorton said: Big Clive (of course) has a video about making one. And (of course) that was my first place to look. 😄 😄 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted January 1 Share Posted January 1 Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go. Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted January 2 Author Share Posted January 2 9 hours ago, sunray said: Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go. Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen? Not really Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 6 hours ago, Ynot said: Not really Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan. 🖕🖕 It's a shame our like votes aren't identifyable. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ynot Posted January 2 Author Share Posted January 2 2 hours ago, sunray said: 🖕🖕 It's a shame our like votes aren't identifyable. But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??😮 😮 😮 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david.elsbury Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 4 hours ago, Ynot said: But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??😮 😮 😮 Old people and technology huh? 😉 #kidding! 😇 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 4 hours ago, Ynot said: But was that you giving me a double 'bird'...??😮 😮 😮 Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. NOOOOO. I did that from my phone and thought I'd selected thumbs up. Sadly there is a time limit on editting posts😒😬😓 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunray Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 23 hours ago, sunray said: Have you thought about a LED matrix in its place? all of the hazards gone in one go. Or even a video of the real thing on a 40" screen? 13 hours ago, Ynot said: Not really Neither will do the original effect any justice, so as long as I can ensure a safe use of the ladders, which I will do (or abandon the attempt) then that's the plan. Hopefully I can make amends... It's a shame our like votes aren't identifiable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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