Garbage Can: I found that a 20 gallon galvanized was about the perfect size and easy to work with. You can purchase these at any home improvements center for around $12.00.
Hinge: The hinge is used to hold the lid of the can on so you won't have to readjust after every use. The hinge should be a 3 to 4 inch diamond shape when fully open and a triangle when closed.
Spring: This spring is used to assist in closing of the lid after each activation. The spring is a medium action not stiff. It should be long enough to reach from the top of the hinge on the can and to the top of the hinge on the lid.
Air Cylinder: See the projects page for the instructions in making of the Air Cylinder. When determining the size of the cylinder needed, keep in mind that when collapsed, the cylinder needs to fit inside of the can.
Cross Member: This cross member fits snugly in side the can from side to side. It is used to secure the Air Cylinder. Any thing can be used a 2X4 or pvc pipe.
ASSEMBLY:
STEP 1. Determine which side of the can will be the back, some galvanized cans come a little banged up, or could be made to look that way depending on the look you want. I positioned mine so that the handles are on either side. Also you will need to decide which side of the lid will be on the back. I know it sounds a little redundant, but you will be doing some trimming on the lid to fit around the hinge to make the lid fit properly.
STEP 2. Measure the inside of the can from side to side about 8 to 10 inches from the top. This measurement is for the cross member. This piece will be wedged into the can with no mounting screws needed. The cross member will be used to support the Air Cylinder. You can go ahead and cut and place the cross member in now.
STEP 3. Mounting of the Air Cylinder can be tricky. When activated, the cylinder raises the lid and the mask and costume is displayed. To get the creature to look like its coming out of the can, I positioned the cylinder at an angle with the bottom of the cylinder towards the back of the can, but not so far that it will not open the can properly. Before you mount the cylinder, you will need to drill a hole for the airline to pass through the back of the can. The size of the hole should be a little larger that the airline used. Run the air line through the hole and attach it to the air cylinder. Once the cylinder is mounted, I wrapped the airline where it passes through the can with some electrical tape to keep it from being cut from the edges of the hole. To mount the cylinder to the cross member, I used wire to wrap around the cylinder and the cross member. Using wire gives you the opportunity to adjust the cylinder.
STEP 4. To attach the hinge to the can, place the hinge inside the can with the knuckle of the hinge resting on top of the can and mark the places for the holes to be drilled. Drill the holes using the same size bit as the bolts you will using to secure the hinge. Once drilled, mount the hinge to the can. I used a longer bolt on the bottom hole to be used also for mounting of the spring. 2 nuts will be used on this bolt, the first for the hinge and the other to hold the spring.
STEP 5. Place the lid on the can. With the hinge mounted, you will notice that the lid does not fit properly. To eliminate this problem, mark the width of the hinge knuckle on the lid and make one inch cuts and lift the tab created. When this is completed, the lid should fit properly. You can either trim the flap off or leave it as it is.
STEP 6. With the lid trimmed, place it in the open position with the back of the lid resting on the back of the can. Raise the unattached portion of the hinge and mark the places for the mounting holes to be drilled. Once marked remove the lid and drill the appropriate sized holes. Bolt the hinge to the lid. Again there will be a longer bolt used in one of the two holes closest to the rim of the lid for the spring. With the hinge completely mounted, the lid should open freely without binding. If it does bind, trim the lid appropriately.
STEP 7. Place one end of the spring over the long bolt mounting the hinge to the can and secure it with a lock washer and nut. Then attach the other end of the spring to the lid.
STEP 8. Now for the fun part!! I went to the thrift shop and found the gaudiest colored long sleeved shirt I could find. I draped this around the top of the Air Cylinder and buttoned it all the way up to the collar. I then duck taped the cuff of the sleeves to either side of the lid. So when activated, it looks like the creature is lifting the lid.
STEP 9. Selection of the mask makes or brakes the effect desired for this project. A gruesome face with the mouth open makes for a good effect. You will know it when you see it. I stuffed the mask ensuring that I made a hole up through the center for the top of the air cylinder to slide into. After placing the mask over the cylinder, I the stapled the mask to the collar of the shirt. And WHA LA we are ready for some air. (I'm still looking for the mask )
