Hey guys,
We here in northern Utah are having our annual Northern Utah Magic !@#ociation's Escape from Reality show in August. I want to do a guillotine escape. In the past, I have had an "executioner" cut the rope that holds up the blade when the time runs out. However now I would like to have some sort of release mechanism attached to a timer. This would eliminate those in the audiance that will think that if time ran out before I escaped, the executioner wouldn't really cut the rope. Unfortunately I have no experience in making such a device. Could anyone help me or point me in the right direction?

Thanks a bunch,
Bruce

Have the blade held by a burning rope,,,,,burns through!! Plonk.
Safety extra would be plugs inserted above the neck stocks, auto release of the sectional rope (Usuall method) So no danger.

Ken.

Sounds good to me and if ken said so I would go with that ...... but I wold jump of a cliff if ken said it was a good idea - although it does depend on whats below the cliff ..........

Richard Sherry has a timer mechanism for sale, which sounds like it's designed to do exactly what you need.

http://www.richardsherrysmagic.com/access/access.html

Why do you want to know what is underneath me? Dave, you confuse me sometimes.

I will speak in favor of anything built by Richard Sherry. You will receive safe, high quality materials from him.

You will also need a large visual countdown timer, either as a regular looking clock, or a large digital readout. Not sure who does this, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking of the Cannons. Any ideas?

Well you have a seagull on your head ..... goes without saying ......



so I want to know whats below you as well.......


??????

Yep Cannons sell the gubbins to make your own dial work but I must admit I had trouble stopping the spindle from slipping the hands.
Ended up with an LED display unit which was costly but very visual.

Ken

Join your ropes/cables by a pin that can slide out releasing the blade. Hook a string to the pin. Place an air prop or a water wheel or an hour glass so that the rope to the pin is gradually pulled until finally, it releases.

Hope this helps,

Clyde

As chance has it, I am working on a self contained chopper escape and hope to have it done by the end of the the year.

What has chance got to do with this discussion? He has not posted for a while let alone in this thread!

I would use a sand-bottle & counterweight "sand clock," similar to what Norm Bigelow used in "Experiment in Terror."

Thanks guys for your suggestions. They are very helpfull and I now feel like I hve a good start. You are all awesome!
FYI... the first timer (clock)I made was just the workings of a regular clock mounted behind a large piece of 1/4" plywood. I used one piece of spring steel on the second hand only. I crimped it tight enough that it didn't spin. And then I used sticky numbers every 5 seconds.

Thanks again for your ideas!

Go Dave! I need to be put in my place occasionally. The only problem is........ I eventually escape.

Great idea Bruce!

And Jay you should not encouage me!

Sorry encourage - not encouage that's something completly different!

Check this out for a stopwatch/timer. I've use this on my laptop for a couple of shows. If your screen is big enough this works great.

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/

Well that's OK but - what if the net goes down whilst your pon stage?

I like the idea - espceially the Bomb (http://www.online-stopwatch.com/bomb-countdown/full-screen/) but its a shame it explodes with an alarm clock sound!

not sure its practical for hte working pro?

The stopwatch/timer is downloaded so you do not have to be connected to the internet. Works just fine, very visable and it's FREE!

Oh I did not realise you could download it! I assumed! so made a complete *** out of myself there then!

I can agree if you don't need to rely on the internet that's good. I may well use it in class!

Still shame about the lack of bomb sound (or can you chance it?)

Still not convinced I could see the likes of Ken using it - but yes on a stage show maybe.......