Guide

Skelly Assembly, Anchoring & Safety Tips

General tips for getting a 12ft Skelly or similar animatronic prop set up safely, before you ever open PropPal to control it.

Tips

1. 1

   Start with the manufacturer's manual

   It has the exact hardware, torque, and assembly steps for your specific model. The tips below are general practices we've seen help other owners, not a replacement for it.

2. 2

   Get a second pair of hands

   Anything around 8ft or taller, or with heavy joints, is safer to assemble and stand up with two people.

3. 3

   Anchor it before you power it on

   Stakes, sandbags, or tie-downs rated for outdoor wind in your area. A tall animatronic prop acts like a sail in a gust, so anchoring matters more the taller it is.

4. 4

   Add extra guy lines for extra stability

   For taller or top-heavy props, run additional guy lines from a few points on the frame out to separate anchor points on the ground, spacing them around the prop rather than all on one side. Long, heavy-duty trampoline stakes work well for this since they bite deeper into the ground than the stakes included in the box, especially in loose or sandy soil.

5. 5

   Check moving zones are clear first

   Before the first power-on, make sure nothing is blocking a joint's range of motion. Something caught mid-cycle can strain the motor, and it's safer for anyone standing nearby too.

6. 6

   Think about placement

   Keep it clear of driveways, walkways, and power lines when choosing a spot.

7. 7

   Plan for weather

   Bring it in, or power down and secure it, ahead of serious wind or storms.

8. 8

   Power down before adjusting

   Unplug or disconnect power before doing any physical adjustments to a prop that's already assembled.