|
My girlfriend and I really want to do some costumes but we're both pretty novice when it comes to finding materials and figuring out ways to do costumes. I really wanna dress up as Trillbot 4000 from Torchlight but I'm not sure what kinda materials I should look into for armor crafting. I'd want to be able to construct something lightweight that can be painted to match the game's aesthetic. Ideally I'd like to run some lights through it as well and possibly use a toy drum for the hand and a bellows for the other so I can actually make some noise with the suit. I'd also like a voice changer or something in the head so that I can change my voice to sound more like his, or at least a small fan since his voice sounds like someone talking into a fan anyway. I can dissect the costume down into base parts but I don't know of any good materials for armor other than worbla and worbla doesn't seem like it'd be ideal for the costume. My girlfriend on the other hand wants to dress as  this and we've already got an idea for the fabric and the wig and I'm pretty confident I could jimmy together a tail and the weird back spike things, but what's really got us is how the hell to do the weird chest piece. We could do a modified swimsuit pattern for the purple bits but the white bit for the chest is all one piece and we can't think of a solid way for her to do the chest piece without sacrificing support and comfort, and given how revealing the outfit would be I figure support would be super important.
|
#
?
May 13, 2013 17:00
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 9, 2024 08:26 |
|
|
I didn't know this thread existed, and now I do I am happy as hell. So many of the photos here are things I have seen and been in awe of on the internet - help me goon savants! I am trying to make Subject Delta from Bioshock 2 for PAX Australia and I feel like I am completely out of my depth. I started by sourcing some things that I feel I can get away with using as a base and save me some build time: First I got myself a padded bodysuit:  Then got some longish welding gloves:  Then I sourced some general 'craft' stuff that I will need for the build - some impact foam and general fabric for patches and the like. For the helmet I am thinking of using Pepakura to basically papercraft the helmets shape, then fibreglass it until it's rigid, and add detail, but beyond that I am now looking at all the stuff I need to get done, and confusing myself. I am thinking of working over the bodysuit with appropriate details while crafting the helmet, so the base can be considered done, then the gloves. I imagine the gloves will be fiddly and I am not entirely sure how to do the fingertip detail yet, but I am open to suggestions.   Thinking I might need to sculpt them out of something and then hot glue attach them, not entirely sure. ...Either way it's a huge task and I regret not doing something smaller scale, but I am a dedicated idiot at this point and will do it if it ruins me. Don't even ask me how I am doing the drill, that's a topic that scares the hell out of me. The concept of 'making it' seems simple enough - but making it SPIN? 
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 00:59
|
|
|
My Big Daddy suit (which has a non-spinning drill) got beaten by a Delta in the craftsmanship part of a contest a few years ago and their drill flew off the mounting right after they got off stage.  Definitely make sure that poo poo is secure!Test fit for Nightmare Moon (ignore my red-rear end face, no makeup/fake eyelashes/etc):   It's got a few things that aren't on it right now, namely a chain belt deal and a strap to hold the pauldrons in place better, but otherwise, it's pretty much kind of done.  I'm feeling negative about it right now but I never like my costumes right when I'm finishing them until I wear them around for awhile. Still, glad it's actually done without a mad dash up to Acen!
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 03:23
|
|
|
McPantserton posted:My Big Daddy suit (which has a non-spinning drill) got beaten by a Delta in the craftsmanship part of a contest a few years ago and their drill flew off the mounting right after they got off stage.  See why I am worried about it!
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 03:33
|
|
|
McPantserton posted:My Big Daddy suit (which has a non-spinning drill) got beaten by a Delta in the craftsmanship part of a contest a few years ago and their drill flew off the mounting right after they got off stage. Despite my distaste for MLP, this is actually a very nice costume. Great job!
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 04:51
|
|
|
Progress! Sub-frame visor for the helmet is now hardware complete. Next up: templates for led bending/soldering, more trimming, sanding, and helmet work! Gotta get that ready for chrome.   
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 07:28
|
|
|
Looking good! Are you doing a full LED scroller? That makes me glad I've decided to do the latest/TRON version for mine - the LED system on the Guy helmet is crazy! Mind you, I can add that in later. I was thinking about this a little earlier tonight. It would be crazy cool if the LED scroller was programmable via bluetooth or something.. and have an app on my phone to swap/add messages.
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 08:32
|
|
|
TwystNeko posted:Looking good! Are you doing a full LED scroller? It's like you read my mind. I am adding a Bluetooth chip to my arduino and will have that work with an iOS app that should allow for both preset patterns as well as a full dynamic scrolling text system. ...I hope...
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 09:35
|
|
|
So I think I have the harness figured out, I am still trying to find something more comfortable that elastic but until then elastic will have to do. In other news made some crazy progress last night went through a little over a pound of apoxie sculpt edging the armor. I made an expanding foam base for it all to stick to and to make sure I wasn't just caking tons of apoxie sculpt on there. I am so in love with this stuff.   Also added some to the shoes I really like it a lot better, once I finish everything else I may add some to raise parts of the chest piece as well as the top tier of the boot. Just depends on time and if I have some left. Though I do have a 4lb pack I haven't opened yet.  Once all the apoxie is added and dried I will be taking a nail brush (they work the best on the suede for me) and a little soap and scrubbing out all the powdery areas before I push forward on the painting etc. I also put in the straps to connect the two parts of the pauldrons. I hate myself for not thinking to add them before the lining, now it looks all gross underneath... I may try and fix that later. 
|
|
#
?
May 14, 2013 14:33
|
|
|
Working on one of these printed spandex suits for a client. http://www.therpf.com/f13/orhadars-spider-man-symbiote-new-punisher-deapool-patterns-175453/ pretty sweet except that it doesn't come with instructions and there aren't any tutorials available that I can find. Just one gal that has been sewing them that doesn't answer questions. Needless to say it has been a challenge. I have struggled a bit and I'm also not super good at spandex. I just basted the suit together to get the fit right and make sure I was putting it together correctly. (sorry for the shameful mess of a studio)   
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 01:39
|
|
|
a cock shaped fruit posted:
I don't remember what it was called, but last year, there was a green lantern toy at toys r us (in canada, even) that had a spinning barrel that you could attach a lightweight drill overlay onto maybe? The actual toy is a handcannon disk shooter, but it spins when you pull the trigger inside where your hand grasps it. It's a mechanical spin, so you would have to pump it in order to keep up a spin, but it might be worth considering if electrical motors aren't a solution. Best of luck though either way.
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 04:54
|
|
|
SmithKurosaki posted:I don't remember what it was called, but last year, there was a green lantern toy at toys r us (in canada, even) that had a spinning barrel that you could attach a lightweight drill overlay onto maybe? This sounds perfect. Basically I would love to build it in such a way that is doesn't require power - and generally using a toy mechanism would be perfect. Then I walked into my local toy store and felt old as heck because all the toys require batteries for everything nowadays, and nothing is mechanically built  Edit: Is it this sucker? http://www.amazon.com/Green-Lantern-Colossal-Cannon-Blaster/dp/B004H4XLOM/ref=pd_sim_t_2 a cock shaped fruit fucked around with this message at 05:18 on May 15, 2013 |
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 05:12
|
|
|
a cock shaped fruit posted:This sounds perfect. Basically I would love to build it in such a way that is doesn't require power - and generally using a toy mechanism would be perfect. That is precisely it. It does take batteries, but as far as I can tell, that's only for the lights and sound, not for the spinning, since it's not continuous, and only triggered by pulling and releasing the trigger.
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 05:28
|
|
|
SmithKurosaki posted:That is precisely it. It does take batteries, but as far as I can tell, that's only for the lights and sound, not for the spinning, since it's not continuous, and only triggered by pulling and releasing the trigger. This is looking better and better. The price, not so much - but where there is a will there is a way. It's basically exactly what I was trying to imagine as far as 'Something I can place my hand INSIDE and operate'. Just need to source one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Awesome suggestion! Edit, man look at it spin at the start of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=954F8zJMOjE Double Edit: Holy poo poo these prices Triple Edit: Living in Australia sucks at this point. 
a cock shaped fruit fucked around with this message at 06:08 on May 15, 2013 |
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 05:36
|
|
|
I made a LED soldering jig. Not the straightest but it SHOULD work *crosses fingers* I wish I had a drill press with a laser pointer guide, would have made things soooo straight. 
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 08:33
|
|
|
a cock shaped fruit posted:This is looking better and better. The price, not so much - but where there is a will there is a way. It's basically exactly what I was trying to imagine as far as 'Something I can place my hand INSIDE and operate'. It may have also stopped production, which is why it's so much. I haven't seen one in a couple months, and I'm in toys r us a decent amount for nerf guns for props
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 14:48
|
|
|
a cock shaped fruit posted:This is looking better and better. The price, not so much - but where there is a will there is a way. It's basically exactly what I was trying to imagine as far as 'Something I can place my hand INSIDE and operate'. It seems like you could do this prettily easily with a small battery pack and a little electric motor - is there a reason you don't want to mess with that? If you don't want to do any wiring you could probably just hook something up to a little dremel or even an electric toothbrush. Or an electric egg beater. Failing that, the mechanical gearing required is not really too complicated (I can imagine a couple options just off the cuff) but it would require the time to put together and either buying or making the parts anyway.
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 16:34
|
|
|
SmithKurosaki posted:It may have also stopped production, which is why it's so much. I haven't seen one in a couple months, and I'm in toys r us a decent amount for nerf guns for props All sources point to it being out of production, yeah. Ashcans posted:It seems like you could do this prettily easily with a small battery pack and a little electric motor - is there a reason you don't want to mess with that? If you don't want to do any wiring you could probably just hook something up to a little dremel or even an electric toothbrush. Or an electric egg beater. Basically was trying to avoid anything electrical if only to avoid things like dying batteries and having to wire things up - I am accident prone and avoid stuff like that. The mechanical gearing is something I am trying to imagine myself, because if I can reproduce it that's no issue. Ideally I just want some form of way to have most of the drill mechanism worn over my arm, and be hand operated.
|
|
#
?
May 15, 2013 22:54
|
|
|
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...2&pf_rd_i=typ01 That Cannon Blaster is on Amazon for $14 right now. 11 in stock as of this writing.
|
|
#
?
May 17, 2013 02:27
|
|
|
So as part of a steampunk Inspector gadget halloween/steampunk project, I started building a gadget arm frame that will be strapped to my left arm with a claw or hand attached. Not sure yet. Since I lack the both the tool and materials, well the space too I tend to recycle what ever cardboard I have laying around for my projects. As you can see needs painting and there's still plenty of work to go but its turned out better than I hoped so far. I hadn't expected the hinge and the struts to actually work this well.  And yes I made the frame out of old cereal boxes Agamembar fucked around with this message at 22:14 on May 17, 2013 |
|
#
?
May 17, 2013 22:09
|
|
|
Hey guys.. trying to get my GRIFTER coat to look better than it does.. does anyone have any good tips to make it look like I DIDN'T just gain 400 lbs by putting it on? I swear to god putting on the green coat is like glimpsing into me in the future. 
|
|
#
?
May 18, 2013 03:32
|
|
|
Currently working on my gloves, and so far all is well. Anyone got any recommendations on how to do the fingertips? I was thinking it might be best to sculpt something to glue to the end of my glove fingers, but not really sure what to use.
|
|
#
?
May 18, 2013 13:53
|
|
|
a cock shaped fruit posted:Currently working on my gloves, and so far all is well. Anyone got any recommendations on how to do the fingertips? I was thinking it might be best to sculpt something to glue to the end of my glove fingers, but not really sure what to use. Because I am the queen of overkill, I would probably cast them, most likely in latex. For something small and repeated like a fingertip it might actually be worth doing, as you'd only need to sculpt one (or two if the thumb is different) rather than ten. Latex is strong, flexible and relatively inexpensive, and you can make the master from cheap materials like plasticene and the mold from plaster of paris. Something like a fingertip will only need a tiny little mold and not much latex. You can mix the base colour (probably grey or black) into the actual latex, and the surface silver can be added using acrylic paint mixed about 50:50 with more latex to reduce shipping and wear. It'll need occasional touch ups but generally be pretty drat durable. The only thing to watch for is not touching the bare skin of strangers with them as you could potentially trigger an allery, but if you're feeling up random people latex allergies are the least of your problems. If you're really worried though you can use other materials like silicone, resin or even hot glue (the latter two require a flexible mold)
|
|
#
?
May 18, 2013 17:25
|
|
|
Jet Ready Go posted:Hey guys.. trying to get my GRIFTER coat to look better than it does.. does anyone have any good tips to make it look like I DIDN'T just gain 400 lbs by putting it on? The main problem is that the coat has too much fabric for the space you're using it to fill... IE, it's too big. I know it might fit fine, but for the costume it is too big. Depending on what your skill level is, you can either take in the torso area so it's more form fitting and will stay in the cool open 'action' position, or I've seen a few drawings of the character with a chest harness of pouches that you could make to pull in that extra fabric and not have it add so much bulk to your shape, and hold the jacket open. If you look at most of the drawings, the coat is pulled back far to each side, while on you it hangs over parts of your chest. Even just making the harness thing so that it holds the coat back under your arms will stop it from obscuring your body as much, and make it much more 'slimming'.
|
|
#
?
May 18, 2013 20:02
|
|
|
Fatkraken posted:Because I am the queen of overkill, I would probably cast them, most likely in latex. For something small and repeated like a fingertip it might actually be worth doing, as you'd only need to sculpt one (or two if the thumb is different) rather than ten. Not sure how I would go for resources, but then at the end you mentioned hot glue. So I could possible sculpt a master, make a mold and then ...pour hot glue into the mold? Edit: For clarification I am really really new to alot of this - I have made props in the past that I was impressed with but I was kind of making sure I was, uh, only punching inside my weight division. a cock shaped fruit fucked around with this message at 01:42 on May 19, 2013 |
|
#
?
May 19, 2013 01:39
|
|
|
Hey look someone finished cutting out giant chunks of plastic and is learning to solder tiny circuit boards!  
|
|
#
?
May 19, 2013 10:53
|
|
|
Two questions: I'm working on a Witch King of Angmar helmet right now, and thus far I've got the whole thing done up in cardboard. My plan was to get some Bondo and coat the whole thing in thin layers so it becomes a solid, durable piece, but as far as I can tell Bondo isn't flexible at all. The helmet needs to stretch just a bit while it's on my head to get the bottom half to be in the proper position, so would my best bet be to find a mannequin head to put the helmet on while I coat it? Or will it lose shape as soon as I take it back off? Where do I even buy a mannequin head? Second question: I'm also interested in doing a piece of chest armor like this: http://thumbsnap.com/s/z8um7VqW.jpg I want it to be con-friendly, which means no actual metal, correct? I'm just not sure how to do all those segments of leather while keeping the whole thing a bit flexible like it is in the photo. Is it just a leather chest-shaped section with a bunch of smaller leather sections riveted to it? Is there a way to replicate that without making a real-deal replica?
|
|
#
?
May 19, 2013 22:53
|
|
|
Just got back from ACen and it was a blast!! Fully assembled Nightmare Moon was really well-received and looked a lot better than my test fit what with the makeup and accessories.  I also met Yaya Han, who declared me to be badass and very flatteringly asked to take a picture with me before I had a chance to ask her. D'awww.   And even better, I won Judges Choice for Master craftsmanship at the masquerade for my Soul Calibur Hilde armor!  I wish my whole group had won but they were all really happy for me and it was nice that at least one of our costumes placed, we were bummed that we didn't at GenCon. Then we met up with another huge SC group, did a loving sweet photoshoot, and got bombed together. Basically a perfect end to a loving awesome weekend.
|
|
#
?
May 19, 2013 23:19
|
|
|
That looks great! What sorts of paint did you use to get that blue finish?
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 14:33
|
|
|
Thanks! The armor was primed with black Krylon fusion, then I used a metallic blue Rustoleum spray paint for the blue (normally I really hate Rustoleum paints but for a base color it was fine). Then I shaded the edges with a black acrylic and a brush and clear coated with Krylon gloss coat. The silver is all two tones as well.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 14:53
|
|
|
Cross-posting from the Star Trek thread because I suppose it counts: Finally figured out the fit of the MP3 player and got it tacked down with hot glue. I ended up using a Coby MP820 since I couldn't really figure out how to get the other one to work without doing too much modding to have access to the buttons.  Lining up the screen with the opening  Accidentally broke the leads to the battery  And I don't have a soldering iron, so alligator clamps while I wait for one from Amazon. But that at least led me to figure out how I could use the built-in switch to turn on/off the MP3 player. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahLKl89h-rU And a video of it in action. I don't think I could fit another board in to replace the lights to the left of the screen, so I'm thinking of using some EL wire for it. And of course I think I broke the ribbon to the digitizer, and may have messed something else up since I can't get it to turn on anymore Ordered another one (like $30) and some proper pry tools. I think I'll have more luck this time around since I know how it's put together. Any tips on how to get a (tiny) speaker wired to the headphone jack? I'd do it internally, but the headphone jack is flush with the USB port, and I want to keep that port open to be able to connect to USB to put more graphics on there without disassembly.Bonus: Doctor Who outfit coming together as well:  I'll get better pictures of it plus my finished Homestuck costume later today. Kazy fucked around with this message at 15:36 on May 20, 2013 |
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 15:33
|
|
|
Getting motivated this past weekend was just difficult probably because I am pretty much down to hand stitching and sanding. Once I get through with that it's all painting and sealing but man I am just not a fan of sanding, it's such a pain, especially sense it's almost all super fine detailing that I am having to sand. But I am almost done with Felicita, so that is helpful. I am really happy with how the skirt came out. All that is left is the weapons which are almost ready to paint and to finish the jacket alterations and make the thigh strap and the corset.  Sylvanas is coming together, but the dress form I made and never got the oportunity to reinforce is starting to fall apart and the thigh guards are still to big. I am going to have to crack them again and resize them, this time I am going to just wear them or something in hopes that they dry the correct size.  I may add some clay to the top but it will have to be after Akon there is just no time for it now.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 15:57
|
|
|
Daaang McPantserton, everything you do is so cool.  In other news, my JoJo's Bizarre Adventure cosplays are nearly done. My Lucy Steel is complete except for the wig, which my friend will be cutting and styling for me. Erina is also almost complete, just needs some final touches on the over dress. I don't have any photos of Erina, but here's what I have for Lucy:  The rain jacket. I took some creative liberties with it, but JoJo designs are notoriously physically unlikely.  (Apologies for the bad phone photo) This is what most of the outfit looked like before the application of pom-poms and arm warmers, which I made the other day:  I'm getting tons of help with the Erina costume, so it's going to look super way better than this. On the other hand, I did this costume pretty much all by myself so I'm very proud of it. Both outfits will premiere at Fanime this weekend.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 17:31
|
|
|
Hey cosplay peeps, I'm kind of a scrub when it comes to complicated props, and was wondering what the simplest, cheapest solution would be for getting Travis Touchdown's beam katana from No More Heroes. The actual assembly is pretty simple and fun looking, but actually getting it to light up is where I'm not so sure, I've never messed with electrical stuff for a costume before. Picturrrrrre:  P.S. I blew through this thread in the past 24 hours and loving christ the stuff you people produce is amazing.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 18:58
|
|
|
Ruin Completely posted:Hey cosplay peeps, I'm kind of a scrub when it comes to complicated props, and was wondering what the simplest, cheapest solution would be for getting Travis Touchdown's beam katana from No More Heroes. The actual assembly is pretty simple and fun looking, but actually getting it to light up is where I'm not so sure, I've never messed with electrical stuff for a costume before. I would buy a $120 FX lightsaber and modify it.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 19:07
|
|
|
Red Robin Hood posted:I would buy a $120 FX lightsaber and modify it. You don't even need to buy the expensive one now. They're using that same blade in a cheaper model now. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12426395 I'm pretty sure its got the plastic handle of the really cheap ones and the blade of the expensive one. If you're going to have to modify it why spend that much on something you're going to destroy.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 19:14
|
|
|
LadyRavenWaves posted:Getting motivated this past weekend was just difficult probably because I am pretty much down to hand stitching and sanding. Once I get through with that it's all painting and sealing but man I am just not a fan of sanding, it's such a pain, especially sense it's almost all super fine detailing that I am having to sand. In the small chance that this is helpful to someone... I own a none adjustable dress form used by a 5ft tall lady with 34c24 36 who weighed 110. Shipping would kill but if you live in the Bay Area CA pm if interested or gmail at azutler.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 20:14
|
|
|
Honey Badger posted:
I'm not quite sure what you mean by "stretch to get the bottom in position." Like, every time you put the helmet on it needs to stretch? Or just stretch once while you harden the piece to keep the shape? Either way, I don't think Bondo is what you want to depend on to make your cardboard solid. I have a WIP witch king helmet (made out of card stock) and ran into a similar problem with shaping since it's such an unwieldy piece.  To keep the integrity of the shape of the crown I took measurements of my head and made a cross with two pieces of cardboard to stick where my head goes (the kind where you cut slits halfway down the middle and stick them together) and then coated the entire thing with fiberglass resin. Once it soaks in and dries, it becomes fairly rigid (enough to keep the shape). I then went back through and reinforced it with fiberglass cloth, and will eventually cover it with bondo to get the desired finish. It should work just as well on cardboard. The problem with skipping the fiberglass step is that bondo is kind of brittle, so if your helmet bends there is a possibility that it will crack.
|
|
#
?
May 20, 2013 22:37
|
|
|
What do you guys think would be a good starting point for a Booker? Obviously I'd need pinstriped slacks, I already have some dress shoes. I've never done it before, so failing that, I might go to Pax 13 as a Vox Pop I already have a jacket similar to one of the ones they wear and some ammo pouches. I am supremely frustrated at their weapon prop rules, though. No-tolerance (pretty much) policies are always the worst.
|
|
#
?
May 21, 2013 01:18
|
|
|
|
| # ? May 9, 2024 08:26 |
|
|
Nuclear Pogostick posted:What do you guys think would be a good starting point for a Booker? Obviously I'd need pinstriped slacks, I already have some dress shoes. I've never done it before, so failing that, I might go to Pax 13 as a Vox Pop I already have a jacket similar to one of the ones they wear and some ammo pouches. I am supremely frustrated at their weapon prop rules, though. No-tolerance (pretty much) policies are always the worst. Could you make papermache bananas with grips for guns and little pineapples for grenades? Loaf of fruitcake could stand in for plastic explosives.
|
|
#
?
May 21, 2013 01:48
|
|