I'm going back in time here so I can show you guys the entire process of making this armor. First of all is the materials. I may add some as I find out how much more crap this costume will take. :D
Lots and lots of cardboard. Find out which of your friends works at a place that breaks down a lot of boxes. If you buy stuff at Sams or Walmart they don't care if you take some as long as you tell them.
-Thick box cardboard
-Thin box cardboard (more stable)
-Very thin beer-box like cardboard
-Thick box cardboard
-Thin box cardboard (more stable)
-Very thin beer-box like cardboard
-Spackle.
-Spray Paint (metallic)
-Polyurethane (Semi-gloss, outdoor and indoor)
-White Primer
-Acrylic Paint color of your choice (for details. My color was blue)
<--(optional) a frappechino.
-Polyurethane (Semi-gloss, outdoor and indoor)
-White Primer
-Acrylic Paint color of your choice (for details. My color was blue)
<--(optional) a frappechino.
-Hot glue sticks + gun
-Cutting Board (a big plastic craft one is best)
-Elmer's glue
-Box cutter
-Exacto-kife
-Good Scissors
-Thin black fabric (about 1 1/2 to 2 yards, buy cheap stuff, like basic cotton)
-Basic paper gas mask(s)
-Sponge brush (for painting Primer without brush marks)
-Multiple grains of sand paper or sanding blocks (those little sand sponges work great)
-A rag (that you don't mind getting covered in spackle)
-A belt or thick fabric to make the belt and pouches (I used denim-like fabric)
-Black Velcro (Decent thickness. Do NOT get that peel-off stick-on crap. It will never hold)
-Black Elastic (make sure it is around an an inch thick, or big enough to hold your armor to your body)
-Cutting Board (a big plastic craft one is best)
-Elmer's glue
-Box cutter
-Exacto-kife
-Good Scissors
-Thin black fabric (about 1 1/2 to 2 yards, buy cheap stuff, like basic cotton)
-Basic paper gas mask(s)
-Sponge brush (for painting Primer without brush marks)
-Multiple grains of sand paper or sanding blocks (those little sand sponges work great)
-A rag (that you don't mind getting covered in spackle)
-A belt or thick fabric to make the belt and pouches (I used denim-like fabric)
-Black Velcro (Decent thickness. Do NOT get that peel-off stick-on crap. It will never hold)
-Black Elastic (make sure it is around an an inch thick, or big enough to hold your armor to your body)
-Plexiglas* or something of equal or sufficient calibur. Also called "Acrylic" If you get desperate you can try buying a face shield and either tinting it with peel-off stick-on tinting, or stained-glassing it. If you're REALLY desperate, you can use school binder dividers that are translucent.
-I ordered my wonderful Plexiglas from BluePlastics.com (See: "Transparent Colored Plexiglas Sheets")
**** If you use a Plexiglas sheet that is NOT pre-formed or bendable, you will have to heat it and form it yourself. This is what I did, so don't think it's impossible. All you need is an oven and a form. Also, more dangerously, you'll have to cut the plastic yourself. It requires a good working space, a clamp, and a jigsaw. Once again: dooable. I will show this part of the process as well. :)
-I ordered my wonderful Plexiglas from BluePlastics.com (See: "Transparent Colored Plexiglas Sheets")
**** If you use a Plexiglas sheet that is NOT pre-formed or bendable, you will have to heat it and form it yourself. This is what I did, so don't think it's impossible. All you need is an oven and a form. Also, more dangerously, you'll have to cut the plastic yourself. It requires a good working space, a clamp, and a jigsaw. Once again: dooable. I will show this part of the process as well. :)
Optional Stuff for Decoration:
-Thick Nylon rope (a belt acessory)
-Black Wiring (For making your armor look all future-like and connected electronically.)
-L.E.D. light with battery and switch (for awesome light up flamethrower attachment)
-Translucent colored school binder dividers (for various computer-screen-looking thingies)
-Cardboard egg carton (For fake fuel casing for flamethrower. I used one of the 24 count ones from Sams)
-Fake guns (so you look like you can actually hunt for bounty)
-Snaps or buttons (if you make your own belt pouches and you want them to close)
SAFETY FIRST!
Don't forget to use proper safety equipment. Always use a gas mask while sanding, spray painting, or doing anything that emits small particles. Upon burning myself with hot glue several times, I started using a thimble and popsicle sticks instead of fingers around the glue. Wear goggles when sawing stuff that may chip. NEVER cut towards yourself or towards your fingers. Oh, and don't hold the stuff you're hot gluing over your legs when you're wearing short shorts... it's been 2 months and I still have that burn mark.
-Thick Nylon rope (a belt acessory)
-Black Wiring (For making your armor look all future-like and connected electronically.)
-L.E.D. light with battery and switch (for awesome light up flamethrower attachment)
-Translucent colored school binder dividers (for various computer-screen-looking thingies)
-Cardboard egg carton (For fake fuel casing for flamethrower. I used one of the 24 count ones from Sams)
-Fake guns (so you look like you can actually hunt for bounty)
-Snaps or buttons (if you make your own belt pouches and you want them to close)
SAFETY FIRST!
Don't forget to use proper safety equipment. Always use a gas mask while sanding, spray painting, or doing anything that emits small particles. Upon burning myself with hot glue several times, I started using a thimble and popsicle sticks instead of fingers around the glue. Wear goggles when sawing stuff that may chip. NEVER cut towards yourself or towards your fingers. Oh, and don't hold the stuff you're hot gluing over your legs when you're wearing short shorts... it's been 2 months and I still have that burn mark.