When first beginning my search for the most AWESOME Halloween costume ever created, I first wanted to pick something I've always loved... this lead to my childhood amore for Transformers which eventually became my Magnus Opus or Optimus Prime to be exact. Once I had the idea I shared it with my family and thus began the endless nights, thousands of Glue gun burns and my invasion occupation of my living room. I unshackled the little geek in me and let him run buck wild 'til his heart's delight.
All together I spent about $40 - $50 bucks, finding most materials from what I had in my garage or around the home.
Things you'll need:
- Hot Glue Gun (and sticks - the bigger the bag the better)
- Duct Tape (Red, Gray)
- Masking Tap (Mainly for paint)
- Small Ruler and Big Ruler
- Exacto Blade
- Scissors
- Spray Paints (Primer, Red, Blue, white and Mettalic)
- $.99 cents store Mini Flashlights (4 of them)
- Hard HAt (about $6.00 at any Hardware Store)
- Velcro (Found at Major stores like Target, Kmart etc.)
- Lots and lots of cardboard, or foam board. Most companies throw out scrap or just go to your local markets and ask them to save you some before tossing.
- 2 tin cans (emptied of course)
- 2 plastic report sheet covers (for the windshields)
- I used old Hockey Gloves but any cheap canvas ones will work.
- Packaging tubes or PVC piping
Over the last month I've found myself staring at piles of trash while driving, hoping to find something I can use for my costume. Always try to be frugal and inventive.
All together I spent about $40 - $50 bucks, finding most materials from what I had in my garage or around the home.
Things you'll need:
- Hot Glue Gun (and sticks - the bigger the bag the better)
- Duct Tape (Red, Gray)
- Masking Tap (Mainly for paint)
- Small Ruler and Big Ruler
- Exacto Blade
- Scissors
- Spray Paints (Primer, Red, Blue, white and Mettalic)
- $.99 cents store Mini Flashlights (4 of them)
- Hard HAt (about $6.00 at any Hardware Store)
- Velcro (Found at Major stores like Target, Kmart etc.)
- Lots and lots of cardboard, or foam board. Most companies throw out scrap or just go to your local markets and ask them to save you some before tossing.
- 2 tin cans (emptied of course)
- 2 plastic report sheet covers (for the windshields)
- I used old Hockey Gloves but any cheap canvas ones will work.
- Packaging tubes or PVC piping
Over the last month I've found myself staring at piles of trash while driving, hoping to find something I can use for my costume. Always try to be frugal and inventive.
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Signing UpStep 1: Creating the head
Let start with the head.
First select an old bicycle, snowboarding, or hardhat helmet that you never plan on using again.
From the Cardboard or foamboard
- Cut 2 ear flaps (Triangle shape)
- Cut 1 center unit piece (Retangle Shape)
- Cut 2 side discs where you plan on attaching the 2 antennae. (circle discs) Antennae.
Like most of this project it will be a series of trial and error to make things fit, the ear flaps are no exception. Once you have your desired shapes cut out, you'll need to cut circles on the inside to affix to the helmet with hot glue. Adjust fast because the glue dries quick.
The Center unit will present the biggest challenge as the concave center will need to be cut out with your best estimate then refitted for additional cuts. Remember don't over guess because you can always take off more, but you can't regrow once cut. Take your time on this fitting, it will pay off in the end.
Finally as for the side discs, just cut out 4 identical round discs, then for interior spacing take small scraps of cardboard and stack them like pancakes. Identical in number so both discs are even. Sandwich the small scraps with 2 discs and glue in place. Wrap then glue with out rim with a thin strip that covers the sandwich space. While drying cut out 2 long strips which will be the antannae (equal length) then measure out there width on the strip part of the disc. Cut slats on the discs just big enough to fit the antannae then put some glue on the tips and insert in the hold. Attach to the outer flaps and you've got an Optimus helmet.
Prepare for Painting by taping open areas of fabric with masking tape and any plastic bags around the home. Primer first, then paint over with the blue color of your liking.
First select an old bicycle, snowboarding, or hardhat helmet that you never plan on using again.
From the Cardboard or foamboard
- Cut 2 ear flaps (Triangle shape)
- Cut 1 center unit piece (Retangle Shape)
- Cut 2 side discs where you plan on attaching the 2 antennae. (circle discs) Antennae.
Like most of this project it will be a series of trial and error to make things fit, the ear flaps are no exception. Once you have your desired shapes cut out, you'll need to cut circles on the inside to affix to the helmet with hot glue. Adjust fast because the glue dries quick.
The Center unit will present the biggest challenge as the concave center will need to be cut out with your best estimate then refitted for additional cuts. Remember don't over guess because you can always take off more, but you can't regrow once cut. Take your time on this fitting, it will pay off in the end.
Finally as for the side discs, just cut out 4 identical round discs, then for interior spacing take small scraps of cardboard and stack them like pancakes. Identical in number so both discs are even. Sandwich the small scraps with 2 discs and glue in place. Wrap then glue with out rim with a thin strip that covers the sandwich space. While drying cut out 2 long strips which will be the antannae (equal length) then measure out there width on the strip part of the disc. Cut slats on the discs just big enough to fit the antannae then put some glue on the tips and insert in the hold. Attach to the outer flaps and you've got an Optimus helmet.
Prepare for Painting by taping open areas of fabric with masking tape and any plastic bags around the home. Primer first, then paint over with the blue color of your liking.
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My three year old wanted to be Optimus prime for halloween so I had to scale the costume down quite a bit. Thanks for the good design Idea!! He loved it and the family was impressed with what you can do with some cardboard and a bunch of hot glue:)
Unfortunately it wasn't finished, still needed a few touches here and there, but still went down a great hit.
Thanks again!
Doorstop
I took on the challange of doing my own Prime using our Prime as a blue print. I wore it last weekend for our pop culture expo, Supanova in Sydney, Australia. I could only wear it for a short time but when I did have it on, I could not move without everyone stopping me for a pic.
Took me over 2 1/2 months to make and had to cram in the time in the end to get it done. Still needs a bit of work done but the result was epic!!
Thanks for the blue prints. Without them I don't think I would of got this done. The pic's are a shorten pic history. Enjoy.
Just a warning for other Primes-to-be out there: I did have a problem with several of the kids thinking I was a Real Steel robot and trying to get me to fight by hitting or kicking me. The parents usually told them to stop but after a while I had to find a buddy to try and stop them before they got close enough to hit. (For most of them you can tell which ones are going to hit you but they're really smart about coming in from your blind sides.) After spending hours and hours working on this costume it was extremely frustrating having it get banged and torn up. Be sure and bring along repair supplies if there's going to be kids around.
Tips would be nice
Dimensions
Anything that you could give us so that we can have an easier time building it. Thanks man, your great.
"ummmm, mommy, I think I want to be a Decepticon instead..." Honestly! The little monster. LOL.
Once he put it on though, he was so psyched to be Optimus. I think he was just yanking my chain.
Here's a pic of our finished product at the end of our night.
I had to make some adjustments to accomodate a child, like making it lighter... waaayyyy lighter.
For the shoes I only made the front halves and had them hinge directly onto the leg, so the shoe and leg were one big piece.
The leg pieces I cut at an angle at the bottom to accomodate a natural stepping motion. Worn with light up shoes it actually added to the costume.
I reinforced the folds on the inside with a finger swipe of caulk and it made the costume super sturdy on the folds.
My windows were cut from an old calendar.
I left out the sides of the torso because it added to much bulk to such a small frame. This really made it easy to slip on and off and because of the arm pieces you can't even tell the sides are missing.
The shoulders are attached with tiny hinges so they move up whenever my son lifts his arms outward.
### One thing I would do differently and something I would recommend for anyone making a costume like this for a small child is to make a template of the entire costume out of a very lightweight cardboard like a cereal box.
Before you glue any of it together, trace and cut out the same pattern out of Foamies (pictured below)
You can find Foamies by the roll (36" by 60") at craft stores like JoAnn Fabrics, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby for about $5 when it's on sale or you use a coupon. Just buy the colors you need for your costume, in this case, red, blue, and white.
With your glue gun, hot glue the foamies pattern ONTO your cereal box template (be sure to score your craft foam the way you would with your cardboard).
Construct the entire costume in the same manner (glue foamies to card then assemble).
Once it's done spray entire costume with a clear glossy spray.
This will drastically take the weight of the costume down and it will add comfort and squirming room for kids that don't hold still.
I used the above technique on a different project so I know it works, I just wish I could've used it for this costume since cutting cereal boxes is so much easier than cutting stubborn cardboard LOL.
Oh, by the way, the lights on the costume are reading lights from the Dollar Tree. The helmet was started from a camo/soldier helmet also from the dollar tree.
Thanks again for this crazy awesome instructable.
:)
Quick P.S. in Chemistry when we were looking at telephone poles, and discussing the functions of all the equipment, when Mr.Censored said,"Do any of you know what a transformer is?"
Before I could register what I was doing I raised my hand and said,"Robots in disguise."
Also, when it was Halloween, my school allows costumes, I saw someone dressed up as Bumblebee, and when she sat down for lunch, TRANSFORMED INTO A CAR!
lol, everyone would have laughed
days at school will be boring if noting like that happened:)
http://youtu.be/nDIQgwTlPME
I've just started this as my "summer project," if you will. I take a lot of pride in having awesome Halloween costumes (this past Halloween, I did Two-Face to much respect), and I want to see if I'm up to the challenge of this masterpiece!
I just started with the chest piece, and I had to make it myself because I couldn't find a box in the right size. My edges are unsightly, and I'm looking for a way to cover them up. I was wondering if there were any tips about spackling cardboard edges. I've never done it before, and I don't want to mess anything up and have to start from scratch.