Optimus Prime Costume

Step 13 Almost finished

Once all the parts were completed I began the comforting process. This means like a wedding dress, I fit then recut and repaste and added duct tape for reinforcement.

The arms are basically 3 boxes.

- The shoulders were originally loose but then I decided the weight was too much and they began to sag (droopy optimus) so I attached them to the chest piece, which made it difficult to get in and out of, so I made the front of them flaps that open up like garage doors. When not open they're held shut by 2 small pieces of velcro straps on each interior side. Unless someone undoes them, they hold pretty well. (Hot glue of course)

- The exhaust pipes are from onld packaging material. Fabric stores have these and toss them. The're thicker than toilet rolls and stronger than Bounty roll tubes. I recommend they be sturdy as I plan on having them tugged at all night long on Halloween. They, like the tires on the legs, are bolted on. Again to prevent shearing. The holes are painted on using label stickers. I firts painted the lower half black. Waited for it to dry; placed the stickers evenly apart, then painted over them with the metalic spray paint. after drying I simple peeled off the stickers carefully with a pair of tweezers. You'll notice I shaded the tops to make them appear used.

Comments

[aerehthqeth]

umm i am having trouble walking in my costume especially up stairs do u have any suggestions??

[1w1e1rty]

did you connect the arms to the chest piece at all or do you just strap them on to your arm with the hinges?

[willdabeast79]

Mate trying to build the mighty optimus prime and started yesterday have 2 days till the big fancy dress party 900 people. may have left it late but giving it a go, its not as neat as yours to be sure but just trying to get my head around it. Yours is a great costume lets hope mine is 10% as good. So any last minute tips I have done the torsso and cuffs so far.

[dannyeurena]

Thanks mate for the kind words. If you have to cut corners to make it on time. Skip the bicep and thigh sections. Also I've seen people skip the wheels on the legs and it still looks pretty good. Please post pics once you're done. You'll find that no one will criticize you here. Everyone that puts in the effort get's a kind word and my respect. Good luck Mate. (POST PICS!!!)

[willdabeast79]

Well its half past midnight I have spent 15 hours on the prime since starting Tuesday night. At this stage I have the painting to do the adding of finishing touches and the building of the waist band. Bed now then a early start as it will be 9ish hours to the party. I have had to use duct tape all over the place due to time and glue gun lack of. So counting down here in the UK for the unveiling of another English Prime. I have no I dea how tall or big you are mate but I over sized my feet as I am US 13 and am 6ft large build so looking at this as my mark 1 prime. Your guide has made it possible lets hope that I get the luck tomorrow and get something out to the party. Catch you soon with pics.

[dannyeurena]

Good luck at the party... and I'm looking forward to them pics! Cheers!

[sav14]

As you should do this for a living. This is amazing! I hope to give this a try soon.

[dannyeurena]

If I can put a few more under my belt and start learning to work with more permanent materials (i.e. Fiberglass) Then spending all day for the rest of my life doing stuff like this would be AMAZING!!! Thanks for the kind words!

[thebeatjackson]

This is brilliant, all the little details make it so much better!

[dannyeurena]

Thanks... I think it's what makes this one different than any other "Store bought" costumes as well. If I could do this for a living I would be the happiest dude in the world.