Optimus Prime Costume

Step 8 My two left feet

To create the feet I took an old pair of shoes and and old industrial floor mat. (Like the ones store cashiers or chefs use) and stacked them on top of each other.

- Decide on how big you want the feet and create the box+trapazoid design you want.
- Cut out 8 to 12 pieces out of the foam and hot glue together on a pancake stack.
- Save just enough foam for the top layer where you will trace out a silouette of the bottom of your sneaker.
- You will cut out that silouette and put the shoe in. This will keep your shoe from sliding back and forth inside.
- Hot glue a velcro strap around all the foam pieces so that it meets just above the shoe. This will hold the shoe down into the silouette and give you more stability.
- Now build the shell around the foot and for added strength, insert some screws into the foam through the cardboard.
- When you paint make sure the shoes aren't inside the boxes!

Comments

[deathnot3d]

what is the measurement for the top of the trapezoid (where the lights go)?

[kb8wsj1015]

what material is the foam padding? is it the foam board just being stacked on each other?

[Freddy108]

Hi, how deep did you go with the 'cut for natural foot flex'? Is it just through the first layer of foam, or is it through the cardboard outer too? Looks like you have cut over 3 thirds in from the bottom from the diagram.

[dannyeurena]

1/3 sounds about correct. You're not going to be able to really bend at the toes, but what you'r going for is the flex needed to be able to walk comfortably, otherwise it will feel like you're trying to walk with a pair of scuba fins on your feet. "and nobody wants to see a waddling Optimus" Thanks for the QQ's. Keep 'em coming, I'll try to be more attentive and get people answers.

[xXBudaXx]

Also how did you achieve that shape, did you use more then one box and connect them?

[dannyeurena]

Look at the Diagram in step #8 - My two left feet. I started with foam base and just bent a few pieces of card-board to cover it with. Kinda like putting siding on a wall. Most of it is trial and error to get it looking right. 1.) I first built the sides with 1 big cardboard "U" that wrapped from the achilles heel. 2.) I then cut the gradual slant down to the toes. (Key word -- gradual) 3.) I then built 2 more "U"s to cover the openings over the toes and glued them to the sides of the original "U" 4.) I then built the flap to go where my foot would enter (with a generous opening for my foot. (Again glueing one side securely to Original "U" and overlapping the other to contact with a small patch of velcro. 5.) Finally I cut out 3 small pieces of cardboard to attach to the front (1 big and 2 small ones) to create the lights at his toes. Which I glued on only after painting. If none of this makes sense, please let me know an I will try to create something more to help you out. Thanks! hope the build goes well.

[xXBudaXx]

I have questions about the feet to this project. It says you used a strap that wraps around the shoe, what did you use?

[dannyeurena]

They were long Velcro Straps that I ran under the foam padding to meet over my foot. Think of it this way. If you were to make a Pregnant woman outfit, you would put a pillow over your stomach but then would have to wrap a rope around both you and the pillow to hold it in place. Same thing with the foot fastening. Really you could also use any belt instead of velcro straps if you're willing to punch more holes into them and destroy a couple of belts in the process. You know they say... "if you want to make an omlet you gotta crack a few eggs." Good luck... as always send picks!!