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Step 6Rear Tires, Treads and Assembly (w/ Rocket Engine)
A 60" diameter huge truck inner tube (purchased new for $60 each on eBay) was used as the main structure of each rear tire. I was racking my brain to come up with a material for the treads. I bounced around rubber mats and even painted bubble wrap. Then I discovered Platon Flooring Protector Underlayment and knew it would work. Platon is a strong 24 mil dimpled plastic sheet that is installed as a barrier between the concrete and finished foor in a basement. The knobby side was perfect for the rear tire treads, then I just flipped it over and used the smoother side for the front tire treads. It costs about $75 a roll at Home Depot, but I got mine for free from a friend who owned a construction company and had some left over.
The first picture shows that it was easy to cut the pattern with a regular pair of scissors. You can see the final shape in the next picture with an indentation to make room for the rear fender.
The rear wheel (bucket) fits in the center hole of the inner tube and attaches to the rear axel (a piece of 1-1/2" pvc pipe screwed to the rear hatch hasp). The PVC framework (held together with small bungee cords) is used to hold the tire in place while supporting the treads.
Use black gaffe tape (it doesn't leave a sticky residue like duct tape) to secure the treads to the front of the inner tube. The rest of the treads just lay over the pvc framework and a corrugated tube ($12 at Home Depot) closes out the other side and helps it to keep it's shape.
The rocket engine was made out of a black plastic garbage can ($11) and an old plastic ribbed plant holder (free) painted with chrome and copper spray paint. A hole was cut in the bottom of each before they were screwed together. A photo printout of the rear of the original Tumbler was taped to the rear hatch for reference.
The first picture shows that it was easy to cut the pattern with a regular pair of scissors. You can see the final shape in the next picture with an indentation to make room for the rear fender.
The rear wheel (bucket) fits in the center hole of the inner tube and attaches to the rear axel (a piece of 1-1/2" pvc pipe screwed to the rear hatch hasp). The PVC framework (held together with small bungee cords) is used to hold the tire in place while supporting the treads.
Use black gaffe tape (it doesn't leave a sticky residue like duct tape) to secure the treads to the front of the inner tube. The rest of the treads just lay over the pvc framework and a corrugated tube ($12 at Home Depot) closes out the other side and helps it to keep it's shape.
The rocket engine was made out of a black plastic garbage can ($11) and an old plastic ribbed plant holder (free) painted with chrome and copper spray paint. A hole was cut in the bottom of each before they were screwed together. A photo printout of the rear of the original Tumbler was taped to the rear hatch for reference.
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Nov 9, 2009. 8:34 AMaron42486
says:
Very very awesome. I wish my costume had this level of detail. That is the best display I've ever seen.
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