Robot Costume With LEDs

Step 4 Arms and Hands

The arms proved to be one of the hardest parts of this creation. In the end, I decided on a strategy that maximized comfort and control of the suit; the downside, though, is that my arms don't go into the robot arms but rather stay inside the cardboard box.

I tried a number of locations and designs for the arms and they all resulted in an uncomfortable solution. You still have the option of putting your arms in the robot arms--they will fit--but I think the suit is more usable and comfortable if they remain inside.

To make the arms, you need to cut your duct in half. Take one and cut a few small slits in it with a scissor. Stick that end through the arm hole and fold the slits outward. Duct tape the slits to the box from the inside. On the outside, tape the duct to the outside of the box (covered with foil) with aluminum tape.

Repeat that for the other arm.

For hands, I took latex gloves and filled them with trash (my hands are not going to be in there). Plastic bags work very well, but make sure to stuff them completely to give them a realistic look. Stretch the outside of the wrist part of the glove over the duct and duct tape (finally, using it for its intended purpose, sort of) it.