Making a Mako

This project evolves around the necessity to make a costume that assembles easily, takes up minimal storage space, and can be put together without the use of adhesives. This project was done in school, and beganby sketching out several ideas. After much consolation among group members, a theme, as well as a desgin, was selected. This project is very unique, in that it only involves cardboard to build the entire costume.

Step 1: Design Brief

Design and construct a costume to be posted on instructables.com  that is easily assembled, made of cardboard, follows the common theme of sharks, and uses slotted construction.

Step 2: Specifications and Limits

Cardboard (Painted if desired)
Slotted Construction Design      
Common Theme of Shark Costumes
Easily Assembled by Adult for Middle School Students

Step 3: Parts List

MATERIAL        DESCRIPTION      QTY           SIZE       REMARKS - PART
Anderson Window       Cardboard     1 pc.       3”7’ x 18”       Body (back)
Anderson Window       Cardboard     1 pc.       3”7’ x 18”       Body (front)
Anderson Window       Cardboard     1 pc.           10” x 8”       Dorsal fin
Anderson Window       Cardboard     1 pc.        14” x 12”        Caudal fin
Anderson Window       Cardboard     3 pcs.      12” x 2”         Connector

Step 4: Tools and Equipment

Tools and Equipment list
 ITEM                TOOL                                                          USE
   TI              CUTTING MAT        To be placed over surface to prevent scratching surface while cutting
   T2             UTILITY KNIFE       Cutting out models and prototypes and making slots
   T3                 RULER                    Measuring lengths and making straight lines on models and sketches throughout project.
   T4                    PENCIL                Drawing designs and lines in sketches or displaying lines for cutting along
   T5            CIRCLE TEMPLATE    Making clean shapes to be used it sketches or models

Step 5: Instructions for Preparation of Back Body

Part P1: Back body piece
1. measure (T3) 3’ x 18” square in cardboard (S1)
2. draw (T4) lines straight up 2’
3. cut (T2) up to 2’ straight along lines use cutting mat (T1)
4. make mark (T4) in middle of top of cardboard (S1)
5. draw (T4) head beginning at mark and extending down to lines on both sides
6. continue cutting (T2) on lines including head
7. measure (T3) and draw (T4) slots at locations show in diagram
8. cut (T2) slots (5 slots total on back body) use cutting mat (T1)

Step 6: Instructions for Preparation of Front Body

Part P2: Front body piece
1. trace (T4) shape of body including head on to cardboard (S2)
2. leave 1’ in middle of body for fins
3. measure (T3) and draw (T4) 4” box
4. cut (T2) fins same way as head. use cutting mat (T1)

Step 7: Instructions for Preparation of Dorsal Fin

Part P3: Dorsal Fin
1. Measure (T3) 10” x 8” and draw (T4) box
2. draw (T4) dorsal fin 10” x 8” in box
3. cut (T2) dorsal fin out of cardboard (S1) use cutting mat (T1)
4. cut (T2) slot one inch above bottom. use cutting cutting mat (T1)

Step 8: Instructions for Preparation of Caudal Fin

Part P4: Caudal Fin
1. measure (T3) and draw (T4) 14” x 12” box
2. Cut (T2) box out of cardboard (S4)
3. Draw (T4) dorsal from diagram and then cut (T2) out
4. Cut (T2) slots 1” above line on either side. use cutting mat (T1)

Step 9: Instructions for Preparation of Connectors

Part P5: Connectors
1. measure (T3) and draw (T4) 12” x 2” box in cardboard (S5)
2. cut (T2) out box. use cutting mat (T1)

Step 10: Assembly of Front Body and Dorsal Fin

1. Insert Dorsal (P3) into Front Body (P2)
2. Slide Dorsal (P3) up once inserted

Step 11: Assembly of Front Body and Caudal Fin

1. Insert Caudal (P4) into Front Body (P2) with larger end up
2. Slide Caudal (P4) up once inserted

Step 12: Assembly of Front and Back Body With Connectors

1. Insert Connectors (P5) into Back Body (P1)
2. Insert opposite end of Connectors (P5) into Front Body (P2)
3. Adjust connectors (P5) to fit body of Child