Basic TRON: Legacy Style Costume Build

[jyhash]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

New update...

So I was able to finish plastidipping almost all of my armor parts (still need to do the codpiece), and they're looking really good. Very flexible still and look great. Almost as if I was working with real leather.

I also began putting the diffusing tape around the edges of the EL Panels.

As you can tell I'm not very good at straight lines, nor symmetry, so it looks a bit haphazard. But I'm glad I was able to get it looking that good with how difficult the tape was to work with. Gorilla tape, whereas very durable & clean looking, is a nightmare with everyday scissors and prying the glue off your fingers.

I also didn't plan the location of the wire very well with where the diffusing tape would be placed, so there are points where the wire sticks out from underneath the tape. Dis appointing, but no remedy for it now unfortunately.

Also, I'm not adept at making concentric circles. Ugh. The lighting panels on this seem to be the most disappointing aspect. And it makes me feel even worse that it's the most important part of this costume. I don't even want to think about it anymore, just depressing.

So tonight is the beginning of the rush to finish. I have these panels to mount, as well as the Armor. Still need to go pick up some contact cement and wax paper to do it. Then, I get to do some wire management and decide where I want my spare 2 EL wires to go on the costume, which will be easier to manage once I get the armor glued down. I'm thinking maybe 1 wire running through the grooves in the armor on the front, or perhaps around the back once I get the IdentiDisc Hub mounted. I'm going to stay away from the arms as I don't want to risk flexibility issues breaking the EL Filament, but I may end up doing just that anyway.

I can tell you that if I rework this costume at a later date I most definitely will be investing in 2 things: A good set of tools for drawing straight lines and concentric circles, and bright EL Tape.

More info on the progression either later tonight or Tomorrow morning.

 

[jyhash]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

So, More updates...

I began mounting the armor pieces on the undersuit last night. I honestly thought I was gonna get a bit more done, but it was kind of a waste unfortunately.

First I covered my bare legs with Wax Paper, and then put on the Running Tights. I then had my wife put clue on the foam armor and then press it onto my legs. We helped keep it anchored with some painters tape, and I got to lay on the floor with my legs stretched out like Ethan Hawke in "Gattaca" after his leg lengthening operation.

At first I used some Scotch Brand 3M adhesive, but it didn't stay attached with it. I then decided to use E-6000, which worked, but is something you need to be very careful of.

The chemical reaction of the foam bonding to the glue bonding to the tights caused the area to feel VERY VERY warm to the skin on my legs. I had a barrier of Wax Paper in between which prevented any harm, but in retrospect it is not something i would recommend to anyone.

I ended up doing the same thing for the shoulder armor and it got just as hot, and being as that my arm skin is more sensitive than my leg skin (apparently) it was not a pleasant experience. It wasn't even worth it as the Shoulder Armor didn't bond as well as the leg armor did, possibly because the compression shirt was a different fabric type than the pants.

I decided for the other shoulder armor piece that I will use some velcro and use that to hang from the arm hole on the vest, and then get an elastic band and glue it to the inside of the armor piece to strap it to the bicep. I may even remove the glued down piece I've already done and anchor it that way just for symmetry. Worst case scenario, I'll just go buy another compression shirt as they're only $10 at Wal-Mart, if this one happens to be ruined by the glue.

I also started on the gloves. I got a pair of tight running gloves, made by Champion, from Target. They have a honeycomb hex pattern on the palms, so I liked them the best. I cut out the fingers on them, and attempted to use the gorilla tape to reinforce the cut area, but it's coming out all sticky and looking not at all like the rubber reinforcement I wanted. Something tells me I'm just going to remove the tape and leave it as cut lycra.

Anyway, I know not much progress with only 2 days left before the midnight showing, but tonight I'm gonna anchor the hub and light panels then deal with wire management all night on wednesday. With any luck, I won't be doing anything at the last minute as I know I have to go straight from work to the theatre to get in line for the Midnight show.

More to come later.

 

[MorbidCharlie]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

Doesn't look bad at all! Great work with such a time constraint.

 

[jyhash]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

Okay folks, almost a done deal:

For those of you not observing the other big thread here, I have finished as best as I can for this costume.

Yesterday, I scrapped the idea to use E-600 to mount the light panels, and went for hot glue instead... WORKED FRAKKIN' WONDERS. It's a very strong hold and was quite pleased.

Once I had all the panels mounted, I decided it was time to start pinning down my one last wire. I cut some holes in the vest, and threaded it through. I bought the Singer brand version of the "Buttoneer", which essentially acts like one of the guns used to put the plastic tags on store bought garments. Just think of Loading in a plastic pice that looks like an " I " and you're putting the two horizontal parts though the fabric so that they anchor on the other side.

The unit was easy to use (relatively), but it came with a limited number of the inserts to use. After about 12 of them, I ran out, and I decided it might just be better to hand stitch. So I did, with invisible thread, and it ended up looking pretty good. I stitched 3 long bar loops and one big loop of the EL wire around the hub on my back (which incidentally, makes the IdentiDisc light up really awesomely when it's on my back).

Beyond that, I finally got my bracers back from a friend of mine, and took the stupid gorilla tape off of the left hand glove. I also added some velcro/elastic to the left shoulder armor piece, which seems to be holding down okay.

And that's about it, really. Pretty much a done deal. I think I am going to take the remaining 4 feet I have off of the EL Wire on the light panels and stitch it to the lower padding on the front of the vest. I was going to try and anchor it to the leg armor, but I don't want to take the chance of harming the leg armor with hot clue (because that's the only way I could do it (as sewing it town would probably take another day, based on how thick it is; I also run the risk of the wire bending so much it breaks and shorts out the entire suit). But all in all I'm pretty much done.

Hope it's been informative, and if anyone needs some last minute insight feel free to ask!

 

[TheIrishTwit]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

where did you get those bracers from again? they look really cool! you did a fantastic job with the rest of it too! but if you dont mind me nit picking, the inner ring on the identity disk glows not the outside one. but quite honestly given the limit of time you had, i was not even expecting it to be that nice (no hate) good job! this was very informative and i will look back at it once i need my suits done :thumbsup

 

[jyhash]

Re: Basic Tron Style Costume Build (WIP)

where did you get those bracers from again? they look really cool!

I bought them about 7 or 8 years ago for a Samurai Inspired Costume from a place called Ravenswood Leather. They're still in business, but I'm not seeing these bracers up for sale anymore on their website. Interesting to note: They're apparently based out of White City, which is just outside of Medford. If you want I can take some pictures of just the bracers if you're interested and send 'em to you, that way if you wanna get in contact with them for a custom job, they'd probably be able to find some of their old designs. Heck they may even have some old ones left over and be able to send you some with a big discount just to get rid of them.

you did a fantastic job with the rest of it too! but if you dont mind me nit picking, the inner ring on the identity disk glows not the outside one.

I know. The main issue with that was that the inner ring isn't transparent though the IdentiDisc toy, and as you can see in this pic:

​

I wrapped the remaining EL wire around the outside of the HUB. Mainly just to use up the remaining wire i had and give a few more design elements to the initially sparse vest. The fact that the Outre ring of the toy picked up the Light from the el around the hub was just lucky happenstance. I didn't even realize it until I took pictures of the finished version.

but quite honestly given the limit of time you had, i was not even expecting it to be that nice (no hate) good job!

Honestly, me neither. The good thing about this was that I had been doing research on virtually everything since this thread was started back in June. I was thinking I'd do a TRON costume for Halloween, but by the time I was ready to do Halloween, the timeframe for a good costume had passed. Luckily, I got right on top of this after Thanksgiving, and was able to do it some justice. It still looks a bit hackneyed, especially up close, and the project was not without it's speedbumps (the wife almost shut it down, citing money concerns, the day before I was going to start buying pieces).

But all in all it was a crowd pleaser over at Valley River Center's Theatre, and I got cheers going into the darkened theatre with the vest aglow. And I'll get multiple uses out of it because I'll be going again on Saturday too. All around, quite pleased for the money and time I put into it. Let's just say it hasn't failed as spectacularly as some of my other's have (though I wouldn't call this one a failure at all, really )...

this was very informative and i will look back at it once i need my suits done :thumbsup

Glad to be of help! And make sure and let me know and post pics when you're done. Would love to see what you come up with!

 

[TheIrishTwit]

i love ravenswood leather! i was actually looking at the bracers they currently had for my custom suits, they aren't FOR tron but BASED on tron. its kind of difficult to explain. i think i have a thread for my storyline somewhere if you like unknown authors/directors. again, fantastic job on the costume!

 

[edzeez]

I second the question on the bracers, those look pretty sweet.

 

[Meng]

Awesome stuff, me and my buds were thinking about making some Tron suits.
Whats boots did you get for yours?

 

[jyhash]

Awesome stuff, me and my buds were thinking about making some Tron suits.
Whats boots did you get for yours?

They're DKNY "Rebel" boots that I had left over from my 2009 Star Trek Costume. They look futuristic and motorcycle-like enough to get away with it, and since I knew I wasn't going to wire anything to them, I could use them for this costume.

I know someone in israel is selling them on ebay (brown though, so you'd have to dye them) fro about $100 all said an dune, but you may be able to find a pair of motocross boots for a bit cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Wetokole]

Oh wow...A friend of mine told me about this thread and now that I have found it...well, all I can say is that I am FREAKIN amazed at what you did just for a Budget suit!!

I LIKE COPY NOW...LOL!!!

 

[Laserbolt]

Nice. Pretty inventive for a Tron suit, especially with the EL lighting and all. Where did you find the second armor? I've seen it before but can't remember the name of it. Been wanting to use something like that for an undersuit.

 

[jyhash]

The "under armor" was a Starter neoprene nylon long-sleeved runner/football/exercise shirt from Walmart, only about $12. Same with the pants: a starter longjohn made out of the same stuff. One of the cheapest parts of the costume actually.