Batman Begins/The Dark Knight linked belt project *NEW DIRECTION AND PICS PAGE 3*
- Thread starter coofunkcurly
- Start date
coofunkcurly
Sr Member
Worth repeating.
The movies used both linked hero belts and rubber stunt belts for a reason. Hero belts are heavy and expensive to make. You don't want to damage that kind of investment while kicking ass as Batman. Stunt belts are much lighter and will hold up better to trooping to a certain point. For heavy trooping you will wear most anything out eventually. But a stunt belt is a much lighter investment to replace as well. We can't dictate how you use these but it's important to know the differences. Many people assume because of movie magic that Bats wore a real metal linked belt the entire movie. Not the case. The hero belt probably had less than a couple minutes of screen time.
Endoskeleton
Well-Known Member
Well, if there's a different market for this stuff, you be sure to let me and Kev know :lol
Going back to my earlier comments about the durability of this belt - I built this thing as sturdy as possible... with costuming in mind. Weight and workload distributions of the pieces and hardware. Reinforced stress points, etc. I'll go into detail when I put pics up. However, my point was that I cannot speak to the individual handling of this piece... especially for those that have it in mind for the sole purpose of costuming. Because like Kev said, nothing will last if you don't treat it well.
Going back to my earlier comments about the durability of this belt - I built this thing as sturdy as possible... with costuming in mind. Weight and workload distributions of the pieces and hardware. Reinforced stress points, etc. I'll go into detail when I put pics up. However, my point was that I cannot speak to the individual handling of this piece... especially for those that have it in mind for the sole purpose of costuming. Because like Kev said, nothing will last if you don't treat it well.
Endoskeleton
Well-Known Member
Just sent you a pic on FB. Hope it helps.
In the end it's still a urethane resin piece, that will be it's weak link. It will break if not cared for and treated properly like Ken said.
Stunt belt is in the works on my end.
Stunt belt is in the works on my end.
Endoskeleton
Well-Known Member
Let me just say that the pieces will not pull out or break loose unless you are extremely forceful with it.
So if you turn big and green when you get angry, don't buy this belt.
When I put up pics and explain in detail... you guys can be the judge of whether or not it will work for your costuming needs.
So if you turn big and green when you get angry, don't buy this belt.
When I put up pics and explain in detail... you guys can be the judge of whether or not it will work for your costuming needs.
Endoskeleton
Well-Known Member
Sorry, if you turn big and green when you get angry... there is no hope with any belt.
CrimsonCoscrafts
Active Member
Ken you are a beautiful man, I would like to touch you one day! I'm so excited for this build, as a wise man once said....
"we are not worthhyyyy"
"we are not worthhyyyy"
MandoMan531
Active Member
Wow, amazing work. I'll be on the lookout for that for sale thread!
Darth Vulgar
New Member
Is the Hulk gonna be doing the stress test on this belt?:lol
Endoskeleton
Well-Known Member
Thank you everyone for the kind words... I really do appreciate it
That is a very good observation :thumbsup
I think you are right in saying that TDK back brace is not adjustable as it was tailored to a specific size. I made a back brace with slide tracks for size adjustments but the most you'll get out of it is one or two belt size up because the piece is really not that big. I tossed it and still playing around with another idea but in the end, I don't think it'll be made adjustable.
But if you're planning on wearing the belt, the back is covered by the cape anyways so the way the Begins straps work would be just as good for TDK.
I think these pics will give you guys a pretty good idea of the back connection...
Here's a few pics of the rear plate - front face and underside. The 3 pieces of hardware there are flange nuts. The flanges prevent them from pulling out. They sit and look pretty but also serve an important function.
These pics show how the straps are secured to the plate. And just a quick note about these straps - they were laser-cut in a high density polyethylene. But as you can see, the material doesn't take to laser very well. The final version will use a different material.
Okay, so if you don't think these straps are gonna be strong enough... you may be right
These connection points are not weak... but they are the weakest overall because the back absorbs the weight of the belt. So what can we do to make this area even stronger?
The movie belts also had another strap on the inside. The strap was made from some sort of webbing... ya know, backpack strap stuff. You can use seat belt webbing, nylon, polyester... all are very strong. Poke a few holes, add some grommets, and the flange nuts will secure it in place. Sorry, I don't have any webbing on me at the moment but I'm sure you get the idea.
All in all and for troopers...
The inner strap will bear all the workload. Will provide a virtually unbreakable connection. It is adjustable to whatever length you need it to be. And it's probably a bit more comfortable too.
That is a very good observation :thumbsup
I think you are right in saying that TDK back brace is not adjustable as it was tailored to a specific size. I made a back brace with slide tracks for size adjustments but the most you'll get out of it is one or two belt size up because the piece is really not that big. I tossed it and still playing around with another idea but in the end, I don't think it'll be made adjustable.
But if you're planning on wearing the belt, the back is covered by the cape anyways so the way the Begins straps work would be just as good for TDK.
I think these pics will give you guys a pretty good idea of the back connection...
Here's a few pics of the rear plate - front face and underside. The 3 pieces of hardware there are flange nuts. The flanges prevent them from pulling out. They sit and look pretty but also serve an important function.
These pics show how the straps are secured to the plate. And just a quick note about these straps - they were laser-cut in a high density polyethylene. But as you can see, the material doesn't take to laser very well. The final version will use a different material.
Okay, so if you don't think these straps are gonna be strong enough... you may be right
These connection points are not weak... but they are the weakest overall because the back absorbs the weight of the belt. So what can we do to make this area even stronger?
The movie belts also had another strap on the inside. The strap was made from some sort of webbing... ya know, backpack strap stuff. You can use seat belt webbing, nylon, polyester... all are very strong. Poke a few holes, add some grommets, and the flange nuts will secure it in place. Sorry, I don't have any webbing on me at the moment but I'm sure you get the idea.
All in all and for troopers...
The inner strap will bear all the workload. Will provide a virtually unbreakable connection. It is adjustable to whatever length you need it to be. And it's probably a bit more comfortable too.
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