Medieval Dr. Doom costume build - NOOB BUILDER

[The BenT One]

Hey everyone!

I just joined the site, and I'm excited to get working on my first costume.

My initial idea was to make full Doctor Doom costume out of cardboard, but a flash in inspiration took me down a different road. The plan now it to build a version of the Doctor Doom suit, but inspired more by traditional plate armor.

I have tried to be as thorough as I can with plotting out the different problems I have to solve to make the build work:
- I am using cardboard for the material, since I am broke and also happen to work at a UPS Store (I can get massive pieces of 1-wall and 2-wall cardboard from delivery boxes that are thrown out). I have a large stash of 2-wall cardboard, and I am collecting 1-wall and thinner cardboard to use for detailing.
- I have done some research on armor making and patterns. I have found a tutorial for making the gauntlets that I want to test out: VIDEO HERE
- I will need to find some fabric patterns to use when making the cloak and tunic.
- I am considering using small magnets to attach different pieces of armor to each other, so I don't have to worry about buckles on ever piece and need someone else to help me get the armor on.

The first problem that I have run into is how to attach the pieces of cardboard when making the armor. I'm guessing that rivets won't work, but I'm not sure if eyelets or grommets will allow enough freedom of movement once they are punched into the cardboard.

I have worked with cardboard before to make a modified suit of samurai armor (pictures are in an album on my profile), so I am familiar with how to score and bend the thicker cardboard to get complex shapes (to an extent).

 

[The BenT One]

I made some quick initial sketches for my idea of what the suit might look like.



I haven't done any real research into how I'm going to combine the actual plate armor influences with the classic Dr Doom influences, but this is my rough idea.

I'm trying to figure out if I want to use magnets to attach pieces of armor to each other. It would make putting it on very easy, but I'm not sure how much those little magnets cost yet. Another problem I though of is how to keep the armor bend and shaped so it holds it's form when it's not on me. I figure that there might be some sort of metal strips that I can buy and easily bend, as well as rivet/bolt to the cardboard.

Any thoughts on something like that?

I will update again once I have more research done and better sketches (as well as a gauntlet mockup build)

 

[The BenT One]

I did a small test for armor joints using a nut, bolt, and 3 washers to allow movement.




I'm not sure that I want to use it now that I've tried it out. I'm fairly certain that I want to have the armor pieces attach to the under armor clothing via magnets.