PredatoRay31
New Member
Hello everyone.
I don't have a lot of money and have no talent with sculpting or fiberglassing (tried and failed on many occasions). But I seem to have a knack for making costumes from common stuff and modding other stuff. I have some friends with decent Predator costumes and I wanted to join them during their ventures. I'm currently the Assistant Manager for the props and costuming department of IMAGICON in Alabama. Now I know someone will hit me up for accuracy, I will do my best but I feel every Predator is different and their own hunter. I also try to make costumes on a budget and $300 to $400 is my max. I feel I will be well inside that. This will be a long post as I will try to explain what I have done so far. I will reply to this post with pictures too, progression then completion.
Here is what I've done so far. I have gotten things from Harbor Frieghts, WalMart, Hobby Lobby, eBay, Lowes, and RadioShack--that's it!
Mask and Helmet: Rubies Supreme Latex mask with plastic Bio Helmet, not the greatest but can be modded.
Mask: Added dreads by cutting Soaker Hose material in to specific lengths (I think 22") tapering the ends, wrapped them in electrical tape then dipped them in Black PlastiDip (Lowe's). I then found PVC piping that fit snuggly over the soaker hose material, which I cut into various small sizes, painted silver, and used as the dreadlock beads. I cut the eyes out so mine can be seen. I got PolyFoam (2" thick from Hobby Lobby) and used it to bulk the mask up inside. I also trimmed the back of the mask so it tapers in and doesn't stick out so far.
Helmet: I trimmed the top becuase it was too long to me. I repainted it using Rustoleum-Metallic Charcoal color spray paint (Lowes). Added Mesh material to eye area (Hobby Lobby). Edged the mask in Looming (to make it more ridged). I added a Tri-Laser look by drilling out the Tri-Laser holes in the mask, added 3 LEDs using 3 silver LED holders, all powered by a 3vdc, 2032 button cell battery and holder. All Electronics are from RadioShack. I also glued in place a rectangluar Magnet (RadioShack) to the inside of the Mask and Helmet. this works perfect to put the mask on and take it off easily.
Waist Armor: Cheap car mating cut up and painted using the Rustoleum- Metallic Charcoal color spray paint. Mated together using rivets on a leather belt--painted as well. The paint will stay sticky for a while but will eventually dry. I think the propellant and car matting material has something to do with hindering the drying process. I did use a low heated space heater to help the drying process.
Shoulder Cannon: Modified fake security camera. I like this one because the fake camera is $6 at Harbor Frieghts. It's motion activated to move left and rigth---awesome. I also got a recoding module from Radio Shack and wired in a 10mm Red LED to the Cannon. I found a sound file of the cannon firing, recorded it to the module and cut the mic and record button from the module (so I don't accidently loose it by hitting the record button). Now the Cannon can be fired with sound and a blinking light (inside the cannon's muzzle).
Spear (Combi Stick): I used PVC in 3 different sizes with couplings. I don't remember the sizes. Two of them are already cut into 2' lengths. The photo should help. The tricky part was getting it to slide out without falling apart. I used spring tensioned plastic rollers for sliding screen doors (Lowes) and rivets on washers. I can flick the stick and the ends slide out, then I can push them in to have it retracted. Works great. If you need better detail. Reply to this post or email me, I will do my best to help.
Gauntlets: The gaunlets are actaully Motocross Knee & Shin Amor (eBay) The upper area was seperated and became the underside of the arm gauntlet. I used two hinges and a tension clasp (Lowes) to lock the gauntlets to my arm. Left Computer Gauntlet: I used a project enlcosure from RadioShack, cut it down, hot glued it in place, cut out some squared openings for the numbers. I will use a blinking LED inside to make the numbers blink when I push and hold the momentary switch (RadioShack). They will not change.
The right Guantlet w/ blades: I used a long plastic lightswitch box (Lowes) for the housing and modified it to hose the blades. Cut the blades from Lexan platic sheeting (Lowes), added a sliding system (drawer slides from Lowes), added a spring (Lowes) and added a pring tensioned locking clasp for drawers (Lowes). In short, I can lock the blades back then pull on a string wrapped around my two fingers (that will be hidden) and the blade will slide forward. I can go into more detail if needed. Again, reply to this post or email me.
Shoulder Armor: Again I used car mating and just painted it. It's all on how you cut it up. I added some strap webbing and clips (Wal-Mart). I have no pics of this yet.
I have the upper torso coming (eBay) using the "The Situation" costume for the muscled upper torso. I plan on covering it in liquid latex and painting it--predator style. I have the body netting (decoration fishing netting on eBay). I have the shin armor coming (motocross knee/shin armor from eBay). I have the feet coming (latex gorilla feet from eBay). I used gorilla feet because the thumb digit sits back like the Predators feet. All I need left to purchase is the legs and shoulder bells. So far I'm just under (barely) $300, and may just go over it slightly. Comments are welcome. Remember---constructive criticism.
If anyone needs help with what I've done, reply to this post or email me and I will try to do my best help.
I don't have a lot of money and have no talent with sculpting or fiberglassing (tried and failed on many occasions). But I seem to have a knack for making costumes from common stuff and modding other stuff. I have some friends with decent Predator costumes and I wanted to join them during their ventures. I'm currently the Assistant Manager for the props and costuming department of IMAGICON in Alabama. Now I know someone will hit me up for accuracy, I will do my best but I feel every Predator is different and their own hunter. I also try to make costumes on a budget and $300 to $400 is my max. I feel I will be well inside that. This will be a long post as I will try to explain what I have done so far. I will reply to this post with pictures too, progression then completion.
Here is what I've done so far. I have gotten things from Harbor Frieghts, WalMart, Hobby Lobby, eBay, Lowes, and RadioShack--that's it!
Mask and Helmet: Rubies Supreme Latex mask with plastic Bio Helmet, not the greatest but can be modded.
Mask: Added dreads by cutting Soaker Hose material in to specific lengths (I think 22") tapering the ends, wrapped them in electrical tape then dipped them in Black PlastiDip (Lowe's). I then found PVC piping that fit snuggly over the soaker hose material, which I cut into various small sizes, painted silver, and used as the dreadlock beads. I cut the eyes out so mine can be seen. I got PolyFoam (2" thick from Hobby Lobby) and used it to bulk the mask up inside. I also trimmed the back of the mask so it tapers in and doesn't stick out so far.
Helmet: I trimmed the top becuase it was too long to me. I repainted it using Rustoleum-Metallic Charcoal color spray paint (Lowes). Added Mesh material to eye area (Hobby Lobby). Edged the mask in Looming (to make it more ridged). I added a Tri-Laser look by drilling out the Tri-Laser holes in the mask, added 3 LEDs using 3 silver LED holders, all powered by a 3vdc, 2032 button cell battery and holder. All Electronics are from RadioShack. I also glued in place a rectangluar Magnet (RadioShack) to the inside of the Mask and Helmet. this works perfect to put the mask on and take it off easily.
Waist Armor: Cheap car mating cut up and painted using the Rustoleum- Metallic Charcoal color spray paint. Mated together using rivets on a leather belt--painted as well. The paint will stay sticky for a while but will eventually dry. I think the propellant and car matting material has something to do with hindering the drying process. I did use a low heated space heater to help the drying process.
Shoulder Cannon: Modified fake security camera. I like this one because the fake camera is $6 at Harbor Frieghts. It's motion activated to move left and rigth---awesome. I also got a recoding module from Radio Shack and wired in a 10mm Red LED to the Cannon. I found a sound file of the cannon firing, recorded it to the module and cut the mic and record button from the module (so I don't accidently loose it by hitting the record button). Now the Cannon can be fired with sound and a blinking light (inside the cannon's muzzle).
Spear (Combi Stick): I used PVC in 3 different sizes with couplings. I don't remember the sizes. Two of them are already cut into 2' lengths. The photo should help. The tricky part was getting it to slide out without falling apart. I used spring tensioned plastic rollers for sliding screen doors (Lowes) and rivets on washers. I can flick the stick and the ends slide out, then I can push them in to have it retracted. Works great. If you need better detail. Reply to this post or email me, I will do my best to help.
Gauntlets: The gaunlets are actaully Motocross Knee & Shin Amor (eBay) The upper area was seperated and became the underside of the arm gauntlet. I used two hinges and a tension clasp (Lowes) to lock the gauntlets to my arm. Left Computer Gauntlet: I used a project enlcosure from RadioShack, cut it down, hot glued it in place, cut out some squared openings for the numbers. I will use a blinking LED inside to make the numbers blink when I push and hold the momentary switch (RadioShack). They will not change.
The right Guantlet w/ blades: I used a long plastic lightswitch box (Lowes) for the housing and modified it to hose the blades. Cut the blades from Lexan platic sheeting (Lowes), added a sliding system (drawer slides from Lowes), added a spring (Lowes) and added a pring tensioned locking clasp for drawers (Lowes). In short, I can lock the blades back then pull on a string wrapped around my two fingers (that will be hidden) and the blade will slide forward. I can go into more detail if needed. Again, reply to this post or email me.
Shoulder Armor: Again I used car mating and just painted it. It's all on how you cut it up. I added some strap webbing and clips (Wal-Mart). I have no pics of this yet.
I have the upper torso coming (eBay) using the "The Situation" costume for the muscled upper torso. I plan on covering it in liquid latex and painting it--predator style. I have the body netting (decoration fishing netting on eBay). I have the shin armor coming (motocross knee/shin armor from eBay). I have the feet coming (latex gorilla feet from eBay). I used gorilla feet because the thumb digit sits back like the Predators feet. All I need left to purchase is the legs and shoulder bells. So far I'm just under (barely) $300, and may just go over it slightly. Comments are welcome. Remember---constructive criticism.
If anyone needs help with what I've done, reply to this post or email me and I will try to do my best help.
