This is kind of what I'm going through right now trying to get a costume done before Halloween. My goal was to spend less than $25 and use only materials I found in my garage and whatever I could get for free.
I had a fairly large amount of sintra tha was literally just enough to cut out the armor. I got three large sections of cardboard from work that will cover the making of my helmet and gauntlets and some jet pack parts. I also had a fair amount of 2" and 1" blue insulation foam that will form the main body of the jet pack and several small sections of varying thickness styrene sheet that I'm using to make the jet pack missile. There might be just enough brown vinyl left over from another project to make a suitable ammo belt and I think I saw some rope I can scrounge for the girth belt. The flight suit I'm using (unfortunately tan) is leftover from last year's costume- I paid around $15 for it last year at a thrift shop. I'll need to get some fabric remnants to make the additional pouches. I'm considering making the vest out of old t-shirts. I have an old bedsheet and some green Rit dye in my craft box that I'm going to make the cape from. I might have to buy a couple of cans of spray paint but I've got some in the garage already. As for boots I'm going to see what I can find and modify.
I am fortunate that have a pretty good supply of wood scraps, PVC pipe scraps, hot glue, epoxy, X Acto blades, spackling paste, paint and just about every tool you could need as well as a sewing machine.
So figuring if you have to buy a suit (around $15-$20) a large section of blue foam (less that $10) and a large section of sintra (a 3mm thick 4x8 sheet costs around $35) that would leave you $35 (not including tax) so it IS possible to do it if you are a good scrounger and you have some tools.
My advice is go to try and cut your costs down by going to a construction site and see if you can ask for leftover plastic buckets (for your armor) and foam insulation (for your jet pack) and hit them up for any PVC pipe and wood scraps to use to make a blaster. Then hit the fabric store and start looking for remnants. Ask your neighbors if they have any rope..... you get the idea. You gotta get creative.
The biggest thing you've got going against you right now is time! Thankfully all the fantastic people on this board have done all the research for you (which is really the hard part) and have provided all kinds of templates, drawings, building tips, paint guides, etc.
My cardboard bucket (almost ready for paint) bows to everyone here that has taken the time to provide this information- without you guys it wouldn't be possible. So if I run into you on Halloween I'll gladly buy you a cold one! :cheers
Jerome
I had a fairly large amount of sintra tha was literally just enough to cut out the armor. I got three large sections of cardboard from work that will cover the making of my helmet and gauntlets and some jet pack parts. I also had a fair amount of 2" and 1" blue insulation foam that will form the main body of the jet pack and several small sections of varying thickness styrene sheet that I'm using to make the jet pack missile. There might be just enough brown vinyl left over from another project to make a suitable ammo belt and I think I saw some rope I can scrounge for the girth belt. The flight suit I'm using (unfortunately tan) is leftover from last year's costume- I paid around $15 for it last year at a thrift shop. I'll need to get some fabric remnants to make the additional pouches. I'm considering making the vest out of old t-shirts. I have an old bedsheet and some green Rit dye in my craft box that I'm going to make the cape from. I might have to buy a couple of cans of spray paint but I've got some in the garage already. As for boots I'm going to see what I can find and modify.
I am fortunate that have a pretty good supply of wood scraps, PVC pipe scraps, hot glue, epoxy, X Acto blades, spackling paste, paint and just about every tool you could need as well as a sewing machine.
So figuring if you have to buy a suit (around $15-$20) a large section of blue foam (less that $10) and a large section of sintra (a 3mm thick 4x8 sheet costs around $35) that would leave you $35 (not including tax) so it IS possible to do it if you are a good scrounger and you have some tools.
My advice is go to try and cut your costs down by going to a construction site and see if you can ask for leftover plastic buckets (for your armor) and foam insulation (for your jet pack) and hit them up for any PVC pipe and wood scraps to use to make a blaster. Then hit the fabric store and start looking for remnants. Ask your neighbors if they have any rope..... you get the idea. You gotta get creative.
The biggest thing you've got going against you right now is time! Thankfully all the fantastic people on this board have done all the research for you (which is really the hard part) and have provided all kinds of templates, drawings, building tips, paint guides, etc.
My cardboard bucket (almost ready for paint) bows to everyone here that has taken the time to provide this information- without you guys it wouldn't be possible. So if I run into you on Halloween I'll gladly buy you a cold one! :cheers
Jerome