Need help with a Demoman costume

chrisbliss18

chrisbliss18

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I'm going to be attending an anime convention, Anime Fest, in about a month. I came to a last-minute realization that I'd like to have a costume for the event, but I don't have much time to make it a reality. I hope that you guys can provide me with some assistance.

I'm going to be cosplaying as a demoman, so I need to start assembling the different pieces for the costume. I also want to have all three weapons available. Since this is going to be a place where real weapons are prohibited, I have to fabricate everything.

The following things are what I need help with:
  • Since both launchers are fictional but based on existing weapons, I need to find out the type real launchers they most resemble. From there, I need to find out the specific dimensions for each weapon and the ammunition.
  • I don't know how to work with pulling out models to look at specific views. If someone can give me a good number of detailed images of the different weapons and of the character from different angles, this would help tremendously.
  • I need some help figuring out materials to use. I think that PVC would be a good starting point for the primary launcher, but I don't know what to use for the large discs that make the rotating part. It needs to be strong yet light-weight. As for the sticky launcher, the angles are so odd, that I have yet to think of any good materials for a starting point.
  • I would like the flak jacket to look good. The armor appears to be an almost exact match to the interceptor body armor. Of course, I won't be able to afford real body armor like that, so I need ideas on how I can fabricate or modify existing vests to look as similar to that as possible.
  • His boots look like they are based off of some kind of existing boots. Anyone have any idea on these?

Any ideas that you may have that could help the project results look as good as possible while still making the month deadline would be greatly appreciated.

I'll of course be posting images as the outfit and materials start shaping up.
 
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The grenade launcher most resembles the Milkor MGL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milkor_MGL

Aside from shooting 40mm grenades, I don't know what else to give you for sizes.

As for the sticky launcher.... honestly, what comes to mind for me is the Thompson Submachine gun, with the 100 round drum magazine.
 
Good suggestions everyone.

Ninja, I was right with you in thinking about the MGL. Specifically, I was looking at the MGL-140 for size information. However, I just got back from talking with my friend Joe. He pointed out that the design is essentially a cross between the M79 and a police issue riot multi-shot launcher. This is really helping me come up with some initial designs.

Zopy, excellent find. I found out that the armor is the Interceptor design, but I didn't know that there was an Airsoft version of the armor. I found a marginally-acceptable tactical vest at Academy. It's not quite the right design, isn't long enough, and doesn't have the cod piece, but it is a lot cheaper ($20). I'm currently trying to decide between saving money and using the cheap tactical vest while spending additional money to customize it or just going all out and getting the proper armor. I think the proper armor would look awesome, so I think that I'll probably get that.

Thanks for the images barkerthree.

After looking at the specs for the 40mm launchers, I've found that the shells should have a diameter of around 1.5" and have a length of just over 4". After playing around with parts at Lowe's, I found that a 1.5" sink tailpiece with flange is just about the perfect diameter and material to make grenades out of. Taking this piece, I went over to the PVC. What do you know, the tailpiece slid into a 1.5" PVC pipe like they were made for each other. Dropping in the piece into the PVC causes a satisfying sound when the flange hits the top of the PVC opening.

As for the wood in the design, I'm currently looking at using a .22 rifle stock, cutting it apart, using the rear of the receiver and the butt for the back, and part of the front will be used for the fore grip.

I contacted my buddy Nick who is a whiz with fab, and he seems to be confident about the project. I asked about a trigger assembly and the skeleton that connects the entire weapon, and he started going off about doing this and that with aluminum, so I have no doubt that he'll get me taken care of.

More info when I get it.
 
And then you can shoot out pop can for pipe bombs. Just make sure you charge if they are full. Def post pics when you are done!
 
I'll share all the materials that I end up using and will have photos when the costume is ready.

I decided to go ahead with the proper armor as I think it will look really good. This is the armor that I purchased. I also purchased these grenade pouches and will wear one on each hip just as the demo has.

So, here is what I still need:
  • Completed grenade launcher. I'm working on the detailed designs for this still. I ordered a .22 rifle stock off of eBay. If the size and appearance is appropriate, it will most likely be what I use for the wooden components. If it doesn't work, Nick said that we could fabricate the parts out of white or yellow pine. The main work on this won't be for another two weeks, so most of my focus is currently on the outfit.
  • I need ideas on what to use for the grenade bandolier. It has a similar design to suspenders with a separate belt going vertically along the left and right of the chest. The two parts meet in the middle of the back and a single belt goes down to the base of the armor. I might need to find someone that is proficient with sewing and ask them about it.
  • The white shirt shouldn't be difficult. It just needs to be long-sleeve and form-fitting. I think a muscle shirt should work.
  • [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Pirate-Costume-Eye-Patch/dp/B000JGDIUO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1217338674&sr=8-5"]Amazon.com: Black Pirate Costume Eye Patch: Costume Accessories: Toys & Games@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41KUSEJ37LL.@@AMEPARAM@@41KUSEJ37LL[/ame] should be a good match as standard protection patches don't have a clean shape.
  • As described above, the armor and two of the pouches are taken care of. I plan to assemble the box that he has on the front of his armor. I think some acrylic or thin construction board would work well. After the box is assembled and the hinging is working well, I can glue some nylon or fabric on all the surfaces and attach straps and clips. This box will be useful as substitute pockets in case I go with pants that don't have them. Plus it would look cool to frequently reach in the box.
  • The smiley sticky note won't be hard to make, but I do have to come up with an idea to ensure that it will stay. I might laminate it or find some other way of making it fairly stiff and tough then pin or sew it to the pants.
  • The hat is a simple black knit beanie. I'm looking at different options right now to get the proper look.
  • I plan on being a blue demoman, so something as simple as blue jeans should work well for the pants. I'm still looking into different options in case I find a better option. The pants can have the bottoms folded up into the pant legs so that the length is reduced and the ends will be baggy.
  • The blue shirt is a bit of a mystery right now. I can't find anything that has the right look to it. It needs to be a fairly bright blue and have a high neck. I can make iron-ons that match the patterns on the shoulders.
  • The socks can be simple solid black knee high socks.
  • The boots are still somewhat of a mystery to me. They look like standard U.S military G.I. leather combat boots, but they have that odd "cowling" (for lack of a better description) around the top. I might just need to get regular boots and add that flair on top. If anyone has ideas on what those boots are, I'd love to hear them.
  • Mustache... I don't think that I could possibly grow a mustache, especially with only a month to do so. So, I'm debating on whether or not I'll have one. I really don't want to have a cheesy fake one. This may be a last-minute decision.

This list should be comprehensive. I'm going to play some more tonight and pay attention to any features that I may be missing. Please let me know if I've missed any details.

As for other weapons... I debated on having the sticky launcher, but I think that fabricating the grenade launcher will be enough of a challenge to finish in a month. Plus, the sticky launcher has many more complex shapes and sizes by comparison to the grenade launcher. I do plan on having a bottle. We have some plastic home-brew beer bottles at the house that I want to use. They are the right color and I can print off and apply a sticker.
 
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Good idea leaving the sticky launcher out. That's one more thing you WON'T have to carry around!

For the blue shirt and pants, what about some surgical scrubs? It won't look like denim, and is a solid, continuous color.

For the boots.... you'll need something high. See where the socks and the pants meet? It looks to me like they're some standard, high workboots that have the tops turned down. I would imagine the tops of the boots come right up to where the pants and socks meet, he's just turned the tops down to make them shorter. No fancy flares or anything like that. I would imagine that you could use some boots that concrete pourers (sp?) use.

In regard to the smiley face... even if you do pin it to the costume, make sure you still put some tape on the top :)

Suspenders will do nicely for the bandolier. I've actually got a set of suspenders that look like this, just not as wide.

And lastly, the mustache... SHARPIE!! :D



Good luck, sir, hope these help!


EDIT: some links!

Top: http://www.scrubsgallery.com/4450-kakw.html Look at it in the light blue color.
Bottom: http://www.scrubsgallery.com/199-car.html Same color

Boots: Something like this rubber boot, maybe: http://www.workbootwarehouse.com/catalog/product.aspx?ProductID=163 You could turn the tops of these down easily, I'd imagine.
 
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Sir... If you get this done, and it looks good, I swear, you will be like god among men.

Anyhow, I'm very much looking forward to how this goes. You are approaching this from a very intelligent angle, and I salute you.
 
OminancE said:
i 2nd that, please do lol.. are u gonna have a bottle too for ur melee weapon? :D
Click to expand...

a broken bottle would be pretty sweet (if they don't consider it a deadly weapon haha)

but yea! pics, i'm planning on going sniper for some anime con :)
 
Awesome! The boots that Ninja recommended look good, perhaps too good. Maybe beat them up with a few nails, stretch them out a bit, or if you own a real gun, shoot a few holes in them. Make them look dirty, used, and riddled with holes, yet still comfortable. Other than that, awesome idea!!
 
Hey Ninja and OminancE, since I'm in Edmond, want to help me find materials?

As for the bottle graphic, I was thinking of using my current bottle model.

And, no, I can't use a real broken bottle. That would never fly.
 
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Ahh, that's going to be a good bottle :-)

Yeah, I'll help you. I'm actually going to be hitting some military surplus stores this weekend, trying to find an old ammo crate. If I see some boots that look good, I'll be happy to pick them up. Lessee... as for the bandolier... honestly, go for a thrift store. It's only going to be used a handful of times, right? no sense in spending more than you have to :D

PM me if there's anything else I can help you find.
 
Oh I can think of a weekly, if not daily, use for all the parts in this costume. In fact, I can hire you for your services around my neighborhood if you'll be available.
 
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