Evolution of a Dalek (Halloween Costume in July- YES!!)
Ok, so I have posted prototype 1. That was actually built in May when my son told me that he wanted to be Dalek Sec for Halloween. So, I have since improved on the idea. It is by no means DONE, and we are still working on it, but it will probably take us until October to finish with all the modifications and customizations that need to be done to allow him to move freely in the beast. However, this is prototype 2 with materials and pics. Remember, these are "works in progress" hopefully the finished product will be worth all the time and effort it has taken (and will take) for us to finish the darn thing! Thank goodness my daughter is going as something simple....ROSE!
Supplies:
6 sheets of foam board (the large ones)
1 roll of 3" wide painter's tape
hot glue gun, and glue
mat knife and box cutter
1 can spray paint primer (we used brown, but any color will do)
2 cans black (glossy) H2O Latex spray paint
3 dowl rods ( about 2 pencil width thick)
3 styrofoam rings (wreath size)
5 bags of 6 ea, 3" styrofoam balls cut in half.
1 plastic watermelon bowl (the cheap disposable kind)
Here is the bowl. We sanded it down, and then cleaned it with Windex multisurface cleaner to get all the "sand" out. Since the surface was shiney, we had to do this to make the paint and primer stick.
Next I had my loving and patient husband *bats eyelashes* cut the foam board. We agreed that the Dalek skirt should be 20" long. After examining the toy Dalek that Santa brought, we decided that the bottom of the pannels should be 12" wide and the top should be 9 " wide. This creates the angle needed to taper the shape of the Dalek properly. We cut 10 pces 20" long, 12" at bottom and 9" at top (angled down). The center panel on the side and back are cut at 29" at the bottom and angled up to the top so that the top is 3" smaller.
This is prototype #2....still not satisfied with this one, so we began to modify. Please note that the dome and rings are just set on the top. They will be the last pieces to make and will look more like the actual Dalek head piece. But those pictures will follow in a later post.
So, I began to modify the "body" part. Here's what I came up with so far. Also note, that this is as far as we have gotten. You are now caught up to our actual progress. Suggestions are welcome, and we have our plunger and ray gun. Still pondering how to fasten the eyestalk...some ideas already, but if you come up with something, let me know!
The front of the body is cut to reveal the "mutant" inside (that would be my son.) I attached some black window screening to the inside so you really can't see him very well, but he can see out. I also cut holes for the plunger and ray gun, however you cannot see them in these pictures.
We still have some modifications to go, to get more Dalek skirt and body shape, but it is coming along nicely!
Supplies:
6 sheets of foam board (the large ones)
1 roll of 3" wide painter's tape
hot glue gun, and glue
mat knife and box cutter
1 can spray paint primer (we used brown, but any color will do)
2 cans black (glossy) H2O Latex spray paint
3 dowl rods ( about 2 pencil width thick)
3 styrofoam rings (wreath size)
5 bags of 6 ea, 3" styrofoam balls cut in half.
1 plastic watermelon bowl (the cheap disposable kind)
Here is the bowl. We sanded it down, and then cleaned it with Windex multisurface cleaner to get all the "sand" out. Since the surface was shiney, we had to do this to make the paint and primer stick.
Next I had my loving and patient husband *bats eyelashes* cut the foam board. We agreed that the Dalek skirt should be 20" long. After examining the toy Dalek that Santa brought, we decided that the bottom of the pannels should be 12" wide and the top should be 9 " wide. This creates the angle needed to taper the shape of the Dalek properly. We cut 10 pces 20" long, 12" at bottom and 9" at top (angled down). The center panel on the side and back are cut at 29" at the bottom and angled up to the top so that the top is 3" smaller.
This is prototype #2....still not satisfied with this one, so we began to modify. Please note that the dome and rings are just set on the top. They will be the last pieces to make and will look more like the actual Dalek head piece. But those pictures will follow in a later post.
So, I began to modify the "body" part. Here's what I came up with so far. Also note, that this is as far as we have gotten. You are now caught up to our actual progress. Suggestions are welcome, and we have our plunger and ray gun. Still pondering how to fasten the eyestalk...some ideas already, but if you come up with something, let me know!
The front of the body is cut to reveal the "mutant" inside (that would be my son.) I attached some black window screening to the inside so you really can't see him very well, but he can see out. I also cut holes for the plunger and ray gun, however you cannot see them in these pictures.
We still have some modifications to go, to get more Dalek skirt and body shape, but it is coming along nicely!