I’m trying to build a giant gavel for my Higuruma cosplay for Halloween but I am a complete novice and have no idea how to start, does anyone know some good hardware stores or such in NYC that they’ve used for prop building? Or anyone in NYC that I can speak to about it / general advice for building the prop? Would honestly be willing to pay $ for help but don’t want to advert*se anything

I'm making the patterns from scratch using duct tape and either tinfoil or saran wrap (depending on part) and I plan to use 8mm and 6mm Eva foam, so how much bigger should I make it?

Edit: I should also add that the patterns were fairly tight when I made them

Looking for tips on how to bond a finished latex mask. This is the seam in the back. I have attempted to put Velcro on it as a closure but I can't get the velcro to stick.

I have tried:

- Roughing up the latex with some 80 grit sandpaper prior to gluing

- Prepped the latex surface with ammonia prior to applying the glue (read somewhere that amonia will improve the latex surface for bonding)

- Two layers of contact cement glue

I'm open to a different type of closure too. Note I do find the hook and loop velcro is a bit thick so the seam doesn't lay nice and tight.

Any suggestions?

Hello this is my first time posting, i wanted general advice on which of these three kagune props looks the best to you guys. That all I am concerned about. Would very much appreciate the help!

I have the plastidip and primer applied but im unsure of what kind of painting it would need to achieve the texture on the right image.

I was super excited to order from https://www.procosplay.com/ after I'd read from many redditors and seen so many upvotes, but I couldn't be more disappointed in their customer service around an honest mistake..

Apparently after my order was placed I was sent an email notifying me that I'd 'agreed' to any purchase over $800 requiring a money transfer versus a credit card payment.. I understand a policy like this, but outside of the email - which there were several post purchase (not abnormal), everything else looked like all was on the up-in-up... mostly that I was debited $800+++ from my account that was never credited..

Instead of.. ever receiving a credit.. I was left in limbo for weeks watching an order 'processing' and when I asked weeks later what was going on thru their customer service channels in three different messages I received zero response until I hit the nuclear button after nearly a month and emailed and messaged every social account I could find for them only to be pointed back to their policy and the email I'd missed.

I offered to pay an overnight fee, only to be shrugged off to cancel and resubmit an order..

Fairly trash response in my opinion given that I'd used their 'regular' channels..

I hope they choose to do better in the future because the reviews I've seen made me really excited, but now my halloween is shot for getting a next level experience..

I was super excited to order from https://www.procosplay.com/ after I'd read from many redditors and seen so many upvotes, but I couldn't be more disappointed in their customer service around an honest mistake..

Apparently after my order was placed I was sent an email notifying me that I'd 'agreed' to any purchase over $800 requiring a money transfer versus a credit card payment.. I understand a policy like this, but outside of the email - which there were several post purchase (not abnormal), everything else looked like all was on the up-in-up... mostly that I was debited $800+++ from my account that was never credited..

Instead of.. ever receiving a credit.. I was left in limbo for weeks watching an order 'processing' and when I asked weeks later what was going on thru their customer service channels in three different messages I received zero response until I hit the nuclear button after nearly a month and emailed and messaged every social account I could find for them only to be pointed back to their policy and the email I'd missed.

I offered to pay an overnight fee, only to be shrugged off to cancel and resubmit an order..

Fairly trash response in my opinion given that I'd used their 'regular' channels..

I hope they choose to do better in the future because the reviews I've seen made me really excited, but now my halloween is shot for getting a next level experience..

SOS. This is my first time using plastidip and something is happen and I don’t know why. I used regular eva foam and weldwood contact cement, as well as using the contact cement to adhere details made from hot glue.

I used about 3-4 layers of mod podge, and allowed it to fully dry, and then used plastidip on top.

I saw the recommendations that you should lay it on to the point where the piece looks fully wet. This is after about 4 fairly-heavy coats, and I have no idea why I can’t get it to settle evenly. It’s like these weird, random places on the corset suddenly became plastidip-phobic. The white spots held NONE of the plastidip.

And I have no idea why!! SOS please. I can start again and make another, but I don’t want this to happen again!

Hi everyone! This is the first time I'm messing around with HD foam and with cosplay I guess...anyway I know it's a bit rough around the edges and it's very much work in progress but I have to finish before Halloween ( I'm making it for my 6y old son. I guess I need attention because I'm super proud of it. And wanted to show it off! All constructive criticism and sarcasm is welcome and will be ignored by default (mostly)😉 of course design isn't mine so please don't ban me! xD I got it off a YouTube channel called SKS Props

Hi folks! So, I'm making a facehugger from Alien for my Halloween costume, and it's all sculpted, but I don't know how to paint it. The main problem is that the legs are flexible latex/rubber (made from a Halloween spider decoration) and need to be able to move and bend slightly. Does anyone know what kind of paint I should use? Thanks! (Pics of the prop and reference attached)

Edit: I figured it out! I used a mix of liquid latex and acrylic paint and it worked like a dream :) pic of the finished prop to come

I am in need of parts for Halloween costume/cosplay, or any tutorials or parts to buy off the web please reach out!!!

Heyo, looking to print larger props (like a Buster Sword) out of foaming TPU.
Wanted to ask a few things to debate if maybe I rather do it with carbon fiber.

For those who have used foaming tpu,

• What are the settings you used? I'm using a P1S
• Is the claim of 1KG being "technically" 2KG of material true? (Since it expands, it's just their claim)
• How viable would it be for a bigger prop similar to that of a buster sword? There will be a rod/pvc pipe.

I've seen how it handles armor pieces well, but haven't heard much on the prop department

I made it like a birthday gift, for me it looks very cool.

Stand from wood, knife 3d print + gypsum, that thing is really heavy.

Hi guys,

I’m currently working on a green lantern cosplay at the moment. I only plan on doing the chest part of the suit. However, I genuinely can’t use contact cement for mine. I don’t really have the correct safe space to use that since I live in a one bedroom apartment with my family. I don’t want to use it on the sidewalk next to my apartment cuz I’m not trying to give people trouble. I don’t really have a good enough ventilation since this is kind of a shite apartment. Are there any other alternatives that I can use? This is my very first cosplay as well, and I want to get this right. Both EVA foam pieces are 5mm for the base structure, and 1mm for the added detail.

I’d like to go as him for Halloween but with an oversized gavel (3-5 feet), however I have little to no experience building props so I’m a bit lost on how to even start or what to do. I live in NYC so I think there’s access to parts but just don’t know how to even begin, has anyone made something similar or done so in NYC and has recs for shops?

Hi, i'm new to this sub and i am thinking in doing a future trunks cosplay, but i don't have any ideia of how to make the sword.

I am thinking in doing it with a laser MDF cutter, because i work with it, but i don't have any metrics of the sword to draw it and cut.

If someone can give me a hint or something like that for how to make my sword i would be proud of that and thankful.

And sorry if my english is poor, its not my native language.

Dear Reddit,

I'm looking at painting my Mandalorian armor. I don't want smooth metal, but I also don't want a super dimpled look like the Rustoleum Hammered Pewter finish has on the handle. I was curious if anyone has any experience using the Rustoleum Hammered metallic paints on costume armor, and what their results were or if they had techniques that differed from the print instructions.

My goal is a Covert style Mandalorian with a slightly textured "gunmetal" finish to the armor, a bit more silver than gunmetal but definitely not "beskar" chrome. I'm kinda looking for a weathered metal color and a general all-over slight texture. I'll be adding black details and larger navy blue panels on the chest plate and shoulder bells, with smaller metallic additions to the gauntlet greeblies.

Thanks for any advice you have! I'd encourage you to post photos of your results or process, and feel free to shoot me a DM.

Sincerely,

Mando in progress

Im going to try to make a helmet of the knight from hollow knights head ojt of paper mache but I've never done eeally anything like this before. Any tips for beginners on how to get the head started or just anything that might be helpful?

The video shows my process for screen printing so I wanted to share that part along with my use of my recently finished m41a mk2 prop.

I wanted to make a shirt that would fit perfectly in Universe for cosplay and everyday wear.

Using the fact that the colonial marines are modeled after the real world Marine Corps, i used my experience in the marines to make a shirt that matches what I have seen as "unit shirts" and other issued gear.

For the m41a mk2, it is specifically Galactic Armory's model with minor changes, i changed the paint schemes from their original images to better match the in-game weapon, along with making the magazine magnetic for some fun "play feature" eventually I'll make more edits and make a "2.0" version and post it. The m41a mk2 pulse rifle is specifically from the Aliens: Colonial Marines video game and not from the movies, although I think it fits the bit quite well.

Hiya, I'm helping my friend make pauldrons for a Halloween costume that will eventually become a cosplay. we cannot afford eva foam so we have been using cardboard. issue, I cannot find for the life of me a pattern for pauldrons that are the right style, made for cardboard. I started to sorta follow one from SKS props, but even with it modified I'm having issues. maybe I'm just a little bit dumb, but coming up with ideas in my mind end up with me somehow concluding it wont work (like instead of a curved edge at the end of one piece, a straight edge and just curve the cardboard. it might work? idk.) I've included images of what I have and an image of the pauldron i need to make.

So far, I am nearly done with my shin kamen rider cosplay, just need to paint my gloves and boots. I am still deciding what color would be best to match, so any suggestions will help.

I'm assuming that for the whole process, I will need to use Angelus leather prepaprer deglazer, then paint color, and a finisher to lock it in and add more durability. I can't decide between a matte or gloss finisher, and I'm hoping for more opinions on this.

Just started working on the trench coat.
And for those of you wondering, this is a costume based on trench crusade

I tried to wing it with my own pattern in the upper right. Obviously a fail so I bought a pattern and used all suggested materials (5mm, contact cement, heat gun). The shoulder and hip patterns were easy enough but I had a lot of trouble with this one and felt some areas couldve used angled cuts when they didnt. Anyway the thing is together but the seams are starting to come apart a bit in the circled area and it doesnt hug my leg as well as the pattern shows so I have to walk funny even after using a heat gun to curve the pieces before and after gluing. I can only shape it so far before the seams start popping

Reaching out to the experts on Eva foam. I need to glue some Eva foam gym mats together for a project. The bind needs to be strong and I know contact cement is best but there is no working time, the bond instantly when dried properly. I need a small window of working time, as the large mat pieces are attached like puzzle pieces, so need to be able to slide them together. Maybe need 30 seconds of working time. Are there techniques with contact cement to make it workable? CA safe super glue seems like the best option but those would seem to be better for small jobs. Advice would be greatly appreciated