(Part 2) Top products from r/cosplay

Dremel is a name brand for hand held rotary tools. I have and have had several so I will give you my .02

Vacuum powered - You connect it to a shop vac or other vacuum and the suction powers it, while this may sound good on the surface I can't see this having anykind of power from this I suggest avoiding it.

Cordless - Battery powered, I have had several. You get less torque than with a corded version, and they run down. I do have their new micro version and I like it so far, but cordless will always be a balance between power and battery life.

Corded - Best bet IMHO, get more features for less money than with the cordless and do not have to worry about waiting for one to charge.

Suggested Features -

• Do not stick with a single speed version, go with variable speed. In fact the more speed options the better IMHO. Different bits require different speeds, for example a cutting bit needs to run quicker than a wire brush.
  
  
• Multi Tool chuck - Some bits come in different diamters, this one will take them all. I love this and have replaced the old style chuck on all of my units.
  
  Bits - This will depend on what you want to use it for. I use my Dremels for everything from mixing epoxy to cutting and sanding everything (metal, wood, foam, fiberglass, etc). You can get more for your money if you buy a family of bits in a kit (example) but a few bits I have found most useful are:
  
  
• Sanding drum - then you buy the different sleves that slide over the tip and come in different grits. Again look for kits.
  
  
• Cut off disk - Go for the re-enforced ones like this
  
  
• carbide disk - Love this thing it cuts wood and softer material very well.
  
  
• carbide bits Come in many shapes and sizes, I find that they work well for shaping wood and softer materials.
  
  NOTE Like most power tools, a rotary tool takes a bit of practice, they can get away from you and eat up material (including your jeans and leg) if you are not careful. I have found that 90 percent of the time a light touch.. pull back.. and light touch.. pull back is the best method.
  
  edit: spelling and format
  

I would suggest EVA foam. It is easy to work with and CHEAP. You can often find it at hardware stores as workshop flooring. Harbor Freight sells them in packs of 4 big tiles for $10...which is more than enough to make a large sword. I love Harbor Freight for cheap hardware stuff... check them out if you have one around.

Basically, this stuff;

http://www.amazon.com/We-Sell-Mats-Anti-Fatigue-Interlocking/dp/B001EJI6CK/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_1

It is easy to cut into desired shapes. You will probably want to add some sort of boning for support (wooden dowels, bent coat hangers, whatever). Judging from the Zabuza sword you want to make, you might need more of a mop handle support.

Before painting it, you will want to seal it. This is best done first with heat to melt a lot of the foam cells on the surface closed. I used a cheap heat gun I got for $15... its like an industrial hair dryer. A hair dryer would probably work to if its hot enough at close range. A very quick brush with a blow torch has been used for this purposed. You want to hit it just enough to make it a little shiny... not deform the top. I suggest cutting out a small tile to test with first.

After the melt sealing, I suggest going over it with Modge Podge craft glue (from any hobby shop... Hobby Lobby, Michaels, ect). Once that dries, you can prime and paint!

There is a useful EVA foam tutorial series that you might want to look at,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXxDfv2NaDY

Best of luck! I'm having a blast working on my DragonCon costume now. I'm doing an armored version of Captain Harlock from the old Galaxy Express animes.

There are some good tips already here but part of getting the look right is having the right products so here are some great ones I have used and some I'd like to use:

Ben Nye bruise color wheel for those nasty reds, purples and especially the yellows and greens you wont find in normal make up.

Ben Nye stage blood in zesty mint for liquid or oozing blood. Edible is a must if you put it in your mouth but keep in mind this does not dry! If you put it on your face or knuckles and then accidentally swipe something it will get everywhere.

Scaring liquid to create small cuts, perfect for a split lip or eyebrow this product shrinks and creates a depression in your skin so it actually looks like a chunk of flesh is gone.

Scar wax is great if you want to build up a broken nose or puffy black eye but it is very sticky and needs to be powdered with either a setting powder or a foundation.

Also here is a pretty good video on how to use these products. Its only missing the scar liquid which you could just lay under the split lip and eyebrow.

Good luck and try not to get blood on Stan Lee!

Seconding got2b Freezing spray - works really well. Remember to start with a bit and add more if you need to.

If you need to cut it, you can start off with cutting with scissors if you have a bunch, but finish off with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Diane-D123-Tinkle-Hair-Cutter/dp/B001DYM62C

Finish all the ends with that and make all small adjustments with it. It makes it look much more natural.

Speaking of natural, you can spray a bit of Cantu Shea Butter Sheen Spray at the end to make the hair less plasticy looking and more natural. Plus it smells really good. You can find that in most drug stores.

It's important to remember that wigs, when styled, will keep the shape that they cool in. They're plastic - if you heat it, you can shape it easily, but if it's still warm, it'll lose the shape when you stop styling it. Eg if you want curls, you should use heated curlers and let them cool in the wig before removing them.

Otherwise, I'd look for a tutorial targeted to what you want to do - spikes, big curly coifs, etc. You can use felt/padding to build around if you want to make something big.

Super cute! I love your makeup - you don't usually see people do blue eyeshadow for Miku but it really works!

I'd second the other commenter who mentioned the bangs. A good thing for bangs is a razor trimmer, if you run the ends of wig hair through one of those it helps it look neater and more natural. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Diane-D123-Tinkle-Hair-Cutter/dp/B001DYM62C/ref=sr_1_19_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1502434520&sr=1-19&keywords=tinkle+razor

Great advice from /u/Mizumeowz.

I use gesso on my foam props so would also recommend it. I apply in very thin coats, usually with a foam brush (like these), allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before applying the next one. I also sand in between coats, using a sanding sponge with fine grit (like this one). Sanding in between coats will make the surface smoother. Make sure to use fine grit though and apply light pressure - using the coarser grit or sanding too hard in general will easily eat away the gesso. Also, make sure to wear a mask and goggles when you sand because the dust is very fine - you definitely do not want to breathe it.

Good luck!

Thanks! I got the wig from amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OSZ00C/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00

This is the first costume that I have sewn/made entirely by myself :) So I'm excited that people like it- it was certainly a challenge to make it, simple as it is. You're lucky that you have someone to sew for you!

This was taken with on of my favorite authors Patrick Rothfuss, so it was pretty amazing just getting to meet him. Then when I come back home I see that he ended up posting this pic on his person facebook page. Which was just amazing.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicles/dp/0756405890/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377262476&sr=8-3&keywords=patrick+rothfuss

Yes! I always tell people, if your cosplay doesnt have pockets, it could probably use a good utility belt! Like

This one or That one for a super hero/villain, I have This Brown one that i wear with my knight armor.
not having pockets BLOWS. especially at a Con where you want quick access to Phone/Camera/Money

Not sure if anyone will see this, but I decided to continue with the initially unintended clear look for now. I bought an acrylic gel to smear over the entire plastic frame. It hardens into a decently stiff yet flexible material. Easy to sculpt and will at least fill the holes. Once this is done, if the clear still looks nice, I will have to buy a sturdier acrylic gel to stiffen it. http://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Medium-Golden-Leveling-Clear/dp/B0007WARHW

I love my Dremel's and use them for many things around the house. Here is a quick general rundown of my opinion. Avoid the one that can be powered by a vacum like a shop vac. Corded Dremels will have more torque than the battery powered ones. The first cordless I had I did not like, but the new one I love. As for corded, I believe the largest difference in models is the number of different speeds. I suggest going with one that offers a large number of speeds, as different materials require different RPMs to cut effectively. Let me know if you any other questions.

Handsome Jack has a lot of layers. Blue pants, yellow shirt, modified lab coat, leather/brown vest, and a blue suit jacket. I'm from the US and we have these... like Army Navy stores where you could get a leg holster, but maybe a costume shop, hunting store, or perhaps just online (just worried about shipping time). You could even cheat and make it a bag. All the little metal bits/belt buckle could use foam boards and some paint and glue. The hard part will be the mask. Paper mache would probably be the easiest. Good luck! And post pictures when you're done! :)

Thanks :D Looks good, what did you make it out of? Or was that the foam...? Is it like this foam http://www.amazon.com/We-Sell-Mats-Anti-Fatigue-Interlocking/dp/B001EJI6CK/ref=pd_sxp_grid_i_0_1

This stuff works like a charm for scars. Put on 10-15 coats, letting it dry in between, and you get a really nice scar. This is a test for mine.

I would just go watch it again and sit a little closer and make super strong mental notes on the design.

But there is also this:

http://screenrant.com/pacific-rim-contest/


And I'd head to your local book store to find : http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Rim-Man-Machines-Monsters/dp/1608871827

Try dis: it goes a long way. After she showed me these...I'm never going back http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Iridescent-Color-Acrylic-Paint/dp/B0006VBOK8/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1453915876&sr=8-18&keywords=bronze+acrylic+paint

Also, Yep! Eva foam, my #1 armor making love <3

awesome idea! could you possibly repurpose a couple of pop-up hampers to make it work? or make something out of wire that can collapse? similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-Pop-Up-Hamper-Black/dp/B0007CXQQ6

regardless, when you figure out I hope you post pictures here!

>https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Popcorn-Company-Bubble-Cotton/dp/B004DO32ZE

The size would work, but it's open on one side. The helmet I need has to be clear 360, so this wouldn't work :(

I'm just thinking out loud here, as I've never done a build like what you stated, but what about using back support suspenders and then attaching pieces to it using snaps or straps?

You can buy the Nerf guns on Amazon, and repaint them! :)

A few prop makers are working on the mask kit. My buddy WM Armory will be releasing his soon.

Heat Gun

/r/cosplayers is better for questions and advice

Something like this? I'm seeing a lot of spray dyes similar to what I got when I searched for vinyl spray paint.

You should read a book and educate yourself on that. But I'm sure you know more than medical science.

Thats the wrong type of mask. It does nothing for bondo fumes. That mask is just for harmless dust particles. What you need is a respirator with some sort of organics filter that will keep from breathing in the volatile solvents.

Something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Paint-Project-Respirator-Medium/dp/B00004Z4EB/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426795178&sr=8-2&keywords=3m+respirator

https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Popcorn-Company-Bubble-Cotton/dp/B004DO32ZE

Dimensions: 21"W x 21"D x 14.25"H

?

Posted in another comment elsewhere: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OSZ00C/

For the guns, buy the Star Lord nerf guns and repaint them.

This is the one I got Heritage Travelware Vinyl Catalog Case, 18.5", Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IAA3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_egsTDbDF2ZKK4

Not the creator, but if I had to guess she went with the EVA foam floor matting method. All you need is a hot knife, a heat gun, and these cheap pieces of floor matting.

Hot Knife:
http://www.amazon.com/Xacto-X73780-Precision-Soldering-Knife/dp/B000BRBZUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347514744&sr=8-1&keywords=exacto+soldering

Heat gun:
http://www.amazon.com/Wagner-Power-Products-503008-200-Watt/dp/B00004TUCV/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1347514769&sr=1-1&keywords=Heat+gun

EVA Foam mat:
http://www.amazon.com/We-Sell-Mats-Interlocking-Anti-Fatigue/dp/B001EJPGG4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1347514787&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=EVA+foam+mat