I need some tips on making big/huge guns for one of my cosplays. Like what materials I should use, or anything for that factor. I dont realy know how to start out with something so big'
Help please? ^^

General tips can be quite, well erm...general so if you can provide reference pictures or even just a link to an image of the gun/costume you're trying to create people can help with a lot more specific suggestions but plastizote and PVC pipe would be a good place to start.

ah.. your right
http://cosplayisland.com/costume/view/46929
I dont know what PVC or plastizote is or where to get it '

Bicep curls and tricep extentions/ pressups usually work. Mix it up with variety an-.. Not those kinds of guns?



Whack up a pic of the gun you want to make. Chances are you can buy parts of replica guns, and build around it. I'd suggest thin balsa sheets.

But what makes it look like a gun more than *anything* will be the finish on it. If it looks like sprayed wood, it'll look like a wooden gun.

If it looks like steel, you're onto a winner. Sheet plastic, and non-porous material would be what I would stick with. Go to a car body shop for car primer and spray paint for a metallic finish.

Also, hotlinking not allowed for that url. Use [img] [/ img] tags.

PVC pipe is just the stuff they use for plumbing in your house. You can usually find it at places likes Wickes, B&Q, Homebase etc. It's basically just plastic pipe which is good for gun barrels and stuff. Plastizote is a kind of thick, strong foam. You usually get it in sheets. I get my stuff from here you usually need to strengthen it with something to stop it flopping about but its relatively easy to work with as you can cut it with a stanley knife or scissors so makes it ideal for gun stocks and stuff

I fixed the hotlink thing (I think?)

do you think I could use something else as the base? I dont think toy guns are big enough for what I have in mind. maybe wood or foam? sorry Im a beginner with making props this scale. '

this is PVC pipe and looking at the above image I think it would be perfect. It might be heavy though, I'd suggest going to somewhere like B&Q and try lifting some. You also get a lot of fixtures and fittings that could be cut up to create the gun detailing.

If someone you know has bought a TV or something recently then in those boxes you get a kind of thick foam (not polystrene which is the little balls stuck together) that you could use for the guns stock. It'd be reasonably light but is also quite strong.

oh wow! I'll try all that.
Im kind of weak so Im trying to make something big but light, but I guess it wont be so light after all '
but thats okay. I'll try using multiple things to get it right. Thank you ^^

The handle and part of the body you can use the base of a shotgun for. You can get plastic ones.

Plumbing stores for the plastic tubings is a good idea. Often the fixtures will also look like part of the gun. Buy as cheap as you can, because they'll look blocky and more gun like.

Yeah the problem is length (that's what she said ) I made a buster sword out of balsa wood which is mega light but because i'm holding it right at the end it feels a lot heavier but as it's a gun you are able to support it at the stock.

If you're confident you could carve a cylinder you could try a bit of cardboard and expanding foam like in this tutorial where you have a bit of cardboard spray this foam that expands then you carve it out using a knife it'd be quite tricky for a uniform shape though. That would be mega light.

An alternative is just to use rolled cardboard/card which you could roll around a glass or something to give you your cylinder, it wouldn't be very strong and easily buckle but would be ultra light or even poster tubes.

Some poster tubes are very light and long, for use when sending via mail :3

Staples or a large stationary store will have a good range.

okay. thanks alot guys ^^

condensed cardboard tubes like parcel tube are good, but it's tough to find the righ length. I admit that when I saw the gun yu're gonna make i instantly thought of drainpipe/pvc pipes. You're not gonna be able to weild it like a pistol because of the weight, but it's not too bad to carry in two hands horizontally.

your right, I tried some the other day. I have to weild it with both hands '
but its not so bad after all.

Most Seras cosplayers I've encountered have used PVC pipe. You can even use a paint roller handle for the handle on top and seriously, have a look around B&Q or whatever hardware store you have and you'll find things that look like all the parts ^_^

Good luck and I can't wait to see your Harkonnen!

I know what you mean. and thanks<33

Dunno if it will be any help to you, but I constructed a model of Yoko's rifle from Gurren Lagann purely out of cardboard. I used wrapping paper roles for the barrell, and smaller tinfoil roles for the scope, and then just contructed with sheets of cardboard. It was really light, because any areas that needed to be more solid to avoid collapse, I stuffed with bubblewrap or newspaper.

I'm not sure if any of that will help you, but it worked well from my perspective, and like I said, very light. ^^

yeah, I'll consider that too. I once made a Miku leek sword out of wrapping paper rolls, so its a good suggestion ^^

Personally it's my favourite material to use hahaha, I made a Keyblade with wrapping paper rolls, and am now making Stocking's sword Stripes.

Well, good luck with your project, hope it goes well for you! ^^