turtle suit build, fanmade.
 

Hi All, as promised in my introduction here is my thread about the making of a ninja turtle suit that is functional for wearing to conventions and charity events.
first off let me show you the mark one version made in 2008 by me and my son.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...e49a39e5b6.jpg
It worked pretty well and we learned a lot that I now want to put into making an adult sized one. Unfortunately I didn't get many pictures as I was also in costume but here is a little video,

It has a mechanism built in to the mask that makes the lips open when the mouth is moved. most of the rest of the suit is made from foam covered in latex rubber. I will put pictures up of the new build soon so you can see how it works.

This Mikey suit totally rocks! :tthumbsu: Would love to see the adult-sized suit.

I totally love how you made the mouth move!! Crazy cool!

That is really awesome!

On a side note, I remember seeing someone who did 4 busts/heads of the turtles on here they may have been commissioned. I was looking online but there is no one who make those types of props or masks. Anyone have any idea who made them? I am only wondering because I have a sick Freddy Krueger mask but would love a good turtle mask/prop for display at some point.

Thanks guys, I've started into making the under-structure for the new mask, I've made this out of aluminum riveted together and padded it with foam. I worked out where my jaw pivots and made a matching pivoting jaw for the mask. I attached a velcro strap under the chin so my mouth forces it open and added a spring to pull it closed again. this bit is a little boring to see but will be integral to making the rest of the mask work.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...8cee6b2585.jpg
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...e3d6116d19.jpg

hey I can do that for you, I am a pretty good sculptor. If you have an idea of what you want maybe post a picture here, I'd be happy to help.
check out some of my other creations at www.dextarfx.com to see what I've done before.8)

well I have managed to make some teeth out of plastic and glue them on and I've even added some pink rubber for gums.
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...8ed9e3a20f.jpg
next I put on the piece that will be inside the top lip to make it open.
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...c6a2099923.jpg
the next step will be making something to be the eyes then I can get on to the fun part of sculpting his facial features. whew! getting there.:tsweatdr:

That was so cool!

Very nice start... Can't wait to see more.

speaking of seeing more...now he has eyes
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...6ee03210db.jpg
pretty happy with these eyes so far, gonna add some lids next then it's time to get the foam out and make the heads shape.
I haven't said which one it will be yet, it might be fun for you to guess.:)

So cool man.. I love that we get to see the step by step work. You've got skills!

cheers dudes, well if you were bored with all that metalwork then I have a treat for you. I've made eyelids, a tongue and the lips now
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...41b8012bee.jpg
and I've started putting the foam on to make the shape of the head.

the little clear cup is just there to hold the mouth open for these pics.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...8207583d76.jpg
things are really starting to take shape and it is getting easier to see this as a turtle face. after I finish this I will be starting to make the feet.

sweet, looking good..

took some time off for halloween, but this is where it's at now, should be finished soon

awesome on soo very many levels dex.
too cool !!

Very cool work :)

That's amazing! And a little creepy...

Alright, now I'm getting somewhere! got this head shape to where I like it and it still works well.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...20cb0bad71.jpg
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...f1bd85c161.jpg

I will color it all when I have made all the other parts.
now on to making the feet then hands!

It's looking pretty good now.

Impressive work, man. Can't wait to see it finished.

no pics over the long weekend but back into it now and got the feet sculpted, I'm really happy with it now.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...6943651d1e.jpg
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...ee2dc50622.jpg
the last one i made didn't have toenails so that's a fun detail to add this time. I got the fresh latex and green pigment so i can start skinning these and the head which i have added more defined cheeks to.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...f02aed2be6.jpg
next the hands then shell.

Hey dude! Love the suit! Love the mechanics of it as I love building stuff like that myself. I was wondering where you got the eyes? Also what do you use to cut or sculpt the foam? I always have trouble getting foam to look right.

Thanks man!

thanks canadian turtle, I made the eyes, I got two clear acrylic domes blow molded to the right size and painted the inside of the domes with the iris and pupil and sprayed in the white.
here it is with just the white, the soft spray line helps add to the look of a real eye.
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...871e403958.jpg
I carve the foam with an electric carving knife, this takes a while to get good at and a very deft touch. you can tell I've had some practice.:lol:
then to get the wrinkle details and do the toenails etc. I use a hot soldering iron, this stinks but looks good with the rubber on it.

this is awesome but kinda creepy. its the forgoten turtle that jumps outa the kids closet at night and wont go away. great work though

you think you're creeped out, he's in the room looking right at me. :o
here's some progress pics showing the shape of the hands.
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...cd98f0ab7e.jpg
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...c72ec8ecc2.jpg
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...652ceb7376.jpg
also a quick look at the beginning of the skinning stage with the first layer of latex added.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...3eb74181b5.jpg
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...90abb83c20.jpg
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...147f82b846.jpg
hoping to get the shell and torso done soon.:) more pics then

I am amazed at how this is turning out. Awesome job.

-ms

Awesome work Deck Star! Thanks for the offer, Im not looking to buy or have anything commissioned at the moment. I just find it weird that there are so many people who do horror stuff Freddy masks, Jason masks hoods, hockey masks Michael Myers etc and theres no Turtle stuff out there.

I remember seeing a Pain 101 mask I believe it was called that someone made based on Caseys mask from the first movie. Also someone did a Raphael that I saw on ebay before that was pretty sweet.

At any rate I am looking forward to seeing your final costume its looking very cool.

Hey man! What are you using for latex? I am looking to source some to use on a project. Where and what do you get?

Thanks!

I'm lucky that there is a foam latex factory in my home town, I've been getting it cheap from there since I was a teenager. since you are in Canada I can tell you that I used to live in Vancouver and got latex from FIBERTEK who mainly sold fiberglass resins. If this doesn't help PM me as I still have FX friends in Canada who I can ask, they will know. It's called liquid latex and looks white but dries kind of a natural yellow, you can color it with acrylic tints. keep watching this thread, I'll be using a lot more, you will learn some tips, feel free to ask questions about what you see.

here is what the legs look like with the latex on.
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...39c6db29d7.jpg
http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...d53b05a1cf.jpg
you can still see pretty good definition in the calves.
now I have to paint them.

still working, more soon!

Aw, that is cool! Are you going to add a bandana to it soon?

Very cool thanx for the update ;)

just when you thought I'd given up on this, here's more progress.
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...c9050930f5.jpg
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...ae402faffe.jpg
I've got the thighs to almost where I like them, just a little detail to add before I put the latex on.
and now for the bit that I've been most looking forward to, the shell!
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...600679f190.jpg
ok plenty more to do so back to work for me.

Holy...! You are amazing, Deck! Looking forward to the finished product :D

ok where was I? oh yeah the arms, here's his big muscles and a tease of the head in place. note the red cloth standing in for his elbow pad.
http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...5d6db5d78c.jpg
http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...908f78e979.jpg
I guess that just leaves me to do the front shell.

This is going to be so flipping awesome you are doing great work keep it up :)

Wait, how you manage to rotate your arms when you are in it? Shouldn't you separate the arms from the rest of the body?

Im just guessing that he wants it to be as seamless as possible and that the foam and latex will probably be able to move pretty decently looks cool tho :).