Need Costume Help: I want to be a puffer fish!

AllenCohn · Post by **AllenCohn** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:26 am

Hi burners!

I would like to construct a working puffer fish costume for myself (for burning man and Halloween). Unfortunately I don't have much knowledge or skill with the costuming and mechanical engineering that would be required to make a costume that would actually "puff" on demand.

If you have those skills and would be willing to offer some advice, I would be VERY grateful. (Or perhaps you know someone who has these skills.)

Many, many thanks,
Allen

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 8:39 am

I was a fluffer pish once... but that probably won't help...

AllenCohn · Post by **AllenCohn** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:03 am

How did you make your costume? Did yours puff on demand?

Thanks,
Allen

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:18 am

Could you adapt a couple of umbrellas? Those bubbly ones? Put spines and fins on them?

I want to see it when it's done.

regynalonglank · Post by **regynalonglank** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:22 am

the new thing seems to be to make something that you can put a small fan on so it inflates it...like made out of ripstop...

samtzu · Post by **samtzu** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:35 am

Use plasic tubes; make them into a series of small chambers with air tubes between them using an iron, etc. (those inflatable shipping tubes work well. You can use compressed air to inflate it, but too much volume will blow the thing to smitereens. Use a very low pressure regulator, and a reverse fan, or the intake on a small vacuum cleaner, to evacuate the air.

Lemme' know how that works.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:49 am

think "bellows"

Main Entry: bel·lows
Pronunciation: 'be-(")lOz, -l&z
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Etymology: Middle English belu, from Old English belg -- more at BELLY
Date: before 12th century
1 : an instrument or machine that by alternate expansion and contraction draws in air through a valve or orifice and expels it through a tube; also : any of various other blowers
2 : LUNGS
3 : the pleated expansible part in a camera; also : a metallic or plastic flexible and expansible vessel

shitmouse · Post by **shitmouse** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 5:10 pm

if it was a paper mache type thing, build a split design so it can break or unwire and fit into your car or truck. -(note use chicken wire, and paper and glue). or go white-trash and use spray-mount -(super 77) for your paper adhesive.

- or -

weather balloons might work. -(you can get them for pretty cheap). they are a funky skin texture and semi transparent. it would be cool to have an inner light for night time. it would glow an orange-gold color.

as for spikes and rubber? hmm. -(if you built some sort of fannning set of "sticks" with soft ends you could have them run from your belt and create the spines into the skin of the balloon pointing at 45, 90, etc. degrees) the belt (and shoulder straps) would also keep the costume on.

blowing up like a puffer? nothing comes to mind that would be light enough to carry for a large amount of air to be produced quickly. i'd try to just make the spines moved to a larger pose when puffed.
i'd also use another part of a balloon for head wear-gear.

2 small pennies.
-b

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 5:21 pm

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 3:13 pm

HOw did this come out?

Woodrow · Post by **Woodrow** » Fri Jan 21, 2005 4:38 pm

... did somebody say "Fluffer"? ....

CagedKitty · Post by **CagedKitty** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 8:54 pm

I saw a guy on halloween who was wearing a fat suit that was kept inflated with a small fan. He wouldn't tell me what he was wearing underneath.

Ranger Genius · Post by **Ranger Genius** » Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:34 pm

You can order these from Oriental Trading. The Petermans wore them on the playa in 2003 to great effect, as Mr. and Mrs. Bundt.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Tue Jan 25, 2005 5:18 am

AllenCohn wrote:Hi burners!

I would like to construct a working puffer fish costume for myself

...You could sculpt the body from plasticine clay, and then brush about 50 thin layers of liquid latex over that. Peel off or dig out clay when cured. Leave a hole at top and bottom to squeeze your head and lower torso out, but leave an airtight seal. Acquire a small compressed-air tank, and pop the valve to inflate latex "balloon" body.
OR
Create expanding wireframe body, and cover with spandex. Use latex to cast spines and other details, and bond to surface with GOOP adhesive or more latex.
OR
Create sign that says,"I am a puffer fish", and wear around neck.

Need Costume Help: I want to be a puffer fish!

Need Costume Help: I want to be a puffer fish!

Re: Need Costume Help: I want to be a puffer fish!