Gaming Computer Costume
Introduction: Gaming Computer Costume
Kid wanted to be her gaming computer for Halloween so I measured her and found a box at about the right proportions. this project was modeled after the NZXT H510 tower. This project depends on what you have on hand. I only spent $13 for the LED light strips and used what I could find around me.
Supplies
* cardboard box (mine was about 12.5"x18"x22")
* extra cardboard
* Paper packing tape
* 3d printer for printing the fan blades (or fabricate out of cardboard)
* black USB wall charger (optional)
* Microcontroller, sound sensor, 2 continuous rotation servos (I used a Hummingbird Bit)
* Clear plastic sheet (I used duralar 0.01 thickness)
* 3/8" spring (whatever you have)
* black acrylic paint
* white marker
* hot glue and regular glue (I used wood glue)
* toothpick
* 6 ft long LED strip (battery powered)
* clear double-stick tape
* duct tape
* paper templates attached to this tutorial
* black computer case screws (optional)
Step 1: 3D Print or Make the Fans
I remixed the computer fan model from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:971944 and added a solid base with a hole to mount a screw from the fan into the servo. Make sure this is the correct size fan you want for your costume. You may need to resize it appropriately. If you do not have a 3D printer, you can still make this with cardboard using the STL model files as a reference.
Step 2: Make the Power Button and Top Case Ports
I found a black USB wall charger and measured out the size of the usb port and cut it on the top of the costume case. I hot-glued the charger to the inside of the box. Also, the prongs stick out slightly so they were wrapped with painter's tape and painted black.
Make the power button! The circle is 1" and I hot-glued it to a plastic wheel and spring. Those are all hot-glued to the cardboard support. I added a secondary support using thin cardboard (cereal box) to make sure it does't flex too much. Cut a slightly larger opening on the cardboard box centered with the USB port and then test the assembly to make sure the button doesn't bind. If it does, you may need to cut a larger opening or support the button better in its assembly. Glue the power button assembly tabs to the inside of the cardboard
Step 3: Cut Openings in Cardboard
Depending on the size of your box and fans, adjust your opening appropriately. I used 1.5 inch borders. 997
The bottom opening is about 5 inches from the bottom to allow room for the fans.
Measure and cut out centered arm hole for the one side that has no opening. Keep the cut out.
Print the back ports and then cut an opening (3" x 9.75") on the back of the case (1.5" from the top left edge). Mount the printout onto larger cardboard (~4"x11") and paint the cardboard around the printout in case your opening is larger. Glue this panel from the inside of the case while centering the image within the opening.
Cut the head opening on the top of the cardboard box.
Check to ensure box fits the wearer's body and adjust the head/arm holes appropriately.
Step 4: Print/Prepare Side Panel
You can take a picture of your own computer. Make sure you try to take the picture directly in front of your case, otherwise the image will be skewed. You can fix that with photo editing software if you need to. Depending on your side panel opening, you may need to resize your photo to that space. Print out the side panel images in tile format and cut/tape together into a larger sheet.
Measure out a piece of cardboard that is larger than the opening you cut out. Use the arm cut out scrap and center it onto your cardboard. Cut out the opening.
Glue the side panel image onto the cardboard. Measure out 1" around the inside edge of the side panel printout (on the blank side) where the cardboard arm opening is. Then cut out inside opening. Cut from the paper to the cardboard opening and then glue those paper flaps to the cardboard. This will give the arm opening hole a cleaner look.
(optional) To mimic the look of the clear panel on the computer case, cut out a piece of clear plastic the same size as your cardboard. Glue it on with double stick tape or hot glue. Leave the side panel aside.
Step 5: Attach Fans to Cardboard
Cut a larger piece of cardboard that is the width of the costume plus 2.75" along the width. 163