Mech Bot Costume

I have been 1st place winner for the past 7 yrs at work and I try to up my game each time. This year I wanted to make a Mech Warrior much bigger than this, but cost and size held me back. I started with 1/2" PVC and put together the base frame... Once the ouster frame was built, I measured where my shoulders would be and added X bracing to secure my straps to wear the top. I also added a horizontal 3/4" Bar and sleeved 1/2" PVC through for the arms, so they would articulate with the added handles in the cab. I cut large pieces of cardboard and faux painted the exterior to be rust colored. I did this for all 4 sides and then cut strips for the trim. I then cut large pieces of cardboard and made some beefy shoulders/arms to widen me out. The cab itself is 43" wide and the shoulders are another 16" so I added velcro to hold the weight, from the top off the cab to the top of the shoulders. Then I sleeved the 1/2"pipe through and added a claw and metal pipe gun. The bottoms are PVC frame so I can set it down and take the weight off my shoulders when taking photos. The tracks are 2 sided cardboard and packing sheet foam spray glued and painted. This costume is tough to get into but once its on, its pretty light, about 30 lbs in all..and hot. I added a black sheet and some fake stuff legs and shoes to create the look of me sitting down driving this machine... The arms are connected to some handles in the cab and I can move then up and down as I walk with ease.

Total Cost 60.00 (mostly for spray paint and adhesive.
Cardboard boxes - free
PVC- saved from each years costume and reused each year - fittings 30.00
Velcro
Glue

Added items are bazookas on top, and battery flicker lights inside...