How to Create a Wind Up Key for a Costume

Sometimes you might want to wear a costume portraying a mechanized figure that requires a windup key to lend it credibility. Making a life-sized windup key is easy, if you have the correct parts. Experiment with different mechanisms and anchoring to find what works best for your particular costume. Dressing in a mechanized costume allows you to be interactive with others in a nonverbal, fun manner that triggers lots of laughs and interest.

Things You'll Need

• Foam core board
• Gold or silver spray paint
• 1/2 to 3/4 inch wooden dowel, about 6-inches long
• Wind up toy with internal mechanism
• Utility knife
• Marker or pencil
• Drill
• Drill bits in varying sizes
• Jigsaw
• Epoxy
• Sports bra or elasticized tank top
• Duct tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Draw the shape of a key handle on the foam board. Be sure to make it life sized -- about 9 inches long and about 6 inches at its widest point. It should be similar to a figure eight lying on its size. On one edge of the flattened key, extend the center area so you can slide a notched dowel over the foam board.

2. Cut the key shape out of the foam board, with the utility knife. Trim the edges to make them smooth.

3. Cut a notch across one flat end of the dowel, about 2 inches deep, with the jigsaw. The width of the notch should be slightly wider than the thickness of the foam board.

4. Squeeze a dollop of epoxy into the notch on the dowel. Slide the cut end of the dowel over the foam board, to secure them to one another. For extra strength, add a piece of duct tape on top of the dowel on either side of the foam board, to hold it in place. Allow the epoxy to dry.

5. Take apart the toy and remove the turning mechanism. Carefully cut off the small key end with the jigsaw. Remove any plastic ends or other pieces that attach to the end of the rod that protrudes from the mechanism.

6. Drill a hole at least 1 inch deep in the other end of the dowel. Fill it with epoxy and slide the turning mechanism end into the hole. Allow the glue to dry. The size of the hole you drill will depend on the size of the metal rod on the turning mechanism.

7. Paint the key and dowel with gold or silver spray paint. If you want it to be shiny, use aluminum or brass high-gloss spray paint. Allow the paint to dry. Then turn the key over and spray the other side.

8. Cut a slit in the back of a sports bra or elasticized tank top. Insert the mechanism into the slit with the key protruding out the back.

9. Tape the mechanism in place with duct tape on the inside of the back of the bra or tank top, to hold it still. Cut a slit in the back of your costume to allow the key to protrude out the back and hide the mechanism on the inside.

10. Wind the key carefully to make it turn and make yourself into a wind-up figure.

Tips & Warnings

• As you drill the hole in the dowel, work slowly to avoid splitting the end with the drill bit. If you do split the dowel, glue it back together with epoxy.

• Use a sports bra or tank top that fits snugly to secure the key in place and keep it from wiggling loose or drooping.

• Be careful not to get paint or glue into the mechanical parts, because this may prevent them from working properly.