Hand extenders, Jakks Power Hand

[Geminii]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/02/babys-first-exoskelton/

An upcoming super-size toy robot hand which fits over a normal-size hand could be of interest to costume builders. Get your hands up to Transformer size with full articulation!

[Pilot]

Sweet. Let's just hope they make both hands instead of just a right one?

[Firebird67]

Awesome!

[Transacid Shockwaver]

yeah!
i planned exactly this for my shockwave - but didnt finish the concept, due to deadline-reasons...
this encourages me to try to finish this project.
thx for the vid-link!

[Geminii]

Possible further inspiration from the John Nolan site:





These designs require no power source, no electronics, and can be adapted to nearly any kind and size of costume hand as needed. They're also extremely dexterous - videos on the site include wearers using the claw-tips to pick up and precisely place very small items.

If you're feeling very enthusiastic indeed, note that the simple design of the finger-pulls means that it would be very possible to use tiny motors to pull/release each cord, linked electronically to sensors on a similar handless finger-pull structure. You could have full hand movement in a larger costume without your hands being anywhere near the costume's, meaning you'd no longer be limited by your own elbow-to-shoulder or shoulder-to-shoulder dimensions.

[Pilot]

Very cool!

I remember seeing a quick and dirty version of this on instructables, using cut plastic piping and string. I'd love to implement something like this someday because human hands are just barely too small with all but the most body-hugging costume designs.

Also, I think props is a better place to put this, now that I think about it...

[AutobotDen]

...That's almost exactly like what I have in mind for when I start building TFA Megatron. I was thinking more like wire rigging and fishing line though.....