For a devised AR piece involving a giant ghost ship constructed in New York's Times Square, I created two "old-time" deep sea diver suits with helmets. I started with a giant plastic lighting globe. I then cut additional larger holes into the globe and finished them with the metal rings from stove fixtures. It turns out that the metal hardware I wanted to use all over (round end nuts, six per hole x four holes per helmet x two helmets = 48 nuts plus additional for the chest pieces) so I molded them with silicone puddy and cast them. About 75 in total. They were then spray painted silver and look indistinguishable from the 10 real ones I also used. I even added little lights inside the helmets so you could see the performers' faces.

I then used foss shape to create heavyweight leather chest pieces, dyed two Dickie's jumpsuits appropriately, added cotton webbed strapping all over, made diver weights from plastic lids, spray paint, and plastic chains. The overall effect, I think, is excellent.