# Bishopdonmiguel's all-fired plain-vanilla pack build **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [June 8, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793 "2014-06-08T21:26:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/1 "2014-06-08T21:26:16Z")
[rimworldspeech] Been lurkin’, researchin’, collectin’ & acquirin’ for a longly spell. Me thinks it time my own self wrote a build thread. [/rimworldspeech] Other people have certainly done this better but I thought I’d give it a go. Most of my attention will be focused on learning & executing the many things necessary to build this first pack so I’m not looking to replicate a specific version, more an amalgamation of various appropriate components. Accordingly, I call this my all-fired plain-vanilla pack. For the most part, I will be utilizing components from this site’s shop or community sellers. Please feel free to point out my blunders. So here we go. I cleaned up the GBFans [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard), filing down the sharp edges and giving it a good scrub with detergent and steel wool. This thing’s a beauty. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/a/eaea7a43eea37f9f9379f8647ac54e6f090df69f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![35FT\_TWINKIE](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/3/91b2a8/32.png) [@35FT\_TWINKIE](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/35FT_TWINKIE)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/2 "2014-06-08T21:29:43Z")
Welcome, and hello! You’re off to a good start working with the shop parts! Looking forward to the progress! Good luck. Be sure and post lots of pictures. ---
**Author:** ![julz](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/da6949/32.png) [@julz](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/julz)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/3 "2014-06-08T21:53:49Z")
Welcome sir and Good luck on your build! ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/4 "2014-06-08T21:59:35Z")
Thanks guys. If I can do just half the job I’ve seen displayed in various builds here, I will be very proud of myself. ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/5 "2014-06-08T22:46:32Z")
Using a 1-foot piece of 2x2-1/8 inch aluminum angle bracket, I cut (6) 2-inch wide brackets for creating the (4) shell mounts. I sliced two extra pieces in half at the bend to allow for doubling the thickness of the shell mounting points to 1/4-inch. If you’ve never used a pop rivet, I’d recommend you not try to rivet with just a single pull. Use the first pull to cinch up the parts, the second pull tighten everything up and the third pull to snap the pin. Practice on scrap parts! Using great [instructions](http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=11972) from member [kind3211](http://www.gbfans.com/fans/kind2311), I positioned the shell mounts and attached to the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) using large ■■■■■■ rivets. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/7/e71ff25aacd53dbb998fe7e64aa998c608c2e43e.jpeg) After locating the points on the shell for the holes, I drilled my GBFans fiberglass shell using step bits recommended by various experienced members. These worked great, no cracked fiberglass. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/d/b/db242b3353c9c516ce93945317e65fe194f2005e.jpeg) Once the holes were set, the mounting brackets were drilled & tapped for 1/4-20 hex head bolts. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/6/5/65f97d032bf875f4555e93be520dc8b2620f6d73.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/6 "2014-06-08T23:06:39Z")
I prepped an LC-1 ALICE frame from the GBFans shop by drilling the (3) mounting points using the pre-drilled [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) as a guide. I fashioned spacers utilizing [hockey pucks](http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34646). While I understand these are not screen accurate, the material was easy to work with and I liked the idea of having a flexible mounting point. Lastly, I added 1/2-inch pipe insulating foam to the upper bar and wrapped it in black Gorilla tape. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/1/5/15da25bb2419213838f2f5c6d54cd6da4019c031.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/7 "2014-06-08T23:57:04Z")
Attaching the shell to the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) was surprisingly smooth. Not sure if it was easier than I thought or just the result of quadruple-checking everything as I went. I think some trim down the motherboard to better align with the shell, but I’m happy with the fit and will leave as-is. This GBFans shell is really nice. Before mounting, I gave it a wash with detergent and steel wool. There are some small imperfections that I will fix later in the build. I plan to dry mount all the components first, then pull everything off for clean-up and painting. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/7/e712d3cdd14e1fb2e603ea4353b3135714ac0b86.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/pyhasanon)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/8 "2014-06-09T00:13:20Z")
Looking great! ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/9 "2014-06-09T00:41:26Z")
I admit to being a tad intimidated by aluminum parts. I just haven’t worked with metal much so I decided to use a full set of [Crix’s](http://www.gbfans.com/fans/crix) [“I Can’t Believe It’s Not Metal!”](http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=34823) pack parts. I am VERY pleased with these. They are solid yet drill, take taps and hold screws well. They also have pre-marked spots for drilling! The one part I will swap for an aluminum replacement is the [booster tube](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/booster-tube). I started with the HGA, drilling, tapping & installing the various hex head screws & valves. I mounted the HGA to the shell using a 1" hex head screw and washer. I had to slightly round one edge of the HGA so that it would sit flush on the pack but it sanded easily. I did my best to get the position & angle correct but in the end it was a judgement call. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/b/6/b61c78b620f0237a3a0cc519194b08d2e14d8d2c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jabberbox](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/jabberbox/32/5860_2.png) [@jabberbox](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jabberbox)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/10 "2014-06-09T00:57:49Z")
Looks great! ---
**Author:** ![35FT\_TWINKIE](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/3/91b2a8/32.png) [@35FT\_TWINKIE](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/35FT_TWINKIE)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/11 "2014-06-09T01:41:19Z")
Looks good to me! Crix makes some great resin parts. Good call. ---
**Author:** ![thebigone2087](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/d6d6ee/32.png) [@thebigone2087](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/thebigone2087)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:54am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/12 "2014-06-09T02:54:35Z")
Great start! I used Crix’s resin casts on my first pack build and can’t say enough good things about them. Keep it up! ---
**Author:** ![stantz](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@stantz](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/stantz)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:09am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/13 "2014-06-09T08:09:21Z")
Looking great Bishop, will be keeping an eye on this one 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![jeremy8564](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/jeremy8564/32/186920_2.png) [@jeremy8564](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/jeremy8564)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 2:22pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/14 "2014-06-09T14:22:51Z")
Nice start! You might be pushing me to throw my hat in the build thread ring as well. Plus I’m already looking at a second build using GBFans parts so I’ll be watching closely. Keep it up! ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:44am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/15 "2014-06-10T00:44:08Z")
> [@Jeremy8564](#): > > You might be pushing me to throw my hat in the build thread ring as well. Please do! I learn something from every build here, from scratch packs to pro builds. So much great work here. ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/16 "2014-06-10T00:56:28Z")
Got the [Vacuum Line](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/aluminum-vacuum-line) installed (I think that’s what this part is called). Should have been drop dead easy but somehow I didn’t hit the center of the resin on my first go so I had to make a slightly larger hole to compensate. Easy fix. Also got the Clippard installed. Question for you all. Is anyone leaving the rubber gasket on the bottom? I realize it serves no function but wondered if it would help prevent cracking from over tightening, etc? ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/0/d/0de7987dceb85cf5aaad612f721f7a270dc2d91e.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/0/1/01045e120035d39192968b9718d53c337678ec4f.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![PssdffJay](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/pssdffjay/32/6529_2.png) [@PssdffJay](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/PssdffJay)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/17 "2014-06-10T01:04:22Z")
I’m pretty sure I did. That was a while ago though. ---
**Author:** ![pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/pyhasanon)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/18 "2014-06-10T01:06:02Z")
> [@bishopdonmiguel](#): > > Also got the Clippard installed. Question for you all. Is anyone leaving the rubber gasket on the bottom? I realize it serves no function but wondered if it would help prevent cracking from over tightening, etc? That’s a damn good question… been wanting to ask that, but kept forgetting… ---
**Author:** ![bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/bishopdonmiguel/32/188541_2.png) [@bishopdonmiguel](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/bishopdonmiguel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/19 "2014-06-13T23:48:10Z")
Small update for today… I got the [crank knob](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/crank-knob) mounted. This Raytheon MS91528-3S4B is an example of why I call this my “plain-vanilla” build. While I endeavor to utilize GB1 parts, I wasn’t able to locate the grey version of this knob so I settled with the GB2 color. Will be an easy swap if I do locate a proper knob at some point. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/1/e/1e313c1ab93f484c96455a13f8d56b2a22a5572d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/pyhasanon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2014, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793/20 "2014-06-14T00:02:38Z")
Or just paint it gray… =P You can easily find an original gray Raytheon crank knob on eBay, but it’s difficult to find for less than $50… AJ is trying to source some MIL-SPEC EHC gray [crank knobs](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/crank-knob) for cheaper, but they’re ridiculously expensive to buy in bulk… [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/bishopdonmiguels-all-fired-plain-vanilla-pack-build/28793.md?page=2)