# First try...... **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [May 9, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165 "2009-05-09T01:40:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/realghost82/32/6019_2.png) [@RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RealGhost82)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/1 "2009-05-09T01:40:56Z")
Well, after being a fan for 23 years, I’m finally taking the time to build my own [Proton Pack](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack). I work over 40 hours a week, so bare with me as its going to take a long time finish, but I have started. Any thoughts or ideas? ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/1X/397d6ee216d0b09928814ccc829c7f2fdbd8f20e.gif) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/1X/397d6ee216d0b09928814ccc829c7f2fdbd8f20e.gif) ---
**Author:** ![gbrob](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/ba8739/32.png) [@gbrob](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/gbrob)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/2 "2009-05-09T02:06:57Z")
Can’t wait to see more! I remember being excited over seeing the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard) taking shape when I first started building. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jairus](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Jairus)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/3 "2009-05-09T02:11:55Z")
Looks like you’re off to a good start! Can’t go wrong with Norm’s plans for your first pack. ---
**Author:** ![RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/realghost82/32/6019_2.png) [@RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RealGhost82)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/4 "2009-05-09T02:21:28Z")
Thanks guys. I have a couple questions for you pros out there…what did you use for the [cyclotron](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/cyclotron)? how long did your pack actually take? ---
**Author:** ![enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/enchanted_unicorn)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/5 "2009-05-09T02:29:04Z")
> [@RealGhost82](#): > > Thanks guys. I have a couple questions for you pros out there…what did you use for the cyclotron? how long did your pack actually take? I used a plastic bucket, but many use cake pans( i think the diameter is about 9 inches?). it took a couple months to build the pack. ---
**Author:** ![MrSpider](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@MrSpider](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MrSpider)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/6 "2009-05-09T13:51:37Z")
I used 9" wooden rings from michaels , you know the knitting ones. My pack still isn’t done but i started in Feb so I estimate it to be around a 5 month build or so, Don’t let that discourage you. I was much like you, a fan who wanted a [proton pack](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack), one day it just hit me. I went out and bought some wood and off I went. It’s a great start, keep that progress coming ! ---
**Author:** ![RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/realghost82/32/6019_2.png) [@RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RealGhost82)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/7 "2009-05-09T17:40:25Z")
Yeah, I heard about the cake pan, but I hear its a real pain. I just want it to look authentic. I’m trying to photograph my progress so you guys can give me tips. If you have any photos of your packs, post them or post a link. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![aj-quick](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/aj-quick/32/187072_2.png) [@aj-quick](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/aj-quick)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 5:59pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/8 "2009-05-09T17:59:28Z")
Tacos! ---
**Author:** ![ThrowingChicken](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@ThrowingChicken](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/ThrowingChicken)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/9 "2009-05-09T18:46:15Z")
![image](http://www.roomwithamoose.com/fanart/fanart_dustbunny.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![zombierepellent](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/zombierepellent/32/5970_2.png) [@zombierepellent](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/zombierepellent)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/10 "2009-05-09T22:01:06Z")
the cake pan i am using is a 9" aluminum cake pan, I got it at wal mart comes out to about 9 1/8 OD. has the perfect bevel on it and everything. i tried to get a pic off their website but couldnt find it on there. ---
**Author:** ![RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/realghost82/32/6019_2.png) [@RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RealGhost82)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/11 "2009-05-10T14:54:37Z")
I have a cake pan, but I just think its going to be a real pain in @ss. I’m going to try and build it out of wood first. I’ll post pics when its completed. ---
**Author:** ![enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/e/c2a13f/32.png) [@enchanted\_unicorn](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/enchanted_unicorn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 4:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/12 "2009-05-10T16:53:45Z")
> [@RealGhost82](#): > > I have a cake pan, but I just think its going to be a real pain in @ss. I’m going to try and build it out of wood first. I’ll post pics when its completed. yeah, cutting the holes in the pan would be not too fun… that guy talking about wooden rings at michael’s sounds pretty good though! ---
**Author:** ![zeta-otaku](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/zeta-otaku/32/186411_2.png) [@zeta-otaku](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/zeta-otaku)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/13 "2009-05-10T17:34:26Z")
yeah… funny thing about cake pans… they REALLY don’t like being cut. I ruined two brand new hole saws and a drill (granted it was older than myself…) cutting in the [cyclotron](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/cyclotron) holes. If you can make one out of wood, DO IT. Metal pans should be a last resort in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e8c25b/32.png) [@Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Nerdy_NotionZ)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/14 "2009-05-10T17:51:37Z")
I used a cake pan from wally world, walmart, and havent cut into it. It came in a 2 pack, so I will try my hole saws out on the extra and see how it does. ---
**Author:** ![staticbuster](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@staticbuster](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/staticbuster)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/15 "2009-05-11T01:57:38Z")
i used a cake pan, and all i have to say is this…GO SLOWLY!!! the heat off the cutting will try to warp the thin metal. also it’s best to screw the pan down to a piece of wood before cutting so it doesn’t fly into your junk. ouch. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Richter](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Charlie\_Richter](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Charlie_Richter)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/16 "2009-05-11T02:17:33Z")
I used foamcore, but thats just me. foamcore rulz 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![GB\_Jer](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@GB\_Jer](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/GB_Jer)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/17 "2009-05-11T18:43:18Z")
I used a cake pan for mine as well, and yes I do agree, screw that sucker down first otherwise you’ll be a) in pain from an unidentified flying [cyclotron](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/cyclotron) or b) watching it fly around in circles at god know how much rpms at it gets stuck to the circle cutter on the drill! GB Jer ---
**Author:** ![Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/n/e8c25b/32.png) [@Nerdy\_NotionZ](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Nerdy_NotionZ)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/18 "2009-05-11T21:08:11Z")
> [@Charlie\_Richter](#): > > I used foamcore, but thats just me. > > foamcore rulz 🆒 That it does. 🙂 Arent you happy I showed it to you? XD ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Richter](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Charlie\_Richter](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Charlie_Richter)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 11:08pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/19 "2009-05-11T23:08:50Z")
Like a piggie in piggie pooh. ---
**Author:** ![RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/realghost82/32/6019_2.png) [@RealGhost82](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/RealGhost82)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:49am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165/20 "2009-05-13T00:49:00Z")
here is the minor update I did to my pack over the weekend… ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/cboyle82/IMG_0155.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/cboyle82/IMG_0158.jpg) Its coming along slow, but its going well so far… [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/first-try/17165.md?page=2)