# Hijacker's What Was I Thinking? Build **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [June 24, 2014, 11:26am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925 "2014-06-24T11:26:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kingpin/32/188026_2.png) [@kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kingpin)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/21 "2014-06-29T16:43:37Z")
Making impressive progress with this build, Hijacker. She’s going to be a beauty. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/22 "2014-06-30T03:42:18Z")
So I’m looking at the sony lobby pack pictures, and it looks like the measurements are gonna be roughly 1/2" larger on the overall. Just in the middle, it’s 4-3/8" tall. I know Ramjet used Setfan’s original 4.0" max height for the gun mount as his basis. Having the extra half an inch would allow for greater spacing that would be more accurate, but I don’t know how far off that would throw some of the other measurements like the filler behind the HGA since the bottom of the gun mount is pretty easily established. I’ll have to play with some measurements and see what I can get that looks close to the original. ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/23 "2014-06-30T16:25:29Z")
I present the GBFans Crank vers 2.1 ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/1/8/180cb9dcbb70a87254f2b1d9d1dbfa18bf878d1a.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/0/5/053c9cff97bd217086e5f167ae16c5765c5d34d8.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/7/37b1ab29b2c8387ccae118a9ff5e0dc37eaee3e2.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/6/c/6c27b3b151420d7cb40012471d174e9b736f82e4.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/d/3/d328037a2ab2c328bc11cfd34ed4778152460d79.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/7/3/73cfcfcb9c982ce5141473ea66aad3856026db6a.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/5/7/57b13b4e1f09e1f32737ed72fb872c0d84af8157.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/9/a/9a3411b435c3b658b51c6671e6d8284e14d7f4c5.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/c/b/cbf8895c8174291d116cb66c727d92c0c7327bda.jpeg) This was definitely the hardest piece to make yet. But it was fun to do! I’m glad I finally got a groove down in making the ribs. There’s still a few more gaps to fill in with some putty, and the [crank knob](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/crank-knob) needs a hole drilled for placement on the fiberglass shells. ---
**Author:** ![shootforit](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@shootforit](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/shootforit)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/24 "2014-07-02T02:32:15Z")
Dude. AMAZING WORK! The pack will be something you are truly going to be proud of. That is some serious personal work there my man. ---
**Author:** ![pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@pyhasanon](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/pyhasanon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/25 "2014-07-02T03:09:02Z")
Was in the area earlier for a Doctor’s Appointment at Mary Washington… was gonna hit you up for a visit, but was way too tired at the end of the day… will give you a heads up the next time I’m in the area… ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2014, 10:29am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/26 "2014-07-02T10:29:53Z")
I’ll PM you my mobile, Phil. Easier to get in contact with me that way than by PM if you’re wanting to swing by. I finished the bulk of the EDA today. Now I just need to decide if I’m gonna stick wooden disks on it or leave it flat and attach metal disks after the fiberglass is formed. I’ll probably go with wooden disks. Easier to get the dish and center bump effect. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/9/3/93ca8b1e3fbef8e983100f23e106c67d88fc1ffd.jpeg) - I decided it would be easiest to keep the booster mount square if I ran it all the way back instead of just adding it to the front of the EDA. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/1/9/1934b0a9ed984cdbdce1503f2331cabb514216dd.jpeg) -1-1/4" PVC happened to have the 1-3/8" diameter I was after. I was going to ream it with a spade drill bit, but the bit was a near perfect fit. This was a pain to line up per the instructions and then fit all the balsa. Lots of beveling and knife edgeing. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/2/d/2d702d9e1b3339d3b3015a032629749986ae7a99.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/d/a/dabf9e2b6bbc0510abd20e7aac27a91c84d1e0b3.jpeg) -I’m just happy my new dremel is a rockstar. Trying to sand the PVC by hand would have taken a day or so. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/7/1/7194409d8d54fe8e562a208773d2d064dcbfa444.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/f/c/fcb12d06166b4124fc0ab01aced144ad24429b2d.jpeg) -PUTTY! ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/9/b/9b12a6234a29d6427bb073774ea2bc94d237c9aa.jpeg) -Overall, I think the finished product looks good. Still need to make some base plates, skim some putty into low areas, sand said putty, and then enjoy it! I need to make another trip to the craft store and pick up more balsa and a new compass so I can start on the synchronous gen. Also need to swing by the non-craft store and pick up a 10" cake pan to make the [cyclotron](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/cyclotron). I called up my dad to see if he can plane the corner piece behind the HGA and run it over the router. It’s such a thick piece, it would be easier for him to make a square and plane it to 3/4" on his equipment than it would be for me to hack one out of balsa. Finishing the upper components has me totally stoked on the project now! That’s literally all the small stuff done. The synchronous has a few annoying pieces like the 14 identical plates, but that should be nothing compared to all the 9/16" ribs I cranked out so far. ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 12:54pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/27 "2014-07-03T12:54:32Z")
I redid the gun mount last night. The original dimensions in Ramjet’s 1.0 version were just too far off for me. I ended up adopting Cole’s version with some tweaks that I think will make the piece fit a bit more like the screen used packs. Pics will be incoming as soon as I finish some of the fine details of the new mount. ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/28 "2014-07-03T16:56:12Z")
The new gun mount is finished. There’s a few lines that need tidying up, but I think it’s worth a few pictures now. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/5/4/54957fc74783c6e3a29dbbefdaef4eaad3a0c651.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/6/3620b780da8bc8569632270124b744cf8aa73bb9.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/b/ebceb2668bc6d6ef509beccb50b755490fb7fdac.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/c/1/c173b06514370768975a8e3f9727b67d7b236ac3.jpeg) The last picture really drives home just how different the dimensions are between Stefan’s original plans and the measurements from the screen used packs. This picture also doesn’t give a good idea of the depth difference either. All in all, I’m happier with this mount than the [old one](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/characters/old-one). ---
**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:** [July 3, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/29 "2014-07-03T17:15:58Z")
I agree..what were you thinking?! (looking great. :)) ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 9:24am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/30 "2014-07-05T09:24:35Z")
> [@jabberbox](#): > > I agree..what were you thinking?! > > (looking great. :)) During the long hours of sanding itty bitty parts, I start to understand why people buy parts. Then my sense lf self fulfillment and miserness kicks in. Lol. Updates coming soon. Haven’t worked on this for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![portugueseGB](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/portuguesegb/32/3999_2.png) [@portugueseGB](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/portugueseGB)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 10:32am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/31 "2014-07-05T10:32:17Z")
> [@Hijacker](#): > > The new gun mount is finished. There’s a few lines that need tidying up, but I think it’s worth a few pictures now. > > ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/5/4/54957fc74783c6e3a29dbbefdaef4eaad3a0c651.jpeg) > > ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/6/3620b780da8bc8569632270124b744cf8aa73bb9.jpeg) > > ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/b/ebceb2668bc6d6ef509beccb50b755490fb7fdac.jpeg) > > ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/c/1/c173b06514370768975a8e3f9727b67d7b236ac3.jpeg) > > The last picture really drives home just how different the dimensions are between Stefan’s original plans and the measurements from the screen used packs. This picture also doesn’t give a good idea of the depth difference either. All in all, I’m happier with this mount than the old one. One suggestion, if I may, about the gun mount: This is one part that will be suffering a lot of stress, with the weight of the wand, and the constant taking the wand off or putting it in. I am not sure if building this part like you did will make it strong enough. I would suggest you did this part out of a solid wood block. It will also be easier to screw it securely to the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). I also used a solid wood block for the bridge that connects the gun mount to the rest of the pack. You are doing what my project initially was, I even got some parts cut but never glued. Then I considered I did not have the tools and the talent so chose something simpler - card foam. I also have back problems so the reduction in weight was extremely welcome (although I am not wearing my pack in the near future, I strongly suspect this is the only pack in my country). This thing will be a beauty. And yes, the sense fullfilment of knowing it all came out of your hands is great 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 10:46am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/32 "2014-07-05T10:46:06Z")
> [@portugueseGB](#): > > One suggestion, if I may, about the gun mount: This is one part that will be suffering a lot of stress, with the weight of the wand, and the constant taking the wand off or putting it in. I am not sure if building this part like you did will make it strong enough. I would suggest you did this part out of a solid wood block. It will also be easier to screw it securely to the motherboard. I also used a solid wood block for the bridge that connects the gun mount to the rest of the pack. > > You are doing what my project initially was, I even got some parts cut but never glued. Then I considered I did not have the tools and the talent so chose something simpler - card foam. I also have back problems so the reduction in weight was extremely welcome (although I am not wearing my pack in the near future, I strongly suspect this is the only pack in my country). > > This thing will be a beauty. And yes, the sense fullfilment of knowing it all came out of your hands is great 🙂 I’m crafting a wood buck to make a mold. The final product will be fiberglass. Most ofthos is balsa, so I don’t think it could stand the weight of existing, haha! ---
**Author:** ![portugueseGB](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/portuguesegb/32/3999_2.png) [@portugueseGB](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/portugueseGB)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/33 "2014-07-05T19:04:21Z")
I missed that bit of information, sorry. That makes it more interesting. Keep it up 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/34 "2014-07-08T21:26:37Z")
It’s been a few days, but I finally found a bit of time to plan out the [synchronous generator](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/synchronous-generator). I cut out the top and got it ready for some lower support. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/b/1/b169188ffa62dac042af28591ecff3af24cc32eb.jpeg) -She’ll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she’s got it where it counts, kid. I’ve made a lot of special modifications myself. Just a teaser for now. I’ll have more hopefully tomorrow when I can knock out some of the boxing to raise it to the proper height. ---
**Author:** ![Martinus](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@Martinus](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Martinus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/35 "2014-07-09T17:05:55Z")
Awesome. 🙂 I’m really enjoying following along with this. ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/36 "2014-07-09T17:56:41Z")
I started making the sides for the synch gen today. What I’m going to do is make the sides recessed a bit and then skim in wood putty to sand down to the proper dimensions. I should be able to finish the synch gen tomorrow if I’m lucky, and then I can move on to the clippard mount, vac line mount, and the [cyclotron](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/cyclotron). I already have a cake pan for the cyclotron, but what I’m thinking of doing is using it as a mold to pull a plaster form that I can sand to get nice and perpendicular sides. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/d/5/d5d45ff286ee56549868a52855bf2c7acd8acefd.jpeg) -You can see I’m skimming in some putty on the gun mount to give it a slight taper that was pointed out in the GBFans pack discussion thread. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/a/3/a322da88a8c66fd0def093719be1c5eb84442301.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/0/6/0608cf1e3f6a4e3ac19d790470d0bdfd847192a1.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/f/7/f72a5c2da53f153445ad6823f51cb0223a1f2d07.jpeg) -This will make a center support to keep the plywood from bending under the load of the cyclotron. ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/37 "2014-07-10T17:41:30Z")
![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/6/5/65d4fdfdc8eb0daf81b5c9437a57a4fff7c99910.jpeg) -I slathered a ton of putty on the synchronous gen last night. It’s still drying, but hopefully should be sandable this evening or tomorrow morning, ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/3/5/351fdd77b62431de01747d6496edefb37be3d8d7.jpeg) -Can’t wait for that to take shape. It’s god awful right now. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/f/9/f9e47c87952c057a14cab8212c256dacdeb28564.jpeg) -I finalized the gun mount. The outside edge is going to remain perpendicular to the [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/8/e86ec2c880bce1166f54b620d1684fbc7385800a.jpeg) -But now the inside face has an 1/8" taper. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/a/4/a424d76b851e9d85f34a220ad1f6a0f0299cdcc2.jpeg) -I only skimmed in what was necessary. That empty spot will be hidden by the filler between the crank and mount. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/e/4/e405a0e8ce4d2864bee68548c895e3eba551a29d.jpeg) -So far it’s coming along nicely I think. There’s still some gaps to fit better, but most of that can be sanded/filled. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/5/7/57c441423b0b2e094c8257790e92541d3d991d7d.jpeg) ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/b/6/b6f2797d1d82a8e335f1a291d40c9dc19edc1349.jpeg) -I need to pull up the measurements for where the crank sits in relation to the EDA, but I think the general placement works well for the mockup. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/2/4/248b466b5bdba2e9db0ae0aad65faecfa451fc98.jpeg) -I can’t wait to get the [synchronous generator](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/synchronous-generator) done so I can add it to the mockup and start work on the filler area between the upper and lower halves. ---
**Author:** ![halliwax](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/47e85d/32.png) [@halliwax](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/halliwax)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/38 "2014-07-10T23:50:40Z")
that is some serious craftsmanship! ---
**Author:** ![Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/hijacker/32/4037_2.png) [@Hijacker](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hijacker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/39 "2014-07-11T00:50:35Z")
Thanks Halliwax! I’m impressing myself to be honest. I used to be really bad at building things like this. My dad has a story about me as a kid and bird house that barely qualified as one. I kind of want to call him up and say “looks like all you needed to do was have me build something I care about” haha! I tried sanding the putty down on the synch gen, but it’s still a bit soft. I’ll hopefully be able to work on it tomorrow or Saturday morning. ---
**Author:** ![julz](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/da6949/32.png) [@julz](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/julz)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925/40 "2014-07-11T03:38:11Z")
Hey Hijacker Great progress! you are working wonders with wood, I’m very impressed. Hopefully you don’t mind a little feedback, there are a few details that have come to light since Stefan made his plans, mainly more curves and less hard edges. ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/7/a/7a7e4c19f85d45738a5b794e969d3a57bc536e08.jpeg) Chris walks through many of them in his scratch build if your interested in what’s changed… > **[GBFans.com](https://forum.gbfans.com/)** Keep up the great work! [Previous page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/hijackers-what-was-i-thinking-build/31925.md?page=3)