# My First Genuine-ish Build and Some Questions... **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [December 14, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880 "2008-12-14T02:21:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/0ea827/32.png) [@iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/iJim)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/1 "2008-12-14T02:21:01Z")
OK, so I’m building my first wood-based pack in preparation (which is to say a practice build/dress-rehearsal) for either A, a good vacuum form version, or B, a really nice wood pack. All of this is just to aquatint myself with the pack dimensions and to make some sense out of the plans. Here are some shots as of 10 minutes ago: ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1042.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1043.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1044.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1045.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1046.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1047.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN0843-1.jpg) So, some questions… First, to solve my plywood show-through problem (I could see it even after several coats of paint) I spackled the problem areas. Once I sand it, I hope my problem will be solved. But it raises the question - How the hell do I get that snazzy metallic look?? Once I sand this to my liking, what should I be doing next? ---
**Author:** ![iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/0ea827/32.png) [@iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/iJim)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/2 "2008-12-14T03:10:29Z")
Also, upon building it, was I the only one who was shocked by the depth of some areas? The [ion arm](https://www.gbfans.com/shop/aluminum-welded-ion-arm) for one… It looks so much smaller in photos. ---
**Author:** ![irricanian](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/irricanian/32/5887_2.png) [@irricanian](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/irricanian)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/3 "2008-12-14T03:32:16Z")
What plans are you using? Some of your pieces don’t look to be the correct size, slow down and take your time. Now is the time to get the dimensions correct before filling and sanding and finishing. Study the plans… You’re going to want to coat all of the wood to get rid of that wood grain to get that “metallic” look you’re after. ---
**Author:** ![GhostGuy](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/9fc29f/32.png) [@GhostGuy](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/GhostGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 3:49am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/4 "2008-12-14T03:49:16Z")
I’ve been shocked over and over about the size of some things. I picked up some wooden wheels for the bottom of the gun because I saw the same thing on someone’s bottom gun panel, and the real ones ended up turning out to be something like 1/2" wide and the ones I got were 3". I also originally bought the wrong diameter hose for the gun, and a [ribbon cable](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/ribbon-cable) which was half as wide as it should have been. The Ion Arm’s size shocked me till I got everyhting laid out on my [motherboard](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/motherboard). Now it doesn’t look like it sticks out so far to me. As for the “metallic” look, metal looks the way it does when you paint it because it’s super smooth. Look at the sandpaper at the hardware store, and you’ll see “coarse” “fine” “super fine”. Sand with each of those. Then prime it, so you can see the defects. Then mist it with water, and sand it with the finest paper you can get. Then prime it again, then paint it. In my opinion doing all that is overkill though, since the pack does not use a high gloss paint like a car. It actually uses a matte paint. I tried a semi-gloss on my own to get that metallic look, but semi-gloss was still shinier than what you see in the reference photos. Find Marsupial’s pack to see what one looks like with matte paint and fuller’s earth dust on it which makes it even more matte. Looks amazing. Oh and for primer, I have been reccomended, but not yet used, “filler primer” which can be found in automotive shops. Filler primer supposedly fills in smalle defects like scratches and chips. Sounds to me like it would save you some time applying wood filler to everyhting. Oh, and for wood filler, I reccomend Zar. You can get it from True Value Hardware. It’s latex based and goes on nice and smooth and dries in a reasonable period of time. It’s not grainy and lumpy like most wood fillers. It also doesn’t require mixing like bondo. And it’s not thick like Bondo. And it doesn’t dry hard in two minutes like Bondo. And it won’t be a problem if you get it on your hands. Unless you have a latex allergy I suppose. ---
**Author:** ![iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/0ea827/32.png) [@iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/iJim)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/5 "2008-12-14T06:33:16Z")
irricanian, right now I’m using Norm’s plans - again, this is an intro pack (I’ve never used any power tool other than a jig-saw before), so I’m not going for super accurate cuts yet. On any particular piece, give or take a quarter inch. What I am a little surprised by is what a behemoth the [attenuator](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/attenuator) turned out to be. Also, my crank and gear box are too tall, so I have no space left between the gear box for the cosmetic plating. Now that I’ve seen how it all fits together, I’m ready for a real pack. But I do want to finish this one up… Since I have a spare uniform it will be nice to have a spare, albeit shoddy, pack. Ghost - Awesome info… And you’re right, I’m a little lost on how to attain the in-between metallic look and the some-what matte finish of the movie. I sense a bout of trial and error coming on. And that’s what this pack is for! Thanks, guys! ---
**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:** [December 14, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/6 "2008-12-14T16:26:09Z")
ghost is correct. also, the metallic look is further achieved by the silver weathering on the edges and corners. good luck. ---
**Author:** ![UK\_Ghostbuster\_89](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/b9e5f3/32.png) [@UK\_Ghostbuster\_89](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/UK_Ghostbuster_89)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/7 "2008-12-14T20:58:16Z")
yer some of your measuremnts are a bit of, but you know it looks the part anyway so unless you want it exact, its ok i made my pack out of wood but used other stuff aswell, i had the same problem, with the paint, but aslong as you use a good thick undercoat, after it dries, lightly sand before you spray. i have a step by step photo album of my build on facebook. if your on there add me, Carl Hopcroft. id gladly help with any questions and tips ya want. ‘GB scratch builders Unite’, as quoted by encharted unicorn. and also its worth taking a look at his pack. ---
**Author:** ![iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/i/0ea827/32.png) [@iJim](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/iJim)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 10:13am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/8 "2008-12-15T10:13:06Z")
You’re right - I lightly sanded the whole thing (painted areas and all), and whata difference a spray makes! Still a tad wet, and a few more coats will be needed, but check out the vast improvement… even under my unforgiving flash! ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1048.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1049.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1051.jpg) ![image](http://www.gbfans.com/images/pb/jiminyale/DSCN1053.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Hand\_of\_Darkness](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/7c8e57/32.png) [@Hand\_of\_Darkness](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Hand_of_Darkness)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 4:32pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/my-first-genuine-ish-build-and-some-questions/9880/9 "2008-12-15T16:32:24Z")
What are you using for the fins on the [Power Cell](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack/power-cell)? What is a good material for the fins?