Hi I am new to this forum, but have been a ghostbusters fan pretty much since I was born in '85. Had a suit made when I was little and looked pretty close to the movies. Hope to post pics if I can find them some time. I was wondering does Paranorman still make Proton packs? Also if I did make my own pack how do you create the strap that goes around the cyclotron.
Hey.
I followed Norm’s plans the first time around and just used wood.
Welcome here!
Hey, don’t worry to use some available plans about ppack, all of them are cool.
I’m building my pack followin’ the Stefan’s plans and usin’ wood to build this.
I just built my first pack using a combination of plans, little bits from stefans, to venkman71’s to normans. I also just built the whole thing out of foamboard and some wood ( dowel rods). I say use what is easiest for you to understand and just have fun with it. 
The cyclotron band is an interesting one…If you want a really accurate one, the best thing to do is probably to find someone that makes an accurate molded band.
I agree. The cyclotron band was the hardest part of my pack. I couldn’t find something agreeable that would look correct. I finally used the “acceptable alternative” listed on ParaNorman’s Plans. It’s labeled as the “plastic base” from Screen Tight. I found it at Home Depot. Essentially, it is a 4 foot plastic door sill that you would use for a sliding screen door. (At least, that’s what I think it is.) If you use a sharp knife, you can cut off the vertical strips that protrude from it. That will make one side flat- add a little center square piece with rounded edges to make it look better, then spray the whole thing black.
Or, buy a molded resin or plastic version from people who make props. You can get one from Charles Walker for $35. Email:[email protected]
~5B
Thank you all for the help. Gets me started in the right direction.
The determining factor is how accurate you want the pack to look. If you want a highly accurate-looking pack, a molded part is they way to. Stefan’s plans include detailed schematics on the dimensions & shape of the band, but you’d have to figure out how to actually make that shape yourself.