Today I was thinking of all the ways to make a Proton Pack realistic. One element was weight (amongst the lights, sounds, and designs). Now if I were to make it realistic in weight, it would need to be around 50 pounds (correct?), and I would need to place it so it could be easily removed, but also in sync as if it really weighed 50 pounds. I would probably use dumbell weights, or other heavy objects and screw them in to place. What areas, in your mind, are the heaviest in the proton pack? I would imagine the bottom area would be pretty heavy, but wouldn’t the top also be that way?
I ask because if I let people try it one, I really want them to feel what it would really feel like and any help would be most appreciated on this.
The powercell, being the “battery,” would have some weight to it, I’d think. But the heaviest part would likely be the cyclotron- the part that actually accelerates the particles to the speed of light.
So yes, mostly in the bottom, I’d assume, but also some at the top left, and a bit in the top right, just for balance.
Ah… I wouldn’t add any more unnecessary weight than what you need. When people ask if it’s heavy, just say it’s heavy, 50 lbs or so, even when it isn’t. It’s a prop, so it’s suppose to look bulky and heavy. And after wearing one for more than an hour or so at a con or party, you’d wish you didn’t add that 15 lb plate in the cyclotron for “extra” weight.
Otherwise, you’re gonna want those big padded shoulder straps that were used in Ghostbusters 2. Not flattering IMO.
Listen to the man,50 pounds! You don’t want fifty pounds,when you get your pack built,finished whatever, you want it as light as possibly,I have two one weights in at almost thirty pounds as does the latest won I have built and that’s with out the dvd player battery and sound kit! The less the better!
Even though my finished pack after 4 months of intermitten work on it, and not being 100% screen–accurate, weighs about 15 pounds w/ the nutrona wand attached - - - give or take - LOL
My pack comes in at about 27 pounds or so, you don’t want more weight than that. I know after wearing it for hours on end after Dragon Con I had bruises on my shoulder, was it worth it? Yes. Would I want more weight? Hell no.
Speaking of which.. Dan.. does your top insulation pad rest on your shoulders? I just replaced mine with a thicker one I founbd a week or so ago, and I can feel that riding on my shoulders slightly.
Obviously that would take some weight off the shoulder straps, and the kidney pad, but I’m wondering now if the thinner stuff might be better as far as comfort is concerned?
If you looks at movie pics, it looks like the padding on the packs is probably there for the actor’s preferences and comfort…
My pack is mostly wood so it’s pretty heavy, and I like the weight, it feels more believable, granted I’ve not felt a lighter pack but I only notice the weight putting the pack on and taking it off. I find the alice frame carries the weight very well and hardly noticable when it’s on.
I do like the wand itself being heavy. That is definitely what makes it seem believable to me. Aluminum parts usually takes care of that if you can get them.
Well, the weights would be removable, so if I was going to wear it for a long time then I would remove them. But this is mostly for school to show off and make them think its real ;).
Speaking of pads, I have added pipe insulation foam along the pipes that poke me in the back to help with comfort, but this one curve in the Alice frame just keeps pushing and pushing me right in one of my vertibra, and I’m not sure exactly what to do about it other than trying to bend that part of the frame back.
Any ideas other than pipe insulation?
I believe the reason for the pokage is because I’m not using the usual Alice straps, rather I found some newer ones from a new Alice frame because the surplus store I was in did not have the old green ones.
My new ones are black, and they’re sturdy and fit well, but they do nothing to pad that middle strip of aluminum, and I couldn’t find any bladder packs either. The pack is comfy everywhere else, but that one damn curve is just digging into my spine and I’m ready to take a boot to that curve like a longbow stringer and get it to bend back.
- - - give or take - LOL