Now I have my uniform sorted, I’m just starting out building some supplies, will add to this thread as I build. I’m hoping to be reasonably well done by October as I have a few events I’d like to wear a pack to, but I’d rather miss that deadline and do a decent job than rush it. I have zero experience doing something like this, so it’s all new to me!
So far I’ve got my Alice pack frame, a cyclotron (JT94), a clippard, resistors and crank knob (Nickatron), Stefan’s plans printed and some at 1:1 scale, some styrene, craft knife and metal ruler. I’ve been having a try out of the styrene for the first time making my belt gizmo, which is partially done so far.
We were all newbies once. This really is a great site filled great information with great folks who will share their experience. I’ve learned a lot in the short time I have been here. Never thought I would ever build a pack. Not only learned how to from this site but have two that I hope to have finished by the time Dragon Con rolls around. It’s a long process but so worth it in the end. Keep at it and do share with your fellow Ghostheads your progress.
Everything ground to a halt as I amanged to tear a calf muscle last weekend, been limping like a good 'un this week!
In the meantime pay day arrived so I’ve ordered a few more bits and pieces from Nickatron (HGA, PPD, Booster Frame, EDA discs and Booster tube) and ordered some more styrene. I also found some Pep plans, which I might use in combination with Stefan’s plans.
I also purchased a partially finished MMM thrower from an eBay seller (Mike Wallace). It’s missing a couple of bits and is in need of a little TLC, but should be good to go after some work (the bar graph area is a bit of a shocker right now and everything’s been glued to hell and back, including the base to the box). I also purchased the following this month from Nickatron for the thrower: Resin thrower side discs, 1 Thrower ears, 1 Trigger tip ring.
Well it turns outright I suck at assembling styrene parts - wonky as all get out - so I caved and ordered a Studio Creations shell, lol!
Waiting for that to arrive, along with a Nickatron Bumper and N Filter ordered this week. Just found out I’ve had a little pay bonus this month, so will probably order the rest of the resin parts soon (bellows, injector tubes, beam line & filler plug, ion arm).
I started with the ion arm, but I just couldn’t get it looking neat enough. I also struggled not to slice my fingers up when scoring the styrene, guess my blade was plenty sharp!
Shame as I have a huge sheet of styrene sitting here now
I used a 946ml (1 qt.) container, and a big pack of fiber mat. You won’t need that much. Get a ton of cheap, disposable paint brushes, a tarp, spray adhesive, and rubber gloves.
-cut the fiber mat into strips the length of a finger
-spray adhesive onto the areas of the inside of the shell you want to reinforce
-lay the mat down
-dab, DON"T BRUSH, the resin-hardener mix onto the mat
I think the ratio of hardener to resin is 10 drops per oz. Make sure you get enough
Do small areas. the resin will start to harden in like 10 to 15 mins, and you’ll have to throw your brushes out as you go.
Make sure you have a well ventilated area to work in, and a place to air the shell out for like two days.
Make sure the areas you’re mounting things to (gun box, power cell, etc..) are strong. You wont be able to mount things to areas that aren’t fiberglassed.
