Vee's Cardboard Build

Equipment Proton Packs
1

I probably should have made a post a while ago for this, considering how long it’s taking and how much effort I’m putting into it.

I’ve made some props out of cardboard before, like the Medic’s Medipack from TF2, but nothing this complex. This pack was started late last month so I could finish it by Halloween. I’m kind of MacGuyvering this pack together. I’m working out of a college dorm, so I don’t have many tools. I went with Norm’s plans, but scaled them down to 85% since I’m kind of small. It makes measurements a pain, but it’ll be worth all the effort. Hopefully.

Here are some pics from its beginning a couple of weeks ago.

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First thing I did was cut out the motherboard, which in retrospect was kind dumb. Most of the parts now don’t fit too well on it, so I might have to cut out another. I do plan on layering it so it’s stronger.

I found a pretty sweet blue flashing LED at American Science & Surplus for the power cell light. It has two metal nubs on the bottom that make the light flash when they’re both touching metal or water.

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HOT GLUE. HOT GLUE EVERYWHERE. Getting that stuff in the ion arm was a pain.

SUDDENLY

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I figured out a way to make tubes out of cardboard by wetting one side of it and peeling the paper off. I also used this for the edges of the cyclotron later.

The edges of the cardboard are covered with wood filler. Bondo seemed too high maintenance for a girl working out of her dorm room. Besides, the filler was fun to apply with my fingers. Except for the gross sandy feeling afterwards. Ew.

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I am so proud of this ribbing, you have no idea.

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At Menards I found a pack of reflectors that fit nicely behind the washers I got for the cyclotron.

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This is how it looks after last night.

I’ve still got a lot to do, but it’s a huge chunk done. I’m waiting on an art instructor to let me use her wood shop to cut some PVC for the gun. Once I get that assembled it should be smooth sailing.

Most of the small doodads and wiring I’ve been picking up at Menards and AS&S. It’s been really fun figuring out how to make this happen and the more I get done the more excited I get.

With luck I might be able to get this done for Halloween and polished for DaishoCon in November.

2

Oh dip, I’ve been to AS&S! That place is epic.

It’s coming along well, but I would suggest trying to find something besides cardboard for the motherboard if you can. If you do stick with cardboard, layer it so the pattern goes vertical, then another layer where it goes horizontal.

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I could spend all day there just poking around and fiddling with stuff. It’s not often you go to a store and find a bin labeled:

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4

We have a store with a bin labeled “Baby Heads” so yeah… :wink:

Looks like it is coming along pretty good! The hard part is getting rid of some of the carboard courragation marks. You could cover the surfaces in matteboard or use foam core if it becomes a problem.

5

I’m not sure if you care to do this, but I found a way to smooth out the cardboard ribs that show up. If you take a plain old cereal box, cut it to size, and glue it to the outside of the cardboard, it makes a smooth veneer(glossy side up). I figured it out too late to use on my own pack unfortunately. But I did use it on my ghost trap.

I think the main place to use it would be the cyclotron and the whatever the thing is called that the cyclotron sits on. It looks like an upside down “P”.

I’m looking forward to your new cardboard build!

6

i not come here for little under a week, and this is what i find, astonishing, AWESOME PACK!

7

that’s creepy.

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Your pics are down! That’s kinda sad. :wink:

9

haha, cool!!!

10

So far, so good! :slight_smile:

What do you plan on using for a pack frame / straps?

11

Very nice, it’s cool!

12

I always like seeing what people can do with simple materials like cardboard. I used it to make Teamhair’s Fiona armor for Dragoncon this year.

Foamcore might make a sturdier motherboard, if you can’t get some cheap wood. It’ll be interesting to see what you come up with for a alice frame.

13

I think I’m just going to improvise with some back pack straps for Halloween and then get a proper frame for Daishocon. Lame, I know, but it’ll do for a temporary solution. If a basic alice frame is too large I might just get some more PVC and make a frame out of that. For now I’m mainly concerned with finishing it and making it resemble the movie as best I can with what I have. I’m not going to worry about how accurate the frame and stuff are until later.

14

My wife is short and the standard alice frame works fine for her. Regardless of build, it really does make wearing something on your back more comfortable.

Check ebay., sometimes you can get a good deal on a used alice frame, but make sure the straps and kindey pad are included.. those can sometimes cost more then the actual frame itself.

15

I’ve done this, if you need any help, or wish to see pics, let me know.

16

Good stuff. I love when people use household items to build a pack.

17

I wanna see a custom pack made of baby torsos now.

18

it’s been done already buddy…

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19

ROFL AWESOME!!

But that was a whole baby. And I know it cost more that $2.75.

20

originally is cost a dinner,movie and copious amounts of alcohol !!!