Jet Pack Another Jetpack Build Thread

Utri4861

Hunter
So since I was until recently a broke high school student (now a broke college student) who really wanted to make a Fett kit I decided I had to build my jetpack.

There are a lot of things missing that will probably never be added on, but I'm happy with it. Except for it's enormous weight...

Here it is on me, finished:
IMG_0497.jpgFB_IMG_1434868106012.jpg
Admittedly, not very good shots of the back, but not many pictures get taken of the back.

Here's the construction:

IMAG1714.jpgIMAG1715.jpgIMAG1765.jpg

I started with wizardofflight 's schematics. Without those I woulda been dead in the water.
I used plastic from school folders for the main and side tank covers. PVC for the side tanks, a Lismore whiskey box for the main tank. Worked out pretty well!

IMAG1767.jpgIMAG1769.jpg

I turned the rocket on the lathe. I used a standard 4x4, so not the best wood for turning. In addition to dull tools from the shop, the wood came out pretty choppy, but I was able to correct most of it with filler and Bondo.

IMAG1780.jpgIMAG1781.jpg

When I asked my shop teacher how I could strengthen the plastic, he just said "Why not use metal?" So I did. I was extremely happy with the results.
The second picture is an early idea for the backplate. The plan was to secure a bunch of L-brackets to the frame then rivet the backplate to the brackets. This was suggested by an "expert" classmate. My shop teacher was quick to point out the weakness of MDF and suggested I not go this route. Plus, that would have been a TON of unnecessary work.
Ultimately I ended up screwing the backplate into the MDF with some extremely coarse screws. This has worked very well so far.

First test fitting on my buddy:
IMAG1794.jpg

As you can see, very early still. No tank caps, lots of gaps to fill, no thrusters. I still felt very far from the finish line.
I ended up making the thrusters by turning 2 balls on the lathe, drilling a 1" hole for the pipe fitting, then drilling a larger hole on the bottom for the cone. I made the cone my rolling a sheet of metal and riveting the sides together. The rivets are on the inside, so they're not really visible. The greeblies were just sloppily glued on the outside. I feel bad about those... I had a friend print them for me.

Here it is just prior to painting the side tanks:

20150609_192214.jpg20150609_192156.jpg20150609_192147.jpg20150609_192231.jpg

I sanded the metal down so I could weather it, and I got it looking like this. I wanted to badly to leave it as it was, it was beautiful!

Some finished pics I just took:


20150914_135901.jpg20150914_135906.jpg
20150914_135917.jpg20150914_135926.jpg
20150914_135941.jpg20150914_140042.jpg20150914_140049.jpg

Still nothing to write home about, but I'm happy with how it ultimately turned out. Plus, I can say I made it!

So, what do you guys think?













IMAG1768.jpg








IMAG1793.jpg










20150609_192218.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Oh, and one more thing.

The strapping.

I used an old baby carrier I picked up from a thrift store. So far it's worked pretty well, but after around 5-6 hours of wearing it I get a strange and unsettling pain in my right shoulder..

20150914_140738.jpg20150914_140313.jpg20150914_140748.jpg

Also, in the top caps I put in small computer fans. The initial idea was to put dry ice in the side tanks and have the fans on real low to just kinda have the vapor seep out, but I have yet to put the idea into practice at an event. I have a proof of concept video of it working, though. I can post it if you guys would like to see it. Otherwise, I won't, it's not particularly impressive.

20150914_140139.jpg20150914_140800.jpg

Anyways, thanks for looking!
 
Excellent job and pretty cool you got to do that while in school

Yeah, I was super happy my shop teacher let me do it. He reluctantly did, but we were on pretty great terms. Mr. Jacobs was the best.

Wow amazing work do you think you can post a printable template of the main parts of your jetpack ?

I got all the plans I used right from this thread here: http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f20/studio-scale-15-jet-pack-patterns-7559/

His stuff is top notch!
 
after around 5-6 hours of wearing it I get a strange and unsettling pain in my right shoulder..

I love scratch builds of the jetpack & this looks great but based on what you stated, I am curious as to how much this weighs? It looks to me like it would be really heavy.

I only see the upper hooks & if you don't already have it you may want to try & incorporate a lower support bar to help the jetpack rest on so it will take some of the weight off your shoulders with a waist belt. This really helps distribute the weight & add to the comfort. This may help the pain in your shoulders.

20150912_180520.jpg


DSCF5187.JPG
 
I love scratch builds of the jetpack & this looks great but based on what you stated, I am curious as to how much this weighs? It looks to me like it would be really heavy.

I only see the upper hooks & if you don't already have it you may want to try & incorporate a lower support bar to help the jetpack rest on so it will take some of the weight off your shoulders with a waist belt. This really helps distribute the weight & add to the comfort. This may help the pain in your shoulders.

I have definitely considered making a proper jet pack harness, a movie accurate one, but I no longer have free access to a shop. I'll definitely try to figure out how to modify my current harness to include this, thank you!
 
This thread is more than 8 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top