chans scratchbuilding adventures

Inspired by the many scratchbuilds i've seen here, heres the start of my Jango rocket pack - I started on the rocket. I'm lucky enough to have access to a laser cutter at work, so it was pretty easy task cutting the card parts out. Thanks to WoF for the CAD plans - they are brilliant! One thing i did before getting stuck in, I decided to scale the plans down to 95% so the entire pack would be a touch smaller to better match my body size.

The rocket is made of plastic coated card (for a smooth finish) 5mm foam board used as framework in the form of several 'rings' and a 16mm wooden dowel through the centre.

the card parts cut out:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack01.JPG

After seeing Jango72's scratchbuild thread I too opted for a screw attachment to the jet pack body so that it could easily come off for transport/storage. I found some hose fittings that were perfect:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack02.JPG

heres a pic showing the foamboard rings used to solidify the base of the rocket around the screw attachment:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack03.JPG

threw a few foamboard wedges into the larger sections for strengthening:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack04.JPG

heres a couple of shots showing the construction of the holey ring - it has a foamboard ring inside again for strength:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack05.JPG http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack06.JPG

Once all the parts are assembled,they can be slid onto the wooden dowel:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack07.JPG

The inside of the nosecone is filled with poly filler, as i imagine this would cop the most abuse:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack08.JPG

so were almost there, just need to build the base which the rocket will screw into. again, a foamboard core, using small foamboard wedges under each of the fins.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack09.JPG http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack10.JPG

and after a weekend of fun... tadaa! Still need to add a few details, and eventually I'll fill in the gaps and cracks, sand, prime and paint.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack11.JPG

Very nicely done. :thumbsup ;)

I like your idea of using the foam board on the inside. I might give that a try on one of my next jet pack builds. :cheers

Keep up the good work and I look forward to future updates.

here are some more progress pics.
the smoothing of the rocket tip:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack13.JPG http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack16.JPG

the exhaust cap is laser-cut from 4.5mm acrylic sheet.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack17.JPG http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack12.JPG

and heres the mock up so far:

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack15.JPG http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack14.JPG

Sweet build! I love seeing things scratch built, and you have a really good start going on, there! The laser cutter must be a big time saver, as cutting all that by hand would be quite tedious.

Great job; Stay away from open flames.

I've made a little more progress n this, but I've been workin on other parts of my costume at the same time. Originally I was going to build it so the rocket could be stored inside the body for transport, but I forfeited that idea in aid of a more solid connection of the rocket base.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack19.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack18.JPG

that is SwEeT!!!! If I tried something like that I would be pulling my hair out!!!! I cant wait to see it when its done!!!

and heres a couple more construction details. first is the foamboard framing for the body, second is the connection for the rocket base to the body.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack20.JPG
http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack21.JPG

for those still following this epic journey...at last more progress!
admittedly this has taken way longer than expected - but it has been worth it.

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack22.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/chansplace/fettpack23.jpg

Dude! That is frickin amazing!!!

G-Fett

and yay - almost finished. I've had this sitting idle while i finished the rest of the costume, and finally got around to painting it over the last few weeks.

still gotta paint the keys, and give it a coat of matt varnish to take the shine off.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/...68106352f6.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/...d009ce4b1f.jpg

*note to self* I need a laser cutter.

Awesome job! Well done

For a scratch build, that's awesome!!

Thats a great job Yo, Grats