Clonecollector's Scratchbuilt Jet Pack (minor update 2/24/09)

Wizard of Flight has templates posted right here on this site.

If you have questions let me know. I can help out. I may redo this WAY WAY WAY in the future and I would do some things differently.

I would use a thinner plastic sign for the round rocket parts. This would probably show less of a seam and it would mean less work sanding.

I learned too late... but some of the smaller pieces were tough to cut and keep their shape to match up properly. I eventually printed out the templates and used spray on craft glue to attatch the template to the plastic. I cut more precisely this way... after a while the paper either fell off the plastic or bonded to it with all the layers of primer and paint applied.

I would look into using round precut wood "thingys" that are sold at Michaels for the tops and bottoms of the cannisters. Again the shapes are already there and it would require less sanding. I'm not too happy about they way they look now.

Definitely use a thick piece of foamboard for the back of the pack instead of the sign plastic. I had to add to it afterwards... it was a pain in the neck to fill, sand, re-glass, etc.

I would also use a thick piece of foam board for the top deck of the jetpack. (just over the keys) I only used sign plastic and it was not enough. I had to thicken it by using a strip of wood from Michaels... and sand, sand, sand...

It can be done nicely and with the right motivation quickly too!... It took me so long because I had so many things going on at once.

Hope this helps a bit!

Sorry to resurrect an old post but I want to scratch build my own jetpack as well, clonecollector here has a great thread but where do I get the templates and where do I start????
 
Cool thanks for the info and I'll start doing some research. Probably use some sort of cardstock type cardboard and some foam parts...epoxy and fiberglass as well. I have time and patience to make one so we'll see....
 
heh since we are chattin abt scratch building JPs - how did you do the details cut into the coned thrusters at the bottom mate?

I have built most of the parts and am scrathcin my head as to how to go abt this bit. its that crossed shaped detail in the centre I am talking abt?>

cheers in advance CC
 
heh since we are chattin abt scratch building JPs - how did you do the details cut into the coned thrusters at the bottom mate?

I have built most of the parts and am scrathcin my head as to how to go abt this bit. its that crossed shaped detail in the centre I am talking abt?>

cheers in advance CC

I started with a plastic Christmas ball that comes in two halves. You can find these in a craft store. I chose the smallest one I could find. Buy at least 4 in case you mess up.

I cut out the template for the cutout on ball and used craft glue to temprarily paste it to the ball. It takes a while to get it centered. You just have to eyeball it. I then used a Dremel to cut out the shape little by little. use a small sanding bit. When you are done all you should have left is the half ball with the correct shape cut out.

In retrospect I would only cut out the 4 points of the cross shape. I would then cut out the round hole in the middle of the cross and insert the round detail. I glued some flexible foam behind it to close up the holes. I just used the spray craft glue.

Now about the round detail... it took a while for that too... look at some reference pics of the detail. I used some pics of Manowar's thrusters. You have to build those round cross cut details little by little. Stacking them. Again I used craft glue on the paper templates and stuck them to the sign plastic I used. Must make a few copies of the details so you can cut out each one and leyer them on top of each other until you get a three dimensional piece. Then I precisely cut out a circle for the bottom layer... then the first layer of the quarter pieces... and so on..

I should have took pictures of this part of the buildup but it was close to Halloween and I needed to move fast. If I can get around to it I will take some close up pics of the thrusters. You should be able to tell what I did to them.

Hope this helps for now. Thanks!
 
I really need to do this, My jetpack has always been the part of my costume I hated, plus it weights a ton.
 
it looks so amazing..im getting information overload.. must get some sleep and continue later..

Yeah... it gets that way when you begin a Fett. There are a few scratchbuilds here that came after mine and they are amazing. Some members had different ways to tackle to the thrusters and other details. I don't own this pack anymore but feel free to ask any questions.
 
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