Ghostbusters, 20??

[nerftheherder]

Hey all, sorry for the lapse in posts as of late. Ol' darth real life kinda kicked my ass...

Anyhoo, I got motivated again and have come up with a plan for Halloween 2011. Four Ghostbusters and Staypuft. I have four friends that are on board to help, so that will be helpfull. So I have one proton pack already, and I don't think that will be the challenge... For Stay puft, I have a plan, and will keep def be keeping the progress posted.

The challenge, and reason for the post (and hopefully in the right spot) is the bonus extra credit I would like to make.

A golfcart with an Ecto 1 shell. I want to use the old Kenner toy as the basis for the larger version... So what i need, is, well, help. Pending I get the golfcart (limo or regular) I need to know how to best go about creating this "shell". I have never worked with fiberglass, foam, abs, or any of those on a scale as large as this, so this is all gonna be new to me! Any help will be appriciated. I will be looking into GB Fans as well for info on the packs, but as always, any help with any part of this is appreciated.

Will keep ya'll posted as we go.
Mike

 

[Pwrsrce]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

Well this sounds like a pretty cool project...I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I have no idea what your budget is...But if you want to do it right, you could basically go through the same process that we used on the landspeeder replica.

1. Create you master buck from wood/foam/etc...I would use wood for the basic structure, and then use foam in the areas that would need to be sculpted...Make the buck as perfect as possible. The foam is pretty forgiving, and easy to sand/sculpt.

2. Once you feel pretty good about the buck...Cover the whole thing in a thin layer of texture mud...Sand...add more mud...sand...

Basically do this to get a nice smooth texture on everything. It also helps keep everything smooth and not wavy.

3. Paint the buck with a good automotive primer/sealer...Wet sand...another coat...etc...This seals everything in and gets it ready to mold.

4. Find someone with fiberglass experience, and let them create molds from your buck...Perhaps a local kit car company, or even someone that does glass work on boats...

5. Once the molds are completed, have them lay up a fiberglass body for you...trim...Paint...Install on frame.

I know that it's not nearly that easy...But that's basically how the speeder was done.

One other thing I would suggest...(forgive me if it seems obvious)...Find out what type of golf cart you are going to be using as a base, and make double sure that you build your buck using the carts wheelbase as reference. This will save you from having to modify the cart frame later. (which sucks)

And here's the kicker...When you are all done, you have a set of molds that you can make more bodies from...I would think you could probably sell at least a couple of pulls to help recoup the cost of your investment...Just a thought.

Good luck on the project.

Jason

 

[nerftheherder]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

Thank you for the advice, your speeder was amazing!

Where can i get the foam? I was thinking about that very process. A wood support structure, then sand and shape foam, but i just have no idea where to get the foam....

 

[Pwrsrce]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

You can go several ways...You could either use the blue or pink foam that can be found in the insulation section of Home Depot or Lowes...

Or...You could contact a local foam distributor and just buy big blocks of foam and cut as needed...

Since you are going to cover it with texture mud to get it smooth, I think the regular white foam would be less expensive. The blue/pink stuff is great to work with, but might be a little more expensive.

I would do a search for foam suppliers in your area and just see what's around.

Jason

 

[nerftheherder]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

Well.... looks like my friends all bailed out on me for this one... Almost have my pack completed, but none of them wanted to help me with the cart or thier own packs.... Grrrrrr...so, it looks like this will be rescheduled for 2012...
Good news is, i now have a workshop that i can use and car savy buddy with tools to help. And since I bought a house this year, funds should be getting better as the year goes on... I still want to get this done, just on a dealy as of right now...

 

[Drewid]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

I have plans to build a pack for next year. Funny that... I just bought a house in Ventura as well . After I get some of the high priority items out of the way with the house, I'll have time to help out with the cart after the New Year if you'd like an extra pair of hands around.

 

[nerftheherder]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

@ Drewid- Oh heck yes!!! I may also need some help on another project as well... I am researching some supplies in the junkyard right now on a WTB thread... gonna make a han in carbonite panel for my garage fridge... Let me knwo if your interested!
Where in Ventura are you? Im over off wells and darling

 

[Drewid]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

Nice! I'm not too far from you: Kimball and 126. And yes, I'm interested. It'd be awesome to get some more build parties going. My garage is also being converted over to workshop (the whole point to buying my house) so in a few months I'll have plenty of work space setup. I discovered my garage has a distinct lack of lighting and power

 

[nerftheherder]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

nice. well hopefully we can get some of the other Ventura rpf'ers togeather, get a project going.

 

[Drewid]

Re: Ghostbusters, 2011

I know someone in town who's also potentially interested in making a proton pack. I'll bring it up with him and see if he wants to help out too.