warpsled
New Member
Yes, I've got enough to do another build. Let me know if you're still on the hunt.
Rocketeer “Veepy” Jetpack 3D printable kit project.
warpsled
New Member
The spare rivets have gone to help out another build.
MacGyverDad
New Member
Hi folks, first post here. Appreciate all of the info in this thread. Helped me get to where my build is today. I started this project over a year ago and took a long break before starting again about 2 months ago. Also built a helmet that got molded like the original (I'll post a thread on that later). I bought Michael Possert's book "The Rocket Factory" and boy did that help with the details. Highly recommend getting one if you are trying to do this build and want to learn more on the history!
I did this project due to some interesting connections my boss has with the original movie props. He helped the prop building team with the TAFA Arc Metal Spray process (details in the book) due to the industrial applications that technology was being sold into. The company sold the equipment and supplies, and also did training for those machines. Arc Spraying is long gone from the company and we only concentrate on mold making and casting materials now. The Jet Packs were molded with our urethanes and laid up in fiberglass with our epoxies. All sorts of interesting history there. Long story short, the legend (how I've been told over the years) is that my boss was somehow suppose to get a Jet Pack when things were wrapped up in thanks for helping on the project. My understanding is that (details from the book helped) the molds were promptly scooped up and taken away after the movie packs were made. Well, there went that idea
So, when I saw some of these files coming available to print, I had the crazy idea to build one so we could have it to fulfill our destiny and make a good story a great story. It's been a fun project and I'm really close to completing things. Learned a bunch along the way. It will be a cherished display item for our office. We are planning to add the other bits and pieces over the next couple months.
I stressed out about the metallic finish for a while, and I did a bunch of testing before landing on the Rustoleum Aluminum paint. I liked the medium luster finish in comparison to the more "chrome-like" paints I tested. It got clear coated for protection after I noticed how easy it got scuffed and marred. I did some steel wool metal-grain lines in the metallic paint prior to clear coating. It looks pretty good in the light I think.
I started using the Rub N Buff metallic waxes on the helmet project, and I pulled that into the jet thrusters. I liked the patina of that over straight paint. Still working on the fine details.
Anyway, that's my story and I hope to have a full display to show some point soon. Any questions, feel free to ask.
I did this project due to some interesting connections my boss has with the original movie props. He helped the prop building team with the TAFA Arc Metal Spray process (details in the book) due to the industrial applications that technology was being sold into. The company sold the equipment and supplies, and also did training for those machines. Arc Spraying is long gone from the company and we only concentrate on mold making and casting materials now. The Jet Packs were molded with our urethanes and laid up in fiberglass with our epoxies. All sorts of interesting history there. Long story short, the legend (how I've been told over the years) is that my boss was somehow suppose to get a Jet Pack when things were wrapped up in thanks for helping on the project. My understanding is that (details from the book helped) the molds were promptly scooped up and taken away after the movie packs were made. Well, there went that idea
So, when I saw some of these files coming available to print, I had the crazy idea to build one so we could have it to fulfill our destiny and make a good story a great story. It's been a fun project and I'm really close to completing things. Learned a bunch along the way. It will be a cherished display item for our office. We are planning to add the other bits and pieces over the next couple months.
I stressed out about the metallic finish for a while, and I did a bunch of testing before landing on the Rustoleum Aluminum paint. I liked the medium luster finish in comparison to the more "chrome-like" paints I tested. It got clear coated for protection after I noticed how easy it got scuffed and marred. I did some steel wool metal-grain lines in the metallic paint prior to clear coating. It looks pretty good in the light I think.
I started using the Rub N Buff metallic waxes on the helmet project, and I pulled that into the jet thrusters. I liked the patina of that over straight paint. Still working on the fine details.
Anyway, that's my story and I hope to have a full display to show some point soon. Any questions, feel free to ask.
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Looks rad! Thanks for posting, and keeping this thread alive. I need the motivation to continue mine. Started a year or two ago and still need to print core parts.
mikef
New Member
Started printing mine back in June. Finally getting around to sanding and painting and ordered all of the necessary parts to put it together. Has anyone been able to find a sound/light kit though? I've looked the the threads and most seem to be from 2-4 years ago and the ETSY shops no longer have them available.
mtortori65
Active Member
Have all the parts printed. It looks amazing. All the engineering and how the parts fit together is perfect. I actually 3D modeled a rocket pack a couple of years ago in SolidWorks. I have a pretty accurate engine top that I might try and fit with the current kit so it can lock into place.
Also looking for an electronics kit.
Also looking for an electronics kit.
MacGyverDad
New Member
What's funny about this build is that the printed parts were the "somewhat" ez part. Rounding up all the hardware and doing the detailed finish work is what really dragged me down once I tried to finish it. No doubt the body work took some hours to do, and I could have spent double making it super perfect, but I had to look past a couple things and keep plowing forward. Now I need to get the jacket and backpack on order to make this whole thing the real deal.
mtortori65
Active Member
I get that, finding all the other parts is hard. Spent hours look for the braided line lol. I did just find 5/16" braided hose on ebay for cheap. It's 25 FEET - Spectre Performance 19125 Stainless Steel Flex 5/32" Vacuum Line Hose. From Spark Surplus just incase the link stops working.
25 FEET - Spectre Performance 19125 Stainless Steel Flex 5/32" Vacuum Line Hose | eBay
warpsled
New Member
This is the braided hose I used on my build - Amazon.com
I bought 12 of those hoses and cut them each in half essentially, leaving a connector fitting on the end. I'm really happy with how they turned out.
I bought 12 of those hoses and cut them each in half essentially, leaving a connector fitting on the end. I'm really happy with how they turned out.
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mikef
New Member
Finished the build this past weekend. The helmet was a gift from a co-worker which ended up starting this whole journey. When my daughter saw the helmet, she asked me to go as The Rocketeer for Halloween. This was such a fun project! I learned a lot about finishing and painting. There are some spots that I wish I could go back and fix, but I had a hard deadline with Halloween. The harness, jacket, and helmet insert were sewn by my mom.
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gnolivos
Sr Member
Probably in your spam inbox. I tested and it works. Try different email ?Would LOVE to print this beautiful model but I don't receive the email when I try to download it
flaagan
New Member
Been watching this one for a while, picked up a Bambu X1C earlier in the year and it's proven such a solid printer that I picked up a second one during their labor day sale. After getting a few other projects printed I decided to add a jet pack to the list.
Got the files and ordered the parts from gnolivos, and have started feeding the models to my X1C's. After a several days of printing I've got a (McDonald's color-themed) left rocket assembly and much of the central assembly printed. The results are outstanding.
Printing a few of the vent pieces on my FormLabs Form2 resin printer; results have been hit or miss, though I think that's just due to needing to do some 'regular maintenance' on it. The parts that have printed properly look great.
Gnolivos - if you were to do any future revisions to the model, I'd like to request that the small fins that mount to the condenser ring have a version with holes instead of the pins modeled in. I would have liked to have printed them with the flat side down but the amount of support material needed resulted into on congealed piece. A single properly-sized rod that could be batch-printed to pin them after placing could work with that.. I'm attempting to print them inverted and will see how those results come out when I get back to my office on Monday.
Got the files and ordered the parts from gnolivos, and have started feeding the models to my X1C's. After a several days of printing I've got a (McDonald's color-themed) left rocket assembly and much of the central assembly printed. The results are outstanding.
Printing a few of the vent pieces on my FormLabs Form2 resin printer; results have been hit or miss, though I think that's just due to needing to do some 'regular maintenance' on it. The parts that have printed properly look great.
Gnolivos - if you were to do any future revisions to the model, I'd like to request that the small fins that mount to the condenser ring have a version with holes instead of the pins modeled in. I would have liked to have printed them with the flat side down but the amount of support material needed resulted into on congealed piece. A single properly-sized rod that could be batch-printed to pin them after placing could work with that.. I'm attempting to print them inverted and will see how those results come out when I get back to my office on Monday.
gnolivos
Sr Member
Nice work. If you ping me after the new year I will send you a version of the fins with holes
flaagan
New Member
Thanks, will give that a try. Apologies on not responding earlier, past couple of weeks got busy between holidays, work, travel and being ill.
I'm currently reprinting the central hull part, when I first did it apparently the supports bonded too well with the rivet flanges that run around the sides to attach to the rocket housings. When I went to take the supports off the flange broke right off with it. Doing it in a different orientation, solid infill, and a different support setup. Fingers crossed that it'll work right this time. Otherwise things have been printing well.
flaagan
New Member
Follow up on this. First test with the pin-less fins resulted in divots along the sides where the holes are, like the material sunk in or the wall was too thin. Going to look a bit more into this. I may also look into resin printing the original style fins. Going to give me a good excuse to consider getting a new resin printer.
Re-print of the main hull piece looks ok. Got a *lot* more support material to clean off (especially since I did on-object supports), but so far nothing catastrophic like the first time. Original print's going to give me an opportunity to test getting a good metal finish, lot of different approaches to take from what I've seen other folks do on here.
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