Be a Ghostbuster for Halloween!

 by Honus
Featured
I thought this would be a great idea for Halloween (I love Halloween!) so in my usual over the top fashion I went, well -- over the top. A buddy of mine wanted to do it as well. We tried to get his roommate into it too so we could have a third Ghostbuster but he didn't think we'd be able to do it......... :D

I made two complete packs, suits, belts and goggles in just over two weeks working mostly nights and weekends. I also made a ghost trap and pedal- it clips onto the belt just like in the movie. The guns come off the packs and the packs light up, as does the trap. I made two lighting circuits for each pack using a simple homemade 555 timer circuit, a few LEDs and 9v batteries. The trap weighs around six or seven pounds and the packs weigh about twenty- five pounds.

The packs and trap are pretty movie accurate- they were made from plans that were drawn up from one of the original movie "hero" packs on display at Planet Hollywood. The A.L.I.C.E. pack frames are the same as the movie and were purchased from an Army surplus store. Most of the small parts on the pack are movie accurate and were located at a local electronics surplus store. Even our coveralls were from the original movie supplier. The "no ghost" patches were bought online.

I made the goggles from hardboard, Bondo and thin plywood. I turned the aluminum and glass lenses on a lathe. All the labels on the packs and goggles are accurate and were printed on my computer.

Like I said- over the top. But come Halloween it is oh sooo worth it. People go absolutely flippin' nuts when they see the whole getup. They absolutely cannot believe they were homemade.

This is a BIG project so I'll basically outline what I did to make it go a lot faster. Follow on...
 
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Step 1: Gather materials and resources

First you need to download all the plans, labels, templates, etc. Give a huge thank you to all the guys that have worked on this stuff over the years! Everything is here: http://www.hprops.com/labels/
http://www.gbprops.com

The main ingredients I used to build my pack are blue insulation foam (available at Home Depot), MDF wood, 1/8" thick pressboard and lots of epoxy. The ALICE pack frames can be purchased from Army surplus stores. Also locate a good electronics surplus store for a lot of the small parts.

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Aust1983 says: Jan 6, 2013. 12:09 PM
My bro's son will have a themed birthday party and I think I have found my costume :)
Thanks Honus, this looks impressive and brings back good memories of my childhood. Thanks for sharing, I have faved this and shared on my fb page. Cheers.
Honus (author) in reply to Aust1983Jan 7, 2013. 7:27 PM
Thanks- glad you like it! I still think being a Ghostbuster is one of the best costumes ever. :)
BigChasMiller says: Nov 9, 2012. 6:47 AM
Have you had anyone ask you about modifications for a child, say 4 years old.
Honus (author) in reply to BigChasMillerNov 9, 2012. 12:02 PM
I've seen a few kids Ghostbuster costumes where people just scaled down the pack plans and went from there. The suit may be hard to find in kids sizes though.
fsalazar3 says: Oct 13, 2012. 1:08 AM
i've wanted to do my own suit and props for years now,i'm not that electrical savvy so i'll probably do cardboard versions of the pack and props, but maybe i'll take a crack at doing a more sturdy pack. you've inspired me to get back to my dream of being a ghostbuster for halloween or maybe home movies :)
Naters says: Sep 22, 2012. 10:16 PM
Awesome costume! congratulations it looks amazing
Honus (author) in reply to NatersSep 23, 2012. 7:22 PM
Thanks!
Sharaz Destler says: Jul 4, 2011. 3:55 PM
Nice. There are so many proton packs on the web, but I guess it's just a really popular prop. I've been drawing up plans for the Ghost Dematerializer mk I from the 1975 TV show "The Ghost Busters" with Larry Storch and Forrest Tucker. It's best known for the 1986 animated sequel--both were made by Filmation.

I have...quite a few measurements, actually, and have done a fair amount of research. I'll share 'em with you soon, Honus.
Honus (author) in reply to Sharaz DestlerJul 5, 2011. 5:54 AM
Proton packs are popular- I've seen everything from cardboard versions to super accurate molded fiberglass packs. I've never seen one from the 1975 show- that would be neat to see. I think I've only seen one or two of the Ghostbusters Extreme packs.
greatscottbttfride says: Nov 6, 2010. 3:49 AM
nice video how do you make the led light spin like that ?
Honus (author) in reply to greatscottbttfrideNov 6, 2010. 8:43 AM
Just use a chaser LED circuit. Most of them are simple 555 timer based circuits. There's sample circuits all over the web.
greatscottbttfride says: Nov 6, 2010. 3:51 AM
hey are you on gbfans.com ?
Honus (author) in reply to greatscottbttfrideNov 6, 2010. 8:42 AM
Yep- I just haven't been there in a very long time.
greatscottbttfride says: Nov 6, 2010. 3:41 AM
cool stuff their
milemt says: Oct 29, 2010. 9:14 AM
The suit is a desert version of the flight suit usually can be found for less than 20 bucks at an army surplus.
gazillion114 says: Sep 11, 2010. 5:23 PM
what buisness?
dramaplay says: Aug 31, 2010. 1:28 PM
Great Suit! I have to make 30 of them for a special needs program for next summer..... Can you tell me how tall the name patch is? Thanks.
Honus (author) in reply to dramaplaySep 1, 2010. 3:52 PM
The name patch should measure about 5" long x 1.75" tall.
dramaplay in reply to HonusSep 1, 2010. 7:27 PM
Thanks. -dramaplay
Cerberus894 says: Jun 19, 2010. 7:22 AM
Hey, thanks for the info. Now I have another question. How did you attach the hose barb to the suit?
Cerberus894 says: Jun 13, 2010. 5:46 PM
Hey man, nice work on the suit, and the pack. I have many questions for you, but the first is where did you get the velcro for the name patch? I haven't been able to find a suitable replacement for the actual name patch other than buying a bunch of patches with my name on it.
Honus (author) in reply to Cerberus894Jun 13, 2010. 9:27 PM
I bought some wide velcro from a hardware store and put the name on using fabric paint.
Cerberus894 says: Jun 13, 2010. 6:43 PM
Did you make your pack with working lights, and things like that?
Honus (author) in reply to Cerberus894Jun 13, 2010. 9:26 PM
Yep- it does have working light, but no sound effects.
Inara says: Mar 2, 2010. 9:26 PM
This is so wonderful, I actually teared up a little when I first saw it.
MarcusAvery says: Nov 4, 2009. 8:39 AM
This is AWESOME! I know it's too late this year, but next year, I am SOOO going as this guy! GREAT INSTRUCT ABLE!
cordless drill says: Oct 29, 2009. 8:27 PM
That's funny!! LOL but I have to say it's a pretty cool idea.
kitkat09 says: Oct 12, 2009. 12:07 PM
Thought this info would be helpful....we found some great (and affordable) coveralls at qcsupply.com

http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=70090&categoryId=&fromPage=search

They have a relaxed and regular fit.

michael lively says: Feb 26, 2009. 8:23 AM
so I'm guessing that you would get the beige flight suit form and army surplus store right... or is there a website for it?
kitkat09 in reply to michael livelyOct 12, 2009. 12:04 PM
My husband made this costume this last year for Halloween. He got his tan coveralls from this store...
http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=70090&categoryId=&fromPage=search

He also bought goggles and boots there too to complete his outfit..
http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=390016&categoryId=&fromPage=search
http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=71370&categoryId=&fromPage=search

The total for his order was under $30! Cheap!

For his "backpack" he painted a box black with a bunch of buttons on it and attached an old shop vac hose...


Ghostbusters 08.jpg
Honus (author) in reply to michael livelyFeb 26, 2009. 7:24 PM
I have found them online but that was several years ago- I'm sure they're still available.
michael lively in reply to HonusMar 10, 2009. 8:25 PM
so like it is something that you have to stumble upon.
Gakki in reply to michael livelySep 6, 2009. 9:20 PM
Do a search for "surplus Flight suit" you'll find them quick. Nomex is the most acurate and also the most expensive.
bravotreble says: Oct 5, 2009. 9:53 AM
can't get over how awesome all your stuff looks. where did you get the dimensions (height, width and length) to build the trap? or maybe i could make this easier and just ask you the dimensions of the trap you made
Honus (author) in reply to bravotrebleOct 5, 2009. 6:01 PM
Unfortunately I no longer have my trap so there's no way for me to get dimensions from it. There are trap plans at gbprops.com and I also posted a link to a set of trap plans in another recent comment.
Nykus79 says: Oct 4, 2009. 3:49 AM
wow the trap! I want it!... can you make me one? :)
Honus (author) in reply to Nykus79Oct 4, 2009. 8:38 AM
Sorry I can't- but you might have a look here:
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=71206
Nykus79 in reply to HonusOct 5, 2009. 6:39 AM
No problem I was kidding. But thank for link :) Maybe others would use it for theirself
jimbo112 says: Oct 3, 2009. 9:08 PM
I have to ask, How heavy is it all together? It looks awesome, but you'd have a hell of a time carrying the full set around (from the looks of it).
Honus (author) in reply to jimbo112Oct 4, 2009. 8:39 AM
It's actually not too bad- maybe 15- 20 lbs. for everything.
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