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Be a Ghostbuster for Halloween!

Be a Ghostbuster for Halloween!
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  • halloween02b.jpg
  • halloween02a.jpg
  • suitedup.jpg
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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 1Gather 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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115 comments
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Jul 4, 2011. 3:55 PMSharaz Destler says:
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.
Nov 6, 2010. 3:49 AMgreatscottbttfride says:
nice video how do you make the led light spin like that ?
Nov 6, 2010. 3:51 AMgreatscottbttfride says:
hey are you on gbfans.com ?
Nov 6, 2010. 3:41 AMgreatscottbttfride says:
cool stuff their
Oct 29, 2010. 9:14 AMmilemt says:
The suit is a desert version of the flight suit usually can be found for less than 20 bucks at an army surplus.
Sep 11, 2010. 5:23 PMgazillion114 says:
what buisness?
Aug 31, 2010. 1:28 PMdramaplay says:
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.
Sep 1, 2010. 7:27 PMdramaplay says:
Thanks. -dramaplay
Jun 19, 2010. 7:22 AMCerberus894 says:
Hey, thanks for the info. Now I have another question. How did you attach the hose barb to the suit?
Jun 13, 2010. 5:46 PMCerberus894 says:
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.
Jun 13, 2010. 6:43 PMCerberus894 says:
Did you make your pack with working lights, and things like that?
Mar 2, 2010. 9:26 PMInara says:
This is so wonderful, I actually teared up a little when I first saw it.
Nov 4, 2009. 8:39 AMMarcusAvery says:
This is AWESOME! I know it's too late this year, but next year, I am SOOO going as this guy! GREAT INSTRUCT ABLE!
Oct 29, 2009. 8:27 PMcordless drill says:
That's funny!! LOL but I have to say it's a pretty cool idea.
Oct 12, 2009. 12:07 PMkitkat09 says:
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.

Feb 26, 2009. 8:23 AMmichael lively says:
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?
Oct 12, 2009. 12:04 PMkitkat09 says:
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...


Mar 10, 2009. 8:25 PMmichael lively says:
so like it is something that you have to stumble upon.
Sep 6, 2009. 9:20 PMGakki says:
Do a search for "surplus Flight suit" you'll find them quick. Nomex is the most acurate and also the most expensive.
Oct 5, 2009. 9:53 AMbravotreble says:
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
Oct 4, 2009. 3:49 AMNykus79 says:
wow the trap! I want it!... can you make me one? :)
Oct 5, 2009. 6:39 AMNykus79 says:
No problem I was kidding. But thank for link :) Maybe others would use it for theirself
Oct 3, 2009. 9:08 PMjimbo112 says:
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).
Sep 28, 2009. 6:18 AMallesflex says:
Very nice... That ghost-trap looks just like the original!
Sep 26, 2009. 5:59 PMGamma_Metroid says:
Your link to the "no ghost" patch is broken. Can you please fix that?
Sep 26, 2009. 8:25 AMBartboy says:
I like how this was published ages ago, but it only just got featured!
Sep 26, 2009. 8:17 AMMACKattacksnipe says:
Sweet i knew ghostbusters really existed lol
Sep 25, 2009. 8:56 AMmeandyd says:
awesome pack!!! way to go. :)
1-40 of 115next »

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Author:Honus(Multi-Bot)
I'm a former bicycle industry designer turned professional jeweler. I like working with my hands and am happiest when I'm in the shop building my creations. If you need help with your project just let...
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