Bench Tested: From Toy Frustration to Open-Source Modding with Nomake Wan

Bench Tested: The Upgrade Path: Spirit Packs, HasLabs, and Custom Builds with David Farrell

This week on Bench Tested, Charlie Harsh sits down with David Farrell from the Buffalo Ghostbusters to talk proton pack mods, 3D printing, HasLab upgrades, and what it really takes to level up a Ghostbusters build. From modifying Spirit Halloween packs and traps to assembling a BenofKent proton pack and diving deep into custom electronics and printed props, David breaks down the lessons he’s learned through years of building, experimenting, and refining his gear. The conversation digs into the balance between durability and screen accuracy, why iteration matters more than perfection, and how modern tools like 3D printing have completely changed what fans can create at home. Whether you’re just starting your first build or already deep into custom packs and upgrades, this episode is packed with practical insight, behind-the-scenes build philosophy, and a reminder that every great prop starts somewhere. Because at the end of the day, no pack stays stock forever.

Bench Tested: Screen Accurate Is a Lie: Building Ghostbusters Gear That Actually Feels Real

Here’s the truth. Most builds stall out because people chase “screen accuracy” without understanding what actually makes something feel real. This episode fixes that. In this episode of Bench Tested, I sit down with Indy Magnoli of Magnoli Clothiers to break down what separates a costume from something that genuinely looks and feels like it came off a film set. This isn’t surface-level talk about fabrics and stitching. We get into the decisions behind material choice, construction, durability, and why what works on camera doesn’t always translate in the real world. Indy shares how he approaches recreating Ghostbusters uniforms at a professional level, what most builders get wrong, and how small details completely change the way a build reads. We also dig into the myth of “screen accuracy,” the balance between authenticity and practicality, and how modern tools are changing the barrier to entry for builders today. If you’re serious about leveling up your gear, this is the episode that forces you to rethink how you build. Listen now at benchtestedpod.com

Bench Tested: Function Over Perfection with Sean Charlesworth

In this episode of Bench Tested, Charlie Harsh talks with Sean Charlesworth about what really makes a Ghostbusters build work. From his early love of the films to building detailed, functional props like ghost traps, the RTV, the Keymaster helmet, and the ESP shock machine, Sean breaks down the difference between props that only look right and props that actually feel right. The conversation gets into 3D printing, engineering around real-world limitations, balancing durability with accuracy, why “screen accurate” is often more complicated than fans think, and how iteration is what truly levels up a build. If you’ve ever struggled with overthinking, design compromises, internal layout, or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical insight from someone who lives in that space between fan obsession and real-world problem solving.

Bench Tested: From Screen to Reality – Ben Eadie on Building Props That Actually Work

In this episode of Bench Tested, Charlie Harsh sits down with special effects designer and engineer Ben Eadie, who worked on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, to break down what separates props that just look good from ones that actually function under real-world conditions. This isn’t a surface-level conversation about movie props. It’s a deep dive into how they’re engineered for film, including durability, lighting challenges, wiring strategies, and the constant balance between accuracy and practicality. Ben shares what really happens on set, from props being held together with tape and last-minute fixes to accidental details becoming canon. The episode also challenges one of the biggest myths in the hobby: “screen accuracy.” Ben explains why it doesn’t really exist, how every prop is slightly different, and why builders should focus more on function, storytelling, and usability than perfection. If you’re trying to level up your build, this conversation shifts your mindset. It’s not about copying what you see. It’s about understanding how it works, why it was built that way, and how to apply that thinking to your own projects.

Bench Tested: The Parts You Don’t See – Inside C&A Prop Design

In this episode of Bench Tested, Charlie Harsh sits down with Corey and Andrew from C&A Prop Design to break down the side of Ghostbusters builds most people overlook, the parts behind the scenes that make everything actually work. From early 2000s scratch-built packs to today’s modern kits, they walk through how the hobby has evolved, how they got started, and how a simple frustration with existing parts led to creating their own solutions. The conversation dives into smoke systems, ribbon cables, hose connectors, and the engineering challenges of making parts that are not just accurate, but functional, safe, and consistent across different builds. They also get into the reality of building, including trial and error, material failures, constant redesigns, and why the smallest details often make the biggest difference. This episode is a deep look at the problem-solving mindset behind serious prop building and why the “invisible” parts are what separate a decent pack from a great one.