As much as I would love to buy one of Vince’s proton packs (because I’d love great quality and accuracy), I don’t have that kind of cash at the moment.
Initially, I’m not very handy. :eyeroll: I don’t have a lot of experience in terms of building things that don’t look like thrown-together garbage. But I’d really like to at least give it a shot and try to build one myself. Also, if this has been posted in the wrong section, I apologize. I understand that the bulk of this forum is for pack builds and the like, but I wasn’t sure where I should post this other than here.
Thank you in advance! I feel a bit behind the game here without even a pack or a flight suit.
My tip would be to start with the flight suit. Decide on how accurate you want to go. The tru specs are decent but if you can find a real nomex on eBay in your size that’s better or you can go custom from G+B, there is a thread about what options, that’s even more accurate. Get that, your patches, boots, belt, fobs, hose and connector and stay tuned to the forum and gbfans store. Gloves sound like they could be available again and sounds like AJ has something up his sleeve (or maybe over it) about some elbow pads. Oh, and Spongefaces (Doug’s) belt gizmo is incredible!
Then decide again about packs or traps or goggles. Decide on how accurate you want to go, set a budget and start to source out parts. Look through the builds to see what we are using and what you like and start to make a list of who sells what you want. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on where things came from.
Thanks! I actually had a list a while back of where to buy each individual piece for the flight suit at, but I think I deleted it (for some reason). The flight suit and gear seems a lot easier to start with, so that’s definitely a better idea. Vince told me that they’re selling shells on here made from his mold, so I’ll probably just go that route when the time comes and just add everything as I go.
I detailed my uniform build and my current pack build with links in my signature if that helps. I’m using the gbfans shell which is the shell Vin is talking about.
I agree with Jay. I started my first uniform build in I think 2004.
I had a crappy homemade pack that I made using Norm’s plans from 2000.
This past year (and the year prior) I started collecting Matty trap, PKE and what not. I started my accurate pack build this year using parts, a GBFans shell and a whole lotta crap. Jay has a great build thread and keep in mind, while finances can be an obstacle, this is something that can be bought in stages and built as such.
I don’t have a ton of building experience but I was lucky to have a lot of people guide me in my mistakes and successes. These projects have taught me the following:
Patience
Soldering
Dremeling
Painting
Patience
All the skills and abilities needed to build a “kit” pack as I’ll say is within you. There are tons of threads that I learned and gleaned resources and new abilities through.
Ask questions, make informed decisions, use the search function its your best friend.
Finally:
STAY AWAY FROM VIDEOBOB! He’s the biggest scam artist in our field right now. He steals everyones work and sells crap parts on eBay through multiple identities.
Make sure you do your due diligence in the feedback section
The search feature will be your best friend. I joined this site last year when I decided to build a pack and a whim. This site has been a WEALTH of knowledge on everything you need. The shop is a perfect source for parts as is the For Sale section. I started the opposite of Hoot and Jay, pack first then uniform. My pack build isn’t done but I’ll be starting a uniform soon. If the information isn’t on this site, then it probably either doesn’t exist or doesn’t need to be known.
Be patient with everything. If you are buying from buys in the for sale section keep in mind they aren’t building the parts full time and you aren’t their only customer. Dig into the feed back section to know to avoid and who to absolutely buy from (pretty much anyone in the for sale section).
You have come to the right place. Enjoy the stay, ask as many questions you can think of (after using the search feature of course). Everyone is here to help you build the best GB stuff you can imagine.
The best thing you can do, in my opinion, is search the forums here and read as many build threads as you can. This will help you form an opinion on the different methods and what is right for you. Then once you decide what you want, go for it! If you can’t afford it, buy it piece by piece or save up your money. It will be worth it. It is not uncommon for builders here to take literally years to collect all of the parts, either because they are softening the blow to their bank account, or they are waiting for the best parts from the best fabricators. Or, you can go for slightly cheaper or less accurate parts to make it more feasible. Your pack is for you, and in the end what is important is whether YOU are satisfied with its quality and accuracy, not anyone else.
There’s already some great information in this thread so I’ll just add my two cents as a relatively new builder/collector myself. One thing you’ll certainly want to do is start getting your lists together. Lists, lists and more lists! There’s just so much information out there (especially on GBF) but it can be a bit spread out and some of it buried in old threads and such. So as you’re searching and finding things, be sure to cut and paste them into a master document or something. It’ll make your life a heck of a lot easier down the road.
To get you started, here’s a rough copy of my list that I created when starting my search. I’ve kept it mostly clean of dead/missing photo threads and have kept my bias towards any particular parts sellers to a minimum. You’ll want to research those yourself and make your own decisions, but I left in a few of the well-known and long-proven sellers/makers. Good luck and welcome to the fold!
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Thanks, guys! I’m a bit hesitant to start this project because of my inexperience with building, but all of your responses have made me feel quite a bit better about it. And knowing that you guys are here to help is a huge relief. I really appreciate all of the help, and I’ll be looking into all of the forums and everything that you all posted. When I actually start working on it, I’ll try to post updates. (I may need a bit of guidance here and there, but I’ll try to go with it the best way that I can). And if I have any questions, I won’t hesitate to ask!
I just started my scratch build about 3 weeks ago. I’m nearly done with it and I’m pleased. The best advice I can give is read and study. I have referenced several sets of plans at the same time and compared and averaged them out. I’m def not reinventing the wheel but I’m also not afraid to practice. Measure carefully and cut slowly…Let things dry before you go messing with them. As much as I want a pack that looks good, I want it to be mine. I’m pushing the boundaries of my abilities but I’m getting better, learning and most of all, having fun! I look forward to seeing your endeavor!
College and medical expenses are draining what little bit of extra money I have left over, essentially. But I can save here and there. And I’m 5’4", so I don’t know if that would suit me or not. I’ve never actually seen a pack in person, so I’m unsure of how big they are.
If you’re on a Budget, shop around and look for deals. Be creative, Most of the parts I used in my build came from a dollar store, craft section at a Wal Mart and Hardware stores. Study the plans on this site and decide which plans you want to work from. I used all of them. Above all, be careful and use the right tools for the right job. You really don’t need a trip to emergency to get stitches and a tetanus shot.
I was so beyond intimidated before starting my build. I didn’t even own a drill. The best thing to do is familiarize yourself with all of the parts and read as much as possible on all of the details. Having patience is very important. You will begin to realize that once you get the shell and some of the main pieces it’s kind of like a big puzzle. It’s a ton of fun and really rewarding. Good luck!
