He did say -
Everyone has to start somewhere. This is something that should be fun. So do that. Have fun and build what you want to build. Heck, there is a guy making a Giga Meter out of an old electric mixer he got at a yard sale and it is looking pretty good.
Enjoy your build and post pics. 
I never said that. I said don’t expect a lot of response. For the most part people around here care more about accurate stuff. If you make something truely awesome you’ll definitely get kudos but most knock-together “junk” builds are historically underappreciated around here. It’s nothing against the builder, just not what the most vocal portion of the membership is generally looking for.
Thank you Alan Hawkins, you’re right. I’m in this for the fun of making props. I love thinking outside the box and coming up with new, creative ways of doing things. 
@ProtonCharger: I joined here with that question in mind. I’ve built a proton pack and goggles with the designs I’ve seen on here and had great success with them. I’ve also used the designs to get a movie accurate suit with a few exceptions. But I’ve also built my own PKE reader with the lint brush design and changed a few things from that, which IMO turned out awesome. Maybe you’re right, maybe I shouldn’t have joined on here if this is the kind of responses I get when asking a question about ideas.
When I did our traps, I built them by hand out of MDF. UI never really found any “box” that was the right shape to build over.
After "junk building’ our packs, I wanted something more accurate, and next to the matty traps, our old traps don’t look bad at all, so I’m quite proud of them.
There are found item casual prop builders here, and also pros as well, with everything in between. And each feels theri own build method is the best… and it usually is for their planned use.
Brady “Danger” Gage is probably the oldest active “found junk” builder here. But he doesn;t really care much about accuracy at all.. just so long as something is recognisable to the casual observer is fine with him.
After I build our packs, I rebuilt parts of them over the course of the next few years, getting them closer to real looking packs. We’ve considered building new accurate ones from shells, PC’s pepekura, or scratch building, but our existing packs have history now, and are old freinds we’ll hate to part with, and not have with us.
(Although seeing the pepekura packs people are making make sme want to try one more for the journey, than for that prop replacement.)
You asked advise, and people gave it. When you ask advise, you are going to get feedback you like, but also feedback you don’t like as well. The trick is to not take the attitue from the reply, but the information instead.
For a “box” base, you can just either make a foamcore/insulation foam/cardstock box base and then build of that, but honestly you could take almost the same time, and make that same box properly.
(Of course, you could save yourself a lot of work, and just pick up a matty trap off ebay.)
Decide if you want something that looks accurate (like a hero or stunt trap) or just somthing with stripes and a handle, and then go from there.
A trap though is a good first “accurate” prop to attempt.
Also if you plan on wearing it keep two things in mind: durability and weight. Since they are worn on the hip, they WILL be bumped into things all the time, and a “junk trap” thats barely holding together will constantly be in need of repair.
And if they weight 5 pounds, you might well come to hate that extra weight on your belt.
If I were to build another trap., I’d probably build a insulation foam base box, and then use MDF and sourced parts on everything else. Mdf will be durable ove many events, and the inner foam box would be lightweight, and very easy to make.
Don’t worry about working wheels for a costume belt prop.. I’ve never taken either our scratchbuilt traps OR matty traps off and rolled them on a floor at all, and th wwheels dig into your thigh, leving nice bruises after long events like Dragoncon.
During the day, lights are no big deal at all. At night however they add that small bit of “realism” that helps sell them as the real deal.
Proton Charger’s post, while sarcastic and blunt does have valuable advise. (Its just the grumpy gus he is.) Look past his attitude, and look for the advise in it.
Has has proved himself very helpful with his pepekura pack plans, and helping others in their build threads. (And a year ago it would have pained me to say that, LOL!)
If you want a junk build, just say so, and get on with it. People seeking that will follow you. If you want something better, state that, and people interested in that will steer you the right way.
Very well said Gareee. You made many good points on your post. I’m really just looking for ideas on alternative materials that could be used for prop making. I know everyone will not jump on the band wagon with using everyday items and modding them, and I’m fine with that. I just like being creative.
Btw, I love your budget pack! That’s a very creative design!!!
Thanks. Others improved on some of my found parts (specfically the power box), an if we’d had more time, and knew we’d still be using them years later, I would have gone with a complete scratch build.
I have some of Texacokid’s vac shells from his 75% pack, and will be doing a metallic purple 75% pack for her one of these days, and might build at least one more accurate pack, either based off Proton Charger’s pepekura plans, or from a bought shell.
I go back n forth over what we want to do, since we are also building other props and costumes as well. (I’m toying with the idea of Skyrim armor for Dragoncon this year.)
If ya can come up with the scratch though, a Matty Trap is a great little costume prop, and a belt attachement can be made quite easily.
(And I STILL have 3 or of those dollar store lint brushes that were going to become PK meters here as well.. LOL!)
Fortunately, we have cats, and they can be repurposed as working lint brushes..
I would love to have a Matty trap, but like you said, it’s coming up with the scratch lol!
I was suprised how well the lint brush actually worked, it’s not perfect but for the price you can’t beat it.
I seen two people at ShevaCon this past year with some AWESOME Skyrim armor. If you make that I would love to see it!
If you check my thread here about Sam Hain, I used eva foam for his collar. I’d be making my skyrim armor from the same stuff.
We waffle back and forth.. Mass Effect armor, Skyrim armor, or another GB character. i had planned on doing Boogyman this summer, but I don;t think his head would fit in the new car along with our packs, and the samhain stuff. his head and collar are bulky.
Now that I think about it, you could probably make a trap from that same eva foam. (Its that floor mat foam sold at harbor freight, walmart, big lots, and sam’s that has “puzzle piece” edges. Its very tough stuff, and very lightweight.. making it perfect for a stunt trap. (The stuff from big lots is also thinner)
It can be sanded, filled, drilled, painted and even holds a curve when heat shaped. Plus a $10 pack would give you enough for at least 5 traps.
I’m pretty sure I saw someone build a whole pack from the stuff here somewhere.
It’s funny you say that because I’m working on an Ironman suit made from that! That stuff is great!
And HOLY ■■■■ I just checked out your Samhain! Dude that’s freaking awesome!!!
I’ve been following Stealth on the RPF for a while now. Just need to make time to get stared on my suit.
Like any project, there are things I like about it, and things I would have liked to improve upon. The overall final appearance though I’m pretty happy with.
Thanks though for the compliment!
True but once you get a good handle on how that stuff moves and holds it’s pretty good. The best feeling is when all the random pieces finally starts taking shape lol
With your foam Iron Man build are you just using the PVA based gluon top to seal and protect, because you could use the same method for building a trap, I would go one step further and use Smooth-On’s Shell shock, Zombiereppellent suggested it, and its amazing, turns that foam into genuine badassery when it comes to props. Never done GB props with it, but I found it allows you to have little talent or experience yet still pull off some amazing things. I think I may have t try building a trap using the method as my MDF one is a heavy pig of a trap.
I built mine based on thin, but sturdy MDF. It was heavy but hung well from the belt. Nice job!
In order to build a trap from scratch, you must first create the universe.
You’re welcome.