# Building first pack and wanted an opinion **URL:** \ **Category:** Proton Packs\ **Created:** [May 22, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862 "2015-05-22T14:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/1 "2015-05-22T14:53:46Z")
So im going to build my first pack this year, I dont have a lot of cash (paying for a wedding too!) so I was thinking that since its my first pack and im sure it wont be 100% and stuff that maybe id do a SC shell instead of a GBfans shell. Save like $200 and put that towards parts. Whats the general community feeling towards SC packs? Dont want to come off like too much of a n00b! Appreciate any feedback on the subject! ---
**Author:** ![csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/csullivan1980/32/19486_2.png) [@csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/csullivan1980)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/2 "2015-05-22T15:24:05Z")
I don’t have a SC personally but when I looked into the pack shell I saw cosmetically a lot of work had to be applied to it. It comes in two separate pieces and the panels on the bottom are not included. I’ve seen most builders make plates for the bottom and clean up a lot of the edges. There are some great SC finished packs here and they look awesome! ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/3 "2015-05-22T15:26:47Z")
> [@csullivan1980](#): > > I don’t have a SC personally but when I looked into the pack shell I saw cosmetically a lot of work had to be applied to it. > > It comes in two separate pieces and the panels on the bottom are not included. I’ve seen most builders make plates for the bottom and clean up a lot of the edges. > > There are some great SC finished packs here and they look awesome! Yea I have been looking around and I get what your saying. I figured that if anything it would give me the build experience that after the wedding (once i have money again) i can do a new pack for me and give that one to my future wife since it will probably be a little lighter anyway. ---
**Author:** ![csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/csullivan1980/32/19486_2.png) [@csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/csullivan1980)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 3:30pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/4 "2015-05-22T15:30:08Z")
That’s a great plan! You’ll be amazed how much a build like this, on any level, will give you new skills. Plus, you’ll be able to apply what you learn towards the next pack. ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/5 "2015-05-22T15:39:31Z")
> [@csullivan1980](#): > > That’s a great plan! > > You’ll be amazed how much a build like this, on any level, will give you new skills. Plus, you’ll be able to apply what you learn towards the next pack. Yea I mean thats what i thought i just hope its worth saving the $200-$300 on a shell or if i should just try to bite the bullet and do it! ---
**Author:** ![venkman30](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@venkman30](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/venkman30)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/6 "2015-05-22T20:29:30Z")
I have an sc pack. It’s my first pack I built. I’m very happy with it. Yes there may have been a bit more work to do to it but for the price and how it turned out I am very happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/7 "2015-05-22T20:41:10Z")
> [@venkman30](#): > > I have an sc pack. It’s my first pack I built. I’m very happy with it. Yes there may have been a bit more work to do to it but for the price and how it turned out I am very happy with it. Thanks I think im gonna do it! the builds are great on here so i always think its worth the savings now! ---
**Author:** ![Venkmans\_Swagger](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/6bbea6/32.png) [@Venkmans\_Swagger](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Venkmans_Swagger)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/8 "2015-05-23T07:33:18Z")
Can’t argue with an SC shell. Alan Hawkins is a magician with an SC shell, check out his build thread. He even scratch builds his own parts which would save you even more money. There are also a huge number of beautiful SC builds on here by different builders that you can reference but I would seriously start with Alan’s threads ---
**Author:** ![csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/csullivan1980/32/19486_2.png) [@csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/csullivan1980)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/9 "2015-05-23T14:01:21Z")
Second that, check out Alan’s. ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 6:58pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/10 "2015-05-23T18:58:49Z")
Well I expected a few nay Sayers but seeing at there are none, looks like a build thread is in my future! ---
**Author:** ![venkman30](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@venkman30](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/venkman30)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/11 "2015-05-23T19:40:42Z")
Check out syckotheclowns build thread also. He did some great work on his and I think most of it was scratch built parts also. ---
**Author:** ![kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kingpin/32/188026_2.png) [@kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kingpin)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/12 "2015-05-23T22:14:00Z")
The Studio Creations shells are popular, and one of the cheapest on the market… although I believe there may now be options available that aren’t much more expensive, but also look more accurate in the details. ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 10:33pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/13 "2015-05-23T22:33:24Z")
> [@Kingpin](#): > > The Studio Creations shells are popular, and one of the cheapest on the market… although I believe there may now be options available that aren’t much more expensive, but also look more accurate in the details. Really? Any info on any so I can check them out? ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/alan_hawkins/32/4015_2.png) [@Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Alan_Hawkins)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2015, 11:19pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/14 "2015-05-23T23:19:28Z")
Shucks fellas, you’re gonna make me blush! :crunch: You’re correct in that it would give you the experience of building a pack. Mating the two parts is simple really. For the plates I use 1/8" styrene and for the rest of the parts I use 1/16" and PVC. You will want to back it in fiberglass. The vac-form is not paper thin, but not thick enough to leave on it’s own. The features are soft on a SC shell. There is no doubt that a hero shell is the more accurate and better looking option. But, a SC pack is half the weight. Which is nice for cons or parades. It’s a great way to get into the hobby. If you get a Matty wand you can do a full SC pack for under $700 using a gbfans pack light kit and spongefaces new Matty connector board. Best of luck! Make sure you make a build thread so we can follow along! ---
**Author:** ![MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@MovieSean](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/MovieSean)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/15 "2015-05-24T00:20:05Z")
> [@Alan Hawkins](#): > > Shucks fellas, you’re gonna make me blush! :crunch: > > You’re correct in that it would give you the experience of building a pack. Mating the two parts is simple really. For the plates I use 1/8" styrene and for the rest of the parts I use 1/16" and PVC. > > You will want to back it in fiberglass. The vac-form is not paper thin, but not thick enough to leave on it’s own. > > The features are soft on a SC shell. There is no doubt that a hero shell is the more accurate and better looking option. But, a SC pack is half the weight. Which is nice for cons or parades. It’s a great way to get into the hobby. If you get a Matty wand you can do a full SC pack for under $700 using a gbfans pack light kit and spongefaces new Matty connector board. > > Best of luck! Make sure you make a build thread so we can follow along! ![image](https://discdn.gbfans.com/original/3X/9/0/90603127e283b1282cf3ecf6296ca152d725d7d4.gif) Thanks Man! Yea I have been reading all about em! I already built a TC thrower so im all good there i have all the lights and sound stuff already! Even some parts i can steal from the scratch built monster i currently have! ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/alan_hawkins/32/4015_2.png) [@Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Alan_Hawkins)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/16 "2015-05-24T13:58:16Z")
That’s great! Do it. [Proton Packs](https://www.gbfans.com/wiki/equipment/proton-pack) are like chips. You can’t just eat (build) one. ---
**Author:** ![kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/kingpin/32/188026_2.png) [@kingpin](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/kingpin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/17 "2015-05-24T19:57:00Z")
> [@MovieSean](#): > > ? Any info on any so I can check them out? Unfortunately I severely underestimated how low SC’s asking price was. The cheapest shell I saw was listed at about $250-280. ---
**Author:** ![csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/csullivan1980/32/19486_2.png) [@csullivan1980](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/csullivan1980)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/18 "2015-05-24T20:23:22Z")
Really?! I thought they were $80 ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/user_avatar/forum.gbfans.com/alan_hawkins/32/4015_2.png) [@Alan\_Hawkins](https://forum.gbfans.com/u/Alan_Hawkins)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://forum.gbfans.com/t/building-first-pack-and-wanted-an-opinion/36862/19 "2015-05-24T20:55:39Z")
The SC shells are.