I have a few questions that i figure a few of you seasoned pack builders could answer.
First: I’m using the Studio Creations pack( first build and all)and I know it’s not the most durable, so what should I use to give it some dexterity?( fiberglass or and epoxy)
Second: For the mother board should I buy one or build it?
Third: For the partical thrower, I was thinking of getting the MMM kit, any good?
That should be it for the questions for now, but I’m sure I’ll have a lot more.
First of all..Welcome!
MDF is a great way to get a Mother board..it’s light and inexpensive.
I suggest you do a search around the site, especially the Feedback forums…that will give you all the rundown’s on sellers. We have just about every question you’ll ask answered already…somewhere around here 
Now, With that said…any bashing of sellers will be deleted immediately.
Derek
I cannot recommend MMM as a first choice. I would search the “For Sale” forum a little more.
I believe fiberglass would work well to reinforce the vac shell. Also, a MMM thrower would be fine. People don’t like it because it’s not the MOST accurate gun available. But, it comes with everything. Good luck on your build, man.
i think you should follow build threads of respected members in the community and count how many MMM parts those builds contain…and search for “MMM thrower kit”
IF YOU MUST have a gun kit, throwing chicken has a wonderful kit, and is working on an improved kit (highly recommend you wait, it will be the most accurate one on the market.)
but if you HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW, buy one of his if someone has it for sale (which they wont because its such a beautiful kit), or nickatron’s if he has his available. it’s advisable you gather other materials instead of your thrower in the mean time.
Welcome dude, I am fairly new too. I think fiberglass is your way to go. You can buy fairly inexpensive resin and mat at Home Depot. As far as your parts, pieces and thrower go, I would suggest you look at other people’s builds to see what they use and see what you like. I am into my first build and I have decided to go with a Throwing Chicken gun kit when the time comes. I have seen an unpainted, unfinished gun box he makes and it is nice and smooth with no air bubbles.
Its a personal thing. Go with what you like.
I thought fiberglass was the way to go, I personally don’t like dealing with it. As for the thrower, I stumbled across the TC one, and it’s a lot more cost effective to me.
Welcome. My first pack was the same set-up you described in your first post. http://www.gbfans.com/fans/props/proton-packs/2987/ At the time I built it, I wanted a compromise between expense, accuracy, and convenience. I still think the way I went was right for me as a first time pack builder. That said, the Studio Creations vacformed shell and MMM gun kit suited me just fine. Both sellers were reliable and offered great service. I can’t complain about either of them. I ordered what I got and I got what I ordered. Still proud of that pack. The mobo was MMM, too.
NOW. Fast forward two years later. My pack this year will consist of a Bigi71 shell/mobo and a TC gun kit. I want more accuracy this time and the details of a vacformed shell are too soft for me. A fiberglass shell is more sturdy and is one piece instead of two. Plus, you can order the mobo that fits it rather than try to fit the vac shell to one out there. The Studio Creations shell doesn’t fit perfectly to any mobo currently available that I know of (unless you make your own) and that was a big challenge during that first build. And a quality fiberglass shell won’t need reinforcing like a vac shell would.
The MMM gun kit came with everything I needed and went together just fine. This time I want lights and sound and the MMM gun kit just doesn’t have a lot of room inside. You’ll have to dremel out some resin to fit much in there. Aaaaand there might be a bubble or two. The TC kit has plenty of room but doesn’t come with all the greeblies you’ll need to finish it. And no bubbles. Almost perfect.
So, here’s the thing. I spent plenty of time reading, searching, researching, and chatting until I decided what I wanted to use. I was well aware of those drawbacks when I went in and I was totally cool with my choices. Still am. Now, I want something a little more up the scale and my choices have changed. You have to be cool with your choices so spend plenty of time researching so you’ll know what you’ll be getting. Experienced pack builders will advise you to go with what they’d use which is sometimes counter-intuitive to what a first time builder might think is appropriate in terms of cost/accuracy. Use their advice and build according to your budget, your needs, and your wants. So, have fun with it and learn as you go.
In the end, it’ll be your cot tam pack and your choices won’t require the approval of your peers.
I recommend reading this thread: http://www.gbfans.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22161
It’s a great account of how to turn budget parts into a great pack.