but I suck at constructing this kind of thing. Is there a build tutorial out their that is “for dummies”?
Norm’s plans.
Yep, Norm’s plans, BUT be forewarned it still takes a lot of creativity, time work, and materials and tools.
I started dry last year looking things over in September, and started assembling parts late that month. I took the entire month of october off to work on our packs, and spent 8 hours or more every day working on them.. and barely had two packs done in time for halloween.
Also note, that while Norm’s plans have some great part replacement tips, some of the measuements are off, and as long as you are making one anyway, might as well get some of the measurements more accurate.
Check my thread here “Gareee’s Budget Packs” for some wip tips and to follow how things fell out for us.
If you want a cheap pack that still looks good, I would say go with FoamCore/Foam Board
That stuff is GREAT!
you could glue macaroni noodles together.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please welcome on stage the comedy genius that is Enchanted Unicorn.
You could hardly build an entire pack out of macaroni noodles!
But those would make a good substitute for the legris elbow.
A fusilli Venkman?
Someone has WAaaaaaaay too much time on their hands!
Hope yer planning on playing the new game over several times through! 
Exactly how I feel, good luck man!!!
Unicorn maybe i could build you a girlfriend ?
Elwood
sure thing, just don’t tell my wife!
I agree, foam core is a great material for your first pack. I know Zander has a great foam core pack, and Charlie Richter goes crazy with the stuff, making up his own equipment.
I also made my own. You can check it out here:
I’ve mad a few updates as well. You can see pics here:
I’ve also come across alot of things as time has passed that I’ve been switching out, and discovered some techniques I wish I’d known before. I just found new handles theother day that look perfect, so I’ll be adding those soon. Awesome gun handles found at Home Depot - Proton Packs - GBFans.com
The nice thing about foam core is that you really only need maybe 3 or 4 big sheets of it to make what you need. The finally product is super light weight (mine hits the scale at 10 lbs. with lights and everything attatched), and it’s super durable. I am always out doing events with the arizona Ghostbusters and my pack takes some abuse, but hasn’t had any mishaps or damage at all, even after a few bumps. Even my mother board is made from foamcore and it holds up just good as anything.
It only took me about a week and a half to finish mine originally, and that’s with work every other day and school 4 days a week.
I would be MORE than happy to help you out with pointers and the like, as I’m sure any of the others would be too, if you decide to go the foam core route.
I’ve also got a new pack in the works that is kid sized for my younger brother, modeled after the Wii design, and I had to build a custom frame for it from pvc, due to lack of shrunken alice frames. It’s definitely something to look into as well if you want to keep the weight down or can’t get your hands on the alice frame.
Totally forgot about that completely! LOL!
Light is green trap is clean…
Elwood…
You could kill yourself instead
Id love too Spooky,
But id hate to upset you…
What a nice happy person you are
Elwood
Yeah, I’m considering a foamcore pack. It seems like that would be my best bet. Since I’m no good with exact measurments I think that would be my best bet!
Trust me. measurments is a big part of this project.
Doing it with wood, foam, or anything makes no different when it comes to this.
Without getting them right, the pack will not look good at all.