:?: :?:
You mean simpler as in less money or simpler as in less labor/skill involved?
Well, if you lack major construction skills, you could try what I usually do. Most of my props are made from found items. That way all you have to do is find things that would look neat together and glue them! 
Here is a pic of my half finished proton thrower… just a bunch of stuff I found glued together. The main body of it is a couple of bird feeders I found at walmart. Glue some stuff on and paint it, and you’ve got a decent looking prop!
Hope that helps you.
Yeah More explanation is needed in this post.
I think he wants the cheapest and easy way to make a prop.
I have seen people make very good looking props just by using foam board only.
I have seen one that is done so well that it doesn’t even look like he made it out of foam board at all.
I made my proton pack using a combination of cardboard and foam board.
That’s probably the best way to go if you don’t have too much money and don’t have that many tools with you.
Let’s hear it from the horse’s mouth before we make any assumptions. 
Gorlon231, would you care to fill us in a bit more on what you’re asking here?
Simpler than… :?:
I mean something of a combination of the two. 
making a prop with less money…yes, but it depends on how creative you are…less work? negative. at least I have not found the way, nor do I think I want to. I love this hobbie and all the work I put into my props