hey guys so i’m a complete noob when it comes to this but i really would like to build a proton pack for halloween this year. since my experience and budget is a little limited i was going to try and use the plans from norm. has anyone built this one and if so how involved was it and about how much did you spend? and how difficult was it? it also looks like not all the materials were on the “materials list”, but i may be wrong. if there are some extra materials what were they and where and how much were they. any help and/or advice will be much appreciated.
norms plans are great for a 1st time builder. may i offer a suggest building your pack from foam board. it will be fast to work with so you can have your pack ready for halloween. see this thread to see PBAlpha using this method…
thanks for the tip ill def. take it into consideration. i hate to sound like such a noob but what exactly is foamcore? where can i get it? and would i still use the same plans or would it be better to use stefans like he did?
ifoamcore is a thin piece of foam between 2 pieces of cardstock type paper u can probably get it at any craft store. i would go with stefan’s plans if u make the pack from foam core
ah…cool thanks alot. is there a material list anywhere for stefans plans?
no because stefan’s plans are simply measurements. it’s up to the builder to choose the material. u can use styrene wood foamcore etc tho i would stick with foam core right now
oh ok…well i might just go with norms since he has a list and stuff. i might try the foamcore when i build another because im sure once i make this one ill want to do another. thanks for all the info guys. if anyone has any more suggestions please feel free any help is much appreciated! one last questions though about the foamcore how sturdy/durable is it?
foam core isn’t known for it’s strength so ti won’t build u an ever lasting pack but it can make a quick and ok looking pack. tho if u choose to make a 2nd pack save money for styrene for the back or save money to buy a shell. and get stuff form this guy http://www.multimediamayhem.net/modelparts.htm he has great items but i think if u want this pack to be done by halloween don’t order from him normally he is fast at delivering but during the halloween season he’s swamped. of course if he says he can get he stuff to u in time and u have the money go for it alsow hen u make a second pack get Exoray lights they are the best
thanks i’m sure i will be using that site. if anyone else has suggestions please feel free…like i said i’m a newbie so any suggetions or helpful hints will be much appreciated
It’s September already, you have less than two months to get the whole costume together. Last year was my first try out with this, I did everything but the proton pack in about six weeks (flightsuit with patches, belt with gizmo, goggles, found boots, etc etc.) The costume worked REALLY well, people were stunned at how good it was. If you don’t already have the rest of it together, get moving! Otherwise, you’ve got enough time to build the first-time pack out of foamboard or other plastic stuff, and if you pay enough attention to the details, people will love it.
Also, you’re better off doing less stuff that looks good rather than a lot of stuff that didn’t quite get finished. Look up threads here on how to “weather” or “age” your props, it’s easy and makes a big difference.
The list that comes with Norm’s plans is incomplete and several items he calls for aren’t being made anymore. His plans are great for a first time builder, but you’ll have to improvise a lot when it comes to the parts he suggests.
This is very true. A good suit can be put together very quickly with little work on your part, and even if you don’t wear a pack with it people will still know who you are. If it looks like you won’t have time to finish a pack, go for broke on the suit.
yea the more i think about it halloween is a little soon for a good pack. im probably gonna take my time and really do this right. getting this done for halloween was just an idea and a thought. there’s some guys around in my area that are some pretty involved ghostheads so i’m gonna see if they can give me some ideas as well. thanks so much for all the help. as usual anymore thoughts or suggestions are always welcome. norms plans seem a little hard to read to me, and stefans plans seem a little clearer is it possible to maybe use norms materials and stefans plans?
Norm’s plans will be confusing at first. You really need to read over them several times to get the gist of them. And yes, combining sets of plans is very helpful.
good to hear i will most likely be doing that. thanks for all the help. ill post some picks when i get started tho i have no idea when that will be. im hoping soon!
i’m thinking of using MMM’s aluminum mobo, would it be possible to use this with norm’s plans or would i need to make one out of wood like the plans call for?
don’t give up! i’m just about to start both mine and my girlfriend’s (hers will be a custom proton pack/suit/skirt etc.)
Get creative - you can do anything - combine plans - use parts - don’t use parts - look for new parts
check out this guy’s dollar store pack for inspiration:
I just went to our 99 cent store and got about 85% of my girlfriend’s pack there.
but yeah… definitely need to set some time apart for this lil task!
cheers,
// jayse
oh i am defiantly not giving up, i’m just pushing my completion time back so i can do it right and like i want. i’m a full time student right now and i will be having to go home to my parents house to use tools and stuff. but i need to know if i can use the aluminum motherboard with norm’s plans or if i need to construct one out of plywood like the plans call for. good luck and your packs
Using an aluminum motherboard would be OK, but you’ll have to adjust Norm’s measurements for the other parts that fit on it. The measurements for Norm’s motherboard aren’t exactly accurate, so having a totally accurate motherboard (like MMM’s) will throw everything else out of whack.
yea i was thinking that so i think i’m gonna use stefans measurements and just use norm’s as sort of a guide. thanks for the help.
i see people using the MMM aluminum mobos and some people using wood ones which one is better?