OK… I have set myself a challenge - to build a decent (i.e. not original-looking) proton pack for as little as I possibly can. I am lucky enough to work with chemicals and the HVAC industry so I have lots of plumbing fittings, stainless steel, bolts, coupling etc lying around, but I wanted to keep you guys up to date with progress and expenses so you can give me moral support as I aim for a top notch costume for Halloween 2006. While I am not aiming for the pack to look absolutely genuine, I am looking to include a little poetic licence to put in fun looking gizmos that aren’t original.
So far: (all prices include shipping if bought on-line * items have not arrived at the time of posting)
plywood (2 x 4) (Lowes) - $3.74
- Stickers (some guy on here) - $5
Thanks for the tips on posting photos - I have the first one below.I’ll update as it goes along…
Mark
(I will post link to older photos to save space on this thread)
Welcome Aboard… 
If you open an account with imageshack or photobucket, upload you pictures to their site, copy and paste the link to your picture in your post, highlight the link and then click the image button and you’ll be all set.
yes and its nice you didnt ask where to get one.. your goig to build one on your own.. you will probably get alot of moral support .. oh and respect.. ha ha.. and like he said.. welcome.
I am too cheap to buy one - especially seeing the ones going for $200-2500+ on EBay.
I just finished dumpster diving behind an electrical contractors shop for more parts - will post a pic this evening - watch this space!
Update on total cost so far = $ 31.26
Mark
plywood (2 x 4) (Lowes) - $3.74
- Stickers (some guy on here) - $5
The look on people’s faces when you say you built the pack…Priceless.
There some things money can’t buy for all others there’s ebay 
Good luck with your pack! Building your own is far more rewarding, I look forward to seeing your finished product!
Irri
OK, so today’s dumpster diving yielded some fun plumbing parts (not pictured) and some really neat little brass hose tail things and an electrical fuse thing which looked kinda interesting.
I bought some spray paint from Home Depot ($3.87) and a 1" ■■■■■■ (67c). With a little plastic weld, I made the screw thing for the top of the bumper. I will spray paint this thing silver after I have degreased it. I also cut the teardrop shape thing for backpack whatchamacallit.
Running total so far is just under $ 40. I have some promising looking MDF scraps that I will use to make the box parts and with the addition of some popsicle sticks, we should be in good shape for a pack under $100.
I love a scratch builder’s progress. I should have done some dumpster diving when building my packs…(thinks about next pack) lookin good so far. I will definatly keep an eye on this thread
I am most excited today.
Four big developments…
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ALICE pack arrived.
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Boots arrived.
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Stickers for pack and gun arrived
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I found a perfect 10" circle for the cyclotron thing…a plant pot base from the dollar store ($1)
Raiding of various boxes of ■■■■ hanging around yielded some clear hose, some more push-fit brass conenctors, some black electrical conduit and some childrens’ bike training wheels which I think I will use to make the bumper!!! I also found an old style conductivity meter that I will cannibalise and use for part of the gun. It is a great shape for it.
I also bought some of that green foamy stuff that girls use to make flower arrangements to carve into somehting more manly. Like a gearbox or something. It might work, it might not, but it was only $1.67 at Walmart.
Sweet.
Pics posted below (previous pics turned to links to save space).
Ok dude.. as far as foam goes.. the green foam stuff take it back.. go to the office supplies and buy a sheet of FoamCore. you can very well make some of your box parts from that stuff.. for sure.. you can clean up the eges by using spray adhesive on posterboard to cover teh eges.. also any foam that is exposed.. cover with Elmers glue all and let dry.. then you can spray paint it.. without it melting the foam..you can fill gaps with Elmers wood putty..
Ok dude.. as far as foam goes.. the green foam stuff take it back.. go to the office supplies and buy a sheet of FoamCore. you can very well make some of your box parts from that stuff.. for sure.. you can clean up the eges by using spray adhesive on posterboard to cover teh eges.. also any foam that is exposed.. cover with Elmers glue all and let dry.. then you can spray paint it.. without it melting the foam..you can fill gaps with Elmers wood putty..
now if you really want to try the green foam.. you shape it.. then cover it in Elmers Glue all glue.. White glue..let dry .. then its pretty durable.. but not great.. good luck..
Yup, figured that out today. It’s pretty crappy.
Looks like I’ll be building the main compoinents out of MDF this weekend.
I did find a really neat controller today with loads of cool knobs (one of which looks just like the Raytheon) so that will be going on.
As you told me, THE GREEN STUFF SUCKS.
Thanks for the advice. Did you all see the proton pack going for $500 on Ebay? whew.
M
Haha yeah when I saw the green foam I was like NOOOOOOOOO!! That stuff is really like a sponge because it holds water really well. Yes I used to work at a florist. BUT AS A DELIVERY DRIVER. Anyways you can get foam at Michaels and other crafts stores. Keep it up! I’m already $400 into my pack… :shock:
Proton packs often go for well over $500 this time a year on ebay. The only time it’s amazing is when a sub-standard pack gets sold at a high price.
True true, some packs sell for ridiculous amounts of money!! Not very screen accurate at all. Then again I think the people buying them either have no idea or want to scrounge parts from them…maybe?..
-Thiago
