ok so im still throwing ideas around as my full costume, build doesnt really commence till 6th sept (payday) but im buying little bits here and there that i’ll need to make it happen and im currently on the deciding phase of the trap (rest of the outfit pretty much decided already) do i atttempt to build 1 from foamcore and styrene and paint it or do i buy a kenner 1 and repaint it to look movie like ?
what do you guys think ?
Scratch building all the way. If you have the time to do the project you will thank yourself in the end. There are decent plans out there to get you started and overall the trap is a fun prop to build.
Best of luck.
ok then whats the best materials used to build it ? ive been told loads of diff mats to use and its confusing me hence the question of this topic 
Unless you’re under twelve years old, you shouldn’t remotely consider using a Kenner pack.
well im not under 12 and the reason why i thought of the kenner is ive seen a few members on here repaint a kenner due to time constraints,
when i can start building it all i will have 6 maybe 7 weeks to get it all sorted (pack, goggles, pke meter, trap, uniform and accessories) done and the option to buy and repaint a kenner trap is to save time
Material used is 100% up to the builder. Some considerations for choosing material are:
-Tools needed
-Experience
-Cost
-Weight
Here is the best breakdown I an give you of materials I have used and hopefully it answers any questions you may still have.
Foam core: Is a cheap material available at any art supply store. Easy to cut with an exacto knife and can be glued using epoxy, super glue, hot glue, etc… Very user friendly.
Cons to using foam core is the finish work. Filling and patch work is a must with gaps, and making a smooth surface. Exposed edges (side edge of material) will also need to be filled to accept paint. Foam core is not as durable or strong as other materials.
Styrene: Can be found at many hobby shops in sheets, shapes, and different sizes. Styrene is scored and snapped with an exacto knife giving a nice clean edge (I use .080 thickness on pack builds). Styrene can be joined by using various plastic cements, styrene solvents (I use Plastruct weldene), or super glue. Some minor filling may be needed but, unlike foam core, the overall project can be sanded. Generally styrene gives the “cleanest” looking build when done correctly. Styrene is VERY durable and forms a strong bond when done proper.
Cons can include the cost of material compared to foam core as well as the length of time it may take to glue parts together.
If you have power tools (i.e. saws, etc…) there are other materials to work with. Wood and some denser versions of foam core are a possibility.
From a kitchen table type build point of view I would suggest the foam core or styrene. It is up to you on would fits your price range and building experience.
You can also mix materials. Foam core’s thicnkness can be easier to build the outer housing of the trap if you don’t have the time to stack or hollow build the .25" thick outer walls of the housing. Where as styrene would be a perfect material for making the cartridge, diplay, battery box, etc…
I have done nearly all my trap builds in styrene and I have always been happy with the overall look it gives when finished.
i have 0 exp in building lol
im currently looking at foamex, is that any good ?
When I hear “foamex” I think of memory foam but I assume you are looking at some type of dense foam board. It may be called foamex board so pardon if my terminology differs here.
If it has a smooth surface much like poster board and what they make signs from you should be ok. A denser foam filled center would be ideal as long as you can cut it with an exacto blade. Stay away from hollow foam board or “corrugated foam board” which is, as the name states, very hollow and not structurally sound.
Styrene can be a user friendly maertial even to new builders but you need a little more patience.
yeah the listings on ebay say this
Ah ok. Sounds like a dense pvc based board much like Sintra. That would work just fine. Thickness will play a role in how well you will be able to cut it with an extacto blade.
was thinking 3mm but would that be thick enough ? plus how many A4 sheets of this stuff am i gonna need
3mm is close to 1/8". I have not used that material myself but I would think that would be plenty rigid. How many sheets needed will be up to you. Take some time to look over what plans you will be using and consider how you will be constructing the project. It will require a few more sheets If you will be stacking sheets together to make the .25" thick sections of the trap as opposed to making them a hollow design with internal supports.
Take a look at the plans and draw out your parts on paper is the best advice I can give.
From my experience…always order more than you think you will need to account for any errors in measuring or bad cuts, and it never hurts to have extra in hand for future builds.
A great alternative is the foam flooring you see in laundry rooms. It cuts well and you can paint it, plus its lightweight and can take a beating. I outfitted my team with belt traps made from the stuff. a package of it is like 15 bucks and you get 6 large sheets
Heres an example:
ok i know how many i need now so its time to look around and order
The floor foam is called eva foam, and people are using it to build anything from proton packs to ironman armor. It has puzzle shaped edges, and can be found in just about any big box store, but the best price is at harbor freight in 4 packs for $10. You might be able to build a pack from one package, but I’d get two just in case.
I’d say make you’re own as well. I’ve been trying to get a Kenner Trap from ebay for a while and unless you’re willing to out bid somone to the point you end up with an overly priced trap it’s cheeper to make you’re own. I used wood for my build, those little boxes you see in the craft section of the Dollar Store are thin enough to make it light but not too fragile. But if you can find the materials already suggested go for it because I would’ve used those materials if they were available to me.