Sandman Gun (Working Kit build-out) manual. Ton-o-pics

**Rylo** · May 29, 2012

A little something for the guys in our working DS gun build-out (kit) group.

I figured while I'm doing some build-ups, I'd chronicle one, here. In fact, this will give you some idea how quickly one of these can be assembled once the machine work has been completed. That said, it takes about a year to get all the parts together (for a small run) to get to this point.

There are no found parts on this outside of the toggle switch, battery harness and glowplug. People e-mail all the time asking where I get the valves from. The valve is 100% custom and took about a year to get it to where we wanted it. It was originally set-up with a vertical pull, but I preferred the seal we got with a horizontal rig.

1) Here's a pic of DS gun all laid out after the machine work has been completed, grips poured and valve & filter tank assembled:

2) Here's everything looking a bit more manageable. This is what the kit looks like when the guys in our build group get theirs. Everything has been tested, all machine work has been completed, all holes are drilled and tapped. You are ready to attach the front fin and grips, wire the prop up and paint.

(More soon)

**RPF Support**

**Rylo** · May 30, 2012

3) I like to use JB Quick for the front fin and grips. Score the underside of the fin and barrel with a blade, apply JB quick and allow to set up. Repeat for the grips.

**Rylo** · May 30, 2012

4) Moving on to the wiring. The frame of the gun serves as the ground so the black wire from the battery harness is bolted to the frame.

The positive (red lead) from the battery pack goes to the first prong on the toggle switch where it is soldered in place. The second prong is also wired up at this point. It will be connected to the glowplug later.

5) At this portion of the build, the glowplug wire is pulled through a small hole in the front of the flash cage. The top portion of the gun is then slid into place where it will be bolted down.

6) Here's how everything looks just before the glowplug is wired.

**Rylo** · May 30, 2012

7) The glowplug lead is run down the fin and soldered to the tip of the glowplug

NOTE: I've seen screen used guns with the glowplug wire running under the fin and seated on the side of the fin. I suspect this is for the very reason I prefer it as seen. Should you have to replace the glowplug the last thing you want to do is have to pull that fin off and rewire and then repaint the entire gun. I imagine this only had to happen once to the original propmaker before he opted for seating on the side of the fin. When running the lead down the fin, you can leave a little slack tucked inside the gun and simply pull some extra through should you need to rewire down the road.

**Apollo** · May 30, 2012

Awesome thread!!!!

Mick aint got nothin on you!

**Rylo** · May 31, 2012

Thanks. I figured it might save me a couple e-mails.

**boodha** · May 31, 2012

This is a great info resource for a wonderful prop. Gosh, I never get tired of this particular piece. Thanks Rylo!

**Blackbirdcd** · May 31, 2012

This is a very cool effort. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

My favorite video demonstrating the first test-fire of a Sandman working pistol - I forget who posted the story, but after a long series of "this is how it works" it ends with the test-firing... by the builder's wife.

"Honey, can you hold this and pull the trigger for my video?"

**Apollo** · May 31, 2012

It will turn out like all the other Guns Ry has made.

there is no other DS Gun that will surpass it.

His are the best ever made

Blackbirdcd said:

This is a very cool effort. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

**Rylo** · May 31, 2012

Thanks, man. Yeah, I've built one or two of these over the years.

Blackbirdcd said:

This is a very cool effort. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

My favorite video demonstrating the first test-fire of a Sandman working pistol - I forget who posted the story, but after a long series of "this is how it works" it ends with the test-firing... by the builder's wife.

"Honey, can you hold this and pull the trigger for my video?"

**Rylo** · May 31, 2012

Too kind. Thank you. You should come over this weekend and I'll put ya to work!

-Rylo

apollo said:

It will turn out like all the other Guns Ry has made.

there is no other DS Gun that will surpass it.

His are the best ever made

**Apollo** · Jun 1, 2012

Nothing like the smell of Calcium carbide in the morning!

Rylo said:

Too kind. Thank you. You should come over this weekend and I'll put ya to work!

-Rylo

**Rylo** · Jun 1, 2012

Come get some...and bring tacos!

apollo said:

Nothing like the smell of Calcium carbide in the morning!

**Prefect42** · Jun 2, 2012

I was just firing mine last night. First time with our new dog and new neighbors next door. No police sirens or knocks on the door asking "What the hell was that?". But man, these make the coolest sound.

Ted.

**Rylo** · Jun 5, 2012

It's always good to break the new neighbors in as soon as possible.

I just got some new CC in and it's a got an insane yield to it. Crazy loud!

Prefect42 said:

I was just firing mine last night. First time with our new dog and new neighbors next door. No police sirens or knocks on the door asking "What the hell was that?". But man, these make the coolest sound.

Ted.

**Rylo** · Jun 11, 2012

Speaking of CaC2. I just got a couple pounds in and damn is it kickin! Had to really dial back my ratio. I'm getting 9 and 10 good shots off 4 or 5 pebbles!

-Rylo

**Rylo** · Jul 10, 2012

Back to the top with this one. There's a new batch of kits hitting this week.

-Rylo

**Rylo** · Jul 22, 2012

Leaving these pics up for a couple more days. Save 'em if you want 'em!

-Rylo

**Stansfield** · Jul 22, 2012

Rylo said:

Thanks, man. Yeah, I've built one or two of these over the years.

Damn that pic is so sexy!!!

Sandman Gun (Working Kit build-out) manual. Ton-o-pics

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