Clone Wars DC-15S blaster build

[smoothrat]

To brush up on my skills before getting some clone armor, I've started building an animated-style DC-15S blaster. Still early, but here's what I've got so far.

"Exploded view" of the barrel components

Test fit of barrel end

I cut the grooves on a router table, using an 1/8" bit

Started to glue some of the barrel pieces

Reference photos and other WIP photos here: Flickr set

 

[smoothrat]

Making good progress, I think, although I did decide to cut 1" off the barrel section after a preliminary fit. Here's the latest.

The muzzle end is a bushing inserted into a fitting. Another fitting was the base for building up the "cone" out of putty.

After some drafting time, ready to cut the MDF layer sections.

Blaster sandwich.

Test fitting the whole assembly.

 

[BlindSquirrel]

Looking great! Nice craftsmanship!

 

[Caveneau]

Yes very nice pictures. It's nice to get a visual idea of the process. I like the way you have your cardstock templates and then cut it out of wood. What kind of wood did you use?

 

[HadronMM]

Very cool. And with that dense MDF, the thing should have some realistic heft to it. Be careful working with MDF. The dust is gnarly--throat irritation, carcinogenic, etc.

MM

 

[smoothrat]

Very cool. And with that dense MDF, the thing should have some realistic heft to it. Be careful working with MDF. The dust is gnarly--throat irritation, carcinogenic, etc.

MM

Yeah, that MDF is nasty...just disintegrates to dust when cut. It's working well, though, and does give the blaster a nice weighty feel.

Caveneau: It's 1/2" MDF for the five layers, and then the grip will get additional 1/4" MDF sections on the sides.

I'm off to do some sanding and filling...

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Fantastic build so far! I have some blueprints of this gun, that I''ve been waiting to use to build one of these when I eventually have the time. Can't wait to see how yours turns out.

 

[Robbie TPC]

Nice to see another DC15 blaster, looks good so far :cool

 

[smoothrat]

Fantastic build so far! I have some blueprints of this gun, that I''ve been waiting to use to build one of these when I eventually have the time. Can't wait to see how yours turns out.

Are your blueprints for the RL or animated version? I have the WOF blueprints of the "real" blaster, which have been great for scaling some of the parts, but the animated "Clone Wars" style gun is so different. I've used an assortment of reference photos to try to get the correct sizes and the overall look. Even scaling from the toy blaster, which is too small but otherwise pretty accurate to the "Clone Wars" version.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

Mine are the RL ons. We probably have the same ones.

 

[AMP]

Nice work so far. Look forward to the finish.

 

[smoothrat]

Some updates. Nothing too flashy, but moving along steadily.

Shape of Center section of the grip

Cut the grip sides from 1/4" MDF (hadn't routered-out the rectangles yet in this photo)

Folding stock section, formed from 3/4" aluminum bar

Glued the folding-stock supports (cut from 1/2" steel bar) to the barrel with JB Weld. Temporarily fit the spacer and bolt to hold the supports in alignment.

Test assembly (I can't resist seeing it all together every so often)

 

[smoothrat]

Some updates. Getting closer. Still lots of sanding and filling to come, as well as the sights and greeblies.

Added the pivot point using two washer halves sandwiched together and a nylon washer on the inside

Folding stock test fit

Screwing and glueing

Sealed the MDF with two coats of sealant, and then primer

The other side

 

[agent5]

SWEET! The handle looks terribly uncomfortable, tho. Not knocking it at all as it is a great job. My kid will love seeing this.

 

[WebChief]

Looking great!

 

[smoothrat]

SWEET! The handle looks terribly uncomfortable, tho. Not knocking it at all as it is a great job. My kid will love seeing this.

Yeah, the animated clones don't seem to care about comfort.
It's actually not too bad to grip, if you hold it in right way. I'm also going to round off the edges.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

heh... yeah, the animated blaster is clearly not made for actual humans

 

[tkmarti]

Always love seeing build threads and this is a cracker....love the blaster !

 

[SUPERprops]

Looks Great!! I think guns are hard ones to perfect.. ...thats what you've done.

 

[agent5]

I'm also going to round off the edges.

Thats what I was thinking. I just showed my son and he was all like, "Cooooooooool!" :thumbsup