WyoWilliam
Active Member
I made this about a year ago and am just now getting around to posting pics of the build. You can see a video of the early version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvUvwqKf0o
First, I started with a Denix, and made a few standard mods. (logo, firing pin, sight) then took the barrel to a machine shop to bore-out a perfectly centered hole to accommodate the 250mW laser:
Next I made a bull barrel with exterior sleeve for the flash-hider. (This was tough without a lathe - a drill press with lubed ball bearing and a metal file had to suffice.)
The real trick was making it so the laser could be focused. Using some resin putty and I washer, I created a part that would slide along the knurled lens housing as the flash hider is twisted:
Next I had to figure out the electronics. Not being an electrical engineer I knew I wanted to keep it all working on a simple 3-4v circuit because of the laser. Luckily, most LiPo batteries found in micro R/C helicopters are 3.7v, as are cell-phones (used the speaker out of a cheap LG), and the sound card in those Rubies blasters are 3v:
Here was one of the first tests of the laser:
I used the switch out of an alarm clock from goodwill for the trigger, and a headphone jack for the charging port. It was a tight squeeze, even before the battery:
As I was trying to keep with the spirit of an off-the-shelf build, I used the piston greeblie cut out from the Rubies blaster with some holes for sound drilled out behind it...
...and some angled aluminum for the scope mount. Since I posted the video, I upgraded with a couple DEC parts and the wood grips off of another Denix. I also added the Greedo-killer style Weaver mounts, and an old scope cut down with a microscope piece for the front lens. I'm pretty happy with how it looks now, though I suspect I'll keep tweaking it:
Thanks to SCOTTJUA for tips on creating the right look for the flash-hider and the rest of the RPF for all the research that has gone into figuring out the history of this iconic movie prop!
First, I started with a Denix, and made a few standard mods. (logo, firing pin, sight) then took the barrel to a machine shop to bore-out a perfectly centered hole to accommodate the 250mW laser:
Next I made a bull barrel with exterior sleeve for the flash-hider. (This was tough without a lathe - a drill press with lubed ball bearing and a metal file had to suffice.)
The real trick was making it so the laser could be focused. Using some resin putty and I washer, I created a part that would slide along the knurled lens housing as the flash hider is twisted:
Next I had to figure out the electronics. Not being an electrical engineer I knew I wanted to keep it all working on a simple 3-4v circuit because of the laser. Luckily, most LiPo batteries found in micro R/C helicopters are 3.7v, as are cell-phones (used the speaker out of a cheap LG), and the sound card in those Rubies blasters are 3v:
Here was one of the first tests of the laser:
As I was trying to keep with the spirit of an off-the-shelf build, I used the piston greeblie cut out from the Rubies blaster with some holes for sound drilled out behind it...
...and some angled aluminum for the scope mount. Since I posted the video, I upgraded with a couple DEC parts and the wood grips off of another Denix. I also added the Greedo-killer style Weaver mounts, and an old scope cut down with a microscope piece for the front lens. I'm pretty happy with how it looks now, though I suspect I'll keep tweaking it:
Thanks to SCOTTJUA for tips on creating the right look for the flash-hider and the rest of the RPF for all the research that has gone into figuring out the history of this iconic movie prop!
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