Del,
I just received my DS kit last week with the new aluminum side
panels. Not sure why the the side panels are scratched up quite a
bit around the countersunk screw holes. Scratches are in the
opposite direction from direction of the brushed aluminum. I don't
think paint will fill them well. I may have to sand on a glass plate
to try to remove them.
Del: I sent the plates to Nicksdad raw. No prep was done to the countersink screw holes. I don't remember seeing any significant scratches on the plates. You may want to send him an email and ask about them.
I have a few build questions for you if you would be so kind as to help.
1. How does the blaster kit speaker sound? Did you have to open
any holes anywhere for an appropriate volume level?
Del: The speaker is rather loud with the BlasterCore. No additional holes are needed as a resonance chamber is created between the plates.
2. How do you attach the grips to the Al frame? Are they removable?
Del: Ancient Chinese secret... LOL I used expansion pins. It's a 5-6 step process to do it correctly but when done, it holds the grips firmly in place and they are removable.
3. Do you provide a charging port for the batteries anywhere?
Del: You can put the charging port in the gas chamber near the rear of the gun. Just unscrew the plug and plug in the charger. No on/off key is needed since the gun already has a power switch. Some fabrication is needed to make a holder that fits inside the chamber for the plug. Can use any number of things to do it.
4. What heatsinking is required for a Cree LED? Can you somehow
sink to the body of the gun, the big hunk of Al should provide an
adequate sink.
Del: I sink to the gun body in the barrel. No need for anything else. Also since I use the BlasterCore, the duration that the LED is actually illuminated is very short. You would have to fire the gun constantly for about an hour for the LED to get hot. I've played with mine for over an hour and the LED never even got warm.
5. What is the black material you placed around the switch and
speaker, some sort of foam?
Del: I use foam board. It's easy to cut and install with nothing more than a hot melt glue gun.
6. Any special prep before painting? I'm looking at using the Krylon Semi
Flat black called out in the blueprint. I was wondering if I should shoot
it with primer before the color coat.
Del: Just make sure the metal is clean. Fingerprints will prevent the paint from adhering to the metal. I did prime mine before the final coat of paint.
Thanks, looking forward to the build.
