DL-44 grille alternative for uk

[woodywaverider]

So I’m trying to plan out a blaster build on the cheap, being in the uk is causing a few issue.
Mainly with our replica fire are laws, to get a full kit imported I would either need the base to be 2 tone or have a UKara (airsoft membership) licence for it to be black.

I’ve found a cheap G12 that I can modify and also the evoke flash hider. Both of which are about as cheap as the come.

the scope/mount is proving a little difficult AW seem to manufacture a cheap one, but i can’t seem to find it sold separately, still following up some leads on that, if all else fails I’m confident I could scratch build something close enough.

the main part I’m having trouble with is the grill. Now I’ve done my research an know this was originally from a veron hawker tomit kit, and that Reade models used to still sell those parts, so people could cut out the rest of the plain from balsa, however they don’t seem to be open any longer.

I looked at Todd’s customs, a great replica and for $7-8 I thought I’d found a winner, however at check out the shipping to the uk was coming out at $131, couldn’t quite believe it, so that put an end to that.

I found some 3d prints on Etsy, but they don’t look that great, and need a lot of work.

I found a company called William brothers (uk based) that sell radial motor cylinder kits that look like they might work, only issue is they come in different scales. The one being pictured being the largest. The 2p coin for reference is 25.9mm or 1.02inch and they look about the same.

anyone know how that compares to a G12 Mauser?

or of a decent grill available in the uk, that I won’t meet to take out a 2nd mortgage to get shipped?

 

[laellee]

Have you tried Shapeways? There are a couple on there, I saw one for about $11US.

 

[E Williams]

Yes, Shapeways is the way to go for that part. Members here have designed accurate models of every variation you can think of and for many different base pistols. chubsANDdoggers is a good place to start.

 

[woodywaverider]

Have you tried Shapeways? There are a couple on there, I saw one for about $11US.

Thanks yep, main issue is shipping cost to UK form US, it’s shot up recently, cheapest shipping in shapeways is £18, makes the total for that part alone £30.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Yes, Shapeways is the way to go for that part. Members here have designed accurate models of every variation you can think of and for many different base pistols. chubsANDdoggers is a good place to start.

I appreciate the looking out. I actually have all my parts available printed in MJF for about 1/2 the price shapeways offers but I just looked at shipping to the UK and it’s $50 flat rate unfortunately. US is $10 but ya it gets expensive outside of the US fast. Just updated with pictures so u can see the quality and accuracy in the design if curious..

 

[woodywaverider]

Thanks for looking. The ones on Etsy i’ve found are cheap, but boy do the look it, not very accurate.

I’ve found an aluminium one on eBay for £30 inc shipping, again from US. It’s still more than I’d like to pay, but it could be a last ditch option, if all else fails.

Unless anyone form UK/Europe chimes in, then I think I’ll be looking to scratch build or use a found object, I saw one post using an irrigation hose connection.

Do you know the width of the actual reade kit piece? Or the prop heat sink/grille? This would help me look for something locally that would be passable/good enough, or to make something from scratch.

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

My personal opinion is I would be more concerned about the prop you are building on and start the sizing from there. The g12 is an air soft correct? Those have a different sized fronts than that of an actual Mauser or a replica like a denix. So the grille would have to be "enlarged" like it is on the SOLO:ASWS or TFA blasters. The pictures I shared are of the air soft grills that are seen in both those films which where built on Air Soft pistols. Actual Reade Cylinders won't work correctly as they are not big enough to fit the front of those air softs for example. So just be careful with what you buy as it may not fit?

 

[thd9791]

You COULD go the hardware route and find corrugated tube. Automotive stores used to have ridged tubing that was a small diameter, I used it on my first hardware saber almost 20 years ago

Maybe there is tubing or hose from any number of applications that would pass? The ANH one is harder to do than the TFA one

man shipping is crazy!

 

[MacBeath]

I can't help directly, but if you search the forums for Reade cylinder, you'll get a number of threads giving you the size etc you need. The originals do still turn up at not too bad prices, depending who is selling them.

For future reference, I built a metal DL-44 from Dark Energy Creations kit in 2015 or so. I had no problem getting the kit from the US, but did source the Denix from the UK. It came painted red - 95% of which was removed in 30 minutes with just a nylon scouring pad, revealing the original colour underneath.

 

[laellee]

Also, if you can find someone to print over there (preferably resin), I can hook you up with an veron cylinder 3d model (untrimmed but hollow) that you could just print and use. They take practically nothing for material, but the cylinder fins are pretty thin.

 

[woodywaverider]

Thank you for all sage advice, I guess it will be worth waiting till I have the airsoft in hand, before I start looking for the parts. The Denix and DEC kit are over my budget unfortunately.

I am planing the TFA version, or as close to as I can get it. I want to keep it as cheap as possible, so will prob scratch build if I can’t find an object that works

Worse case. I think I could roughy cut a bunch of disc from aluminium sheet, bolt them all together and turn them down, then set 1/2 of them as side, tune the rest down some more then alternate, now that I think how much work that would be £30 doesn’t seem so bad lol.

 

[woodywaverider]

Also, if you can find someone to print over there (preferably resin), I can hook you up with an veron cylinder 3d model (untrimmed but hollow) that you could just print and use. They take practically nothing for material, but the cylinder fins are pretty thin.

Thanks I may take you up on that, if I can find anyone with a printer. Think this is one to revisit once I have the other parts in hand, I can leave the grille till last.