Sandeman
New Member
*NOTE* I realize this isn't the first foam DLT-19, just wanted to share.
I've decided I like BFGs. Who doesn't, right? But since a Hyperfirm is expensive and beyond my grasp, and the Cushman... I decided to make my own. I've seen many wooden MG34/DLT-19s, but I thought they'd be too heavy for trooping for long periods of time. Next best thing? Insulation foam! Got this 3/4" stuff at my local Home Depot. They also stock it in 2". Lowe's stocks 2" blue foam, FYI.
I downloaded the templates from here: MG-34 Blaster Rifle (print using Paint, and nothing else or the sizes will be all out of whack)
Using a Dremel with router attachment, I cut out the patterns. If you do this, wear a respirator, goggles and hearing protection. It sounds like someone pulling the ears off a gundark. Very loud:
Here you can see one of the pieces of the gun, the stock, and a bit of an axe I made for my daughter.
From left to right: the receiver (more or less), stock, grip. I laminated two receiver halves and two stock halves together:
A top-down view:
This shot was intended to show the installed PVC connectors for the barrel and the join between the receiver and the stock (for strength and shape), as well as the shaping. Then disaster struck. Someone thought it would be fun to swing the thing around. Not fun for me. :cry
Luckily, I was able to repair the fissure using a number of dowels and a really long drill bit. I then painted the entire foam structure with Gesso, to seal the foam from harsh chemicals such as fiberglass resin and paint, and then began fiberglassing for strength.
Now, jump into your DeLorean and fast forward a month or two (life gets in the way of propmaking, right?)
Finally finished the BFG!
I'm about 80% satisfied with this first attempt. Lots of things I could have done better/differently, but the end result is above average in my opinion. I did end up leaving off some details, mostly because I'm sick of working on this thing!
And my bad parent/gunbroker.com pics (taken for size comparison and to show the light weight):
And the nostalgia pic from a 2009 troop (one year ago tomorrow):
I've decided I like BFGs. Who doesn't, right? But since a Hyperfirm is expensive and beyond my grasp, and the Cushman... I decided to make my own. I've seen many wooden MG34/DLT-19s, but I thought they'd be too heavy for trooping for long periods of time. Next best thing? Insulation foam! Got this 3/4" stuff at my local Home Depot. They also stock it in 2". Lowe's stocks 2" blue foam, FYI.
I downloaded the templates from here: MG-34 Blaster Rifle (print using Paint, and nothing else or the sizes will be all out of whack)
Using a Dremel with router attachment, I cut out the patterns. If you do this, wear a respirator, goggles and hearing protection. It sounds like someone pulling the ears off a gundark. Very loud:
Here you can see one of the pieces of the gun, the stock, and a bit of an axe I made for my daughter.
From left to right: the receiver (more or less), stock, grip. I laminated two receiver halves and two stock halves together:
A top-down view:
This shot was intended to show the installed PVC connectors for the barrel and the join between the receiver and the stock (for strength and shape), as well as the shaping. Then disaster struck. Someone thought it would be fun to swing the thing around. Not fun for me. :cry
Luckily, I was able to repair the fissure using a number of dowels and a really long drill bit. I then painted the entire foam structure with Gesso, to seal the foam from harsh chemicals such as fiberglass resin and paint, and then began fiberglassing for strength.
Now, jump into your DeLorean and fast forward a month or two (life gets in the way of propmaking, right?)
Finally finished the BFG!
I'm about 80% satisfied with this first attempt. Lots of things I could have done better/differently, but the end result is above average in my opinion. I did end up leaving off some details, mostly because I'm sick of working on this thing!
And my bad parent/gunbroker.com pics (taken for size comparison and to show the light weight):
And the nostalgia pic from a 2009 troop (one year ago tomorrow):
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