Fallout 3 AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread - FINISHED
- Thread starter Jm419
- Start date
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Thanks, Rikarus. It means a lot!
Particle board is kinda iffy - it likes to splinter. The MDF, while a bit spendier, machines really nicely and it's also very solid, and it doesn't flex.
As for the stand - I was thinking an old fence post, actually, for the backing, so it looks all beat up and old.
Thanks, Rikarus. It means a lot!
Particle board is kinda iffy - it likes to splinter. The MDF, while a bit spendier, machines really nicely and it's also very solid, and it doesn't flex.
As for the stand - I was thinking an old fence post, actually, for the backing, so it looks all beat up and old.
kwalsh0000
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Proportions are looking good, now if only it falls into some silicone when done
Proportions are looking good, now if only it falls into some silicone when done
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Wes, are you sure that was particle board? The stuff in the Midwest is all pretty poor quality. How thick is it? 1/4"?
Well, I'll have to be careful around all of these barrels of uncured silicone in my basement. :lol
In all seriousness, if there's enough interest generated for me to recoup the costs of molding this thing, I'd be happy to do it - but I'll have to look at how much silicone's gonna be.
The other thing is that this thing is not perfectly smooth at the joints. My filling compound is kinda nasty to sand, and so while I just call it "weathered," collectors who expect a clean version might not be too happy. It's also not 100% accurate, because I've been changing minor things from the blueprints to be able to tell that it's my work in the future if someone ends up recasting me. For instance, though it will be impossible to see because of the way I did it, the barrel isn't perfectly square, so that'll be one of several "tells" I worked into it. Some people might not be happy with them, so I'm still undecided about casting it.
Wes, are you sure that was particle board? The stuff in the Midwest is all pretty poor quality. How thick is it? 1/4"?
Proportions are looking good, now if only it falls into some silicone when done
Well, I'll have to be careful around all of these barrels of uncured silicone in my basement. :lol
In all seriousness, if there's enough interest generated for me to recoup the costs of molding this thing, I'd be happy to do it - but I'll have to look at how much silicone's gonna be.
The other thing is that this thing is not perfectly smooth at the joints. My filling compound is kinda nasty to sand, and so while I just call it "weathered," collectors who expect a clean version might not be too happy. It's also not 100% accurate, because I've been changing minor things from the blueprints to be able to tell that it's my work in the future if someone ends up recasting me. For instance, though it will be impossible to see because of the way I did it, the barrel isn't perfectly square, so that'll be one of several "tells" I worked into it. Some people might not be happy with them, so I'm still undecided about casting it.
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Ok. I'm working with 1/2 MDF, which one has to be a little careful with because of the glue used to seal the MDF in the factory. It's supposedly a carcinogen, so I have to wear a mask whenever I do cutting. It's a great wood to work with, though - no grain, no knots, and it's great for simple machining like routing.
Ok. I'm working with 1/2 MDF, which one has to be a little careful with because of the glue used to seal the MDF in the factory. It's supposedly a carcinogen, so I have to wear a mask whenever I do cutting. It's a great wood to work with, though - no grain, no knots, and it's great for simple machining like routing.
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Yep, new piece of equipment makes the job much nicer to do.
It's nice when machining works out properly, isn't it?
Yep, new piece of equipment makes the job much nicer to do.
It's nice when machining works out properly, isn't it?
darknessfalls
New Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
pretty sick man!
pretty sick man!
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Thanks. I'm glad so many people are interested in this!
So all day yesterday, I was busy making this:
That's the front, or "big" barrel, from which the support rod (the last piece I have to make) will extend from. I routed all the corners of that, and I made some progress on the main rifle too:
I cut right through my scrawled notes on the dimensions of certain pieces cut long ago to make room for the barrel vent. I ended up cutting an angle into the end pieces of these, so they fit flush. As you can see, in addition, the barrel is now all accurately rounded as well.
We're getting close, folks.
Thanks. I'm glad so many people are interested in this!
So all day yesterday, I was busy making this:
That's the front, or "big" barrel, from which the support rod (the last piece I have to make) will extend from. I routed all the corners of that, and I made some progress on the main rifle too:
I cut right through my scrawled notes on the dimensions of certain pieces cut long ago to make room for the barrel vent. I ended up cutting an angle into the end pieces of these, so they fit flush. As you can see, in addition, the barrel is now all accurately rounded as well.
We're getting close, folks.
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
As you can see, I've attached the "beard" to the mouth of the barrel, and glued the assembly on to the rest of the rifle. The beard is roughcut right now - I'll trim it down once I have the dowel lathed to fit. Right now, the only major structure missing is the dowel, though I'll still have to do the microfusion cell. I have some lathing to do coming up here pretty quick, I think.
Powerade bottle for scale, of course.
As you can see, I've attached the "beard" to the mouth of the barrel, and glued the assembly on to the rest of the rifle. The beard is roughcut right now - I'll trim it down once I have the dowel lathed to fit. Right now, the only major structure missing is the dowel, though I'll still have to do the microfusion cell. I have some lathing to do coming up here pretty quick, I think.
Powerade bottle for scale, of course.
Wolf Rayet
New Member
darkchylde80
Well-Known Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
I'd take one of each, i'm not fussy Looking very good so far!
I'd take one of each, i'm not fussy
Looking very good so far!re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
lol. all the aer 14 is is a 9 with some wires exposed according to the wiki. and the wood i have is called PB (particle board) shelving but the stuff is so smooth that if feels like normal wood. it slides over the metal of the tablesaw like nothing i've seen and really makes little dust. I think it's about one step from the stuff you're using. and for the price i can't argue (3.00 a board before my mom's discount). my folks think i'm nuts to buy 3 shelves at a time lol. i stain/seal them from moisture and stack them up since i never know when i need wood or shelves. i think one 4' board would make the gun for the most part.
lol. all the aer 14 is is a 9 with some wires exposed according to the wiki. and the wood i have is called PB (particle board) shelving but the stuff is so smooth that if feels like normal wood. it slides over the metal of the tablesaw like nothing i've seen and really makes little dust. I think it's about one step from the stuff you're using. and for the price i can't argue (3.00 a board before my mom's discount). my folks think i'm nuts to buy 3 shelves at a time lol. i stain/seal them from moisture and stack them up since i never know when i need wood or shelves. i think one 4' board would make the gun for the most part.
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
Definitely not a problem.
Wes, that sounds like it's working out. Have you started your rifle yet? I'd start with the barrel...the stock's pretty difficult to work with.
I'd take one of each, i'm not fussy
Definitely not a problem.
Wes, that sounds like it's working out. Have you started your rifle yet? I'd start with the barrel...the stock's pretty difficult to work with.
Jm419
Sr Member
re: Fallout AER9 Laser Rifle Build Thread
It started life as a 7/8" dowel, and got a makeover on my lathe.
Here's another update for everyone.
So after filing down the receiver for the rear end of the dowel so it'd fit flush, I glued the support rod in place.
As you can see, this is really starting to look like an AER9. I've started the rear detailing on the barrel, and tomorrow I'll make the microfusion cell.
Enjoy!
It started life as a 7/8" dowel, and got a makeover on my lathe.
Here's another update for everyone.
So after filing down the receiver for the rear end of the dowel so it'd fit flush, I glued the support rod in place.
As you can see, this is really starting to look like an AER9. I've started the rear detailing on the barrel, and tomorrow I'll make the microfusion cell.
Enjoy!
