Han Solo DL-44 blaster: ESB Bespin, Hoth , ANH Hero & Greedo Killer
- Thread starter Country Paul
- Start date
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster (my first attempt at a metal blaster build)
I was looking at the Luke flash hider pics for weathering reference and it looks like its just rotated on the barrel. One side with more of a black face is present on a different photo shoot but its on the other side. So my theory is that the reason it looks different is that it has just twisted.
Hmmm
I was looking at the Luke flash hider pics for weathering reference and it looks like its just rotated on the barrel. One side with more of a black face is present on a different photo shoot but its on the other side. So my theory is that the reason it looks different is that it has just twisted.
Hmmm
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster (my first attempt at a metal blaster build)
Couldn't resist & picked up a part finished Denix based ESB Hoth Blaster from Gatekeeper in the junkyard,
Also got one of TK-4702's Resin M19 scopes along with it
I know technically I didn't need another ESB blaster ....
Couldn't resist & picked up a part finished Denix based ESB Hoth Blaster from Gatekeeper in the junkyard,
Also got one of TK-4702's Resin M19 scopes along with it
I know technically I didn't need another ESB blaster ....
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Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster (my first attempt at a metal blaster build)
Wasn't too much to do to finish it off really,
Weathered the flash hider, more than is accurate but I liked it so kept it (can always take it off)
100% accuracy is never my goal just hopefully a nice representation
I drilled the scope for the screws & gave it a single coat of black, once dried I painted in the lettering with a toothpick,
to weather it I just rubbed with a tea towel & scratched with my fingernail, wanted to keep it fairly subtle (like my original) with the brass just showing through, I added a plastic disc to the rear of the scope for a glass look.
Think it looks pretty good next to my original, There is a seam on the front that I could have done better with, but not starting over now :lol
Oiled the Denix & wooden grips
all ready to go together
Wasn't too much to do to finish it off really,
Weathered the flash hider, more than is accurate but I liked it so kept it (can always take it off)
100% accuracy is never my goal just hopefully a nice representation
I drilled the scope for the screws & gave it a single coat of black, once dried I painted in the lettering with a toothpick,
to weather it I just rubbed with a tea towel & scratched with my fingernail, wanted to keep it fairly subtle (like my original) with the brass just showing through, I added a plastic disc to the rear of the scope for a glass look.
Think it looks pretty good next to my original, There is a seam on the front that I could have done better with, but not starting over now :lol
Oiled the Denix & wooden grips
all ready to go together
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Last edited:
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster (my first attempt at a metal blaster build)
Off work this morning & my daughter was at Nursery so put it all together,
Pretty pleased not 100% accurate but it will definitely do for my Hoth Blaster
Off work this morning & my daughter was at Nursery so put it all together,
Pretty pleased not 100% accurate but it will definitely do for my Hoth Blaster
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Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster (my first attempt at a metal blaster build)
Finally alongside my Metal Bespin & Resin Luke,
The Barrel length on the Hoth was already determined by the fact it had been cut down but I'm happy with it
not sure if I should shorten the Bespin a touch??
Finally alongside my Metal Bespin & Resin Luke
,The Barrel length on the Hoth was already determined by the fact it had been cut down but I'm happy with it
not sure if I should shorten the Bespin a touch??
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Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Ok so the slightly too long looking barrel on my Bespin Blaster was driving me a bit mad so I thought I'd have a go at shortening it took about a cm off it,
I also re-weathered the Flash Hider & may have overdone it a bit in terms of accuracy but I can always take more off, I think I prefer it, feels a bit meaner looking :lol
probably doesn't look any different right
Ok so the slightly too long looking barrel on my Bespin Blaster was driving me a bit mad so I thought I'd have a go at shortening it took about a cm off it,
I also re-weathered the Flash Hider & may have overdone it a bit in terms of accuracy but I can always take more off, I think I prefer it, feels a bit meaner looking :lol
probably doesn't look any different right
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Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Got another Denix Mauser in the post today hopefully ready for DEC's simplified ANH parts kit run
finally found somewhere to buy them here in the UK,
a bit pricey (certainly compared to what you can get these for in the States) but I've found that by the time you factor in international shipping fees etc. they probably come out quite close.
I really wanted to get a few when Boba Debt did his group buy, but to be honest I didn't want the stress of waiting to see if they'd get past customs here
ideally I'd love to get a few more set aside for future builds, I just ordered 1 to check out it was ok
(got some .38 shells to go in my Blade Runner Blaster at the same time)
came in lovely VCRA friendly colours :lol
Got another Denix Mauser in the post today hopefully ready for DEC's simplified ANH parts kit run
finally found somewhere to buy them here in the UK,
a bit pricey (certainly compared to what you can get these for in the States) but I've found that by the time you factor in international shipping fees etc. they probably come out quite close.
I really wanted to get a few when Boba Debt did his group buy, but to be honest I didn't want the stress of waiting to see if they'd get past customs here
ideally I'd love to get a few more set aside for future builds, I just ordered 1 to check out it was ok
(got some .38 shells to go in my Blade Runner Blaster at the same time)
came in lovely VCRA friendly colours :lol
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IbanezSaber
New Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Very nice work!!! Have you considered metal pistons? They pop up on the bay, and Evolution sells them too.
Very nice work!!! Have you considered metal pistons? They pop up on the bay, and Evolution sells them too.
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Thanks for the comments
Markus - I think I'm a long long way from catching up with you, your collection is awesome
Do think I've got about 10 DL-44 variations now
I keep tinkering with them, just changed over the scope on the Luke ESB as it was a little undersized
Would like to build one of the Rebel Hoth Blasters
& really want to build a metal Greedo Killer at some point
& a metal Merr Sonn & ........ :lol
I remember looking at the evolution props pistons but something seemed a little off with them for the ESB
got metal pistons on my ROTJ though
Thanks for the comments
Markus - I think I'm a long long way from catching up with you, your collection is awesome
Do think I've got about 10 DL-44 variations now
I keep tinkering with them, just changed over the scope on the Luke ESB as it was a little undersized
Would like to build one of the Rebel Hoth Blasters
& really want to build a metal Greedo Killer at some point
& a metal Merr Sonn & ........ :lol
I remember looking at the evolution props pistons but something seemed a little off with them for the ESB
got metal pistons on my ROTJ though
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Thought I'd try & keep track of my DEC ANH cast parts kit build (& as this seems to be my metal blaster thread I thought I'd carry on here )
I didn't think I'd ever get my hands on an accurate set of ANH parts so this kit was very welcome
I was blown away when they came, fantastic kit from a great run, just desperately want to do them justice
took the yellow stickers off my Denix & sanded off the logo
interesting to compare the parts to my current ANH blaster, I bought it here built so don't know where the parts are from (I know the scope is an MR EE) much bigger Flash hider on the new one
Thought I'd try & keep track of my DEC ANH cast parts kit build (& as this seems to be my metal blaster thread I thought I'd carry on here )
I didn't think I'd ever get my hands on an accurate set of ANH parts so this kit was very welcome
I was blown away when they came, fantastic kit from a great run, just desperately want to do them justice
took the yellow stickers off my Denix & sanded off the logo
interesting to compare the parts to my current ANH blaster, I bought it here built so don't know where the parts are from (I know the scope is an MR EE) much bigger Flash hider on the new one
Attachments
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
First off I decided to drill the holes for my scope mount & cut & file the barrel to fit the bull barrel
don't trust myself with power tools so all done slowly by hand,
I'm never sure if I'm going to be able to get another Denix so I'm always a bit nervous
all seemed to go together ok for a test fit
realised i couldn't use a nut on the back of the rear scope mount so I had to try & tap it by drilling then turning a bolt to add the thread (not sure that's the correct method)
put a notch under the barrel to seat the thumbscrew for the FH
First off I decided to drill the holes for my scope mount & cut & file the barrel to fit the bull barrel
don't trust myself with power tools so all done slowly by hand,
I'm never sure if I'm going to be able to get another Denix so I'm always a bit nervous
all seemed to go together ok for a test fit
realised i couldn't use a nut on the back of the rear scope mount so I had to try & tap it by drilling then turning a bolt to add the thread (not sure that's the correct method)
put a notch under the barrel to seat the thumbscrew for the FH
Attachments
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Once I knew it would all go together there was lots & lots of sanding
I used 180, 400, 800, 1000 & 2000 grit wet & dry paper ready for bluing
using Birchwood Casey super blue on the cast parts & Aluminium black on the aluminium machined parts, finally some satin black spray paint for the cross bar, grill, T-track & push rods, brass scope rings & windage knob.
didn't have any brass paint so just used gold as an undercoat on the windage knob before I painted it black
spent hours in the garage bluing & re-bluing the parts, in the end I probably got the FH too dark, the scope not dark enough & the Denix wouldn't take the Alu Black at all
got some good advice from the sales thread & realise the Denix was too shiny so I re-sanded to rough up the surface a bit
this time it went in a sandwich bag with some Alu black & darkened up nicely
I used a little silver sticker to mask off the mystery disk
Ive decided to sand down the ejector bolt & leave it silver where it shows
Once I knew it would all go together there was lots & lots of sanding
I used 180, 400, 800, 1000 & 2000 grit wet & dry paper ready for bluing
using Birchwood Casey super blue on the cast parts & Aluminium black on the aluminium machined parts, finally some satin black spray paint for the cross bar, grill, T-track & push rods, brass scope rings & windage knob.
didn't have any brass paint so just used gold as an undercoat on the windage knob before I painted it black
spent hours in the garage bluing & re-bluing the parts, in the end I probably got the FH too dark, the scope not dark enough & the Denix wouldn't take the Alu Black at all
got some good advice from the sales thread & realise the Denix was too shiny so I re-sanded to rough up the surface a bit
this time it went in a sandwich bag with some Alu black & darkened up nicely
I used a little silver sticker to mask off the mystery disk
Ive decided to sand down the ejector bolt & leave it silver where it shows
Attachments
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
Started to do my first bits of weathering tonight,
trying my best not to go to overboard with it & just try & give some light wear & tear
not trying to match the original exactly
my Alu flash hider arrived today, will have a go at bluing & weathering & then use whichever I'm happier with
might have already overdone the Denix more than I meant too
i struggled a bit with doing the Alu black on the machined parts, maybe I overdid the bluing as I got a lot of build up, maybe the parts were too smooth or something
also my Super Blue on the cast parts might be a bit browner than black, but it think it might be ok
still lots to do
Started to do my first bits of weathering tonight,
trying my best not to go to overboard with it & just try & give some light wear & tear
not trying to match the original exactly
my Alu flash hider arrived today, will have a go at bluing & weathering & then use whichever I'm happier with
might have already overdone the Denix more than I meant too
i struggled a bit with doing the Alu black on the machined parts, maybe I overdid the bluing as I got a lot of build up, maybe the parts were too smooth or something
also my Super Blue on the cast parts might be a bit browner than black, but it think it might be ok
still lots to do
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Mara Jade's Father
Master Member
Re: Han Solo ESB DL44 Blaster Bespin, Hoth & Luke (my first metal blaster build)
If I am understanding you correctly... Here is what I know about using Aluminum Black (AB). AB works best if you rough up the surface a bit. Nothing major, steel wool or a 1000 grit wet sandpaper, it just needs to break up that polished surface. Otherwise the AB will just roll off or it will build up like a layer that will flake off.
If I am understanding you correctly... Here is what I know about using Aluminum Black (AB). AB works best if you rough up the surface a bit. Nothing major, steel wool or a 1000 grit wet sandpaper, it just needs to break up that polished surface. Otherwise the AB will just roll off or it will build up like a layer that will flake off.
hansolo2504
Well-Known Member
Re: Han Solo DL-44 blaster builds ESB Bespin, Hoth & ANH
God these blaster builds get me so jealous! I love all the han blasters and seriously want to build some metal ones, problem is finding parts here and being able to afford them! Great work! for the moment I just keep on with doopydoos
God these blaster builds get me so jealous! I love all the han blasters and seriously want to build some metal ones, problem is finding parts here and being able to afford them! Great work! for the moment I just keep on with doopydoos
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo DL-44 blaster builds ESB Bespin, Hoth & ANH
I love Doopydoos blasters, I think they're great value for the money
I think I've had a go at building all of their kits
Plus what's really cool is if you email or ring them they'll send mixed kits for custom blasters
I mixed the ANH, ESB & ROTJ kits to try & build a ESB stunt, Merr Sonn & ROTJ bunker blaster
I'm sure I'll be doing some more, fancy building another E-11
I do really like Metal blaster builds & enjoy doing them but I always find it really stressful given the price & scarcity of the parts here in the UK (so I don't want to screw it up)
in 2 years I've managed to get hold of 6 Denix Mausers/blasters through a mix of EBay, the junkyard here, & online
Ive got lucky with a couple but we seem to pay a lot more for them here & then there is factoring in the price of shipping parts to the UK
I love Doopydoos blasters, I think they're great value for the money
I think I've had a go at building all of their kits
Plus what's really cool is if you email or ring them they'll send mixed kits for custom blasters
I mixed the ANH, ESB & ROTJ kits to try & build a ESB stunt, Merr Sonn & ROTJ bunker blaster
I'm sure I'll be doing some more, fancy building another E-11
I do really like Metal blaster builds & enjoy doing them but I always find it really stressful given the price & scarcity of the parts here in the UK (so I don't want to screw it up)
in 2 years I've managed to get hold of 6 Denix Mausers/blasters through a mix of EBay, the junkyard here, & online
Ive got lucky with a couple but we seem to pay a lot more for them here & then there is factoring in the price of shipping parts to the UK
Attachments
Last edited:
Country Paul
Sr Member
Re: Han Solo DL-44 blaster builds ESB Bespin, Hoth & ANH
Made a little bit of progress with the ANH kit
Put the scope together tonight, I'd had a go at weathering the brass rings & windage knob (might have overdone it a touch)
just used a few drops of epoxy to hopefully hold the glass & rings, hopefully it holds ok
test fitted the bull barrel & flash hider on the upper, not sure if I want to weather the FH a little more, also got the new aluminium one to blue & weather not sure which I'll use but I like the weight of the cast one
still not 100% on the finish of the Alu black on the bull barrel but I may live with it for now, can always either rub down & re-blue later or just paint, planning on not gluing, just holding on with the thumb screw which seems nice & tight
will need to glue the grill on but not planning on weathering it (as the original was black plastic I think) I've got some Tomtit cylinders & thought about trying to make one & maybe use the plastic pushrods too
hopefully getting close to finishing now
Made a little bit of progress with the ANH kit
Put the scope together tonight, I'd had a go at weathering the brass rings & windage knob (might have overdone it a touch)
just used a few drops of epoxy to hopefully hold the glass & rings, hopefully it holds ok
test fitted the bull barrel & flash hider on the upper, not sure if I want to weather the FH a little more, also got the new aluminium one to blue & weather not sure which I'll use but I like the weight of the cast one
still not 100% on the finish of the Alu black on the bull barrel but I may live with it for now, can always either rub down & re-blue later or just paint, planning on not gluing, just holding on with the thumb screw which seems nice & tight
will need to glue the grill on but not planning on weathering it (as the original was black plastic I think) I've got some Tomtit cylinders & thought about trying to make one & maybe use the plastic pushrods too
hopefully getting close to finishing now
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