Help with E-11 ANH Stormtrooper Blaster

[jimmylee7706]

Hello everyone, I've been busting my butt all day to try to find thick aluminum or sheet metal to use for the E-11 in the tutorial found at IMPERIAL FLEET. I've got the PVC pipe already cut and drilled but I've been to ACE Hardware, Lowes, and Home Depot looking for metal to finish my blaster. I have only found very then aluminum used for roof flashing. Any clue where I can find this stuff at?

 

[Hobo Wan Kenobi]

Hello everyone, I've been busting my butt all day to try to find thick aluminum or sheet metal to use for the E-11 in the tutorial found at IMPERIAL FLEET. I've got the PVC pipe already cut and drilled but I've been to ACE Hardware, Lowes, and Home Depot looking for metal to finish my blaster. I have only found very then aluminum used for roof flashing. Any clue where I can find this stuff at?

The Home Depots around here have stock galvanized sheet metal down the fastening aisle. You could also look at some hobby shops that handle model trains to.

 

[Spartan375]

Shops with kitchen stuff work as well.
Most of them will have cheap things made from simple aluminum about 1mm thick.

You can try stores that make signs as well, or you can look for signs like "Beware of the Dog" made from sheet aluminum.

Or you can try a store that sells metal. They will probably have pipes and sheets.


I don't know the stores you have available, but if anything other fails, or you don't want to spent the money, dumpster diving is the best way. :cool

 

[cheech9898]

If you don't want to order it online from McMaster-Carr, Metals Depot, or Online metals & you can't find it in the general metal sheet/extrusion hardware section of Lowes, Home Depot, etc..... Look in the door hardware area for aluminum door kick plates. Might be a little thick thou for what your wanting. Failing that as an option, if you have a race car fab/speed shop in the area, check there since 18-20 gauge aluminum is used for race car interior panels.

 

[jimmylee7706]

Thanks for all the responses guys, looks like it is cheaper to order the toy Hasbro blaster and conversion kit than it will be to order the sheet metal and have shipped.

 

[exoray]

The local ACE, Home Depot, Mendards, and Lowes around me all have misc metal bins with all sorts of metal stock, sheet, bar, round, threaded, angle... It's generally a small kiosk like display in the hardware isle... It's not a huge selection but they all have some thicker sheet metal...

 

[Spartan375]

Thanks for all the responses guys, looks like it is cheaper to order the toy Hasbro blaster and conversion kit than it will be to order the sheet metal and have shipped.

:unsure
Again, you have to order the "conversion" kit and will cost for sure more that the sheet metal. You checked all your local stores already and they don't have metal sheets?

Basically, its always more cheaper to build yours.
You can find sheet metal around. Some you know will have something to throw away, or someone you don't will throw it anyway. That can be anything from an old sign or an old cooking instrument.

Just wait until you find the stuff you need. Its better that buying the Hasbro Blaster. The only reason you would want a Hasbro Blaster is either because you don;t want to build your own or buy one, or you have legal issues in your country.

But, anyway.
Your call.

 

[g05ty]

For my E11 i used alloy from a downed road sign.... free and its a bout 2 or 3 mm thick (it made a great folding stock.

 

[OdiWan72]

Thanks for all the responses guys, looks like it is cheaper to order the toy Hasbro blaster and conversion kit than it will be to order the sheet metal and have shipped.

Dude...where do you live :confused?...Greenland!?!?!

To me it´d be a no-brainer to decide between a hasbro conversion or a scratchbuild. You can do soooo much more if you´re doing the blaster all by yourself. Go think about it

Markus

 

[Timmythekid]

Get creative! There's tons of stuff around that will work for this project. I've used in mine a mailbox I found at the Habitat for Humanity Restore for $3 (nice big flat chunks of metal, not to heavy to use snips on), and a giant piece of bar I picked up at the local hardware store for $5 which is now the scope rail. I also raided a couple of appliances at the local dump for chunks of steel. There's all kinds of stuff around if you start looking at it as possible donors (although your spouse maaaaay get a little nervous when you start eyeing the stove )
Anyways, it'll be cheaper and WAY more accurate than the doopy's kit and a hasbro. The skins are nice if you've got nothing else to work with, but it's still going to be small and innaccurate at the end of the day.

 

[Amish Trooper]

Go to goodwill see if they have old microwaves made with metal.

 

[robn1]

You should be able to find what you need at Lowe's
http://www.lowes.com/pl_Steelworks_4294934474+4294859893_39_s?Ns=p_product_price|0&Va=true&Ntt=aluminum
Sizes can vary, especially on thickness. Measure the stock before you buy, if size is critical.

Hobby shops also have aluminum and other metals, but they can be pricey. 6 feet of aluminum bar at Lowe's may be the same price as 6 inches at a Hobby shop! But it's a matter of what you need and where you can find it.

I've ordered from this Ebay store, it's not the best on price but not the worst either
Online Metal Resource items - Get great deals on 12 Length, 12 x 12 items on eBay Stores!