So this is a project that started about a year ago when I started designing the plans and buying parts but it never really gained much ground until recently.
The plans were initially done in AutoCAD where I a top look for the overall wand and then some elevations of the central box so I could print them out to use as drill patterns.
Work began in earnest this year when I started actual assembly. The first thing I did was cut out the side panels from 1/8" Styrene. This was a huge pain in the ass because I did it using an xacto knife and the stuff was way harder to cut than I was expecting. I eventually got the pieces cut, drilled and sanded so they're close enough.
The central box was a 4.5" x 3.5" x 2.2" project box and the entire build was built around that. I drilled the matching holes for the side panels into the box and then cut out the big hole on top for the main switch.
Then the holes were drilled out for the central pipe which is 3/4" PVC conduit.
The pipe has been cut down to size (still going to take another inch or so off for the final product), a hole was drilled for the light on top of the box, two conduit couplers have been cut down to size, and a hold drilled in one of them to add a switch.
Spent today getting the paint coat done on all the pieces that need it. Gonna try and get the first coat of clear on sometime this weekend while I'm waiting for my labels to get here. Then once I get those put on, I'll add another couple coats of clear.
I hoped to get the wand all assembled last night but ran into some issues when I accidentally cracked one of the small project boxes trying to rivet it to the side panel. This also led to the rivet being stuck in place which caused more problems.
It took a bit of work but using some nippers, I managed to get the rivet removed. All the damage to the side panel is going to be hidden since its connected towards the central box. Once I got the rivet removed, I managed to get the side box with two switches installed this morning using some spare parts. The two side panels were then rivetted into place onto the main box.
I feel comfortable saying this is like 90% done, maybe 95% if I'm generous, but I feel comfortable posting it regardless. I'm really happy with how its come together, and I cant wait to get it attached to the pack itself.
Stuff still left to do:
1) Still waiting on side knob and replacement front grip to arrive in the mail.
2) Need to install wire wrap around front grip.
3) Need to finish the tip of the clear tube. I have a 3D printed part that's going to take some work.
4) Looks a little plain still. Need to do some more weathering and apply labels.
5) Need to paint the light on the main box red.
6) Need to find and install a V-Hook solution. Options in Canada seem to be limited with even 3D printed options costing almost $50 in shipping alone.
And here's a size comparison with the Matty Thrower.
The plans were initially done in AutoCAD where I a top look for the overall wand and then some elevations of the central box so I could print them out to use as drill patterns.
Work began in earnest this year when I started actual assembly. The first thing I did was cut out the side panels from 1/8" Styrene. This was a huge pain in the ass because I did it using an xacto knife and the stuff was way harder to cut than I was expecting. I eventually got the pieces cut, drilled and sanded so they're close enough.
The central box was a 4.5" x 3.5" x 2.2" project box and the entire build was built around that. I drilled the matching holes for the side panels into the box and then cut out the big hole on top for the main switch.
Then the holes were drilled out for the central pipe which is 3/4" PVC conduit.
The pipe has been cut down to size (still going to take another inch or so off for the final product), a hole was drilled for the light on top of the box, two conduit couplers have been cut down to size, and a hold drilled in one of them to add a switch.
Spent today getting the paint coat done on all the pieces that need it. Gonna try and get the first coat of clear on sometime this weekend while I'm waiting for my labels to get here. Then once I get those put on, I'll add another couple coats of clear.
I hoped to get the wand all assembled last night but ran into some issues when I accidentally cracked one of the small project boxes trying to rivet it to the side panel. This also led to the rivet being stuck in place which caused more problems.
It took a bit of work but using some nippers, I managed to get the rivet removed. All the damage to the side panel is going to be hidden since its connected towards the central box. Once I got the rivet removed, I managed to get the side box with two switches installed this morning using some spare parts. The two side panels were then rivetted into place onto the main box.
I feel comfortable saying this is like 90% done, maybe 95% if I'm generous, but I feel comfortable posting it regardless. I'm really happy with how its come together, and I cant wait to get it attached to the pack itself.
Stuff still left to do:
1) Still waiting on side knob and replacement front grip to arrive in the mail.
2) Need to install wire wrap around front grip.
3) Need to finish the tip of the clear tube. I have a 3D printed part that's going to take some work.
4) Looks a little plain still. Need to do some more weathering and apply labels.
5) Need to paint the light on the main box red.
6) Need to find and install a V-Hook solution. Options in Canada seem to be limited with even 3D printed options costing almost $50 in shipping alone.
And here's a size comparison with the Matty Thrower.
