My DL-44 Builds. Two(!!) MGC's and a Field Marshall Now! GK, Hoth, ANH Hero, OH MY!!!

[NathanM]

The latest edition to the family.
The finish is nice on this one and I think as a GK, I’m going to leave it as found.

 

[NathanM]

And sawing through it proved interesting:

The pot metal is easy but that flat steel rod was an issue until the bottom unsawn part of the barrel snapped off.

pot metal lip and then the flat rod just slid out. So that was easy lol.

Gonna clean up the edge and then I think it’ll be drilling the lower time.

 

[thd9791]

The latest edition to the family.
The finish is nice on this one and I think as a GK, I’m going to leave it as found.

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nice serial number

 

[NathanM]

Here it is:

Needs weathering and the wood grips I got don’t fit so I need to adjust them. The painted resin grips are a decent substitute for now. I’m glad I used the newer MGC for the build to. It’s patina is real nice. Nice to finally have my first put together DL-44.

 

[The 48th Ronin]

Dude... paint that hardware!

 

[thd9791]

Looks fantastic! Scope was a good choice. Did you tap into the rear mechanism or only use the wall of the lower frame and some glue for the rear mount?

Also thats a beautiful flash hider

 

[NathanM]

It's coming, it's coming. Today was two steps forward, 3 steps back on this build lol. Just happy it's finally together.

 

[NathanM]

Looks fantastic! Scope was a good choice. Did you tap into the rear mechanism or only use the wall of the lower frame and some glue for the rear mount?

Also thats a beautiful flash hider

I ended up fracking the drilling big time and drilled both but it worked out and is solidly screwed in on both. I didn't even actually drill into the mechanism. I oiled everything, slid the upper in and then screwed it in. It doesn't interfere with the action at all.

I think for the Hoth, I'm going to commission the drilling of it. I just don't have the equipmen to get it done right and those three holes scare the snot out of me.

 

[thd9791]

I ended up fracking the drilling big time and drilled both but it worked out and is solidly screwed in on both. I didn't even actually drill into the mechanism. I oiled everything, slid the upper in and then screwed it in. It doesn't interfere with the action at all.

I think for the Hoth, I'm going to commission the drilling of it. I just don't have the equipmen to get it done right and those three holes scare the snot out of me.

Yea, and I didn't even realize, the 2 screws from the other side are at angles because of the trapezoidal magazine well! Your GK turned out wonderful, great work. IS the original painted, I didn't even think of that

 

[NathanM]

I don't think it is painted. At least to my eye.

 

[NathanM]

Updated pics already:

Mistakes were made and lessons were learned. I opted to adjust the rail and just epoxied it on. It was too low after my drilling.

I also weathered the bits and did some touch up on the resin grips. I need to whittle and stain my wood grips but the resin ones work well for now.

Overall quite the adventure. The Hoth one is next for the other MGC and I may take a break before tackling the FM ANH hero.

 

[NathanM]

My Hoth build mocked up and drilled:

The scope mount was drilled. I threaded it so the bolts are tightened in. Big hint advice. Don’t use a carbide tip on these MGC’s. That’s all, lol.

I need to sand the flash hider to get rid of machining marks. Need to weather the bits from FM.

I ended up buying a full unused Visible V8 kit so greeblies will be legit.

This build was easy and came together faster.

Anyone have nut size for the greeblie side. Are they brass? Also, what size screw for the parts? Are they Phillips head? Thanks!

 

[thd9791]

Nuts I think are zinc coated (yellow-ish plating) and brass would work as well. They are tiny, maybe 4-5 mm across (from memory)

Screws in the pistons are phillips pan heads with the faint "x" bisecting the socket. No screws anywhere else on the greeblie side. It looks like they may have cast one of the chopped motor coil pieces with a phillips screw plugging the hole, though I'm not so sure. They are both glued on like the motor coil plate. Also I hope you got an old kit! The kits from the 90s onwards don't have the motor coil plate in them

Remember with the flash hider, all black, all silver, and then dust black over it. Get a fresh sharpie too!

You are on a freaking roll with these blasters! they look really great

 

[NathanM]

Got the 70’s V8 so I’m good there. Thanks for the info on hardware. Fresh Sharpie Fine Point is ready to go.

 

[CactusKnight]

This looks quite awesome, I've always liked the look of these blasters.

 

[NathanM]

Weathering started.

A bit more speckling on the flash hider but I actually like it.
I’m going to work on the dried glue gunk for the disc.

As it stands these are the parts on this build:
Real MGC base
FM scope bracket kit
FM M19 nuts
Real M19
FM flash hider

Real Visible V8 parts arrive tomorrow. Ready to paint and glue those bits.

Almost done!

 

[NathanM]

The GK is complete.

I added the real walnut grips from Todd’s Costumes.

They needed to be reworked heavily and I sanded and stained them with Birchwood Casey Red Walnut stain. Then oiled them with 4 coats and steel wool rubs inbetween coats. A final wax with Renaissance wax sealed them up nicely.

I think they are the better option when compared to the painted resin ones.

I love building DL-44’s. They are so satisfying and while Graflex sabers brought me here, DL-44’s were a great next step.

 

[NathanM]

The last pieces are here.

Now, am I right to believe that the motor coil piece needs to be cast so I have a second one to cut down into the bits for the middle section of the Hoth build?
And also, does it matter make or female for the two coil bits?

 

[NathanM]

Second DL-44 done.

Han Hoth:

I now have more Visible V8 parts than I know what to do with. I of course found a set in my hunting in antique malls last week after purchasing a set two weeks back, lol. So that’s great for options.

Even though the Sharpied lines look derpy as all hell, this blaster is growing on me.