Showoff: Mal Pistol - Walnut Grips, Brass Plated & Accurate Thumbscrews

[Zombie_61]

Shiny! Absolutely beautiful! I have to agree, however, that a slightly darker stain on the grips would look better. I sure wish I could afford more than just a cheap resin replica... :unsure

 

[PlanetLII]

ooops trying to multiple quote

 

[PlanetLII]

Many, many thanks for all your kind words.
I am happy that I have received no outright negative comments as this is my first build and first show off.

I appreciate all your kind words.

I will try to take some better pics to show the finish on the gun and how the brass is clearly visible on the high points of the gun.

If anyone need the details of the plater that did this for me, drop me a pm.

BUT since your gun is so dark, i think the grips look a little too light color.
did you stain them? prehaps a bit darker?

hey are a little darker than the pics show but I agree still a little too light maybe. They have a satin varnish to seal in the oiling I gave them and this gives them a shine and when trying to photograph them and they appear lighter than they actually are.

I work in the timber trade (selling it) and something in me screamed out against using a Walnut stain to stain Walnut :confused

I thought that I would let the grips naturally darken instead so they would have a more natural look in the end.

Please tell me that beautiful replica doesn't have seams where the body comes together.

Unfortunately the seams are there. I contacted you for some advice and you told me that it was a very trcky and dangerous operation that I opted against in case I damaged the gun.

Fan gorramn tastic!

Who did the plating and chemical aging?

PM me if you want the plater's details.

 

[Kadajiroth]

That thing looks absolutely incredible, I have never seen a better metal Mal pistol. Gorram brilliant job, bud. thumbsup

Now I've seen yours; it seals it for me. I'm going to get mine brass plated and chemically aged. :love

 

[blufive]

Unfortunately the seams are there. I contacted you for some advice and you told me that it was a very trcky and dangerous operation that I opted against in case I damaged the gun.

Amen to that. I ruined my Mal pistol by trying to get rid of those frickin' seams. Sid didn't have any more body halves available without my buying an entire new kit so I opted to pretend it's just "battle damage".

:confused

Anyways, great build up! :thumbsup

 

[GraflexLuthor]

Simply Fantastic - Im in love with it - I really love the design of Mal's gun and I really love whats been done here - Superb !

 

[robstyle]

what seams are people talking about?

 

[Mechamaniac]

There are seams at the top and bottom of the receiver right behind the barrel.

 

[robstyle]

errr, those seams are on the real deal as well. QMX flubbed their "stunt" version (among other inaccuracies) by removing those seams if thats what people are basing the info on.

 

[PlanetLII]

errr, those seams are on the real deal as well. QMX flubbed their "stunt" version (among other inaccuracies) by removing those seams if thats what people are basing the info on.

Well I am glad I didn't have the balls to do it then :lol

 

[IronFist]

That is a definite "wow". I think I like that the best out of all the customs I've seen so far.

Where does one get chunks of walnut with which to try sculpting his own wood grips?

 

[cayman shen]

Oh. My. God.

 

[PlanetLII]

Where does one get chunks of walnut with which to try sculpting his own wood grips?

Most raw timber merchant or sawmills should have some.

A few tips for anyone thinking of doing some:
American Black Walnut is a very problematic timber, It has a high percentage of Sapwood and Knots. Sapwood is areas in the timber that are far lighter than the heartwood and the Knots really can't be used as they tend to be either big or may get bigger as you get further into the wood and you could be left with a hole.

The timber isn't overly expensive but it is nearly three times more expensive than Poplar over here in England.

Be sure to look at the piece you want, ask if it is possible for you to select because the Sapwood and Knot percentages are so high, timber suppliers insist that they are characteristics and not defects.

Hope this helps

 

[Rebelscum]

For small pieces of many types of wood, including black walnut, you can check your local woodcraft or rockler woodworking stores. both have .com sites you can use to locate a store in your area. Both sell boards, and turning blanks for wood turning and generally would be very nice pieces of wood. You could get many grips from a single turning blank.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

beautiful piece there!

 

[superjedi]

Did the platers do the chemical aging as well? Or is that something you did yourself?
I keep coming back to look at this thing. . . it's gorgeous.

 

[PlanetLII]

Did the platers do the chemical aging as well? Or is that something you did yourself?

The plater did the chemical ageing.

The process I believe is that it was plated in Nickel, then Brass and then chemically aged. He then rubbed a scouring sponge over the high points to remove the ageing and reveal the brass underneath without scratching it too much. Then it is all sealed with lacquer to prevent the Brass from any further tarnishing.

 

[Boba Debt]

Are the platers slow to respond?

I emailed them 2 days ago and no reply yet?

It doesn't really matter to me if the real prop had the seams, I want mine to look like an authentic side arm and I don't know of any gun that has a seam done the center of the receiver.

A seam make any gun replica look fake.

 

[Mechamaniac]

The result is fantastic, but that sounds like tons o' plating. Can we ask a ball park figure as to the price you paid?

 

[PlanetLII]

The result is fantastic, but that sounds like tons o' plating. Can we ask a ball park figure as to the price you paid?

I paid £50 to do everything.