Zaxmon
Well-Known Member
Tarrful's Rifle
After being comissioned by a friend to build Tarfful last year, I wanted to build a wookiee weapon to match. As a Chewbacca costumer myself, I generally don't carry around my bowcaster, but I thought that a rifle for Tarfful would complete the image in a way that Chewie doesn't necessarily need.
This is the long rifle that is used in the Promotional Images.
This is the shorter version used in the "Where Science Meets Imagination" touring exhibit. I wanted to use this version because I had my own high res images that I took when I went to the exhibit in Alabama 2010.
The build is mainly wood and plastic, with a lot of bondo and sanding. Here is what I have so far.
A little wax turning to get the barrel tip
The butt made with wood, foam, and bondo.
I built the ball section, but later had to remove it to make more of the curve exposed. I made the rail thinner.
This is the trigger assembly. I fabricated it in plasitc, made a mold, then cast it in pewter to give it a bit of strength.
More small parts that I will create separate molds for.
The barrel is PVC pipe heated to widen the end, then I used MDF for the cap. The round end is foam covered with bondo. The button is a stainless steel doorbell switch.
MDF, styrene bits, bondo, and a solid plastic ball that I stole from my dog.
The start of the handle is PVC pipe with metal pipe fit snugg inside. I was going to use this as an attachment for the handle that will be cast in a separate mold.
I couldn't get a real clear image of the round rod shown here, but I turned this out to get the basic outlines that I could see in my photos. I know it isn't 100% accurate, but the profile is very close.
More bits on the underside.
The handle, which was formed by heating a PVP pipe. It could be better, but I wanted to move forward and save time.
Here is where some of the small cast parts will be placed.
Here you can see the metal post that the barrel will be mounted to.
Getting ready to mold.
OOMOO from Smooth-On. I think I'll use Mold Max 30 next time so I can thicken it better.
Very crappy fiberglass jacket.
The rifle cast turned out fairly well. Some of the undercuts tore the silicone, but nothing I can't work with.
Size comparison. My wife *really* didn't appreciate me taking a photo of her in her pajamas, but she managed to smile anyway
First pull. It warped a little because I pulled it out of the mold while it was still green. OOps.
I will be painting and putting on the final details (small cast parts and leather strapping) this weekend.
I hope you enjoyed what I have so far.
If you are interested, I have a Facebook page where I make frequent updates on all my projects, including this one:
Chewie-changa: The Art of Ryan Ricks
Cheers!
After being comissioned by a friend to build Tarfful last year, I wanted to build a wookiee weapon to match. As a Chewbacca costumer myself, I generally don't carry around my bowcaster, but I thought that a rifle for Tarfful would complete the image in a way that Chewie doesn't necessarily need.
This is the long rifle that is used in the Promotional Images.

This is the shorter version used in the "Where Science Meets Imagination" touring exhibit. I wanted to use this version because I had my own high res images that I took when I went to the exhibit in Alabama 2010.

The build is mainly wood and plastic, with a lot of bondo and sanding. Here is what I have so far.
A little wax turning to get the barrel tip

The butt made with wood, foam, and bondo.

I built the ball section, but later had to remove it to make more of the curve exposed. I made the rail thinner.

This is the trigger assembly. I fabricated it in plasitc, made a mold, then cast it in pewter to give it a bit of strength.

More small parts that I will create separate molds for.

The barrel is PVC pipe heated to widen the end, then I used MDF for the cap. The round end is foam covered with bondo. The button is a stainless steel doorbell switch.

MDF, styrene bits, bondo, and a solid plastic ball that I stole from my dog.

I couldn't get a real clear image of the round rod shown here, but I turned this out to get the basic outlines that I could see in my photos. I know it isn't 100% accurate, but the profile is very close.

More bits on the underside.

The handle, which was formed by heating a PVP pipe. It could be better, but I wanted to move forward and save time.



Here is where some of the small cast parts will be placed.

Here you can see the metal post that the barrel will be mounted to.

Getting ready to mold.

OOMOO from Smooth-On. I think I'll use Mold Max 30 next time so I can thicken it better.

Very crappy fiberglass jacket.

The rifle cast turned out fairly well. Some of the undercuts tore the silicone, but nothing I can't work with.

Size comparison. My wife *really* didn't appreciate me taking a photo of her in her pajamas, but she managed to smile anyway

First pull. It warped a little because I pulled it out of the mold while it was still green. OOps.

I will be painting and putting on the final details (small cast parts and leather strapping) this weekend.
I hope you enjoyed what I have so far.
If you are interested, I have a Facebook page where I make frequent updates on all my projects, including this one:
Chewie-changa: The Art of Ryan Ricks
Cheers!
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