Star Wars - Tarfful's Rifle

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.
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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.
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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
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The butt made with wood, foam, and bondo.
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I built the ball section, but later had to remove it to make more of the curve exposed. I made the rail thinner.
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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.
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More small parts that I will create separate molds for.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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More bits on the underside.
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The handle, which was formed by heating a PVP pipe. It could be better, but I wanted to move forward and save time.
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Here is where some of the small cast parts will be placed.
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Here you can see the metal post that the barrel will be mounted to.
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Getting ready to mold.
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OOMOO from Smooth-On. I think I'll use Mold Max 30 next time so I can thicken it better.
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Very crappy fiberglass jacket.
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The rifle cast turned out fairly well. Some of the undercuts tore the silicone, but nothing I can't work with.
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Size comparison. My wife *really* didn't appreciate me taking a photo of her in her pajamas, but she managed to smile anyway :)
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First pull. It warped a little because I pulled it out of the mold while it was still green. OOps. :)
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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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I'm not a Tarfful (or Wookie weaponry) expert but the quality and level of detail on this build is just amazing!!

Thanks for sharing!
 
Thank you! I am looking forward to showing the final painted rifle soon. My order of paints will not be in until Tuesday :(

But I am optimistic it will look better than what I have shown so far :)
 
That's quite impressive. And I really appreciate the build photo's. Always good to see how someone approaches a build.

Ted.
 
Here are some quick iPhone photos of the paint job:
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If there is any interest, I am putting together some kit versions. I will post in the junkyard soon.
 
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