Stormtrooper blaster

[Risu]

A couple months ago I was surfing the forum and read through a thread where a member scratch built a trooper blaster from a PVC pipe and some styrene (I think). He included a link to a printable template for the holes to be drilled in the pipe. I did a search for that thread and saw some interesting threads, but not the one I was looking for. Does anybody remember that particular one and can provide a link to it? Thanks.

 

[jackdoud]

You want the PVC Blaster Builders Club: http://www.imperial-fleet.com/BBC/

 

[Mr_Creepy]

I can't provide a link to the thread, but you can find the templates at the Blaster Builders Club - http://www.imperial-fleet.com/BBC/community/viewforum.php?f=4

 

[Risu]

Thanks for the replies, that tutorial is the same one from the thread. Where would you recommend I get the sheet metal and descriptively titled "thick aluminum"?

 

[TKDUEUNO]

I scratchbuilt mine, I don't think it's the one you're referring to, but here's the topic anyway:

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=44945

 

[Risu]

I saw your thread, very impressive! I just want to make it look good enough. I have a Han blaster and a Luke saber, I just wanted something to fill the middle of the shelf between the two. A simple hardware build is good enough for me.

I have a sheet metal supplier I've been using for a few months, but they don't have aluminum. Can that stuff be purchased at a Lowe's, Home Depot, etc?

EDIT: Oh, and which size tube is more accurate for ESB, 1.5 inch, or 1.25 inch?

 

[B-Movie Zombie]

If it was a time-lapse video of the blaster been made, Then you are thinking http://www.therpf.com/member.php?u=491 "Wuher da brewer" Post.

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=40615

and the video is still up, too.

Hope that helps.

 

[Risu]

No, that was a cool video though. The tutorial on the BBC is definitely the one I saw.

One other question, how do I make the textured grips? I didn't see anything about that in any of the tutorials. I have a toy blaster I got in the 90s, it was actually a batman toy, but it was the same mold as the trooper blaster toys but made of black plastic instead of white. Would it be to my advantage to just keep the handle or parts of the handle from that for use on this project or is there a better way to make them myself?

 

[scarf man]

Get yourself a real grip right here for $11.00
http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=880400&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

 

[Darth Lars]

EDIT: Oh, and which size tube is more accurate for ESB, 1.5 inch, or 1.25 inch?

1.5 inch outer diameter is the exact measurement for ESB.
All ESB blasters had a M19/M32 scope. Most of them (if not all) had a 3/4" wide scope rail which can be up to 1/8" thick, and I recommend that you make it that thick if you don't use steel. Otherwise the scope could get bouncy. :rolleyes
If you can get hold of short pieces of U-shaped aluminum profile, I recommend that over bending sheet metal for building the rear sight, endcap lock, folding stock etc. You also need a short piece of 1" pipe for a couple of details.

 

[MooCriket]

Get yourself a real grip right here for $11.00
http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=880400&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

Great Find! Thanks for that:thumbsup

 

[Risu]

Wow, that handle is legit. Thanks. Is it difficult to attach it to the main body?

Thanks for the info on the 1.5 inch tube, that's the one I'll use. Also, what is the difference between the M19/M32, and that longer one I've seen in some tutorials? Since I have the M19 scope on my Han blaster, the same scope on the trooper blaster might look short in comparison. Was the longer scope used in ESB as well, or just in ANH?

 

[Darth Lars]

The longer type of scope was seen only in ANH, yes. On the ROTJ version, almost all details are slightly different.
You can read more about the various (identified) versions on www.partsofsw.com/item.htm .

 

[tango'd fett]

M19/32 were only used in ESB ,if you are doing ANH you will need the longer one M38/40

 

[Jedifyfe]

Pablos blaster build is simply incredible.

Brad

 

[Darth Lars]

M19/32 were only used in ESB ,if you are doing ANH you will need the longer one M38/40

Are you confused, misinformed, or just trying to confuse us for the fun of it? :lol

The M38/40 was only used in ANH.
The M19/32 was used in both ANH and ESB.
I have never seen this info being contradicted before.

I missed this question the last time:0

Is it difficult to attach [the handle] to the main body?

You will have to buy or build a trigger assembly and mount the handle onto that. (Resin kits for the blaster often have the grip and trigger assembly molded as one piece.)
I think that the easiest way to build it would be to bolt a piece of wood to the PVC pipe, and then glue/screw sheet metal onto the sides.
The templates from the BBC that I had used to build my blaster back in 2004 had the angle of the grip assembly slightly off. Maybe they have corrected it by now, otherwise, you may have to adjust the template a bit to fit your handle.
The grip is held onto the assembly with a bolt through the bottom. On a real Sterling machine gun, it is a 1/4" hex socket bolt, just as in the nozzle.