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Hi, for The Force Awakens Bowcaster run, this is a fully assembled, painted, weathered prop, and for the ANH Bowcaster version I started to assembled the parts that are already made. The Bowcaster frame is ready to be machined, so I would say that by early December, I should start putting all the bowcaster aluminum parts together to have them ready to ship.
Any more available?
Hi, yes, there still spots available. Please send me a PM to give you the details. Thank you.
Would also appreciate a timeline update if possible. Just wanting to make sure I have the funds set aside for the estimated completion date. Thanks!
Thanks for the update! No worries here, just good to know potential timeline so I can make sure to have funds set aside. Excited to see your work!
Hi Jon, no, the ANH version will be finished this month of February, and the Force Awakens frames are ready to be machined, this is actually the Bowcaster project that has most of the parts made, only the frame is left to do and to do a few adjustments to the prods, basically the opening of the prod so it matches the original, nothing major, it just take time. This is an exiting prop to make, especially because it was only made in such of small quantities, less than seven were made and they were very fragile, most of those ended up broken either in transit or after they were handled because the the 3D printed resin material used and how heavy the scopes were since they were solid aluminum. I truly appreciate your patience on this project, you guys will not be disappointed with the quality of the prop.
Hi Jeremy, I apologize for the delate response. TFA Bowcaster has not hit a dead end, one of the machine shops that did the aluminum prods didn't do the bent right and the prods had to be bent again to the right curve at another shop. Also new step files has to be done from the original 3D scan in order to ensure 100% accuracy to the finished aluminum body. I have no problem to issue a deposit refund, however, I won't be able to offer you the the same run price than other members paid at the beginning of the run, and that I will honor to them, since I am aware that this project took longer that I did anticipate, and the costs and inflation are way more now that when I started the run almost two years ago. My time and efforts didn't diminish even that I was going through to very complicated times after COVID and the passing of my wife. My goal when I started this project was to achieve a true screen accurate Force Awakens Bowcaster, not only matching the very same aluminum parts already used in the original prop, but also the very same green British slings, same material used to make the side plates where the greeblies and dials are, on a CNC machined aluminum block for the frame. I am very close to now finally pull the trigger on the aluminum frame which is the only part left to machine, the rest of the parts are already machined. I do need to point out guys that this is a very expensive prop to produce, and even though that the deposit was not going to even cover the material costs, I funded this out of my own pocket and I still owe money to two of three machine shops involved. I really appreciate you guys support, patience and understanding. I have no reason to walk away with any money or less to not finish a prop that's been a real challenge for me.
Hey Manny,
Hi Jeremy, thank yo for your understanding. I am going to visit the machine shop that is machining the frames today and I will get a date to complete the frames, and then I will be able to calculate the assembly and paint schedule that it will be done by me. I will let you guys know tonight or tomorrow the latest.
