This is an amazing and inspirational speech from Adam Savage of Tested.com and Mythbusters. I can’t tell you how closely to my own feelings and experiences he comes.

We have to make things. I have to make things. It’s not a coincidence that you’re greeted with that admonishment when you visit my portfolio. I think it’s the most important thing you can do. It will make you learn, question and grow.

[via twitch]

I’m debating replacing the side screw with the Worldcon style the Weaver knob, but I can always change that later. I also will be heavily modifying the ammo clip to be as close to the actual prop as possible (I have also been toying with the idea of getting a more screen accurate ammo clip from Rich Coyle).

The progress so far:

The kit as I got it…


Rough buildup to check fit of parts (after extensive sanding/polishing and fitting).

Dremmeled out faux screws to make way for the mounting screw on mspaws barrel. It looks a little rough here, but after some love, the scratches have vanished.

Primed parts to be painted gloss black soon…as well as slightly weathered grips.

parts to be blued lined up awaiting their fate. I used Blue Wonder, it was fairly easy and turned out great…except for the steel barrel. It came out a bit darker and bluer than the pewter parts…So, after sanding it back down a bit with 1500 grit paper, I re-blued it but skipped heating the metal and it came out really close to the color of the heat blued pewter.

Another rough buildup, with the blued and primed parts. I am getting pretty excited to see this thing completed.

More to come…

I dremmeled out the side cover today…this was a bit scary, but after some careful hand filing, and a coat of paint, it looks like it was cast that way!

Also tested the fit of an LED and mounting clip…looks pretty much exactly like the real thing! (If only I had the same luck with the side LED’s).

Heading out for some gloss black and more LED mounds later today (and I guess I should buy some Christmas gifts too!)

Ok, I got some paint, parts AND some Christmas shopping done. I’m waiting on my black parts to dry…my apartment smells terrible! This is what I get for just using a makeshift painting hood near an open window…

I added some LED’s to the ammo clip today also. They aren’t exactly like the original, and I may try something different. I don’t really like how big they are or how close together the predrilled holes were…this will probably be the bane of this build…I also want a better slide switch than the one that came with the kit.
[EDIT] I’ve removed those LEDs and refilled the holes with epoxy putty. quite a pain. I left my phone in NC over Christmas and haven’t been able to take any pictures!

Epoxy filled and re drilled ammo clip…to correct my previous work (which I didn’t like). I still have to sculpt/find sockets for the LEDs. Looks pretty rough in this picture, but it’s not. Putty and sanded metal don’t do flash photography well.

I replaced the hammer spring with a sturdier and more accurate one. As well as a square washer like the original.

Drilled holes for side greebles.

I was hoping not to use any glue or epoxy on this kit, which is why I even went to the trouble of using a tiny screw to attach these two pieces. I’ve since given up on that idea. We’re now going for 90% glueless.

Repainted all the black parts, as they got a bit dinged up while I was nitpicking other details…I also removed the paint from the flat head screw, I plan on blueing it.

I added some epoxy at the rear of the receiver to sturdy it up. It seems to be working well.

I am trying to come up with a way to securely attach the ammo clip to the barrel…the large allen bolt is not doing the trick. I’ve tapped the mounting post inside the ammo clip housing and drilled a new smaller mounting hole farther down the barrel, I still need to tap it, but hopefully it will solve the problem.

Other than that we’re getting pretty close (apart from wiring the LEDs). I am going to have to do a second coat of gloss black on most of the parts though, since I’ve done so much fitting and filing and tweaking since I originally painted them…turns out I got a little ahead of myself.

I just got these two switches off ebay. Not sure which one to use!

I ended up using metal epoxy to attach the ammo clip housing to the barrel. It’s not what i wanted to do, but the gun can still be torn down almost all the way, and it’s really sturdy.

I carved out a hole and mounted the switch to the clip, now I just need to wire the LEDs. Also jakob2121 was nice enough to gift me with some LED mounts which I am eagerly awaiting.

I’m also waiting on some rare earth magnets I ordered that I’m gonna use to attach the clip.

replaced the trigger pins with steel…

Since the blaster is really starting to near completion, I’ve already gotten distracted by a side project. I started building a box to keep it in today. I think I’m going to do a drawer style box but for now I am just working on the inner tray area, so that can be decided later. It is going to have burgundy felt covering the dividers and hinged lids to the large compartment at the top. It should be pretty sweet…

Staned the wood and started putting on the felt. It is looking really awesome!

Other than that we’re getting pretty close (apart from wiring the LEDs).

ALMOST DONE!!!

To-do list:
- Getting a Weaver casting from Rich along with one of his 2011A ammo clips.
- Also looking for some kind of “futuristic” looking firing caps to put on the dummy rounds.
- Weather the paint.
- Finish the damn box.

ready steady bang – 30 ways from Ed Barrett on Vimeo.