Yeah man.
Quick update, not too exciting but it's 24 images, so yeah. It's mainly a whole bunch of work on the grip, getting it ready for electronics.
Got a combination square, finally. There's ten bucks that I wish I'd spent a long time ago! Much easier not only on marking out stock but also squaring the bench tools.
Started drilling the magnet holes, this one went a little too far. I'm gonna have to push in some Bondo and try to get it to clump under the hole in such a way to surround the 1/4" diameter of the hole.
Time for some grip surgery to match the accuracy of the rest of the build. It was pretty much the first part I built, so a rebuild should probably have been expected.
Trigger, charging lever grip, and safety selector!
Had to trim this down a little from measured dimensions, but should work fine.
Trigger cut out and shaped:
I had been trying to think of ways around this, but it wasn't to be. Had to bite the bullet. Fortunately there isn't any Bondo to replace!
Looking like it's coming together! This area still needs a lot of fitting work, I'm going to try to minimise the amount of glue/filler required on the kits.
Need to simulate the knurling on this, then add the little ridges and its stalk:
Still coming together nicely, I think!
Practicalities update: @Arcanine
Harri51 RiBeck FoxtrotX146 Noble 10
Got the silicone ordered today; dropping $200 on a couple tubs of goop is mildly terrifying, for some reason. I think my current plan is to work on getting my own kit done (and ironing out the casting kinks in the process), and I can get an idea of shipping cost from that too. Then I'll start taking full payments (via PayPal) on the other kits and cast on demand, so I'm not wasting resin.
I've been thinking about it, and although it's irrelevant right now, in case of debate over the order of recipients, it'll go like this. The people on the "definite" list will get notified of the kit's availability and a response will be waited on for 21 days, after which their place in line will be forfeit. The people on the "maybe" list will get notified, but no place in line will be held. All shipments will be in order of getting on the list (which is in order of the mentions above) or of response if there are delays from the "definites".
If there's sufficient interest, I'll do a follow up run of kits at $350 (which is closer to their actual value, though regardless of my finishing skills will still be a little on the cheaper side vs their actual worth). Once the electronics systems are complete I should also be offering a fully finished static prop (degree of weathering up to the buyer) for $550 and a fully finished version with pre-installed electronics for $900. There may also be a "special edition" with a thermal scope for $1500... Because that'd be awesome and I think it's doable.
For those interested in aftermarket electronics parts, the way I have it set up now (ie. removed the "key" leg from the carry handle) the ammo counter display area will be easily accessible to install the projector (if I can build it small enough) and no chop-shopping of the carry handle will be necessary. Obviously this also means you can install your own LCD display if you prefer the loss of accuracy vs the high cost of a hand-built micro laser projector!
Because with all the electronics in here (especially now that Arcanine has convinced me to add sound if I can find a place for the speaker) space is going to be at an ultra-premium, I'm planning on using LiPo 18650 cells in the front of the foregrip. This means that batteries will not be included with electronics, since shipping multiple LiPos is a PITA. So allow an extra $60 for batteries and charger if you're going the pre-built electronics route. For those of you rolling your own more basic electronics solutions, the foregrip or magazine should have plenty of space for a bunch of high capacity NiMH AAs.
For practical/financial purposes, I'm gonna say let's assume general casting will begin early March.
I think that's all the meta-updates for now!