HansDC

Couple quick pics. Sorry they are dark...

Oh yes...sorry...I did. And thanks for the link. Im going on my first troop with it this saturday so Ill post a report of it and maybe more detailed pics of it all.

I thought I was prepped and ready to paint, but after only the first coat of primer, all the blemishes and inconsistencies showed right through. I could live with most of them, except for the one massive join from the mould right down the top of the entire gun. So it was back to the drawing board with more Dremel and sanding action. The weather was kind to me today. Sunny and dry! I wasted no time in getting to it. These are the paints I used. All the parts were painted with the black primer/paint combo. Managed to find it in satin black which was handy. The flat black for the T-tracks and the hammer finish for most of the gun. The hammered paint I discovered helps to hide most of the blemishes on the mould. Hella messy tho as it kinda just spurts to give that effect. I also used Tamiya Gunmetal for the steel pipe that goes into the barrel. Had some sitting around and thought id would add a nice touch to the finished product. Once that was done and dried, it was tim to put on the T-tracks and wire. Superglued the twisted ends to the barrel cos you can't really see them as the bipod covers most of it. Finished off by gluing the bipod on. Here it is in its parts. And some close up pics of it assembled. The extra sanding and paint really helped. You can't really see the seam anymore. Im quite pleased that I put in that extra elbow grease. The connection isn't perfect. As you can see there is a tiny gap...but the gun is solid and doesn't bend unless you really force it. Still have to paint that silver strip where the butt connects the gun. Don't really wanna paint the butt that bakelite colour as well. I think i'll stick to black. All in all, Im pretty pleased with what I have done. Thanks everyone for all your references and guidance. Its currently sitting against my room door and it looks amazing! Now I really want one with moving parts, lights and sounds!!! I do have to say tho its pretty heavy. And I haven't found a comfortable position to carry it in yet... Let me know what you think!!! Cheers!

Sorry bout that! Here is a pic of the mic. It cost me about AUD$20 from Jaycar. One way with a stereo 3.5mm plug. Just be careful when buying 3.5mm connectors.....make sure they are stereo ones and not iPhone, or ones with three bands on the plug. They won't work with your i-Comm or Aker. --------

When I was at the hardware store buying the pipe, I had a choice of aluminium or steel. Went for steel cos it wasn't as likely to bend at the aluminium one. It also added a bit of extra weight which I don't mind. Bolt idea was a bit of a pain - cos mine is really really snug. But it works and it adds a nice detail to the finished product. Just make sure your main 22mm hole is straight on both the stock and the flash thingy on the front. Helps if you have another set of eyes to guide the drilling process especially if you don't have a drill press. Good luck. Mine is almost ready! Can't wait to see yours (Heinous)!

I was never a heavy smoker. Probably averaged 2 a day and a few more on the weekends. But I have been a smoker for 23 years. My story is a little different, in that I didn't intend to quit in the first place. Over a few months, I had a friend whom I saw out at parties or what not - he had an e-ciggie. I was intrigued and played with it whenever he pulled it out. So I ended up doing some research and bought one. After a couple of weeks of tinkering with it to get it right, I brought it out for the first time to a party. I remember hanging out in the smokers area and having my mates laugh at my new 'hipster' toy. I succumbed and finally asked for a drag of someone else's cigarette. Took one puff and almost threw up. From then I knew that I was on a good thing. This month will mark 7 months for me. I don't miss it. And over the last couple of months I only use the vaporiser when Im out at social events. I think pretty soon I will be off that too. I did get really sick right after I quit. But my GP said that it would be my body getting rid of all the shucks Ive put into it over the last two decades. Good Luck buddy! Its tough, but also very achievable. Your life will change.

ADAM! I watched your youtube after weeks of trying all sorts of sound fx/amplifier techniques. Ended up with a go-pro chest mount with a modified adapter screwed into the AKER and and i-Comm velcro-ed to it. Bought a cheap one-way throat mic and everything works like a charm! No feedback whatsoever and have tried it with full armour on. Here is a pic. I can do a vid too if anyone is interested. Thanks for the inspiration! --------

Managed to squeeze a few hours in today when it stopped raining for a bit... Decided to drill the holes right through. Took forever. So many holes. Also did as much as I could as far as cleaning up the details. Its not 100% but Im hoping the small blemishes are not noticeable once a few layers of paint are on. Attached the ammo box and disc thingy... Then bath time.... Hopefully we get some calm sunny weather next few days so I can start painting.

I tried for a long time to source a complete or kit form DLT-19 but to no avail. Mainly because I live in Australia which have pretty strict gun laws. Everything from sellers not willing to risk sending it to customs actually confiscating the shipment. But by some stroke of luck, I managed to find someone locally who could cast resin moulds. Got my kit from TPE (The Plastic Empire) in Melbourne if anyone is interested. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Plastic-Empire/634619653244041 Whenever I look up the build threads on here, I get madly envious. The guys and girls who are super handy and can craft anything from just about anything - I wish I was one of you. But unfortunately Im not. Some of you have crazy skill sets and I have mad respect for you even tho you might think its nothing. For inspiration I used mostly Chance's (2thin) build thread. Thanks mate, our brief forum convo really got me motivated. So onto my build. While waiting for the kit to arrive, I read through all the build threads and had in my head that I was gonna have moving parts, sound and light FX, blah blah blah. Then the box arrived. Was super excited but when I looked at it, I knew it wasn't just gonna be a little bit of glue and paint. All the crazy mods I had planned in my head - went out the door. I spotted my biggest headache straight away which was to bore the massive 22mm hole about 6 inches deep so I could connect the main parts. I don't have a shed full of tools and the only power tools I actually own are a Dremel and a Hoover. I started by trimming all the excess bits and cleaning up all the small parts. There were heaps and heaps of bubbles all over the entire mould so I spent a bit of time filling with putty. While doing all this I had a rethink of my plan. I came to realise that it wasn't the fact that I wouldn't be able to accomplish all the extras, but more the fact that I didn't have the experience and knowledge...yet. So my plan of attack was to build my first DLT as basic as possible, something that will look half decent on a troop. Easy enough I figured. And then I could aim higher with the next one I do. My main goal was to be able to pull the gun apart for packing/transport. The bipod came in one solid piece so had to cut out all the excess Do you know if the hole under the etched bits is meant to be open all the way through? Here it is roughly cleaned up.... Im still not sure if I want to replace the various screw heads with real ones. I have done so on my E-11, but after many coats of primer and paint, I don't really think it matters too much. Also finding the correct sized/shape screw has been a little challenging. As you can see there is still a but of detailing/sanding etc to do... After putting everything on hold for the X-Mas and New Year's madness, I managed to rope a mate into helping me figure out the next stage, which was to try and connect the main pieces together. He has a shed full of tools and was keen to help. We measured the size of the hole (22mm) and purchased a drill bit of the same size. I was recommended to use a spade bit, but my mate insisted that this one we got was better for what we were doing. And he was right. He explained that because we didn't have a drill press and had to do it by hand, it would be safer incase we went a little crooked. Tried to find an aluminium or steel tube that would fit snugly into the PVC pipe to strengthen the barrel, but didn't have much luck. This was as close to one I could find. I think with a little bit of hot glue I can secure it without it rattling around. I also intend to drill the cooling holes on the barrel all the way through the PVS pipe so you can see the steel tube through it. What do you think? This is the finished hole We drilled a hole where there was a moulded bolt and replaced it with a real one. This actually helps to secure both pieces on one end. The other end is secured just by friction with the moulded sections on the left (below pic) Underside view Test assembly I couldn't help myself.... Thats where Im at so far. Still a bit of detailing with the Dremel and quite a bit more sanding to do. Then paint. Hopefully Melbourne gives us a few nice days in the week ahead. I set today aside for more building....but of course its raining with no end in sight.... My next troop is in a week, so hopefully I will have a big gun to carry around then. Any suggestions, tips, critiques are welcome! Thanks for looking so far!

WHOOAAAAAAAA!!!!! WEAPONS OVERLOAD!!!!

I have both Darman and Veedox neck seals. Darman are super comfortable but It didn't come with enough material around it and I had problems with it coming out of the ends of my armour. Ended up having to take it to a tailor with some extra material to re-sew everything together. Veedox one I received this morning and I have to say are great with the bib and all. Its a lot easier to pull down and adjust it with all your armour on as opposed to trying to tuck bits back in around your neck. It also covers all my electronics which I wear on a chest mount. I would always try and purchase through a 501st member because you know they are made properly with the right intent, and that you will get the best value. Happy to pay that extra bit for the workmanship.

Thanks for your response! Ok cool, I kinda get the idea sorta. I had in my head how I could put it together (the easiest way), but I imagined I wouldn't be able to be too rough with it on troops or hand it over confidently to randoms to have a play. Everyone else's build looks super solid. But I guess no one really knows until they actually hold one. I really like the look of the barrel holes drilled through. But you're right. I fear with all the holes in the PVC, it won't hold straight. Im thinking of your aluminium tube idea but permanently attaching the alu tube into the PVC one and then drilling through the whole lot. What do you think? We had a massive old school crew Xmas party the other day and most of my older mates were there who are mostly tradesmen and builders. They laughed at my project at first (especially the trooper part), but when I showed them pics of this kit and some pics of finished ones - they were quick to give suggestions. Some said that I could take it in to a fitter & tuner and get them to machine the joining parts. This way its got industrial strength/accurate fittings and the gun will never come lose when locked in. This seems a little extreme tho for a prop gun I think. Another suggested plastic conduit joints that screw in both ends. Just drill to size, embed them and you should be able to screw both ends in. I just don't like the idea of having to screw the gun together because it might not align perfectly. If it was just slide n' lock life would be so much better. Anyways I just waiting for another mate to have a free day so he can help me figure it out. He has a shed full of tools and he's confident we should be able to work it out. Will try and start a thread once I get a little further in the process. Still trying to fill all the bubbles in the mould and reshape certain corners.

Hi there Chance! Finished product looks the bomb! Was wondering if you could give us a few pointers.... I just got the same resin kit and have got as far as filling the bubbles and missing bits from the mould. Kinda stuck trying to figure out the best way to put the pieces together - namely drilling the main connecting holes and how to secure them. Im also hoping to be able to have it in two pieces at least so its easier to transport. The main barrel comes with a long PVC pipe with the mould around it. But the butt end only has the pipe in the actual butt I guess to hold the mould. In your image, did you insert a tube of some sort in it after you drilled the joining hole? There is also what looks like a bolt and nut that has been moulded at the connecting ends. I was thinking I could use an actual bolt and nut to secure the two main pieces together. I've cleaned the barrel holes out up to the PVC pipe. In my E-11 blaster I have the same holes drilled right through so you can see through them. You mentioned something about the real thing not having the holes go all the way through? So do I/can I drill them all the way? Im not really thinking about electronics this time around if that helps. Might go try and find an aluminium pipe tomorrow... As you would have figured out already I have no idea about real guns, let alone an MG like this. I've never seen one for real so I don't know it works and what all the parts are and what they do. Im just going by what the internet has provided thus far. Any help and advice would be great! Ive always wanted one of these since I was a kid! CHEERS!!!

ARrrghh! So sorry Diana! I meant 'PRICELESS'...!!!! As far as the engineer - you know you have a great mechanic for your armour there 24/7. Either way - props!

Thanks guys!!!

1. Do we need to have EIB status before we can apply for Centurion? Or is one allowed to try straight for centurion? 2. Also with strapping for centurion, does it have to be the hook method? Or is the strapping left to the individual as long as everything in the CRL is adhered to? Thanks!

I just spent the last 4 hours reading this from start to finish. You (and your engineer) are such an inspiration to building a TK. I wish I would have seen this before I started mine. I hope you understand that your shared experience and build journey is 'priceless' to those who are new to this and aren't quite sure if they are up for it. BIG UPS! PS. When are we gonna see the engineers build thread...?

Did my first troop today. About 4 hours and 3000+ kids. Decided that I NEED a voice system. So..... i-Comm or RomFX ... ? Pros & Cons please from people who have used either or both....

I have an AP and I built it in a limited timeframe. The helmet was probably the easiest and most fun. But I was given advice to build it last. As by that time your skills with cutting, trimming, drilling, painting and overall experience with working with the ABS would be at top notch. And you want your lid to look the best cos it's the first thing people see.

I have tried that active system but I still haven't worked out how/where to set the mics and speakers. They are so sensitive and pick every little thing up from the vibrations in the lid.

Sounds great! Keep us updated on your progress. Yeah Ive got a few systems but still haven't found the best combo yet. And yes, Im no electrical genius, but I used to race R/C cars so I know some basics. Still no Mcguyver tho.

Hey Sly11 - Im in the market for a DLT-19 too....maybe we can arrange some sort of shared shipping cost if we buy a few? I know at least one other trooper in Melbourne looking for one as well..,,,

Thanks troopers. Ill check out the suggestions. I currently run 'Evilboy' fans and have figured out a confortable setup. But I still can't hear as well as I would like to, Maybe that will just take some getting used to.

No one uses electronics in here?

Mark is the man! Still tweaking it out, but I love my armour!