CElston

You know what I'm having trouble with... My reference was a scratch build of someone else's counter. So it's one step away from an original counter. This is what I was going off of as a reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stukatrooper/sets/72157604574695630/ And the vertical channels are from that and other references like this: Of course now that I look at real counters, there are no grooves like that. Looks like my current screws are 5mm (instead of your 3mm). Thanks for the tip. Chris

Haven't built much lately, so I'm just having a lazy weekend....

Interesting. Wonder if it will work on this guy. Chris

I freelance in video production and sometimes I do this....

What is the link to your E-11 Build thread? Chris

Ok... I was being lazy and used the first screws I could find. After searching through my junk can of screws I found these.... Better?

It was. I crushed the first box three times trying to make sure the glue was dry. If you look close it's not really that symmetrical, but I'm assuming that priming and painting it (and viewing it from 50 feet away) will help a lot. Chris

My scratch build Hengstler counter: Didn't have local place to buy PVC Foamboard (Sintra) so I went to Home Depot to get picture frame plexiglass: It's a little thinner that I would have wanted but seems to work. I used the speed square to line up two pieces at a 90 degree angle for super glueing. I really like the Loctite bottle as opposed to the traditional little tubes of super glue. I used this tin can to catch the little pieces of plastic that I cut by pressing down with a razor blade. Without the can, the little pieces went flying never to be seen again. Still need to put a few details on and paint, but here is the end result: Chris

I'm learning a lot about using my new Dremel and how good I'm getting at Super Glueing my fingers together. Chris

Just started a scratch build myself if you are interested: http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/29899-e-11-blaster-cheapest-scratch-build/ Chris

Those templates are from this website: -------- There are templates for the handle in the download on the page. Chris

Just an update, this link is no longer valid. Here is the new link: http://www.jehudahdesign.com/my-costumes/stormtrooper/blaster-rifle/the-creation-of-the-blaster-rifle-01.html Thanks, Chris

Thanks! There seems to be a trend of really talented craftsmen on these forums. I'm trying to reverse that. Chris

Ok... my plan now is primer, silver paint, then hammered black, then sand off some of the hammered black and maybe use some Rub N' Buff, too. I have found scratch build plans for all the parts that look really decent (especially the hengstler counter and scope), but the gun grip I haven't found besides the BBC. The grip will probably be the last thing I build. Chris

Yes... should have played with a scrap piece first. I was just trying a bunch of Dremel attachments before I realized what each one was for.

Got some epoxy, but I think I might need to get some bondo, too. The holes are pretty good, but the long "cocking channel" isn't as straight as it could be. Chris

Thanks, I'll look for Sintra at a local sign shop. What do we think of this color? Not canon, I guess. I found I could use an allen wrench to put in the bolts into the PVC (cut a big hole for the head and a smaller one for the shaft) instead of cutting the tips off the bolt and glueing. Got the blood and sweat, now waiting for the tears. Now that I'm looking at this goofy picture, I notice there are some nice long pieces of PVC in the rafters that I could have used for the barrel of the blaster instead of buying a little piece. Chris

Thanks! Maybe instead of labeling this title 'Cheapest' I should have labeled it 'Most Accessible' ... just trying to make a E-11 without special ordering any parts. And trying to see if I can purchase everything from Lowe's and/or Home Depot. Although, I think I might need to order some PVC Foamboard because I can't find it locally and it looks really cool to work with. Chris

Really amazing build! Everything about it looks like real metal and a real gun!

Probably not going to save any money... Just bought a $100 Dremel... Personally, I'm just having fun trying to find the parts that will be correct for the build. Chris

I have seen some scratch builds that get a Doopy grip gifted to them near the end of the project and I've seen some that get an original Sterling grip, but I haven't come across an exact replica built from scratch. So far I'm planning on using some pine from an old shelf for the center of the grip and following the BBC build use pressboard instead of Styrene (because I can't find any locally) for the outer elements. I'm working on the the front muzzle now and probably putting a 1/2" PVC pipe inside for the barrel. After that I'm going to try my hand at bending metal. Have never done that before, so I bought some really thin aluminum; we'll see how that works. Chris

Started a blaster build while waiting to buy my armor. I'm trying to do this as inexpensive as possible, but I keep buying new tools. Some items are hard to find at a hobby store or a hardware store. Such things as the PVC Foamboard, so I am improvising. Here is one modification I was considering for shooting around corners: A little difficult cutting the PVC with my new Dremel. Not getting as straight of lines as I would like. Hopefully filing and sanding will get it to look respectable. Also, it would have been a lot easier with a drill press, but I used a hand held drill with very bad battery life instead. Got an already cut PVC pipe from Home Depot and am using a PVC plug from Lowe's. I keep bouncing back and forth between the two stores since they have different items in stock. Also I'm trying to use their free samples of flooring to see what works. The flooring piece didn't work too well. So I'm using an old butterfly cutting board (don't tell my wife). The cutting board piece worked a lot better since it's made of one material unlike the flooring which had different top and bottom coats and a center. Having fun so far! Chris

I haven't built my bucket, yet. But I have gone paintballing with anti-fog lenses. They use a special thermal lens where there are two layers with air in between. Wonder if we could use one of those in our buckets. Also, you can buy anti-fog spray which works, but not as well as the thermal lenses.

Yes... I'm planning on it. Maybe I should make a little video, too.