berkal Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Of late there has been a lot of interest in the T21 blaster, not least because if its recent appearance in the new Rogue One teaser trailer and for my part, for the past several weeks, if not months, I have been trying to design and build the most realistic and detailed T-21 blaster possible. Using my background as an architect and designer the end goal has been to arrive at the very next level in accuracy for our Sand Troopers. I have previously designed 3D parts for friends including a Dredd Lawgiver. Based on reference photos (thanks alsol to Machine for his excellent collection), blueprints, technical manuals, as well direct measurements from a real Lewis I have painstakingly recreated the details of the gun as a 3D CAD model from which a kit of prototype parts has been 3D printed from PLA plastic. This has not been a short process. This has been a tale of trial and error; of research and diligence, designing and redesigning each individual part sometimes several times in order to best represent the real deal with as few compromises as possible made whilst at the same time designing to facilitate the limitations of the materials and the 3D printing technology. And we are still not quite there I think. Each part is, I would like to say, currently around 95% accurate in terms of dimensions and details and an ongoing work in progress likely taking a few iterations to get it to the 99% level of accuracy I would like it to be. This has been a project with my buddy Johno who has been carrying out the initial base build of the mkI T21 Lewis and I thought I would share our progress to date for your enjoyment. Here we go: It starts with around 40 individual component parts… Detail of receiver section… Dry fit of the main sections: receiver and barrel built around 20mm aluminium tubing… Stock mkII: wood grain detail and prototype wood filament print… Blaster fitted, assembled, bonded, and primed… Some detail of top of receiver... Various other details… The overall weight of the blaster is a svelte and very troopable 2kg. The next build version will feature a smoother barrel without the visible faceting, and will be able to be disassembled for travel/storage. We are also developing a version which will feature a working bolt and cartridge feed action. I want to again thank Johno for assisting with the build. We have come a long way in a short time. More as it progresses... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crossblaim Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMonkey Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 Looks awesome. You might have to sell them Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozzer86 Posted April 9, 2016 Share Posted April 9, 2016 I think big congratulations are in order, buddy This is a glimpse into the future of realistic weaponry for us Sandies. Tremendous Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD9009 Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johno Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Looking good Joel, Got a V2 barrel reducer printing as I speak. As for the V1 prototype It wasn't so much hit the ground running but definitely a learning curve. I need to swap the front end as I messed up printing the gas block part of the barrel and cheated instead of just printing a new section Joel cut the file where I messed up his amazing work (one for the curve, If the print fails 5 hours in just reprint it don't try and botch it) That's why there's all the bondo on the barrel. Not a great deal of care was taken by myself to build the kit as it was just really to see if the parts worked as a print and fit together. That said It's turned out really nice and the V2 can only get better. Initially I primed the whole thing with grey then gave it a coat of silver before hitting it with matt black . The stock and grips where done with Halfords dark brown from there camo range and weathered with some black acrylic. All the parts that would be metal where done with silver rub n buff (got Spanish copper RnB for screw heads, sling swivel and oil bottle). I really can't say enough how much effort, time and hard work Joel put in on this project (and still is) but it's paying off, the work that's coming off my printer is amazing. I got the easy part of the deal, I just load some files and hit play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladius Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMonkey Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I am eagerly awaiting the final product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandmann66 Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Man, this looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henselmonster Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Do you think you will sell the 3D files so we can print at home? This work is outstanding. I'd be happy to pay for your efforts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 At this point the 3D files will not be made public. You will understand why soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Some more build images: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 17, 2016 Author Share Posted April 17, 2016 Started the weathering process. 2 primer coats with a base coat of metallic silver. Layered acrylic for aged/distressed blueing effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johno Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 hmm It looks better than mine, Lets swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 Blaster more or less finished with just a few minor finishing touch details to add such as screws etc. Let me know what you think. Here we go... Right side: Left side: More detailed photos to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henselmonster Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Looks great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felice Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Good Job!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks guys. We will be offering these as complete kits (and possibly finished blasters) very soon once a few wrinkles have been ironed out. Stay tuned or PM for more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveMonkey Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Thanks guys. We will be offering these as complete kits (and possibly finished blasters) very soon once a few wrinkles have been ironed out. Stay tuned or PM for more info. Any idea on what you might charge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 29, 2016 Author Share Posted April 29, 2016 Sale thread now open: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?showtopic=14543 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johno Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 What screws are you using on the pistol grip? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 Countersunk slot-headed screws Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johno Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Brass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berkal Posted May 1, 2016 Author Share Posted May 1, 2016 Can't find brass in CH. Sheradized. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3laton3 Posted May 6, 2016 Share Posted May 6, 2016 Nice one!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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