DeB
Private
AGM MP40 - Marui M733 and G3A4 Revenant
Posts: 179
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Post by DeB on Dec 10, 2007 13:26:09 GMT -5
Hi jay! What kind of tools do you have? Can you post a link or a picture?? Thanks!!! Bye bye! Marco
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Post by schmitty on Dec 11, 2007 18:44:18 GMT -5
Well jay has re-inspired me to pursue converting a Shoei FG-42 replica to airsoft. I originally bought it over a year ago to do the conversion but never started because it seemed quite difficult (and I'm not one to shy away from a challenge).
I'm going to go with my original idea of putting the gearbox inside the stock at the very back. This will require that I make a hollow stock (the shoei one is a solid casting). I will probably make it from fiberglass.
Here are a few other challenges I have not yet figured out. 1)Where to put the battery? will be somewhat dependant on what space is left after squeezing everything else in.
2)The shoei barrel is too small to fit a airsoft barrel inside of, although I have faced this challenge before. My solution was to turn the airsoft barrel down to a slightly smaller diameter in a lathe.
3) Part of the Shoei barrel has a super hard and very solid slug bonded inside of it that can't easily be removed or drilled through, I guess they really didn't want someone to try and chamber a live round!!
4) The sideways feeding hop-up. I've done this before (sten guns) but it isn't easy. The distance between the loading port on the hop up and the barrel/hop up rubber is critical.
5) the cost of magazines makes buying a bunch of them out of the question and the sideways feed means no hi-caps.
6)although the overall quality of the Shoei replica is very high it is mostly made from a somewhat brittle aluminum alloy that can be difficult to work with.
but by far the overall hardest aspect will be squeezing a gearbox into the shape of the stock. I will be using a Ver III most likely with the motor and possibly bevel gear relocated, I'm anxious to see how Jay851's will work out. Although the FG-42 isn't that small overall the receiver is pretty skinny in height and width.
Schmitty
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Post by troyluginbill on Dec 12, 2007 0:24:47 GMT -5
Schmitty, You should aim for a "conversion" kit for the shoei FG 42. If you figured out a way to keep the integrity of the model gun (i.e. not cut up the reciever and other bits) while replacing necessary parts with the airsoft components you would have a very saleable product.
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Post by fido on Dec 12, 2007 3:32:57 GMT -5
for the sideways feeding magazine: try copying the marui p90 highcap it has some spring in the back that pushes the bb´s forward sorry i don't own one, wish i could help you more.. good luck
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Post by schmitty on Dec 12, 2007 12:49:30 GMT -5
Troy: There is practically no chance of offering a conversion kit for a few reasons, The Shoei FG-42's are hard to find and rather expensive ($1200-1600), It can't be done without cutting it up.
There have been a few FG-42 AEG's offered before, but as far as I know nobody has ever seen a finished one.
There was a company offering a converted shoei for $3500 a while back. They had a website but no pictures of how it worked, in fact the only pictures seemed to be just a stock shoei replica, and now the website is gone.
WWII Guns offered a plastic FG-42 conversion for $1000. But again no pictures or explanation at all. They also use to offer to convert a shoei but once again no proof that anyone had ever actually done it.
Brian (binarypunisher) sent me a link to an Asian site that showed a crappy picture of an FG-42 AEG kit, possibly the same plastic one that WWII guns offered? I can't find the link but perhaps he can post it?
So as far as I know the FG-42 AEG is still a rather elusive goal.
Fido: I have considered a P-90 highcap for a sideways feed. I tried to make one for a Sten gun but it just didn't work very smoothly, Maybe it's time to try again though.
Schmitty
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Post by binarypunisher on Dec 12, 2007 12:57:45 GMT -5
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Post by schmitty on Dec 12, 2007 13:34:21 GMT -5
Thanks Brian for posting that so quickly, It actually looks pretty good. Too bad we can't buy one or even see more information about it.
I can say with much certainty that they must have made the receiver considerably thicker and taller than original to accommodate a Ver II gearbox. It looks like the BB's are fed from the gas tube and not from the magazine.
Schmitty
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Post by jay851 on Dec 13, 2007 4:45:52 GMT -5
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Post by schmitty on Dec 13, 2007 11:09:45 GMT -5
Jay: That is just simply amazing. I am truly inspired by your work. I wish I had your machining skills (and tools!!), Makes my dremel and file methods look crude in comparison.
I am still working out all the details for my conversion but I am certain that the gearbox will be in the stock. The main advantage is that there will be very little scale infidelity. The nozzle will be extended to reach the hop up (My Mk V Sten gun works the same way. It actually isn't very far off, maybe 3 cm. Yesterday I made the trigger and fire selector mechanism, It will have selectable semi, safe and full auto just like the real weapon. I still have lots of problems to work out but then that's part of the fun of doing custom projects.
I'll post some pictures when I can but at the moment I am camera-less. I left my camera in my Jump smock pocket at our last WWII event (Hurtgen Forest) and I must have fell on it at some point because it got smooshed.
Schmitty
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indie
Private
Virtoe Via Virtus
Posts: 272
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Post by indie on Dec 13, 2007 19:14:32 GMT -5
OMG!!! You sir are brillant! If you haven't thought about it already, you should really consider making these to sell. I'm sure they wouldn't come cheap, but I would actually do a fj impression then! I am simply stunned by your craftsmanship, and only have one last thing to say, i can't wait until the final pictures, and the very best of luck to you! ;D okay, that was two things i had to say!
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Post by 2ndranger on Dec 13, 2007 22:02:02 GMT -5
Amazing...just simply amazing. I tip my hat to you sir *while tipping hat snags FG 42* Now I must be off! Franz
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Post by CharleyNovember on Dec 13, 2007 22:02:19 GMT -5
You couldn't afford the amount of mill work he is putting into that trust me. Excellent work mate. My little machine would be hard put to produce that kind of work even in better hands than mine.
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Post by troyluginbill on Dec 14, 2007 0:20:25 GMT -5
Now any of you highschoolers/college students out there taking a cad class pay attention to where Jay851 is making his cuts and ask him for some dimensions. If nothing else you can come up with a CNC 3d model that can be routed out by an automatic machine. I would buy such plans as there is a CNC machinist up here that would run such a 3D model through his machine for materials and a small charge. Like making aluminum model parts. You'd probably get a buttload of credit for it too.
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KRaddatz
Private 1st Class
505th
Posts: 589
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Post by KRaddatz on Dec 15, 2007 2:08:30 GMT -5
Depends on if the teacher gives credit for making gun parts lol
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biged
Master sergeant
Posts: 468
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Post by biged on Dec 15, 2007 4:56:51 GMT -5
There is guy selling an old Bridgeport in my neck of the woods for $9000. I may have to buy it after seeing your progress Jay.
Retro the gun operation. Gearbox in the stock. Battery in the magazine. Marui shotgun shells for magazines. A feed tube that runs parallel under the barrel to hopup.
Having seen a limited number of pictures and not ever handled the actual weapon it may or may not even be feasible to do so. It's just an idea/suggestion.
///ed///
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Post by Tough Ombre on Dec 15, 2007 11:35:13 GMT -5
I wish i was still in my engineer and design class, we were able to design the stuff on programs and then run it on a medium sized mill he had, and a small lathe. Though i do have access to a really big lathe at my work that i can use for free, just need the material. I will just have to get a program for my computer to make the models. -Cary
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DeB
Private
AGM MP40 - Marui M733 and G3A4 Revenant
Posts: 179
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Post by DeB on Dec 15, 2007 17:21:37 GMT -5
3D software: Rhino3D , trial, 25 saves per project. I have realized the G43 with 11 saves. I need only the mech and I'm sure they will be enough.
There is also Blender for free, but it isn't for technical drawings... Bye bye!
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Post by zbear on Jan 11, 2008 15:02:28 GMT -5
cheers guys. the receiver is made from billet ally, a lot easier than trying to convert something to fit. the mag is a shoei mag which are a bit pricey but nothing compared to an original . have been doing some more work on it so will get pics up later. cheers jay Just another idea for magazines In the late 80's early 90's I was into WW2 re-enacting there was a gentleman that I saw one time that had built a blank firng version. he used m14 magazines that he had modified slightly.It might be a way to come up with more readily available magazines
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Post by jay851 on Jan 12, 2008 6:40:59 GMT -5
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Post by Tough Ombre on Jan 12, 2008 8:39:19 GMT -5
Man that is friggen AWSOME! I might have to talk to you about dimensions can not wait to see the final product!!! -Cary
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Post by chasem on Jan 12, 2008 8:43:26 GMT -5
That is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Its beautiful.
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DeB
Private
AGM MP40 - Marui M733 and G3A4 Revenant
Posts: 179
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Post by DeB on Jan 12, 2008 11:21:41 GMT -5
hey Jay when you bring all your stuff and come in italy for, maybe, a year! I live in a very beautiful house in the countryside near assisi... I have a lot of room for every tool! Eh eh!
Wonderful job!!! is the G43 paused?
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Post by jay851 on Jan 13, 2008 4:11:44 GMT -5
cheers for the comments guys. DeB........yes the g43 is on hold for a while,just until this is finished,i see your plans are coming along well. i am hopefully goin to start the stock this week, can someone advise me on the best way to hollow out the front so the motor goes in,and whats the best wood to use,needs to be tough but workable.
cheers jay
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DeB
Private
AGM MP40 - Marui M733 and G3A4 Revenant
Posts: 179
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Post by DeB on Jan 13, 2008 8:02:29 GMT -5
I think that you could do the stock by two halfs, like the one in the M1carbine AEG, maybe for the first try you can use fir wood, soft and cheap, and then you can go to something like walnut maybe...
I'll do in this way, have a lot of forniture in fir that has done my father and they are rock solid, maybe they are really clear, yellow clear but after a good finish they will look very good! Bye bye!
Italy, warm weather... blue sky.... blue sea... blue... bl.... b.... ....
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DeB
Private
AGM MP40 - Marui M733 and G3A4 Revenant
Posts: 179
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Post by DeB on Jan 13, 2008 8:44:08 GMT -5
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Post by petee99d on Jan 13, 2008 9:31:16 GMT -5
Man I am so envious! Great work so far. It must be great to have access to a CNC machine AND a Shoei FG42 as well! Can't wait to see the finished gun.
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gryphon
Master sergeant
shchi e kasha, pisha nasha.
Posts: 250
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Post by gryphon on Jan 13, 2008 22:12:13 GMT -5
just beautiful....
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Young Blood
Corporal
Dog Co. 504 PIR, 82nd Airborne (SoCal)
Posts: 876
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Post by Young Blood on Jan 17, 2008 18:29:47 GMT -5
do you do all the metal work yourself??
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Post by schmitty on Jan 18, 2008 12:12:01 GMT -5
Looks like it is getting near finished!! Amazing metal work. I am pretty far along with my build as well, but I got off track and haven't worked on it for a few weeks. If I get back on board we should be finishing about the same time. Will be interesting to compare notes.
Schmitty
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Post by jay851 on Jan 18, 2008 13:37:34 GMT -5
do you do all the metal work yourself?? yes mate all done by myself on a manual mill and lathe. schmitty.....mine is going slow at the moment aswell, as im playing around with the trigger mech. i look forward to seeing yours finished, especially if you have crammed it all in to the original receiver. jay
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