2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 1, 2019 12:31:06 GMT -5
Glad to see the pictures back up. I started in on this project and then for some reason shelved it. Looking at the pictures once again has inspired me to finish it. In doing similar projects there is a tendancy to want to continue the inner barrel all the way to the muzzle of your outer barrel which is often not neccessary. As long as the barrel is centered and ths muzzle is larger than your 6mm, even 4 inces back they will still clear the muzzle unimpeded. This reduces the likelihood of barrel suck and provides a more intimidating report when firing. The barrel cone acts like a megaphone. The dual drum box magazine though not ideal looks quite good.
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adrg
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Post by adrg on Apr 2, 2019 3:41:20 GMT -5
Well - on the way to do a similar project. However, I am thinking to use a top loading hop-up with saddle magazine for a AA Mg 34 look.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 2, 2019 22:11:46 GMT -5
Good luck with that. I have found with custom builds the less you mess with the feeding system the better your build process, reliability and durability is. My guess is this homebuild if more durable and functionally reliable than any of the commercial German MGs.
In an event there is nothing more frustrating than key weapons going down.
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adrg
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Post by adrg on Apr 3, 2019 0:14:39 GMT -5
I agree with you - doing the feeding is the hardest part. Still didn’t decide which system to use in my build.I am thinking of 3 (including a MG42 GB). However, everything is shelved for now due to acute lack of time.
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Post by sribbs on Apr 9, 2019 5:35:10 GMT -5
so a ak74 Works too with this? and where did you put the charging handle/grip? im confused
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Apr 20, 2019 9:56:06 GMT -5
Thats how the OP did it. Its not the most accurate thing to do, but if you want simplicity and functionality its probably the easiest way to do it. AK as a lot of extra parts for upgrades and fixing, and while it loads from the bottom, the C-mag bears a slight resemblance to the Patronentrommel 34 magazine. More of a "at the glance" look than trying for an actual replica, but I've always said practicality over looks.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 20, 2019 19:05:58 GMT -5
The sad reality is this inexpensive scratch build (I estimate about $130.00 with the AK bits and upgrades, the high cap mag, PVC and couplings along with paint and needed hardware). Is probably more reliable and field durable than the $500.00 to 900.00 commercially available MGs.
As soon as i have a little travel break Im doing one of these up. I have several Ak gear boxes and most of these materials laying around.
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Apr 21, 2019 11:16:58 GMT -5
Its probably more, especially if you don't have a donor AK to start, plus the mag and such. But any decent AK will seemingly out-live most of our the MG offerings we have. I've had luck with my two ZB-30s, thankfully.
Its pretty mind-boggling that the A&K MG42 owners all report same problems with the feeding block, and A&K hasn't offered any fixes or upgrade parts for it, IIRC. Such an important part, too.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 21, 2019 12:20:41 GMT -5
More often than not feeding is the hiccup for most AEGs especially custom builds. What I truly like about this custom is the gear box housing, hop up and especially the mag well and mag release are all original AK. My most reliable and durable customs leave those things intact as designed. It means there have to be some authenticity compromises but I would rather have some minor infidelities as a trade off to the gun working throughout the event. I plan to build two of these as I have two SVD AKs on hand. i finished my two butt stocks using thin layers sections of wood shaped, layered and sanded as was done with sintra board. I left room inside for a mini 9.6 battery. I didnt have the measurements when I made but as it turns out I was only off by a quarter inch! I will create the tray cover out of ABS plastic. These are all things I had laying around. For me the only outlay will be the C mags and paint factoring in the original costs of the SVDs and figuring $65.00 for the C mags I will be in these about 200.00 each? I think I bought these CYMA SVDs for around $130.00 and the C mags range from 65.oo to 100.00.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 11, 2019 19:56:18 GMT -5
re started in on this project today. I am using ABS only because I had sections of 1 1/2 and two inch on hand. I also had the thread spools and most of the needed fittings. In looking at your pictures I am curious what all the hose clamps are for?
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Post by hunterj on May 12, 2019 9:56:53 GMT -5
2nd Bat where do you get sheets of plastic for projects like this? I can never seem to find like a good sheet of plastic.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 12, 2019 12:54:11 GMT -5
There is a chain outlet Called TAP Plastic that can provide all kinds and thicknesses of assorted plastics. I am sure there are other companies as well. I probably got the tubing at a home depot. I have my housing and barrel mocked up with the AK receiver installed in the two inch section of tubing. I found that masking tape layed out helped me keep my cuts in a straight line and likewise I used the tape to mark my 48 drilled holes in the barrel shroud. In looking at it the 1 1/2 inch barrel looks too fat to me. In hind sight I think 1 1/4 if such a thing exists would look better?
I am also wondering if a heat gun might allow me to shape the 2 inch housing and square it off a bit? I am quite happy with my wood laminated butt stocks. I will need to get and extension adapter for the tamiya clip wiring as instead of a stick battery as was used in the base SVD I plan to house my battery in the butt stock. Come to think of it I think the CYMA 032 M14 had just such a wiring extension? I have some of them to borrow from for testing.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 12, 2019 18:32:05 GMT -5
So mine is now roughly assembled and tested out fine. 380 w .25 gram. For now I plan to use the SVD stubby high cap which will be hidden by the ammo belt. The ammo box will hold the full sized battery and the ammo belt will hide the wiring. (i can also have a mini battery in the hollow butt stock. ) The laminated butt stock was the hardest part of the build. Cut out layers with a hollow area for the battery glued and once dry wrasped and dremeled into shape then stained.
The tray cover is a take off M 249 that I had laying around. Same with the front sight. This build was entirely made with items I had laying around. I think I bought $8.00 worth of stuff. I am not sure what I paid for the SVD AEG but couldnt have been much. I would guess all total I will be in this under $200.00 and 4 days build time. Probably 16 hours total.
I will post progress pictures and finished photos when I'm actually done. Resin paste and glue are drying. Then sanding and painting and final assembly. Next time a thinner barrel the whole gun (mine) looks too stubby to me. The overall length is 48inches as per wikipedia.
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Post by hunterj on May 13, 2019 21:15:27 GMT -5
2nd Bat do you have a photo? Sounds great! This is one of my summer projects I have planned, to make a few of these.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 14, 2019 1:52:13 GMT -5
I am not sure how to post a direct link here so I sent you some photos to your AOL account. I will finish the final detail and cosmetic work when I get home this weekend and then post them for everyone (hopefully). The plan is to make 2 eventually. Itis certainly NOT a detailed replica but at a glance and functionally they will serve my purposes. The plan is to have them require two or three crewman. One will be the gunner and the others the loader and security. The loader will have an ammo can a KAR 98 and the ammo can will house the battery. And belted fake rounds. The gunner raises the feedtray and the loader clips in the battery wire (built into the belt leading from the ammo can). The gunner closes the tray and is ready to fire. The loader and security man have spare mags and lots of linked ammo belts and provides security for the MG.
Two MGs, mutually supporting with well trained teams should dominate an airsoft field.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 19, 2019 20:41:43 GMT -5
So I got back from my trip and did the final cosmetic work and test fired it in the back yard. It shoots great and at a distance looks the part. For my next one I will go with thinner ABS for the barrel as the barrel looks too thick to me. The modern scope rail as a brace is distractingly bad as I look at the pictures but went with the notion of building this entirely with materials on hand. photos here: www.amazon.com/photos/shared/4UW8eDEUSva4p_I1e5-9HA.8OzVxMtGTIhWxqCbU07Yvd
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 19, 2019 20:56:03 GMT -5
The muzzle report is loudsr than the SVD airsoft AEG it is built around due to the megaphone like hood. The actual inner barrel which is a longer tight bore barrel than a regular AK ends about five inches short of the MG 34 muzzle. The cone which is a plastc thread spool set in a pvc housing amplifies the report which I think is kind of cool. I am using the SVD hi cap magazine. A battery can be mounted in the hollow butt stock or an ammo box with an extended wire hidden by the fake ammo belt.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 19, 2019 21:01:34 GMT -5
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 19, 2019 21:06:35 GMT -5
I used the masking tape to guide dremel cuts and stabilize the drill when drilling holes. ABS glue and fiberglass resin past and screws hold it all together. It is rock solid but can still be disassembled if needed. I used a base flat black then oversprayed with a "Gun metal" metallizer and finally a satin clearcoat. The machine gun belt is a halloween plastic ammo belt.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on May 20, 2019 11:48:07 GMT -5
I had some inquireys on how I made the butt stock which in reality I made over 3 years ago then shelved the whole project until a few weeks ago. Here are some pictures of the build process for the butt stock. After examining many many photos and specs I drew patterns out off on a concentric series of thin pieces of wood that would form the rough outer shape while providing a channel for the battery and wiring. Once cut out and stacked they were glued and clamped. Once dry shaped by a rasp and dremel, final sanding and stained.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 4, 2019 21:46:43 GMT -5
So I realized once it waz done that the feedtray waz mounted about 4 inches too far forward. It needed to line up with the mag well. Initially I just figured Id live with it and do it right on my second one. It played on me and made me nuts so I dremeled it off, will have to sand and redo the receiver area and then reinstall it. It explains why I thought the barrel looked too fat and too short.
This refin ement will be worth the trouble.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jun 19, 2019 22:41:33 GMT -5
After cutting off my initial feedtray location and then relocating it where it should have been initially it looks WAY better. Not sure how I was so off initially. Oh well live and learn. As a guide just insure your feed tray aligns directly above the mag well. In addition to looking more correct your fake ammo belt hides the stubby SVD magazine better. Probably next week Ill start in on MG 34 #2 and hopefully make it even nicer!
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 21, 2020 0:08:05 GMT -5
So much for "next week". I finally got around to starting in on a next one. These of course have no weight to speak of but I don't see that as a bad thing. My initial build has held up great in two events where it served its role as the squad automatic weapon. Two commercial MG42s both went toes up in the course of each events. Mine worked flawlessly all week long. It doesn't look or feel as impressive but it's not intended as a wall hanger.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 28, 2020 21:36:17 GMT -5
I still have both of these Pseudo MG34s and they both continue to work fine. My initial build was somewhat more haphazard than my second one so this weekend I am going back for some cosmetic refinement. I have been really happy with the stubby SVD high cap mags which are well hidden by the ammo belts and not really distracting. I bought two spares from a Chinese supplier and while they took forever to arrive they will provide a nice back up for each gun crew. As a rule I am not a fan of high caps but for crew served weapons I'm okay with them. They typically require rewinding about as often as belts or barrels would need to be changed.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 2, 2020 14:53:26 GMT -5
The shortened SVD mags sadly do not work in the CYMA SVD base rifles I used for these conversing is or any of my AKs. They are fatter and a bit longer and the nozzles do not align. I wish I knew what gun they are designed for. The description said multiple brands of SVDs. Bummer! I have the shortened mags for the initial guns but was hoping to have a spare for each...oh well!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 4, 2020 17:54:31 GMT -5
Were I to repeat this project in place of the two inch PVC tubing I would cut and attach flat walls through the receiver group but otherwise leave the project as is. Perhaps in that vein my next one will be an MG-42
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Post by 2ndbat2 on Aug 28, 2022 22:40:35 GMT -5
I sold one of my homemade MG 34s and used the funds to make a MG 42. The easiest to date to build BUT once done (painted and everything) I discovered that I had built it around the AK gearbox with it set on semi Auto! I could have sworn I checked and double checked before my final assembly. Gak!!!!! What an idiot. Next weekend will be diassembly and rework time. Sadly I typically don't build with disassembly in mind. I need to source a couple of those dual mags. For now I'm using normal AK drum magazines and they dont look as good.
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Post by 2ndbat2 on Aug 29, 2022 19:39:35 GMT -5
By lining up an AK I should be able to figure out just where to make my cuts to access the selector switch so the fix should be fairly simple (hopefully). I added some fake rivets to the receiver group on my earlier MG34 as it leads back to the butt stock which enhances the look
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Post by hardslack on Aug 30, 2022 10:45:41 GMT -5
We really benefit from the star wars community on this one. I was skimming this thread and notcied a lot of old broken links (common) As is my nature, I went on an internet wander. empireprops.weebly.com/mg-34-tutorial.htmlHere is an active (as of 2022) site with pretty good directions on a solid, prop MG34 (for stormtrooping) using hardware store parts. But as the builders in this thread discuss, you just make your AEG body fit in there.
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Post by 2ndbat2 on Sept 4, 2022 21:30:01 GMT -5
That is exactly what I did in building these guys. To redo my selector switch I cut away the rounded sides to the ABS and moved it to the proper setting for full auto. I am going to cut away the rounded surface on the other side and replace both sides with sheets of flat ABS. As I did on my earlier effort Ill mount fake rivets that should replicate an improved look. I used brad heads, jb welded into place.
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