Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jun 24, 2018 18:59:49 GMT -5
Thanks. Cost wise, all the small decorations amounted to a small portion of what it would be buy real-steel parts. Even with the few failures, I'd even say chicken scratch. Actually, the BEST thing is, there is no further harsh modifications needed. For example, because I modeled the rear sight to be mounted on a converted VSR-10, there was no need to cut off the bottom of a real-steel SMLE rear site and open up that curve/hole further to evenly sit on top of a VSR-10 receiver/outer barrel. Even if I did the handguards, too, they would already be ready to be mounted on the gun, right off the printer.
Sure, I made the mistake of the angle the rear sight sat and collided with the rear handguard, but a quick few seconds under a heat gun fixed that (and lesson learned for when I do another sight for the other SMLE).
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 2, 2018 10:16:02 GMT -5
Did up the other SMLE to completion, and I'm considering these mods done. One rifle still needs upgraded sears and cylinder internals, and I'm just going to replace my rear sling rings with stock VSR sling rings (as one broke off already, haha). Oh, and I did up quick mod to counter the mag-release button being too deep thing, too. The button extender mod: The rifles: 2 years over due, but oh well. I'm more than happy with them, even if they aren't 100% detailed.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 2, 2018 15:48:12 GMT -5
As I know very little about 3D printing. How much materials cost would there be IF you had the printable files for the muzzle piece, front site, upper hand guard, lower forestock rear stock, rear site butt plate and assorted cosmetic pieces around the bolt area to approximate an SMLE look? I'm obviously thinking in terms of relatively easy add ons to a Bar 10 base gun? It seems to me that 3D files and finding someone with a quality printer could facilitate our hobbies need for Kar98s, Arisakas and Enfields and fill in a lot of other vacancies. I saw what you got for Garand conversions in your other post and that is clearly in line with this thinking.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 2, 2018 16:07:39 GMT -5
Honestly, no more than $30. Keeping it as is, and with the muzzle cap (I could model that easily), less than $20. I can get to the precise costs in a day or two.
I plan on, slowly mind you, to try each of these, sans Arisakas and Mosins. I will attempt a simple one first, Lee-Enfield No.4, and go from there. I'll need to do the modeling myself, but the simplicity of the design promotes confidence in my skill.
I feel the stocks for Arisakas and Mosins are far too thin for 3D printing solution. Barrel bands and such, yes, but I think it would be much wiser to craft stock parts out of wood.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 2, 2018 22:31:47 GMT -5
As you know many of my bolt action conversions used the center portion of the VSR stock and then attached and blended the forearm and butt stock in place. The SMLE (Enfield) as well as a KAR 98 or Springfield upper handguard required extensive dremel work to fit so if those parts along with sights and other key bits were available and pre fitted the project would be much much easier and result in a more consistent and affordable project. Excited about the possibilities.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 3, 2018 11:33:22 GMT -5
Exactly my plan. I'm even going to try to make them so one wouldn't need to cut the VSR outer barrel. Try to keep things as simple as possible.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 14, 2018 22:21:31 GMT -5
Hadn't thought about not having to cut down the VSR outer barrel but with a thin, veneer 3D cut SMLE handguard I can visualize how that would work. Good thinking Drac.
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