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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 13:05:41 GMT -5
Howdy! *I was asked to post my project here for all to see: Some History: I started this project 2 years ago, after getting into WW2 re-enacting I noticed the lack of WW2 weapons in the field, and most guys wanted the G43, so I decided to turn the CYMA M14 into a G43 with the help of 3d printing. All parts were measured from a real G43 and then re-engineered to fit the M14. All parts are made from ABS with at least 50% infill, and because the CYMA M14 body is also ABS it was easy to bond the 3d printed parts to the body of the M14. *So this kit will not work on the wooden version M14, and because you need the longer barrel, the socom version will also not work for this build. This build is specific to the CYMA M14. Some Knowledge: *Because the stock CYMA M14 does not look like wood, I decided to Hydro Dip the upper hand guard and the stock. After a few tests I finally got the look I was going for (A Darker wood grain, with a dark base) However, the base colour of the stock can be any colour. *3d printed parts we finished with bondo putty, paint, and sealed. Weathering will be done in the future. *All custom pins were made from nails and function as intended * Future plans to install return spring for the bolt (maybe even ebb but thats further down the road) Anyway, this DIY kit may be available for anyone interested in purchasing it. (2017) *Still testing the product * still tweaking functionality If you would like to know more about the project, feel free to join the build discussion here: www.facebook.com/groups/675497675843552/Thanks for looking!
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Aug 8, 2016 14:06:27 GMT -5
Nice job! Welcome to the forums!
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 14:12:32 GMT -5
Thanks!
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shiftysgarand
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Post by shiftysgarand on Aug 8, 2016 16:13:38 GMT -5
Is the safety functional?
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 16:20:45 GMT -5
Is the safety functional? Not this version, but I would like to have this option in the future. (At least make it a cut off lever from the battery)
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Aug 8, 2016 16:39:15 GMT -5
Very nice job on this conversion. The stock band, receiver group, sights and butt plate really set it off nicely. Obviously set up to use the shortened M14 mags which look quite satisfactory and function well. I have found that the flip safety can be dremel cut so it blends closely with the trigger guard and is quite unobtrusive while still functional
I think you will do well with this kit!
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 16:57:12 GMT -5
Very nice job on this conversion. The stock band, receiver group, sights and butt plate really set it off nicely. Obviously set up to use the shortened M14 mags which look quite satisfactory and function well. I have found that the flip safety can be dremel cut so it blends closely with the trigger guard and is quite unobtrusive while still functional I think you will do well with this kit! Thanks! It's a project that I would like to continue to perfect, make parts stronger via redesigns, add the spring return for the bolt, even the small button to hold the bolt in place can function, if you wanted to hold the bolt open. I also have the ZF4 Scope mount ready for testing, and a mocked up ZF4 scope (no internals). And Im still not happy with the connection between the receiver and the gearbox, I would really like to improve this area.
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Post by volkssturm on Aug 8, 2016 17:38:48 GMT -5
You did a beautiful job on it. Especially the receiver. That's shaped ABS plastic?
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Aug 8, 2016 17:59:05 GMT -5
I know you are still working things out but what do you plan to sell the kit for and what all will it include? Feel free to list them for sale in the Airsoft Marketplace or Black market section.
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 19:03:28 GMT -5
You did a beautiful job on it. Especially the receiver. That's shaped ABS plastic? Thanks! It is 3d printed ABS plastic.
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 19:09:09 GMT -5
I know you are still working things out but what do you plan to sell the kit for and what all will it include? Feel free to list them for sale in the Airsoft Marketplace or Black market section. Price to be determined. The kit will include instructions, ABS Slurry, all the parts, pins, screws, and the K98 cleaning rod. The user will be required to hydro dip the upper hang guard and the stock. And you can choose to finish the other parts if you wanted (optional, as the 3d printed parts come out flat black) so it's up to the user.
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Post by brownien on Aug 8, 2016 19:52:47 GMT -5
Absolutely beautiful! I will indeed need to buy your kit once it comes available!
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Post by tact2jager on Aug 8, 2016 22:52:59 GMT -5
Absolutely beautiful! I will indeed need to buy your kit once it comes available! Thanks! I will keep you guys updated, this is the first time I've shared outside of my group. Again, feel free to jump into my FB project page, as I wont be updating every change I make in 2 places.
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adrg
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Post by adrg on Oct 20, 2016 2:49:01 GMT -5
Very nice! definitely on my Christmas list! Looking for updates - unfortunately FB is not accessible for me. Please consider updating this forum as well once a month maybe. BTW - I wonder if this project can be extended for other platform like SVD to G43 conversions with replica wood stock. I can help with some measurements/pictures if needed. Just send me a PM with your email.
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Post by tact2jager on Oct 20, 2016 16:58:38 GMT -5
Very nice! definitely on my Christmas list! Looking for updates - unfortunately FB is not accessible for me. Please consider updating this forum as well once a month maybe. BTW - I wonder if this project can be extended for other platform like SVD to G43 conversions with replica wood stock. I can help with some measurements/pictures if needed. Just send me a PM with your email. Thanks PM sent.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 27, 2016 21:11:20 GMT -5
While progress seems slow on this, if you follow his efforts on Facebook (which I heartily encourage all fans of Ww2 airsoft do). You'll see his ongoing, constant and worthwhile progress. This project is rapidly closing in on becoming a commercially available product and should be available pretty soon. (I personally believe it's far enough along that it could NOW be offered as a Beta run). For advanced DIYers with a more refined and easier kit offered later. (That's mostly my impatience showing through). Based on what I'm seeing this is going to be awesome!
I am anxious to redo my homebuild G43 with his far better executed components and would be 100% comfortable finding ways to make his fabricated cosmetic parts fit.
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Oct 28, 2016 6:25:15 GMT -5
If this whole thing is successful, and the new A&K Garand isn't poop, this will mean the main armies will have easy to get/make rifles. I'm almost to the point of where I'm good on loaner rifles for Germans, but I'd definitely buy one these kits!
We need more Enfields and Brens, though....
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Oct 28, 2016 22:07:00 GMT -5
It is impressive that Steve wants this perfected prior to releasing it and I am delighted to see him game testing it and continuously findings ways to perfect it. He is first and foremost a player who recognized some holes he felt he could fill. (He has other projects in the works as well). That said after two years of tweaking, experimenting and revision it's time to get it out there. Once marketed there is NOTHING wrong with continuous improvement as the get sold. Customers can and are happy to help refine and enhance this project. We have been hoping that someone with 3D Printing skills and resources jump into our arena and Steve seems to be that white knight.
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Post by tact2jager on Oct 31, 2016 11:00:35 GMT -5
Thanks guys! I still have to iron out a few of the bugs in the bolt assembly, it's such a pain in the ass when there is no obvious connection points to make a solid connection. With my latest test, I printed out a nub that connects to the back of the gearbox to give me something to screw into, but after testing it out Im still not convinced that this will be 100% solid. (I don't want this thing popping off in the field *EVER!). So it's back to the drawing board...
Will post pic updates showing the latest tests.
Thanks for your interest!
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Post by tact2jager on Oct 31, 2016 13:39:10 GMT -5
If this whole thing is successful, and the new A&K Garand isn't poop, this will mean the main armies will have easy to get/make rifles. I'm almost to the point of where I'm good on loaner rifles for Germans, but I'd definitely buy one these kits! We need more Enfields and Brens, though.... My next build is going to be the FG42 (from scratch), but I do plan to build a 1919A6 in parallel (As an MG34 equivalent). The Bren is something I have considered in the past, but I require more time to build it. So many toys, so little time. Lets just say, the FG42 model is already complete and most parts are ready for printing. The 1919A6 is also 85% done (needs some reengineering for airsoft) but I am confident that I can reproduce the best looking 1:1 scale home builds with the help of 3d printing. In fact, if I had the chance to hold any of these items in my hand, I could reproduce it 100% in size and function. *That being said, some things simply wont work with 3d printed plastic parts. For example I would never consider 3d printing a barrel or a cleaning rod... I mean I could print it, but it would never make it a day in the field. So I always keep function in mind when redesigning parts.
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Post by tact2jager on Nov 7, 2016 13:18:08 GMT -5
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adrg
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Post by adrg on Nov 8, 2016 3:05:35 GMT -5
Not sure about front, and how this is going to be attached. But if you could make it to slide 1-1,5 cm towards forward you can consider fitting the front behind the rear sight base. The rear part of the receiver you can attach with a metal clamp on the gearbox top rail. I see from pictures that Cyma v7 gearbox has 1 cm of this rail free towards the end.
Alternatively, you can attach the rear part by a screw that will go into the spring guide (similar as V2) and affix a small metal part like a hook that can attach from a counterpart printed on the receiver.
Maybe these helps!
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Post by tact2jager on Nov 8, 2016 11:03:23 GMT -5
Not sure about front, and how this is going to be attached. But if you could make it to slide 1-1,5 cm towards forward you can consider fitting the front behind the rear sight base. The rear part of the receiver you can attach with a metal clamp on the gearbox top rail. I see from pictures that Cyma v7 gearbox has 1 cm of this rail free towards the end. Alternatively, you can attach the rear part by a screw that will go into the spring guide (similar as V2) and affix a small metal part like a hook that can attach from a counterpart printed on the receiver. Maybe these helps! The front is pressed onto the hopup. It used to slide under the rear sight but I removed this feature to make it more symmetrical, once I release the kit perhaps you can help provide more ideas. For now, this works and I can release it as is. Still a few more things to tinker with, but other than that, it looks like I can start taking orders in 2017.
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adrg
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Post by adrg on Nov 14, 2016 8:52:19 GMT -5
There are few people here looking forward for beta testing, including me. The way this is attached is not a deal breaker for us😇
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 14, 2016 12:47:09 GMT -5
Nor is it a deal breaker for me. Without the parts in hand it's hard to provide suggestions on remedies to the challenges but with what you have currently there are probably a half dozen folks here willing to beta and through their improvisational efforts I bet viable solutions come out of someone. Also pictures of your product and the exposure that results would be a nice shot in the arm.
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Post by tact2jager on Nov 17, 2016 11:56:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the support guys. I was afk for a funeral, but now that I'm back, I'm going to try and jump on the project and keep pushing myself to get this done.
What exactly is the hold up?
The way I designed the bolt assembly is similar to the original where the bolt assembly slides into place, however, this is mostly a shell that fits over the gearbox and there is no obvious place to connect the bolt assembly to the gearbox. *Also, the rear of the bolt assembly sits on the base of the M14 body (If I cut this down the rear of the bolt assembly will not be accurate). So the real issue is the points of contact. So far I made a clip for the front of the bolt assembly to connect to the hop up (not the best idea because the hopup is fragile (SO BE CAREFUL!)). I am also testing a new bracket that slides and locks into place (Might be hard to disassemble but is the only downfall of using this clip).
The last part of the bolt assembly will be adding more structures to the shell. Currently the bolt assembly is just a shell and a bit weak, so I plan to enhance this further until Im happy with it.
Im also considering another kit in the future to be used with a real (or repro) G43 stock. But again this is another project that would require a brand new kit, or a heavily modified kit. If I had a G43 stock on hand I could whip up the kit pretty quickly, but they are very hard to find, not to mention they are pricey.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 17, 2016 17:55:26 GMT -5
I know you want everything sorted out, perfect and seamless for your customers but provided expectations were clearly spelled out I know there is a pretty sizeable potential client base that would be okay buying the components and figuring out how to make them work.
I found with my Garand conversion kits producing the assembly instructions was about as time consuming as creating the kits. Your plan to produce an assembly you tube video is a great idea but entirely uneccessary for these early adopters for whom figuring out how to make the parts work for them will be half the fun!
I can't speak for others but I am chomping at the bit for this kit and looking forward to additional future products you have in the works. My concern is I had a friend passionate about Namsofting who created a ton of desperately needed products for Nam but never quite brought them to market as they never seemed to quite make it to his level of expectation. He created Claymore mine molds, PRC 77 radio shells, Thermite and CS grenade shells, mortar rounds, outer shells that housed smoke grenades, radio handsets, RPD kits, Swedish K kits and other items but never marketed anything. He loved developing but hated production and sales. The result is he burned out and left everyone wanting but not getting. Please please please don't be that guy all over again!
You are way beyond everyone else with regard to a G43 and an FJ 42. That window MIGHT be closing with efforts by others. Capitalize on your efforts and at least recoup your start up expenses before you find yourself the last one to a party you sent out invitations to!
Love what you're doing Steve but I worry about you!
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Post by tact2jager on Nov 18, 2016 10:27:10 GMT -5
Other people who post custom builds actually (inspired) pushed me to offer my kit for everyone, so my kit will be available eventually, I just want it to be above average, and functionally sound, because once I'm happy with it, I know you will be happy with it. I can assure you that the front sight assembly, the front band assembly, the forward hand guard are all 100% solid. The butt plate/trap door/body parts are also 100% complete. So I urge you guys to wait just a little bit longer as I try and figure out the last few puzzles of the bolt assembly. No need to worry, it's on the way
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 18, 2016 12:59:21 GMT -5
Great to hear. The opportunities that 3D printing present are wonderful but like any new technology is sorting itself through the teething process. We appreciate your efforts and passion. Looking forward to all you have to offer.
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Post by brownien on Nov 20, 2016 13:52:02 GMT -5
So far, you've done a wonderful job on your kit, I can't wait to get my hands on one! But to be completely honest, as with most of my airsoft guns, they rarely stay in stock configuration. Once I get down to assembling a kit for myself, I will most likely be modifying the fit of some things, the shapes of other things and the alignment of yet others. With your rear bolt assembly, you may find that the initial purchasers of your kits, may find a more effective solution for attaching it that may seem obvious once a second set of hands get ahold of it. If this does indeed happen, with good customer feedback designs can be modified for future builds and overall will become that much more of a better product. Advertising these initial kits as something for an experienced builder, for beta testing might be the best route to take, as well as being excellent for advertising! Don't hesistate to go ahead with formulating an initial price point for these Beta's as I know the handful of experienced builders here will scoop them up fast, myself being one of them!
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