Dracul
Master sergeant
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Post by Dracul on Jul 2, 2018 9:47:04 GMT -5
I was on Thingiverse (3D printer model sharing sight) and found a set of models for specifically converting an airsoft M14 to M1 Garand... albeit with some pros and cons. Pro: the models were listed as public domain, so I can do whatever I want with it, ie, edit the models and sell prints commercially. Cons: 1. While its a great base to start with, its needs a significant amount of work. 2. Its incomplete, it doesn't have all the parts needed for a conversion. Lacks rear handguard, stock ferrule, lower band, and forward sling rings. Link: www.thingiverse.com/thing:2224973Here is what I got so far: The concept is very promising. Every model that was included fit together well without sanding or post-print modification. I had to model the front sight myself, so I hope its a decent facsimile. Right now it just attaches with super glue. Probably the only part of this where I feel it needs to printed in a high-strength styrene-based filament (ABS, ASA). While they are a few small issues with the gas cylinder (doesn't drop low enough, sling ring point, and doesn't fit a bayonet), my main concern are the stock ferrule and lower band. I can try to replicate it, but I might just have to get them 3D scanned. I should be able tackle the rear handguard and fix the smaller details. With this said... even if I can't manage the ferrule and lower band, this will greatly reduce costs associated with conversions. As it stands, this is less than $20 worth of material. Ideally, with everything else managed, the full kit would still be less than $30. The modeler included a model for a mag, but it wasn't complete either. No idea if it fits cartridge belts or not. I won't be messing with it. We already have a simple shotgun mag mod and I feel the shorty 70rd M14 mags are the best ideal candidate for these conversions, even if it sticks out a bit.
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Post by volkssturm on Jul 2, 2018 14:09:22 GMT -5
Very impressive. This technology is just amazing.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 2, 2018 15:25:35 GMT -5
So did be sell you the parts or did you print them yourself using his free domain designs. Either way this is very cool. The lower (Skinny) handguarx should be fairly easy and yoh no doubt could use the M14 hand guard clip in a pinch (although a replica bhilt into the hanguard WwW2 style handguard clip would be cooler). Since the lower hand guard did not effect disassembly kr common repairs I typicalky just epoxied it into place on mine.
This 3D printing affords so many possible conversion possibilities. For the Garad a proper butt plate would be nice as well.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
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Post by Dracul on Jul 2, 2018 15:58:17 GMT -5
The files were free online for anyone, and printed them myself. Without getting too legal, some people have their files listed "cannot be used commercially" and/or "models can't be altered" among other things. Its weird, but I can use and sell these without repercussions.
Legalities out of the way. I don't know how I'll proceed ATM with the other parts, but if anyone was interested, I can probably sell these as-is "Version 1" kits in the stronger materials and in black or silver, maybe in a day or two. I won't be offering paint jobs.
I'll continue to work on other parts, but don't know how long it will take. I can try for a proper Garand butt plate, but it might end up being better to just leave the stock M14 butt plate.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 2, 2018 22:20:23 GMT -5
if you need any original parts to go by I just might have what you need in the parts bin. To facilitate simplicity of assembly I purposely did my lower hand guard about 1 1/2 inches too short. The rifles overall length was still correct as the M14 butt stock is slightly longer than a Garand. It also allowed the M14 barrel to fit unmodified into the Garand gas assembly. I seldom used the upper stock ferrule but rather tweaked and modified the M14 ferrule although admittedly the actual Garand front ferrule was a nice touch. The sling hardware on the gas assembly provided a stacking swivel not actually sling hardware. Though present on most WW2 Garands I ve also heard that they were sometimes removed by GIs as they rattled and tended to snag on things. If your 3D piece left them off it would not be a deal breaker in my opinion.
Does the plastic you use hold paint well as far as you can tell? There are lots of great finishes that can be applied to create both the wood and mettalic effects you seek.
Sounds like once done you could offer a complete conversion kit (minus the base M14) for around $100.00 and still make a little. I wish I still had some of the uninstalled stock augmentation pieces as they added a lot to the finished conversions.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Jul 3, 2018 11:26:59 GMT -5
The full kits will be far cheaper than that, and I'll still make profit. $100 worth of printing services would net you a fully printed Garand replica and then some.
I don't do the whole predatory pricing thing like a lot of 3D printing services do, who jack up their prices exponentially and sell to less informed buyers. It's real greasy, and I wouldn't feel right conducting business that way.
The plastic I'll be using for this does take paint well. There is even some heat resistant stuff that can take wood stain, but haven't experimented much with it. Most of what I print is for my business and gets painted either by me or the customer (weapon and costume replicas from video games). Spray paints, acrylics, model enamels, etc etc. Honestly, painting is a time consuming process. Especially when trying to get good wood and blue-steel/gun metal effects. I know it might sound counter-productive, but I rather not offer a paint service on top of the parts. I'd rather just sell the rough prints. I got a lot of moving parts with my business and printing services, if I were to give paint jobs to everything, it would cause stoppages and delays on other orders. I typically try to print in colors similar to the end colors. So, for metal pieces, I'll print in black (like the SMLE addons), but in regards to mock-wood pieces, there isn't quality co-poly plastic in brown, so I'll have to print in whatever else I got.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Jul 9, 2018 1:27:07 GMT -5
Painting and special aging effects has always been my favorite part of a custom build. Let me knkw when you got the ferrules and lower hand guard (a stock augmentation piece might be a nice touch as well.). I created one long ago, created a latex mold and knocked out about 50 of them before the molds tore. I also did front gas assemblies and botb handguards. I wish now I had hung onto an unused set so you could 3D copy them. What I did to create the augmentation was mask off the stock section, slather it in vascilene and then fashoined the stock augmentation until it lokked just right and of course was snug to the M14 thinner stock. Once hardened i seperated it and poured a two piece latex mold. Had I used mold release or talc in my production effort I probably would have gotten 100 plus pours. (i did on some of the parts). With 3D printing those archaic days are no doubt long gone.
Excited to see this come together. Let me know if I can help in any way?
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 20, 2018 19:59:37 GMT -5
Where are you at currently with this? Did you ever get the heat shield hanguard butt plate and other assorted pieces done?
If so what have you arrived at as a kit cost? What other 3D rifle bits have you come up with. I sti!l think until a viable inexpensive Kar 98 comes out a kit to readily convert a BAR 10 and the same thing creating an Enfield and Arisaka would sell!
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Dec 30, 2018 22:14:39 GMT -5
Not to pester but any further effort on this? I would be interested in buying some bits to build out some more M14 conversions. I'd especially like to build out some more "Bar98s". My offer still holds tosend you a gas assembly and lower handguard.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
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Post by Dracul on Feb 5, 2019 13:20:37 GMT -5
Hey, sorry about the dropping off the face of the earth... Not to get too personal, but a lot of bad things happened late last-summer and I'm only now sort of getting back on my feet.
Unfortunately this project and any airsoft project has stopped for the foreseeable future. I do want to get back to it, but now I'm entirely committed to expanding my growing Etsy shop and 3d print services, especially with the recent, astronomical popularity I've gotten.
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Post by hunterj on Feb 6, 2019 20:12:00 GMT -5
Dracul what is your etsy shop? 2nd Bat I would be willing to print some of these and send them to you, i recently got a 3D printer and could design the remaining parts and print them.
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Dracul
Master sergeant
Posts: 1,341
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Post by Dracul on Feb 7, 2019 12:02:42 GMT -5
It's TheScarletImpaler: www.etsy.com/shop/TheScarletImpaler Just note you'll likely have to redesign the gas tube. IIRC, the print wasn't aligning with the rest of the parts and the airsoft parts.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 10, 2019 16:34:17 GMT -5
Since quality AEG Garands are readily available "BAR 98" conversion bits would be hot and serve our comunity really well. I keep hearing that a viable Springer Kar98 is just around the corner but that doesnt seem to be the case. As you and I have discussed the forearm front stock bit along with perhaps a butt stock piece, upper hand guard, stock bands and front and rear sites along with perhaps a few add on bits to make the receiver area and bolt look better would be all you need
sorry to hear you went through a rough spell. Glad to see you back at it. Would you like me to do a Garand / M14 stock augmentation piece? I could also do a rear handguard I could knock one out in a week and send it to you in dynaglass to use as a plug to copy...It would add a lot to your Garand conversion kit.
Happy to do this repayment for all the cool things you've done for me.
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Feb 11, 2019 23:57:37 GMT -5
The S&T Kar98 springer has reached the asian market but it just hasn't reached the US yet unfortunetly.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 15, 2019 0:44:33 GMT -5
I saw that. If however the needed bolt on bits could be 3D printed for 50.00 or even $60.00 a guy could acquire a used BAR10 pretty cheap and with a little effort have a decent KAR98 for $120.00 or so. Maybe less?
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 15, 2019 0:46:52 GMT -5
In a perfect world the plastic stock S&T will ultimately be around that price. Given the price on the Springer carbines that should be doable?
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Post by hunterj on Feb 19, 2019 19:32:37 GMT -5
2nd Bat, are you suggesting making a 3D printable K98 kit to turn the VSR/Bar's into K98's with the kit? If so, I could help with this project.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 21, 2019 1:20:08 GMT -5
Absolutely. A 3D printed Kar 98 Conversion package for a BAR98 would be awesome. Think rear stock with butt plate, Forearm and upper handguard/heat shield. Stock bands front and rear sights, receiver grounp bits to further the illusion. The center area from the Bar compositional stock would remain as is. There would have to be some cosmetic blending but that easy.
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Post by volkssturm on Feb 21, 2019 15:20:06 GMT -5
Just my two cents. A Gew43 kit to convert M14's would be quite useful. An upper receiver shell, front band, front sight, rear sight, cup style butt plate.
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2nd Bat
Master sergeant
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 21, 2019 23:30:32 GMT -5
There is member here with a progress facebook page has been ongoing for literally 2 years. His efforts are extremely impressive. He is doing an FJ42 as well. Unfortunately his obsession with perfection (commendable on the face of it) means he will never finish either. Natuarally I hope I am wrong.
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