Smitty's TB Blaster 2012

[Smitty]

I meant to have this done over 6 months ago but I never got around to the task. While on my holiday vacation I got plenty of time to work on it. I gotta find a transistor for the grip and I'll be ready to start working on molds. Here's a little slideshow thingy to show it off.

 

www.wix.com/smithchristopherl/tbpreview

[4505Marcel]

Very nice indeed bro

[Griffin-X]

That's pretty cool...!

[flashcove]

Impressive!

[Smitty]

I got the transistor put on today. I cant wait to get one completed! I have enough casting stuff to make a mold of the nozzle and the power cell but the other 3 parts I gotta get materials.

[Boba Leo]

Wow very nice Chris!!!!!!!

 

Leo

[lonewolf]

Great job Chris, the original "Hero" blaster has another smaller circle on the end of the other three circles, never been reproduced[i think].

Are you keeping the singlepoint writing on the scope? this would be nice.

[Smitty]

None of the lettering on the scope is raised or recessed. They are "inked on" so they will not show up on the castings. On the underside of the scope is a recessed serial number that will remain and be present on the castings.

 

I found a picture of the additional circle you referred to. I'll add that detail to the powercell right away!

[lonewolf]

Great Smitty, I had a Doopy Doos version, the lettering is so slightly raised but actually shows on the resin, it is a nice touch imo.

 

If the extra piece is added I think this will be awesome, it was the "Hero" version after all! If folks don't like it they could always cut it off the cast.

Definitey interested in a new blaster now, great work.

[Smitty]

Hopefully the writing will show up as you say, I agree it would be a nice touch. Hopefully I can start pouring the molds within the next two weeks.

[Griffin-X]

Looking really good Chris.

[Smitty]

I have a question about casting the scope. I was fortunate to have both caps for the turret adjusments but I believe most everyone casts with the top cap removed exposing the dial. Should I do the same with mine or should I remove the top cap for the mold?

[lonewolf]

Is there any screen grabs to show what the real version looked like? Now is the time to make it sweet.

[Smitty]

Here's a pic from the gallery showing the extra ring on the end of the power cell

http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?app=gallery&image=370

 

and here's a pic from the gallery showing how the front tip of the scope has apparently been hollowed out

http://forum.bikerscout.net/index.php?app=gallery&image=376

 

As for the turret cap being removed on the original I havent seen any screen grabs that show wether this is the case or not.

[Smitty]

Well I finally found a suitable piece to serve as the additional ring on the tip of the power cell. Ordering some casting materials next

[Griffin-X]

Cool, can't wait to see how this all turns out. Great attention to detail on this blaster.

[Guest Penn Chemist]

Are these in full production at this point? Do we have an estimated cost at least? Not sure how far along you are Smitty, but I'm interested.

 

Any shots of the final product yet?

 

Very nice attention to detail! Sold as a kit/completed?

[Smitty]

Not in production yet but really really close! Last night I poured the molds for the power cell and barrel nozzle. I'm about to pop the first castings out of those 2 molds in about 5 minutes. *crossing fingers* I also applied the detail silicone layers and pour containers for the receiver and pistol grip last night as well. Just ordered more silicone for the final pours on those parts too. Last big item to do on this is mold the siglepoint scope. still trying to figure out an approach for that. There are lots of inconvenient undercut details for the scope that makes it the hardest part of the process. I'll sell em in kit form and fully finished. I don't want to talk price on this yet but i promise it to be very competitive! Here's a pic!

 

[Smitty]

Yay!!! Man that power cell is a bugger to demold but it looks great! The brown speck on the second tier of the powercell is a speck of dirt not a hole.

[Mr.Mike]

Awesome!

[Smitty]

[Dart]

Out of curiosity, how big will your new one be? By that, I mean will it be actual size or will it be a bit bigger like some of the other foam blasters?

 

BTW, the pics look great so far!

[Smitty]

Its based on the Alan Sinclair measurements which fit the singlepoint scope perfectly so these should be spot on to the movie blasters. Additionally they will fit the holsters made by the popular TB armorers. I make that statement based on the fact that my last blaster molds passed that test and were also based on the Alan Sinclair measurements. Much smaller than the Kenner blasters. My last blaster met all the requirements for Lancer status and the new molds have a much higher degree of accuracy so I am expecting the same results. Of course as soon as the molds are finished I'll be offering a few blasters at a discounted price for a few troopers to give 'em the Pepsi challenge and post a review. At this point I'm in a holding pattern as I await the arrival of the rest of the silicone. With any luck I should be pouring castings as early as next week. Stay Tuned!

[Smitty]

Silicone arrived today, making the final pours today! Should have some casting pics up by the weekend!

[Smitty]

I guess I did not order enough silicone...time to order more. This stuff is so thick I almost burned up my girlfriend's mixer! I should be able to get a casting of the pistol grip tomorrow and post up a picture. Oh so close now. So far I'm only a yeaqr behind on this project LoL!