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View Full Version : Aluminum Emag selector switch



Walrus
06-11-2006, 10:15 PM
I have only seen one aluminum selector switch and ever since I got my Emag built, I thought about getting one. It seems that the previous owner of my Emag lowers thought the lever was bulky and cut it down. Well, I decided to make my own and I would just like everyone's thoughts. Like would anyone else be interested, and what would be a reasonable price for one of these. I could probably make different styles, but please keep in mind that I made this from scratch and by hand. Took about 2.5 hours roughly to created it, test it, and polish it.

**Please note that I am no longer making these.

<a href="http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8137/dsc018055aw.jpg"><img src="http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/8137/dsc018055aw.jpg" width="600" height="450"></img></a>

<a href="http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2605/dsc018092tq.jpg"><img src="http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/2605/dsc018092tq.jpg" width="600" height="450"></img></a>

<a href="http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3363/dsc018143fn.jpg"><img src="http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3363/dsc018143fn.jpg" width="600" height="450"></img></a>

mag_lover05
06-11-2006, 10:22 PM
you should make more, and sell them. i would probably buy one.

behemoth
06-11-2006, 10:24 PM
Do you have something underneath it, or is it going to scratch the hell out of your frame?

Jotsy
06-11-2006, 11:55 PM
i would buy one.... if the price is right ;)

StygShore
06-12-2006, 12:24 AM
looks nice, I was actually asking any of the dealers if they made aluminum switches or not in the other forum.


I would probably pick one up from you.

Thanks


Styg

Shives
06-12-2006, 06:57 AM
I might be interested. How about a pic from the front of the frame to show how tall it is. How much are you talking price-wise?

Shives

Walrus
06-12-2006, 07:32 AM
Do you have something underneath it, or is it going to scratch the hell out of your frame?

There is nothing underneith of it, it sits exactly where the plastic stock lever went and has the same clearance as the stock piece, and maybe a little more clearance where the lever extends over the frame. I will try to get another pic of it when I get home so you all can see the clearance. And, just to let you know, it does not contact the frame except where it bolts to the selector drum.

Shives asked about a price...I really don't know what a resonable price would be. The stock plastic lever is $2.00, but is is probably made from a mold and is easy to make. I am making mine by hand (cut/carve/polish) I don't want to jump the gun and ask a price that is unreasonable. Any suggestions on prices??? Also, I won't be able to offer any anodizing. I don't have the capabilityies, so they will just come as polished aluminum when I start making more.

Also, I have a few design ideas in mind, but feel free to offer ideas on what you would like to see or have. :D

Hexis
06-12-2006, 08:27 AM
I made this for myself a while back:

http://www.visi.com/~mjb/Paintball/TunaBladeGreenEMag.jpg

I think it would be pretty tough to make by hand. I have no real interest in making them for sale, so feel free to use the design if it's useful to you.

Walrus
06-12-2006, 08:39 AM
Thanks Hexis! That was my inspiration to make an aluminum lever, and hopefully I might be able to make a close reproduction of it if someone would want one. If I can ask, how did you make yours and how long did it take?

Hexis
06-12-2006, 08:42 AM
A few minutes to run the code. Maybe an hour to write the program.

I did it on a CnC mill.

Shives
06-12-2006, 10:17 AM
I don't know, I guess I would like to see around $5.00. Maybe a bit more for coolness. What I am really looking for out of this is something that a won't bump w/ my left hand. I have grinded my plastic selector switch down some, but I still feel it. I really wish there were away to move it to the opposite side. Oh well, you have certainly tempted me.

Shives

Walrus
06-12-2006, 12:05 PM
I have an idea that would probably work for a lefty, but I would like to try it out first to make sure it will work. Is it the lever that interfears, or thickness of the lever, or the screw at the top? I am a righty, so I could use the insight of a south-paw so I can address the issue. Honestly, I don't think that $5 is a respectable price for the time and effort, but I would like to get a majority vote before determining the cost. Honestly, I was thinking more along the lines of somewhere in the $20 range including shipping and paypal fees. A lot of that would be determined by who all would want one and the complexity of the design. Again, please chime in people, I need to know what works for you. :D

mag_lover05
06-12-2006, 12:49 PM
20 is a little steep, but $10-$15 seems very resonable, $5 is definately to low..... but, now since you know how to do it, and dont have to sit, and think, $20 seems a little high, specially cuz shipping wont cost anything for such a small/light part, you could just mail it in an envelope. i would say $15

Walrus
06-12-2006, 01:06 PM
Thanks for the reply mag_lover. I figured that the only way I could get some feedback is to throw out a price and let everyone put in a response. In all honesty, I think that a good final cost would be like $16 shipped. Would that work better for everyone? Cost of materials and time is always so hard to judge :p

Shives
06-12-2006, 01:09 PM
I could probably live w/ the low teens. If it included shipping. Yeah, shipping would be next to nothing, but saying it is included, makes you think you are getting more for your money. Saying $x.xx and then adding S&H always makes it seem like more money. Roll it all together, and it doesn't seem so bad.

Let me get home and actually put gun in hand, and I'll be able to give you more thoughts on lefties.

Shives

Hexis
06-12-2006, 01:10 PM
For something that takes 2.5 hours to create, logically you should charge a lot more than $16. Without materials that's only $6.40 an hour for your time, which I suspect is more valuiable than that. Do not discredit the time doing something like this will consume. That also assumes dealing with the kids on the net will go perfectly smoothly, which is fully impossible.

Walrus
06-12-2006, 01:21 PM
It did take me 2.5 - 3 hours to create the first one. Luckily now I have most of the details worked out and I should be able to create some more in a much more timely manner. I do have to agree with Hexis, time is important and should be awarded appropriately. Being a bit of an artist, I tried to sell some of my paintings once. My materials cost seemed low, but when you include the 8+ hours it took to create a masterpiece, then the cost jumped quite a bit. I want to create something that everyone will want and like, but at the same time I would have a hard time paying over $20 for such a small piece. I will work out the details of the cost later, but it will be between $16-$22 including shipping and paypal fees. That way you are still getting a nice quality part at a resonable cost for a custom one-of piece.

FYI, if you think that the cost of this seems a little rediculous, go to a art/craft show and look how much they charge for custom jewlery. You will typically be paying twice the cost for something custom and unique.

Arstron
06-12-2006, 02:10 PM
FYI, if you think that the cost of this seems a little rediculous, go to a art/craft show and look how much they charge for custom jewlery. You will typically be paying twice the cost for something custom and unique.

$16-$22 seems very reasonable for what you are doing. I would be willing to pay that for an aluminum selector switch.

Walrus
06-12-2006, 10:07 PM
Added a profile pic so you all could get an idea of what it looks like and how much it clears so you don't have to worry about it scratching the anno.

Walrus
06-19-2006, 10:52 PM
Ok, with lack of time and a hurt back, I have finally got one of the switch levers made. The levers will be in a teardrop shape and will be polished aluminum. Mag_Lover has already spoken for this one and if he still wants it, then it goes to him. I will be creating them one at a time at my own pace, so you will have to be patient. As I have one available, I will post and whomever wants it can post or PM me and we will work out the details. If I need to move this to the Classified forum, please let me know. Hopefully you guys (and gals) are still interested in one. Please post up if you are so I can get a rough count of how many I will be expected to make (if I can).

Ratt
06-20-2006, 03:39 AM
I am interested in one.

Shives
06-20-2006, 06:32 AM
Put me down for one. Can Paypal or MO. Email me whatever other info I need.

Shives

Ratt
06-20-2006, 06:40 AM
Hey Walrus...have you decided how much you are going to charge?

Walrus
06-20-2006, 07:58 AM
For now, I believe that $20 shipped and Paypal'd within the US is a good deal (international will require shipping to be calculated, so contact me first when you purchase one). It seemed to be the most reasonable for the time and effort, and it isn't too outrageous :D.

Just an FYI: I really won't be doing a pre-order type system because I have seen too many times on AO and elsewhere that sometimes the orders can't be filled or it takes longer than expected. I am having back surgery next week, so I don't want to build up everyone's expectations on getting one right away and I may not be able to fill the order until around a month from now. This is why I said that I will just make them as I can and will let everyone know when there are some available.

Shives - I know we were going to work together to get a good design for a lefty. I was playing around with my Emag yesterday trying to see where a lefty would have trouble with my design. There are some areas where I could make it more of a lower profile and "ergonomic" so it isn't just too much of a bother. PM me some of your thoughts if you have had a chance to hold yours to see what bothers you. Also, my hands are kinda big, so I noticed that the area where the screw is may be what gets in your way. I can round this off a little to make it somewhat more comfortable.

Walrus
06-20-2006, 11:12 AM
Thank you to whomever moved this.

Shives
06-23-2006, 12:08 AM
I finally got the time to handle my EMag a bit and then sit down and type.

Something that I had never really thought about before. When the selector is horizontal pointing forward, it is in Mech. The E is down or w/ the selector in the verticle position. However, you can actually flip it further past the E and almost horizontal pointing rear-ward. It feels like it is in Electronic in that position, but w/ a dead battery and no air, I can't tell.

If pointing to the rear is still E, it eliminates much of the discomfort. Pointing vertically, the switch sits right under my second knuckle. I really like the looks of your proto-type, and I think that alone would be a big help.

I think the real problem I have is the height of the screw that holds the switch. Even w/ the contouring of the switch, your are still limited by the heithg of the screw. Is it possible to even half its height and then contour the switch from there?

Just a thought, but could you replace the "counter-sunk" screw w/ a button-cap. If you could do that, and slice the switch down by a half or 2/3's, it would be great.

Just thinking...

Shives

Rudz
06-23-2006, 01:04 AM
im gonna keep my eye on these, good job

Ratt
06-23-2006, 02:52 AM
I understand why you won't do a pre-order, but how are you going to determine who gets them first?

Anonym
06-23-2006, 07:21 AM
Shives, isn't that the "Hybrid" mode on the Emag?

Anyway, I'm not a mag shooter, but Walrus is my brother, and I've been keeping a close eye on this thread. We've actually been discussing different options on these and we'll do a little experimenting over the weekend of the 4th when I make the trip down to see him after his surgery.

I was actually thinking of looking for a smaller/lower profile screw to work there. Does anyone have the screw size (diameter, thread pitch, and length)? What about a switch that the cap screw sits on top of? Then the only "height" would be the screw at the top.

Either way, I think we'll have a few to look at soon that would be worth looking at. Ratt, I'll suggest to Walrus that interested people can let him know by email, and then once one is completed, he can send out a picture of it to the email list and the first to respond and send cash takes it. If you have any better ideas that is not a pre-order, post it so that he can consider it.

Thanks,
Anonym

Walrus
06-23-2006, 07:50 AM
Thanks Anonym for the reply. By the way, there is a pitch/thread guage in my tap and dye set that you have. Make sure you bring it with you next week. Also, that isn't hybrid, its just the other side of the selector switch drum where it doesn't allow the trigger to move, but feels like E mode.

I am lucky enough to have Anonym coming down next week to keep me company/help me out. I have already made 5 total, but one has already sold, one is on my Emag, one didn't fit quite right, and the other two I screwed up because of being unsteady while trying to work with a consistant pain in my back and legs. Anonym does great work and has steady hands, also after I get him through the initial creation process I am sure we can crank a few out for you all. He has some great ideas too that should please everyone.

Ratt, I will probably let just those who have posted and shown interest get first "dibs." That way all of you who have made comments or expressed your interest have a fair chance. Think of it like someone making hamburgers on the grill one at a time. Once one is finished, then whomever wants it at that time can get it. More of a first come first serve basis, but with a little discretion and I will let you all know when one is finished.

Shives - I will look into a different screw if I can find one, but this was honestly just suppose to be a drop in replacement. I played around pretending to be a lefty to see what would bother me the most. The screw is going to be the biggest factor as we have all pointed out, but the contoured and rounded design are definately more comfortable than just a small plastic block. I can definately make the lever shorter, but again, the screw will be the biggest problem.

Shives
06-23-2006, 08:57 AM
Great R& D. Keep up the work.

Shives

Ratt
06-23-2006, 09:01 AM
Walrus, I like your brother's idea. Make one, then email everyone who is interested. Whoever answers first, get first dibs.

mag_lover05
06-23-2006, 10:53 AM
I have an idea that would probably work for a lefty, but I would like to try it out first to make sure it will work. Is it the lever that interfears, or thickness of the lever, or the screw at the top? I am a righty, so I could use the insight of a south-paw so I can address the issue. Honestly, I don't think that $5 is a respectable price for the time and effort, but I would like to get a majority vote before determining the cost. Honestly, I was thinking more along the lines of somewhere in the $20 range including shipping and paypal fees. A lot of that would be determined by who all would want one and the complexity of the design. Again, please chime in people, I need to know what works for you. :D
im a lefty and i never have any problem with the switch...but then again i shoot with both hands since i play speed.

slade
06-23-2006, 04:31 PM
A few minutes to run the code. Maybe an hour to write the program.

I did it on a CnC mill.
an hour? really?

did you use design software or write it by hand?

i could probably make an aluminum selector switch for someone if they wanted to give me a schematic of what needs to be made... although i wont have access to a CNC mill until school starts again, and today was my last day :)

Hexis
06-26-2006, 07:31 AM
I wrote the gcode by hand based on my own drawings.

Rudz
07-05-2006, 07:05 PM
i cant wait, one of these is gonna look perfect on my xmag

Little_Ho
07-05-2006, 08:57 PM
Just to jump in.

I would take one in Silver for sure and yes I would spend 15-20 Dollar for one.


my 2cents


Little_Ho

Anonym
07-06-2006, 07:40 AM
Hey guys, just an update on the project. My brother (Walrus) is recovering from his back surgery and I've got pink eye in a bad way, so we've been delayed a bit on getting some of these going. We have been able to locate some materials that may let us look at doing some lower profile switches.

We've now got our hands on some buttonhead screws to use in place of the cap heads that should help out quite a bit. After we've played with it a bit, we should be able to post a few pics as to whether or not it was worth the effort.

Stay tuned. . .

Anonym

Shives
07-06-2006, 09:49 AM
On the edge of my seat....the left edge that is ;)

Shives

Rudz
07-06-2006, 04:49 PM
i bet i can send paypal faster than you can, waiting, waiting, waiting.

Anonym
07-07-2006, 02:02 PM
Looks like we're getting together this weekend. We should be able to crank out a few to put up for sale. Walrus is still recovering, but I think I can prop him up long enough to get some going. Unless we find some issues using the smaller screws, we should be able to offer both standard, and a lower-profile version.

I'll have to verify this with Walrus, but I imagine we'll whip out a few, take a pic, and post them with prices that reflect the particular switch. Some may be more basic and offered at a lower price. Others may be more detailed/intricate and require a new screw, and may therefore merit a slightly higher value. Either way, I doubt he'll be asking more than the original "high end" value discussed in this thread. Keep your eyes open, thread subscriptions fresh, and paypal handy, because I think you'll like what you see! :dance:

Anonym

Walrus
07-07-2006, 07:09 PM
Hopefully, I can keep up with Anonym this weekend as I am just now able to stay up for over 30 minutes. We will keep you all posted as soon as we make some progress. Thanks again for everyone's interest. :D

Rudz
07-07-2006, 07:50 PM
execising paypal finger.....

Walrus
07-10-2006, 05:14 PM
Well, Anonym pulled though with making a couple of levers this weekend even though we had to spend half the day Saturday in the ER (because of me). According to your all's advice I have sent messages to those who have expressed the most interest first. If they decline the first offers, then I will post up some pics and they will be offered to everyone else. And just to let you all know, they will be $20 shipped and Paypal'd within the USA. :D

Little_Ho
07-10-2006, 09:14 PM
Ill take one in silver/RAW like I stated before.

So dont forget me....lol

Paypal is ready to go

Little_Ho

Walrus
07-10-2006, 09:52 PM
I haven't forgot you!!! There will be more coming. :D

Little_Ho
07-10-2006, 11:12 PM
I haven't forgot you!!! There will be more coming. :D


I like that thanks

rlmatthews
07-12-2006, 12:12 PM
I'm interested in a low profile one.
PM me with paypal info when you have one available.

Thanks!

Walrus
07-14-2006, 09:12 AM
OK, the two that Anonym created are now gone. Hopefully within the next week I will be feeling up to making some more, but no promises yet :D I will post up when more are available.

gruntbull
07-14-2006, 11:01 AM
Noticed you can not anodize, contact me about it, can see if I can do these for a good price for you. Problems I see is that I would rather get a large quantity of them at one time to ano them in a run and ship back (saves money as well)

Check out my site if you are interested: http://www.gruntbullanodizing.com

Email is sales@gruntbullanodizing.com

(we can talk a price on emails it will be reasonable)

Shives
07-17-2006, 08:09 PM
:dance:

Big improvement. Still going to be watching these guys to see what they come up w/.

Shives

Rudz
07-18-2006, 09:17 AM
In that case, I should check my mail, and ill keep watching, ill need atleast 1 more.

Walrus
08-01-2006, 04:24 PM
I just wanted to bump this thread up from the second page. I am feeling much better now to the point that I could sit down and create some more of these. The only downfall is the massive heat wave that has come through the midwest and with temps in my garage ranging from 80+ degrees it will be hard to stay out there and create these things. As soon as I make some more, they will be posted here.

Keep your eyes peeled, it will be a first come first serve basis. The first to post or PM me when they are posted will get one.

Walrus
08-08-2006, 02:58 PM
Alright, I was offering this to Little_HO, but I never heard back. I have one Aluminum Selector lever ready to ship. The first to either post or PM me can have it for $22 shipped. Let the fun begin :D

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/4687/dsc018433av.th.jpg (http://img103.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc018433av.jpg)

Walrus
08-09-2006, 01:22 PM
No one wants this?! I can't believe it. :eek:

Rudz
08-10-2006, 03:04 AM
i just blew a ton of cash at the casino, damnit...

Hexis
08-10-2006, 10:14 AM
This is how it happens. You post an idea for something cool, a ton of people say they would pay anyting for it, the want it more than food, they love it, etc... Create it and the excuses flow. This situation has been often repeated.

Walrus
08-10-2006, 10:22 AM
Now you all know the other reason why I will only make one or two at a time instead of a whole run and then offering them. Oh well, someone will want it sooner or later.

Walrus
08-14-2006, 08:33 PM
Anyone, anyone?? Somebody needs to buy this one.

StygShore
08-14-2006, 09:01 PM
Does this have the groove in the bottom to fit over the Selector Cam?


Styg

Walrus
08-14-2006, 09:03 PM
Does this have the groove in the bottom to fit over the Selector Cam?


Styg


Yup. I made these as a direct replacement for the stock ones.

shives007
08-14-2006, 10:19 PM
They fit just like the original plastic ones do.

If the guy buying my rail were using PayPal, I'd get this one even though I already got one :p

They are that nice.

Shives

Walrus
08-15-2006, 07:33 AM
Thanks Shives! And just think, you got one of my brother's and not mine :p

Anonym
08-15-2006, 08:03 AM
Hey, I heard that! ;)

Anonym

StygShore
08-15-2006, 08:13 AM
I bought it... I was one of the original people asking about them, and turns out I needed one to finish up the Xmag project I am working on.


Thanks


Styg

Walrus
08-15-2006, 08:17 AM
If anyone else would be interested in one, please post up so I will know to get busy making more. Thanks again Styg!!

Chris Nearchos
11-04-2006, 05:07 PM
just wondering if there were anymore ready.
thanks,
chris

Walrus
11-06-2006, 10:01 AM
Thanks again Chris!

Anyone else interested? I am just trying to decide if I should make some more or what?

Walrus
02-12-2007, 04:37 PM
I just wanted to let everyone know that I am no longer going to be making these. It was fun while it lasted, but with my first kid on the way I know that I won't have any more spare time to make these. Feel free to use any of the ideas and/or designs posted here if you all would like to create your own.

Thanna
02-14-2007, 03:05 AM
Sorry to hear, but congratulations and good luck with your family :D