Successful X Valve anodizing?

[OPBN]

I have an X valve that I am waffling between getting reanodized or just stripping and keeping well polished. I know some have had issues getting X's properly anodized, I had one myself that was poorly done. Who here has had real success in having it done? Who did you use? Did they remove the Z lock pin? Pics?

[tolar250]

i had fx anodizing do mine. he just masked off the zlock pin.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/tolar250/Anodized/100_3752.jpg

[OPBN]

Wow, that's really nice. Got a close up of the area? I'm not super concerned as even if I do have it anodized, will probably go with just polished clear.

[tolar250]

no. i can get some later tonight though. the only issue that i had was that i believe a stray piece of masking got on the valve when the z lock pin was masked and left an unanodized spot on the underside of the valve by the z lock pin.

[splat15k]

Caustic Customs did mine in polished clear. No issues whatsoever:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/splat15k/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg (http://s384.photobucket.com/user/splat15k/media/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg.html)

[OPBN]

no. i can get some later tonight though. the only issue that i had was that i believe a stray piece of masking got on the valve when the z lock pin was masked and left an unanodized spot on the underside of the valve by the z lock pin.

Exactly what I saw on the valve that passed through here. I also think the stripping caused the halves to screw tighter together, so the Z lock pin actually showed making it worse.

On a side note, WTH haven't I seen either of these in MOTM?

[PBLife]

Curious. What hardline are you using that works with CCM air fittings?

[Flatliner333]

On a side note, WTH haven't I seen either of these in MOTM?[/QUOTE]

^This X 2

[knownothingmags]

caustic did this number.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/thetoolishere/shockwave%20emag/550225_427201357357907_1193066671_n_zpse5182cd9.jp g (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/thetoolishere/media/shockwave%20emag/550225_427201357357907_1193066671_n_zpse5182cd9.jp g.html)
goes in here.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/thetoolishere/shockwave%20emag/DSC00606_zpsc68289ef.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/thetoolishere/media/shockwave%20emag/DSC00606_zpsc68289ef.jpg.html)
did the valve and palmers micro rock.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/thetoolishere/pneu%20z-mag/2013-07-20143001_zps60addb41.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/thetoolishere/media/pneu%20z-mag/2013-07-20143001_zps60addb41.jpg.html)
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx60/thetoolishere/pneu%20z-mag/63394_460144667396909_593624301_n_zpsb6dc3b10.jpg (http://s741.photobucket.com/user/thetoolishere/media/pneu%20z-mag/63394_460144667396909_593624301_n_zpsb6dc3b10.jpg. html)
both guns are flawless. in looks and function.
the leaner Z ripps.

[splat15k]

On a side note, WTH haven't I seen either of these in MOTM?

I was waiting to snap a better picture of the gun...even though it looks pretty good in the photo above, it really doesn't "pop" like it should.


Curious. What hardline are you using that works with CCM air fittings?

I used 1/4"OD 6061 aluminum tubing with awall thickness of .049", which is rated at 3600psi.

[BigEvil]

caustic customs did mine in polished clear. No issues whatsoever:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/splat15k/dsc_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg (http://s384.photobucket.com/user/splat15k/media/dsc_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg.html)


so that one is yours!!

[splat15k]

Haha, yes sir! I saw that you commented on Caustic's FB page when he posted the ano pics. I wanted to reveal it on BEO once I got off my butt and took some quality pictures.

:cheers:

OPBN, I forgot to mention/confirm this: Caustic masks off the z-pin.

[knownothingmags]

OPBN, I forgot to mention/confirm this: Caustic masks off the z-pin.

yes that is correct and it leaves a very small amount of aluminum exposed around the pin of course can not be seen in a standard channel of a rail or unibody.
a SFL it will be seen.

[OPBN]

I know Caustic puts out some great stuff, but I just can't come up off the money. I'll be going with something very plain on this, mainly clear and gun metal grey, so should be an easy job for someone.

[knownothingmags]

I know Caustic puts out some great stuff, but I just can't come up off the money. I'll be going with something very plain on this, mainly clear and gun metal grey, so should be an easy job for someone.

yeah that is understandable.

[C_losjoker]

What rail is on the z frame?

[Frizzle Fry]

I believe that's an FBM Thorn drop? I think they called it "stiletto" style.

[C_losjoker]

Not the drop rail, the automag rail. But yes I think you are right.


I believe that's an FBM Thorn drop? I think they called it "stiletto" style.

[OPBN]

Not the drop rail, the automag rail. But yes I think you are right.
Dallara body and rail.

[knownothingmags]

Dallara body and rail.

correct.
I would say if im using a dallara body, ill prolly find the rail to go with it. :D

[PBLife]

I used 1/4"OD 6061 aluminum tubing with awall thickness of .049", which is rated at 3600psi....

Where did you get the tubing from?

[splat15k]

I used 1/4"OD 6061 aluminum tubing with awall thickness of .049", which is rated at 3600psi....

Where did you get the tubing from?

McMaster Carr

[BigEvil]

I know Caustic puts out some great stuff, but I just can't come up off the money. I'll be going with something very plain on this, mainly clear and gun metal grey, so should be an easy job for someone.

Ive dealt with just about everyone out there for anno over the years.. and even though Caustic is expensive he is the only one that I trust with any of my parts nowadays.

Not a commentary on anyone else in particular*

[BigEvil]

Haha, yes sir! I saw that you commented on Caustic's FB page when he posted the ano pics. I wanted to reveal it on BEO once I got off my butt and took some quality pictures.

:cheers:

One day I want to send him my Etac to do that very anno to!

[robertreed711]

Wow, what a PERFECT blend of old and new. Did you mod the rail yourself?


Caustic Customs did mine in polished clear. No issues whatsoever:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/splat15k/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg (http://s384.photobucket.com/user/splat15k/media/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg.html)

[BLachance75]

I know Caustic puts out some great stuff, but I just can't come up off the money. I'll be going with something very plain on this, mainly clear and gun metal grey, so should be an easy job for someone.

His prices for single color weren't that bad when I had him do stuff. I think I paid $100 to have 6 parts polished then clear anodized.

[splat15k]

Wow, what a PERFECT blend of old and new. Did you mod the rail yourself?

Thanks for the kind words; that is exactly what I was aiming for: blending old and new.

Luke made the mods to the rail. Started out as a stock emag rail and then it was shortened to AM/MM length, ULE'd, wings milled off but keeping the proper width for the sight rail, and the front sides of the rail were milled down to remove the emag jewel. Lots of processes.

I modded the trashcan ASA myself though.

[OPBN]

His prices for single color weren't that bad when I had him do stuff. I think I paid $100 to have 6 parts polished then clear anodized.

That's not bad at all. I'll need to contact him then.

[Fred]

Caustic Customs did mine in polished clear. No issues whatsoever:

http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo281/splat15k/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg (http://s384.photobucket.com/user/splat15k/media/DSC_0096_zps66d772ba.jpg.html)

http://ijusthaveafewnotes.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/slow-clap.gif

Bravo sir. This is a fantastic marker, and I applaud your vision for it.

[Runamok]

Why is anybody afraid to remove the z lock pin? It's a roll pin, just squeeze it gently and it slides right out.
Very nice examples of Caustics anno, I have anno envie.

[rukh013]

Why is anybody afraid to remove the z lock pin? It's a roll pin, just squeeze it gently and it slides right out.
Very nice examples of Caustics anno, I have anno envie.

it is a press fit on the x valves

[splat15k]

Bravo sir. This is a fantastic marker, and I applaud your vision for it.

Thank you, sir! :cheers:

[mpsd]

Splat, that's a BEAUTIFUL Mag!! Amazing!!

Now to get back to the topic, mine (made by Gruntbull and with a "mask" on it):
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/mpsd18/DSC00084.jpg

It leaked on the power tube when I got it back but then I sent it to Tuna, he worked his magic over it and it is perfect now.

[Nobody]

Splat, that's a BEAUTIFUL Mag!! Amazing!!

Now to get back to the topic, mine (made by Gruntbull and with a "mask" on it):
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/mpsd18/DSC00084.jpg

It leaked on the power tube when I got it back but then I sent it to Tuna, he worked his magic over it and it is perfect now.

oi gavault(sp?), that is nice...

[need4reebs]

Splat, that's a BEAUTIFUL Mag!! Amazing!!

Now to get back to the topic, mine (made by Gruntbull and with a "mask" on it):
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x299/mpsd18/DSC00084.jpg

It leaked on the power tube when I got it back but then I sent it to Tuna, he worked his magic over it and it is perfect now.


wait your mag was tha topic…haha???

wat was the cause of the leak at the power tube? and wat was the fix for that issue?

[mpsd]

My Mags are always the topic, aren't they? hahahahahaha

In order to anodize the valve he had to unscrew the front portion of the power tube from the valve's body. This usually is loctited from the factory and he sent it back to me unscrewed. I then bought a new o-ring but I don't know why it wouldn't seal so after a few months, I sent it to Tuna and he worked his magic over it. Works perfectly now.

[JLuke]

I may be weird, but am I the only one that thinks some of the mags look borderline tacky with the matched anno valve? It's almost too much...like a car with rims the same color as the paint job.

[mpsd]

I think it depends on the end result. Plus, I have 30+ Mags and that's the only one I've ever sent the valve out to be anodized. I like it! :)

[wetwrks]

I may be weird, but am I the only one that thinks some of the mags look borderline tacky with the matched anno valve? It's almost too much...like a car with rims the same color as the paint job.

I think it also depends on how good of a job the anno guy did. I have seen some splash jobs that the valve really didn't match up to the gun.

[OPBN]

I think it depends on the end result. Plus, I have 30+ Mags and that's the only one I've ever sent the valve out to be anodized. I like it! :)

This. Plus it's still a but unusual for valves to be ano matched so it kind of looks off sometimes when it blends into the body. And I agree that a lot of splashes don't turn out well on valves. Trying to line up the splashes between the two valve halves and the body is rough. And a really distinct splash makes it more noticeable.

[BigEvil]

Why is anybody afraid to remove the z lock pin? It's a roll pin, just squeeze it gently and it slides right out.
Very nice examples of Caustics anno, I have anno envie.


It's barbed.. its doesn't come out willingly.

[debruynda]

Newb question: what prep work do you have to do before sending the valve to get annodised?

So I don't come across like a complete ignoramus I can figure that the velocity adjuster and all internals need to be removed, I guess my real question is what is the best way to remove the power tube since that seems to be the last major thing to remove once everything else is removed?

I guess my main fear is that I'd end up having a couple of expensive valves that made better paper weights after deciding to get them anno'd.

[wetwrks]

Newb question: what prep work do you have to do before sending the valve to get annodised?

So I don't come across like a complete ignoramus I can figure that the velocity adjuster and all internals need to be removed, I guess my real question is what is the best way to remove the power tube since that seems to be the last major thing to remove once everything else is removed?

I guess my main fear is that I'd end up having a couple of expensive valves that made better paper weights after deciding to get them anno'd.

If the annodizer doesn't know what they are doing they will destroy the valve. There are very few out there that knows how to anno an Xvalve.

[knownothingmags]

Newb question: what prep work do you have to do before sending the valve to get annodised?

So I don't come across like a complete ignoramus I can figure that the velocity adjuster and all internals need to be removed, I guess my real question is what is the best way to remove the power tube since that seems to be the last major thing to remove once everything else is removed?

I guess my main fear is that I'd end up having a couple of expensive valves that made better paper weights after deciding to get them anno'd.

I sent both of mine to tunaman for disassembly. and reassembly. I know how to do it fine, just didn't want that off chance I screwed up.

[keiko_819]

I took mine apart and had Tuna put it back together, the next one will be taken apart and put back together by him though...