Finally finished my first custom! Well, I built a cocker before with some light milling but nothing like this. I guess you can call it a prototype. I plan on doing more complete guns in the future. I would enter it in MOTM but I'm throwing it up on ebay tomorrow and the rules don't allow guns for sale. This Classic valve uses an RT pin. It didn't really like to shoot with the stock pin even with the LPR cranked way up. The trigger is not quite as light as an X-valve with ULT but still very walkable. I will use a larger piston on the next project so it should work much better on a stock classic. I'm almost afraid of the trigger being too light on a ULT! You barely have to touch it as it is.
Here's the complete marker as I intend to sell it. I seem to have lost my only twistlock barrel. I think I loaned it out and never got it back. It was a stainless Dye so I'm a bit disappointed in that. I did all the primary test firing with my ULE body.
A little closer look at the goodies. It started out used and abused so theres some nicks and dings. The previous owner dremeled the wings off the frame. I cleaned it up on the mill and got it nice and flat again. This body, Emag I think, has a deeper screw lug. I had to mill out the rail a little to get the body to sit down flush. I think this is why the previous owner couldn't get it working right in the first place. The body sat about 1/16" above the rail and things didn't line up correctly.
The trigger has 3 bearings. I call it the "No Slop Trigger". One bearing contacts the firing mechanism. The other 2 are on the trigger pin. There's ZERO side slop in the trigger and the pull is super smooth. Probably a bit overkill but it works really good!
I use a set screw to lock the trigger to the pin and take out the slop. You have to tighten it down exactly in the center or it drags on one of the sides and jams up.
My custom manifold. I wound up making my own piston instead of using the MPA part because I wanted it a bit longer. I drilled the piston hole a little deeper than intended and didn't feel like starting over to fix it. A slightly longer piston was much easier and worked perfect.
My clear gas thru. The inside didn't turn out as well as I hoped but still looks pretty decent. It has an aluminum core glued into the clear foregrip. Pretty much impossible to get it in there without pockets of air. You only get one shot at it and it's in there for good! I'm going to try something a little different on the next one. First I'll machine the core, stick it in a mold, and cast acrylic around it. Then finish up the machining. Should work out pretty nice.
Here's the mount for the internal LPR. The little threaded tube next to it screws into the regulator to supply air for the system. I broached the hex opening by hand with a home made tool. I used the leftover bit of hex key from the tool for screwing it in. This helped make sure I didn't over tighten and risk stripping it out.
Here's a shot to give you an idea of how it goes together. Basically half and half milled and bolted together. I finished shaping it by hand on a disk sander. Had to be REALLY careful not to ruin the part!
A pic filling the tank before test firing. The tank is out of hydro, shhh... don't tell the hydro police!
I made a special tool to adjust the LPR. The frame has a notch milled into it for clearance. Without this tool you would have to take it apart to make adjustments. Didn't think that was very convenient. The tool will be included with the sale. I didn't have any stainless hose in the right length to use with a quick connect so I had to use macro for the valve.
So there's a quick build log for my first custom. I hope the new owner enjoys shooting it as much as I enjoyed building it! I have countless hours into the build. My next build should go much faster now that I've had a little practice. I highly doubt I will get anywhere near as much cash on the sale as I have hours into it. I'm just going to chalk it up as a learning experience. I'm hoping to be anno capable down the road for a nice finishing touch.
Can I call myself an airsmith yet?
Here's the complete marker as I intend to sell it. I seem to have lost my only twistlock barrel. I think I loaned it out and never got it back. It was a stainless Dye so I'm a bit disappointed in that. I did all the primary test firing with my ULE body.
A little closer look at the goodies. It started out used and abused so theres some nicks and dings. The previous owner dremeled the wings off the frame. I cleaned it up on the mill and got it nice and flat again. This body, Emag I think, has a deeper screw lug. I had to mill out the rail a little to get the body to sit down flush. I think this is why the previous owner couldn't get it working right in the first place. The body sat about 1/16" above the rail and things didn't line up correctly.
The trigger has 3 bearings. I call it the "No Slop Trigger". One bearing contacts the firing mechanism. The other 2 are on the trigger pin. There's ZERO side slop in the trigger and the pull is super smooth. Probably a bit overkill but it works really good!
I use a set screw to lock the trigger to the pin and take out the slop. You have to tighten it down exactly in the center or it drags on one of the sides and jams up.
My custom manifold. I wound up making my own piston instead of using the MPA part because I wanted it a bit longer. I drilled the piston hole a little deeper than intended and didn't feel like starting over to fix it. A slightly longer piston was much easier and worked perfect.
My clear gas thru. The inside didn't turn out as well as I hoped but still looks pretty decent. It has an aluminum core glued into the clear foregrip. Pretty much impossible to get it in there without pockets of air. You only get one shot at it and it's in there for good! I'm going to try something a little different on the next one. First I'll machine the core, stick it in a mold, and cast acrylic around it. Then finish up the machining. Should work out pretty nice.
Here's the mount for the internal LPR. The little threaded tube next to it screws into the regulator to supply air for the system. I broached the hex opening by hand with a home made tool. I used the leftover bit of hex key from the tool for screwing it in. This helped make sure I didn't over tighten and risk stripping it out.
Here's a shot to give you an idea of how it goes together. Basically half and half milled and bolted together. I finished shaping it by hand on a disk sander. Had to be REALLY careful not to ruin the part!
A pic filling the tank before test firing. The tank is out of hydro, shhh... don't tell the hydro police!
I made a special tool to adjust the LPR. The frame has a notch milled into it for clearance. Without this tool you would have to take it apart to make adjustments. Didn't think that was very convenient. The tool will be included with the sale. I didn't have any stainless hose in the right length to use with a quick connect so I had to use macro for the valve.
So there's a quick build log for my first custom. I hope the new owner enjoys shooting it as much as I enjoyed building it! I have countless hours into the build. My next build should go much faster now that I've had a little practice. I highly doubt I will get anywhere near as much cash on the sale as I have hours into it. I'm just going to chalk it up as a learning experience. I'm hoping to be anno capable down the road for a nice finishing touch.
Can I call myself an airsmith yet?
)
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