Helotech

Update: I had to de-solder the wire connections for the scope display, main display, and laser in order to feed the wires through their respective holes. My soldering skills aren't the best, but I managed. Once done, all the components were re-attached and tested. I then found out my speaker wasn't working. A quick check revealed that the wire connection had snapped....yet again... for like the tenth time.... I have mentioned it before that the BlastFX kits are amazing, but I have had a bugger of a time with wire connections snapping from simply manipulating components around the blaster. This is understandable as the wires are very tiny due to the components used, but none-the less very frustrating. When it comes time to install everything and glue the bits-and-bobs on, I will probably use E6000 instead of superglue. That way I can probably pry off stuff to get to wires if needed. In this picture you can see the red/black wire extensions with connectors that I made that go the muzzle lighting effects. This was so I could take the blaster apart into two main parts: Barrel and Receiver, for transport. I really want this to fit in my TK transport case lid so I don't have to lug around a big rifle case and get stared at suspiciously... I'll have to see if this is still feasible as the barrel is very hard to slide into the receiver, and as this is simply printed plastic I don't want things cracking over time. You can also see the battery (yellow) and at the far left, the white rectangle is the bottom ejection port cover plate and will hold the on/off switch plus the 3 mode fire selector button. (Single shot, rapid shot, stun). I will still be using the kit supplied rotary fire switch that is part of the pistol grip and replicates the MG34 selector. However, if this craps out, I have an alternate mode. Everything is now fed through the holes, and I am GENTLY starting to re-assemble the blaster. In earlier posts, you see how I cut out the barrel near the receiver in order for more light from the LED string to show through. After looking online I saw a video made by 3D Props (maker of my DLT) showing the lights more toward the muzzle. It looks great! Also, the spacing of the T-Tracks at the muzzle gives more hole openings. I'm not sure how he is accomplishing this with the metal support "barrel" than runs through the barrel jacket. There is no room between the barrel and barrel jacket for the LED strip. Hmmm.....? I was considering moving mine towards the muzzle, but I would have to extend the wires, an possibly drill barrel holes again, which is a pain. I'll just have the lights at the receiver and worry about it at another time. I've also painted the new printed components, and have to wire in the On/off slider switch for the power.

Do you have access to sheet aluminum and tin snips? If so, I can send you exact measurements of my 3D props blaster and you can cut your own. Then it is easy to cut, fold, paint, ang crazy glue it to the blaster.

LOL. Yup. I may even get it done for the final season...

Hey Jonas! Good to hear from you! I didn't know you were doing a snowie. That's awesome! I've also started the Boba Build. Now THAT will take a while...

Hey all! Long time since an update, but the end of the world and me working from home has got me inspired to push and finish this beast! We also got a new puppy two months ago (another tri-pawd of course...) so we have been kept fairly busy! Doggy break! Anyways... So, I finally got used to my resin printer and designed some small pieces in Sketchup to hold the electronics in position. Starting from the left: "L" shaped piece will hold the digital scope display inside the blaster, behind the circle cut out. The funny shaped piece with pointy bit was part of a digital MG34 file I found online. Very accurate files that I may use to build another resin DLT... I am only using the pointy bit, which in the real world holds the bipod legs against the barrel. Above this is a circle which will hold the scopes red and magnifying lenses. I added two simple greeblie bumps for visual interest. To the extreme right you see several copies of the main digital display holder. These caused a bit of a head ache to design, size and print. From top down: V1.0 1st print was good. but undersized and wouldn't fit the display. I added two greeblie buttons to the design on the right which may be painted red and blue? V2.0 was modified slightly to hold the display better, buttons moved to left side, and it was enlarged. Unfortunately, I calculated the sizing conversion wrong moving from Sketchup to Chitubox program. It was now too large. V3.0 is the pile of 4 holders that ended up as mis-prints. The back wall wouldn't print properly. This was a combination of a slight modification I made in Skecthup, and me finding out the build plate of the printer had loosed slightly. V4.0 are the two prints at the bottom. They turned out great. However, the display opening is slightly large and you will be able to see the wire connectors (see pics below). Since I don't want to do another print and waste resin, I will just use some modelling skills on this one. I also printed a proper cocking handle from that MG34 file I found. It is hollow, properly sized and the knurling detail on the is beautiful! I just have to replace the big screw attachment part with the one from the kit supplied piece I have. Lenses inside their holder. Scope display on it's holder. You will see in below pics where this will sit inside the blaster. Main display in the holder. I will need to trim the right hand side (closet to blaster receiver) as it is slightly long and sticks out past the end of the blaster box on the left. You'll see what I mean in below pics. Also may need to block in the opening on the right so the wire connectors aren't seen. Another view. I designed an opening on the right so the wires can go into the receiver through the previously drilled hole (see earlier posts). Here is a crappy pic of the L shaped scope display holder blue-tacked into place temporarily. All the items blue-tacked for fit. You can see how the main display holder stick out from the blaster on left. I want this to sit flush. Hopefully this will all look good when done and blend into the blaster as if it was designed to be there. Yes, it's not "canon", but could be a slight modification (DLT-19A-1....?) just like all TK blasters are slightly different (wires or no wires, Counter or no counter....etc) Hopefully the next post will be sooner than 4 months! Stay safe everyone.

Interesting....

Thanks everyone! #1 it is!!!!!

Thanks guys! 50 th is in March next year, just pre-planning. LOL Like the ink Glen! I was going for something simple like this (stolen from web), like I was branded aboard a Star Destroyer... After I get my ink my wife will recreate this shot. My letters and numbers will be in Aurebesh.

Hey all! So, my big 50 is coming up and I am getting my first tattoo! I will be doing a simple Imperial Cog with my TK number. SO, is it: TK-98695 TK - 98695 (with spaces before and after dashes) TK98696 (no space) TK 98695 (space) Thoughts?

Thanks for the shout out Glen. I think a little weather makes it look more realistic instead of straight flat black. It also shows off some of the details. They “pop”, so it doesn’t look flat.

I never thought of sanding! Thanks! I can source flexible vinyl tubing much cheaper than the rigid clear tubing. The plastic tube can be found at any hardware store and comes in different diameters. I'll have to experiment to see what gives better light effects.

Some people place solid / hollow acrylic tubing inside their E-11 barrels, and it increases the lighting effect by dispersing the light better. Since I don't want to order 6' of tubing (min order), I am doing an experiment where I use scrap plastic packaging material. I'm painting it with a clear semi gloss primer to make it hazy, then will roll it into a tube shape and slip it in the barrel. I'll see if it works.

Thanks all. I do use Imgur for my pics, but when I tried uploading the vids with it they didn't work. I'll try again. This blaster does have a small panel on the bottom of the receiver (where on the real gun one of the ejection ports would be) specifically made to hold the main display plus a couple of the buttons. However, I just thought of a "real" blaster and it would seem silly to put the display facing downwards. I wanted everything to be seen by the operator when it is raised to the shoulder. Non cannon, but still plausible. Ok. Files uploaded successfully to Imgur. I'll see if they play. https://i.imgur.com/oUXECZ2.mp4 https://i.imgur.com/yAaDIyI.mp4

From another post I commented in. This is what it will look like. Main display wires will come from the right and lead into the receiver.

Minor but big update. Even though this work wasn't hard, it was scary for me to start drilling into my blaster for the electronics. There's almost no going back now... Does anyone know if we can place videos on this site like pics? I have a couple vids of the lighting effects. 1" Hole at rear of "power pack". This is where the scope display will sit. The Balstfx has the tiny scope display, then it uses a red filter (for an ominous glow...) and concave lens to magnify the image. I will have to mount the display about 1/2" inside the box for proper magnification. I originally though of mounting the concave lens so it protrudes outside the box, but I may recess it inside to protect it. I'll then build up a slight rim around the hole. The main rectangular display / shot counter will sit below this. I will have to build a little angled box around the display as it will sit below the bottom edge of the box. Hole on forward side of the box for the laser. Hole I drilled on the inside of the receiver going to the box. Unfortunately, I'll probably have to remove all the wires from the components, feed them though the holes then re-solder everything. So, I drilled out the hole for the magnet. It turned out like crap... I ended up cutting off the tab and gluing a post to the bottom indie of receiver. A magnet will be attached to it. Pics to follow. Holes drilled in barrel. It was a pain as I don't have a drill press and had to drill large 5/8" holes on a curved surface. It took me a while to clean up the jagged hole edges. This will barely be seen through the barrel shroud hole, but I wanted things neat and tidy. Rectangular hole for light strip. That is the battery pack at bottom right that I am using to power everything. I also purchased a recharging circuit board. The power pack is great, but if you order one of these double check the wiring. The red and black were reversed in the white connector (not shown here) so it didn't charge. That's all for now.

Oops. Forgot a couple pics... This is on of the magnets I am thinking of using to secure the top cover. The top cover just touches the tab with the drawn circle. I will drill a hole the size of the magnet, then glue the magnet on the lid. I will then glue another magnet under this tab. When I close the lid its magnet will slip through the hole and secure itself to the tab magnet. Should work: Blastech subsidiary contractor workshop:

I hate my OCD and attention to detail... I'm doing some of the finer fit and detail work, and having to think of ways to fit the BlastFX kit in the DLT. Sooooo... I repaired and repainted the bipod legs and receiver body where cracks had formed at mating points. One bipod leg had actually split in half at the joint. This time I used super strong crazy glue. If you look close you may see a faint join line. I will now have to weather these areas again to match the rest of the blaster. Those oval openings on the legs overlap and fit over a conical bolt on the bottom of the barrel shroud (see below): You can see the hole I drilled in bottom of receiver to accept the fire selector switch (just down and rear of green tape): Fire selector switch: The BlastFX kit has two ways to switch between fire modes, a rotary dial and a push button. I like the rotary dial as I can use it to mimic a real fire selector on a gun. The little push button will be mounted on bottom of blaster forward of trigger grip as a backup. The only problem is the preset electronics for the DLT don't allow a stun setting. Well, they technically do, but to adjust the settings I have to cut open the heat shrink surrounding the main logic board, pull out a micro card, install in my computer, and toggle a setting. I learned this when contacted the maker about some wiring issues I was having. I had set stun previously, but when I sent my kit back for repairs, he upgraded the software and the Stun went away. If you know what you are doing, you can get on the files and make your DLT sound like any blaster in the SW universe. They are all installed on the chip! I may or may not open the circuit board up. I'm hesitant to open everything up as I have been having dramatic moments with broken soldering connections on some of the kit components. Slot cut in grip to hold rotary switch. Switch installed (for the pic). The mass of wires will feed up through a hole that I drilled in the receiver support tube. This is in a later pic. There is a small rounded indent in the receiver, just underneath this selector switch. Through this indent you could see the main structural tube of the gun. I just drilled through it. The selector switch will be glued to the rotary switch, then the slotted screw you see will be covered with epoxy and sanded / painted. Wires fed into the receiver. You can see the outer receiver wall, and the inner tube that I drilled through. I also drilled a hole for the trigger micro switch to feed into: For months I couldn't figure out what a little oval piece was. I then found a very good image of a MG34 bipod retaining bolt. It is on the bottom of the barrel shroud and holds the bipod up when it is folded and stowed. This plate is part of that assembly. The real gun uses a unique conical bolt that holds onto the bipod legs. The kit comes with a plain screw for this function. I ended up using a Dremel grinding bit. I originally sanded it down, but it wasn't the right shape and ended up too small. I have now shrouded it in epoxy and will sand it to shape. I also want to source some type of tensioned metal to fit into the bipod so that when I unlock the bipod it snaps open. Real MG34 bipod securing device (bottom left of picture): Better Pic:. Conical bolt to the right: Mystery oval that is not shown in instructions... Glued on. Paint touch-ups to be done...: My conical bolt version before epoxy: I popped out the large slotted bolt head I had installed in the buttpad. There were lots of loose and rough fibers along the edge: I filled with epoxy, sanded smooth and then painted the whole butt again. I'll get a finished pic later. T-Tracks: As I mentioned before, I am replacing the T-tracks with Wannawanga ones. WELL WORTH IT!!! You get 6 short (front) and 6 long rear). I have to trim the front ones as they are about 1/2" too long. Rears are just about perfect, but have to be cut to fit forward and rear of bipod attachment point. The barrel shroud is divided into 3 sections: a short section just forward of receiver. (don't really count this) a long section that goes past midpoint, and ends under the anti-aircraft site mount (rear section) forward section The next big project will be sorting out the barrel PEW-PEW lighting issue. If you remember from last weeks episode, the LED strip does not fit between the barrel and barrel shroud. Now same may say 'Leave the barrel out!" But then how are those blaster bolts supposed to maintain integrity as they leave the gun? I digress... I like the look of the barrel through some of the holes and it adds heft and structural strength. The barrel fits snugly into the front flash cone and gas block, through the mid A/A site mount ring, and into the forward receiver. It is supported very snuggly at three points. About 1/2 of the forward and rear the barrel shroud holes are covered by the T-tracks, but there are some that allow the barrel to show through. The LED strip is the exact length of the rear shroud, and there is not enough wire to move it forward. The lighting effects will only be present at the rear of barrel. So, I test fitted the T-tracks to see how much of the holes I would see by placing little balls of poster putty and tacking them in place: Diagram from the DLT main forum page: Rear tracks in place. You can see most of holes at 12, 10 and 2 o'clock positions.: Bottom of rear section, just behind bipod securing device. The long tracks for the rear still have to be cut in half to fit forward and behind the bipod device. You can see the bottom holes (5 and 6 o'clock positions) are almost totally covered up, The 3 and 9 o'clock are completely covered. : I made note of which holes I will hopefully see lights through, removed the tracks and circled onto the barrel with a Sharpie: Barrel removed and all the circles I will drill out: This is the bottom of the barrel. The long rectangle is the length and with of the LED strip. I will cut it out and the lights will shine upwards into the barrel and hopefully out the holes. There are lots of different programmable lighting options. The one I will use has the LED's lighting up sequentially, so it looks like a blaster bolt moving to the barrel tip: Well, that is it for now. If feels good making at least some progress on this beast. I really want to get this done so I can actually be Han on the Death Star in my Hero TK...

So I am finally continuing this thread after my move. I'm just figuring out the best electronics installation method. I just did a trial fit of the barrel into the barrel shroud. It is a good snug fit, all the way from the flash suppressor at the front, the sight block in the middle, and the receiver attachment point. It makes the entire front half of the blaster solid. However, I now have noticed the BlastFX LED light strip does not slide between the barrel and barrel shroud. Looks like I have to cut a long slot into the barrel in order to have the pew pew lighting effects. Will upload pics soon.

I should be installing everything. After seeing the scope display without the magnifying lens I see now that it still looks cool, and would simplify the install somewhat. I may get away with cutting a small square window for the scope display and mount it about 1/2" inside the box body. As you'll see in the pics below, you need the lens about 1/2" to 3/4 away from the display for best image. I'll have to see if this works with the display inside a rectangular cutout. I just jury rigged a power source by stealing a battery cartridge (holds 3 AAA batt's) out of a cheap flashlight. The scope display is actually 1/2" by 1/2 ", not 1/4 like I stated earlier. Main display is 1/2" by 1.5". Jury rigged power: Scope display: The wires point out the back, so they had to sit on top of the box. Now that I look at it, it's not bad without the magnifying lens. There are several different display types. This is a simple dial spinning around, with little bars on the side that jump around. This is with clear magnifying lens only. The lens is held about 1/2" in front of display. Closer to display and there is no magnification, further away it becomes distorted. If this is mounted in a scope (like an E11, which I also have a kit for...) then you would need to mount the display in the scope probably 1/2 to 3/4" away from the lens. Same, but with lens and an evil red filter! I'm sure if you want the cool red color you could find some clear red acetate sheet and cut to size? Both displays. The shot counter does not have a red filter but you can use same red acetate sheet if you wanted. It's personal choice what look you're going for: Both white, both red, or variations of red and white for an interesting contrast. There are also several different visual effects / options for the main display. I also have my TK # in the bottom right of the display window. Great! Now I'm itching to finish this beast! It's been dragging on for over 2 years.

Hey Richard. Managed to get the DLT and Blast FX stuff out. I haven't worked out a power source yet, so no power on images. You can easily find these on the web, but I have a build in the DLT forum that I will be updating soon. Not sure how large your DLT side box (is it a power source for the blaster...?) so your results will vary. This is the Blast FX red filter for the scope display. The scope display is a very small digital piece, maybe 1/4 inch (ish) square? It sits under the filter so it gets a red hue, then a convex glass is placed on top to magnify. The magnifier is exact same diameter of the red filter. Mine filter is just stuck on for the pics. I don't think I would need to drill a hole this size. I would only have to cut out a square big enough to fit the digital display. Wires will feed into the hollow receiver where the power source will be. This is the main display just held in place. There is about 1/8" gap between the filter and main display. It would actually be rotated 180 degrees so the wires come from the right and feed into the blaster receiver. It almost fits the space perfectly and would only require minor surgery to the blaster. I'm not sure if I'll cut a big rectangular hole so the display sits flush inside the big box, or just glue it on the face with appropriate holes drilled in the receiver to the right for the wires. If I do the face mount I would build a small frame with plastic strips around the display so it blends in. I think this is a good option for a "DLT Integrated Aiming and Display Unit ( DIADU ) that faces the user. Still working on the name From the side. The display sits about 1/4 inch below the lower edge of the box. I'm thinking I will build a ramp or wedge shaped piece to blend the display into the bottom of the side box. Once again, a frame will be built around the display with appropriate greebly add-ons so it looks purpose built. Kinda like this. If it is painted black it will blend in really well with the side blaster box. Hope this helps with ideas.

Hey. I'm going to be installing the Blast FX in my 3D-Props DLT within a few weeks. Just completed a cross country move and my hobby bench is not set up yet. The 3D-Props blaster was printed with an opening on the bottom just forward of trigger guard. This is meant to fit the rectangular "info / shot count" screen from Blast-FX. And you're right. There is no place on a "real" blaster for a scope display. I've hummed and hawed about where to put the two display screens as I don't think a "real" DLT would have it's display on the bottom of the blaster. Not convenient for the user... My possible solution: On the back of the rectangular box (left side of receiver) I am going to drill a hole to fit the scope display. The hole will be as close to the top of the box as possible. Just below this I will install the rectangular display. The rectangular display will sit slightly below the lower edge of the box, so I will have to jury-rig some kind of housing for it so it blends in. It won't be screen accurate, but it should look good and will be "functionally" correct as both displays will face the user. I'll try and post some pics within a couple days of the basic set-up. Dave

Happy Friday! It's amazing. I have very organized hardware storage bins filled with every conceivable kind of screw, nut and bolt. Yet I don't have anything to fit the grips and scope rings. So, off to the Home Depot and I found some pretty cool screws. These are nylon "pan-head" screws with common (not Robertson or Phillips) heads. Exactly what I needed. They are a bit long, but that is the beauty of the nylon material. Easy to snip to size. Once snipped, I will rough the screw heads with sandpaper, then prime. After they are screwed / glued into place, a quick dab with black paint and you got Uncle Bob. I'll be gluing and clamping the grip panels down as they are very slightly bowed.

Did minor weathering with graphite powder on some raised areas. Basically simulating repeated drawing from a holster and a TK's gloved hands wearing the grip and manipulating the safety. It is hard to capture the shiny bits in the pictures. I also burnished some internal grooved areas on the right hand side for more visual interest. Next is a clear coat. I may do it flat rather than satin so I can have the grip panels contrasting the main body. I also just remembered I need to find appropriate screws...

Wow! Really nice Shane! Did you use same files as me? Quick update. I sprayed everything a Satin black. I am going to try minor weathering around raise areas with graphite powder. then spray with a clear coat. I will leave the grip panels unweathered of course. Another thing I noticed after looking at the real weapon and promo shot: The front "fin" on right hand side, above the magazine, is pointing upwards in some pics and downwards in others. Curioser and curioser... here you can see that the spray paint didn't fully reach inside scope. I'll touch this up, then add the clear sheet "lenses" painted red. Here you can see the faint join line of front and back barrel halves, as well as the join between front and back frame. The barrel join is barely noticeable in normal light. The frame joint will be mostly covered by the grip panels. No protruding barrel inside the front nut. Not a big deal.

Thanks for all the scope ref's! Much appreciated. For some reason when I searched I found the scopes for cheap, but then shipping was relatively expensive. I'll be printing a second gun and will use an actual scope for that. Now that I look at the prop pics again, I see that the printed scope belled front and back lens areas are completely the wrong shape It's amazing. I can look at a pic 100 times, then on the 101st I see something that is very obvious. Damn. Joseph: Great to hear from you again! As to the position of the scope more forward, I can't do that while still having the scope rings bracketing the scope turrets front and back. All the prop references I've seen show the scope mounted this way. I prefer to have the rings in the middle of the scope than have the front of scope hanging way out in space over the blaster. More esthetically pleasing to me. Now that I think about it, I suppose I could have just moved the adjustment rings and their base slightly towards back of scope. Everything is super glued down, so this would be a pain to move. Like I said, next blaster.... Grey primer is on now and it's drying. I will see what I have to fill and sand then post more pics when I get home from work.