E-11 model "x"

[erv]

Hi !

I thought I'd share that work here too even if already posted on the RPF and other forums, just in case you guys want to discuss or ask questions.

 

Background :

 

I wanted to make a E-11 for a long time, my customer Pablo and his scratch built did put the scale UP.

 

I considered screen accurate for a while, but I decided later to go for a custom E-11 since I wanted to add a screen to the blaster, hence non canon (I hope I'm not hurting any feelings).

 

Rather than scratch built (very tempted to follow that path though), I chose real sterling parts.

 

Here is the build log with many pics, I though that might interest some of you.

 

SHORT CUT : here's the video :-)

 

E-11 model X Custom Blaster - 3 videos

The sterling came in chopped pieces which is the short "cut" (:happy) to disable it. Sure, it won't *ever* work again this way...

 

The first part of the exercise is to extract all the bits and parts then clean/Shave them and re install them on the main body that will be scratch built. The rest I hope to have as many vintage parts as possible on that blaster. The scope is missing but it is on my way as I'm typing this.

 

 

cutting the read sight and the removable butt cap

 

 

Building the main body. The PVC BBC templates are for a 42mm OD tube matching some plumbing supplies. The real sterling is made out of a 1"1/2 OD tube. I managed to find the right diameter and correct wall too, on ebay.co.uk, tubes being sold as coolant pipes. Made of sturdy 6063 T6 aluminium from what I remember.

 

The downsizing of the templates are an exact 10%. I shrunk only the width to match the perimeter, holes are oval but since I know what the size is supposed to be (7/16" and a few of 1/2"), so I just needed the alignment and spacing, aside the front stock lock groove that was measured on the original part and cut accordingly.

 

 

I'm so happy I have those stepped drill bits. (In inches :thumbsup)

 

Many centers and drills later...

 

Cutting the long groove

 

Done. Jump for joy. Cool yourself down. And wash your dirty hands you dirty boy.

 

Some sanding to clean the outside. I used a file to clean the sharp metal edges inside, then cleaned the wall of each hole with a sharp knife, then finally put some sand paper on a piece of blade to get a nice finish inside.

Then, some threaded rod and a piece of aluminium matching the ID, with sand paper taped on it => drilling machine => clean shave of the inside of the tube.

 

I was impressed to see that the bolt is perfectly fitting in that tube !

 

I don't want to have a huge post with everything inside, I'll keep posting the rest of the various stages of the built later !

Edited January 24, 2011 by erv

[erv]

Shaving various parts. Tedious. Don't know what God modeled after him but he had some smart enlightenment when he got B&D inventing the electric file. Let there be steel powder. This is the front flash deflector

 

Measuring the eject port. Since my templates were shrunk of 10%, I rubbed some grunge on a piece of paper to "measure" the original one. Yes, I also used a digital caliper too :unsure

 

Extracting the stock mount. Fortunately the pins are coming out easily. Easier than removing those **** on a MR saber :hate

 

Shaving time again. Sorry no Gilette cream. Sorry about the heat. But admit it you look much nicer now.

 

fitting like husband and wife (which is never perfect as you know)

 

Rear sight. I'm cheating on that one, I'll leave a superficial layer of the original body tube to have a large flat surface for the JB weld to stick on (+ a headless screw or 2, or simply JBweld rivets). No one will notice a 2/10th mm difference in the part height.

 

The handle and trigger group holder. Same as above. Some is cut out but I leave some surface for the attachment. No point of having that section fragile.

 

Cleaning the muzzle. I got a HARD time extracting it. Then I machined it. Fits the barrel like a charm (supposed to).

 

 

 

What I have to re install

 

The butt will be coupled to the main body by just machining both parts (reducing a little bit the body OD on a 1" sleeve, and increasing a bit the ID of the rear ring, then JBweld)invisible. Electronics will remain accessible from the rear.

 

I've identified how I'll handle the blast and the semi/full auto mode, using the the REAL SELECTOR and trigger. Very easy. More detail on that later. I also have some glams idea.

[erv]

The choice of alu for the main tube/receiver is due to my location. You just can't imagine how it's hard (or extremely expensive) to buy metal in here, plus with the metric system, the closest size were either 35 or 40 mm. Then I don't have TIG welding equipment, so I did it this way.

I've seen another project where the member brazed the parts together, I was very impressed on how good looking the sterling ended.

 

the kit I got was chopped this way

 

Even getting alu tubes in the UK shipped to me wasn't that easy, since it's heavy and not all vendors will accept to ship across the channel :unsure Also, with the humble machining tools I have, alu remained the easiest solution.

 

here's some more of the build log. I wanted to have the blaster Powder Coated cause I like props you can hang around with, without the fear of paint chipping and so forth.

 

2 stressful days cause I was SO afraid to miss the PC job. I first went to buy some oxalic acid (you guys call that Naval Jelly, rust dissolver) to prep things nicely. I also baked the folding stock and the main body since I noticed it helped neutralizing the rest of paints, oil and so forth.

Baking also gave the final kick to the steel epoxy on the main body, which stabilized and didn't melt at all.

 

Then I cleaned with water, then with biodegradable degreaser, and wiped properly, then compressed air to blow away any trace of moisture.

 

I resisted to the envy to re coat the folding stock (an area isn't thick enough) but I didn't. Too risky.

 

First, I remembered about the faraday effect during the PC job, and I was worried about not having the inside of the barrel dark enough. So I protected the beast and PCed the inside with a light mist of flat black (then I hadn't made more experiments with the satin black I had and I didn't want to ruin anything).

 

then after experimenting the right flow out time and temp on a scrap part,

I played again with the satin black on the trigger and its guard. I learned there how to (almost) fully disassemble a trigger group, which helped for cleaning it from all the grease.

 

PCing the folding stock. First stress of the day

 

final results once I've baked all the parts (the oven heated the whole afternoon, I couldn't stop). I also made my scope rail.

 

Still a light texture but that's exactly what I wanted

 

You can see the difference in the texture of the butt cap. It's not just due to the primer coat of flat black, the surface of the metal was different.

 

Stock locks (and 2 smoking barrels :lol)

 

 

the shorten magazine

 

with a nice decorative inserts (SO-dim 1GB... well that's only 512 MB now :rolleyes - They didn't want it back at work after I upgraded on my previous machine)

[erv]

Getting close. Received my uber accurate T-tracks from Gino yesterday. Strong ABS extruded plastic with the right gaussian profile.

 

Grinding the bolt. Why ? because it's hiding something (see below). Taking a picture while actually grinding isn't easy when you have only 2 hands and no tripod and when you're tired to make efforts... (I know, use the Force to levitate the camera)

 

wiring the satellite board on the barrel. After checking between having it right next to the Blaster Core board or here, it was easier like that, less wires and an easy power supply split for the barrel end flash RGB led. The latter has its power xtender and resistors all local, and protected with heatshrink. Once glued, the LEDs were covered with some masking liquid (latex from what I smell... brand is Maskol by Humbrol), then I painted the whole barrel with some regular satin paint. It's weird to work again with spray paint once you've done some powder coating. Takes ages to dry (impatient me), chips and marks easily buy since it's going INSIDE the body of the E11 so I don't mind.

 

A big part. A crystal chamber. I wanted to have (among other things) some glams for that projects. Also, the bolt is visually such a nice piece of mechanics that I refused to do a static thing with it, with a piece of chrome tape. So you can still weenie the bolt and it moves back to reveal some (simple) internals. I mounted an aqua aura crystal on a small ring/mount JBwelded to the bolt and it goes straight in the barrel.

The internals were assembled on a thin copper plate (polished a bit), the thin comb of brass/gold is an old SD card reader that came with my previous laptop, as well as the control card (sanded, and glued). You can also spot 2 anakin brass pins, a weirdly shaped coil from a hard drive and a few other bits I had in my drawers.

 

 

Once everything was installed, I placed a small headless screw behind the handle to stop the bolt from going back too far (and smashing the wires going in the handle, to the trigger group). It's not moving back a lot, but it's enough to reveal the internals. No led there and no reason you'll have any, getting the bolt back disables the weapon. Initially, I was supposed to use the bolt as a range selector / unjamming operation but I didn't have the right spot to place the sensor/switch and I consider the bolt and wires just behind it too fragile for using that on a standard base.

 

 

Installing the electronics in the back. It's one of the most difficult wiring job I ever had to do (my yoda saber retrofit was easy in comparison). Not only there are a LOT of wires but they have to extend to allow servicing the board if need and they have to fold properly when the chassis (PVC) is inserted in the body of the sterling. Add then that you have the functional spring and the bolt that still have to move freely without smashing the wires.

Also, fourteen (14 !) wires are going to the henglser counter. Holy cow. I used some of my 30 AWG ribbon cable. It's a solid wire in there (no strand) but that was my only choice.

 

 

 

The trigger group. No limit switches, but Hall effect sensors and small neodymium magnets (3mm OD) and secured with activated (spray) cyanoacrylate glue. They act as a switch when the magnet is close enough. Inside, it's actually an open drain MOSFET transistor, just like a power xtender board.

The only switch I used is for the AUX switch (range / reload). I'm going to cut the screw that secure the trigger group to the handle and body and the rounded end (the one not having the screw driver slot) will be attached to the switch plunger (removable). On the other side of the handle, where you read the "Free / Lock", the other half of the screw will go on a M3 head less screw that installed on a small bolt then glued on the back of the aux switch with some JBweld. Original Look will be preserved.

 

more to come, I've taken about 110 pics during that build log :duh

[erv]

Mag cylinders ! Thumbs up for Russrep accurate pictures he posted in his thread (RPF), I did my best to get a scale out of them, but credits go to his work.

 

 

aligning the lasers took a while, even now it's not perfect but since the magazine catch isn't laying flat on the weapon itself, the targeting sensor laser beams are never aligned. I like it too, it's just point at 2 different location of the target.

 

 

Now we know pretty much the parts (but not the source device - read here my recent "research" as Private Erv' http://www.therpf.com/f9/sterling-mag-cylinder-mystery-20345/)

 

but still, I couldn't find any suitable replicas of the central capacitors in my drawers. The original ones are rated for 70° and won't have withstood PC curing at 400°F so no regrets, I machined cylinders that look like them pretty close.

 

I happened to play with the PBTP satin and *when cured at the right temp* it's definitely more gloss than the eastwood PC. Flow is just perfect. However it wasn't matching the gloss of the rest of the blaster so I used a coat of an automotive paint that has very little gloss (same as on the T-Track). I left the front cap and nut natural, I like contrasting metal and it really marks the "special X model" of the blaster

 

[erv]

For the crystal, it's made out of real quartz (aqua aura), I thought it could be the collimating element for the plasma, crystals evocate optical / light stuff.

At the end it's kind of coherent with the wookiepedia article

 

Blaster - Wookieepedia, the Star Wars Wiki

 

 

Testing the trigger group before final install in the handle. You can spot the aux. switch in the axis of the locking screw that is going to be parted in 2 halves.

 

the half that will go on the back of the aux. switch (I installed a small M3 screw there)

 

installed and it screws fine to the "lock" position as read on the handle

 

The other half of the screw, mounted & screwed on the switch cap/plunger.

 

I used some anti mosquito mesh / lattice that I powder coated with black chrome II. Then I glued some black fabric tape with a glue spray to hide the electronics. I looks a bit like a carbon mesh (not exactly, just the "style"). I like it very much.

 

 

Worked on the T-track I got from Gino. Bent with a lighter, smoothed with gentle heat and finger, then sanded at the ends. Painted flat black with automotive paint, glued with a few spots of epoxy, except the top one since it blocks the scope rail from being removed and I still need to install the scope (it's mounted with magnets so that it's easily removable)

 

 

Folding stock installed. Replaced the nails by 2 stainless steel M2 screws. Not sure I'll paint them black, I like the steel accents.

 

Reworking the firmware. I had ideas that were not ready for that release, but I wanted to prototype some of them for my E11. Hence, I made sure I had a flashing connector accessible from the rear of the blaster.

 

Milled a slot in the henglser counter. Why ? because there's something else requiring potentially some upgrade too.

[erv]

... A mini screen... The side of the counter has some dirty edges. That's due to the PC job I ****ed up with the Eastwood powder. Not having the right stripper made my like VERY difficult on that one. I thought I had removed everything but no (of course). Not "ugly" but could be better. Too late :ohwell

Boot sequence featuring a imperial logo being filled up. I shortened the boot sound of 20%-ish to get it perfectly synched with the boot animation.

 

Custom title of that one, the "E-11-X"

 

Front side of the counter. I kept the optic it makes the 3mm leds occupying the whole space and they look a bit oval, I like it. The reset button of the counter is now the menu switch to browse thru the different screen of blaster core.

 

Radar screen and ammo counter

 

Screen saver. It's blurrier than a normal screen due to the export of the video, but it looks better in person

 

 

I added 3 new "menus" to the firmware.

My counter wasn't the "right one" with the Eagle Logo, reason why I had no remorse cutting a window for the screen. However, I felt nostalgic about it so I mocked up a digital version.

 

Another screen with a static imperial logo (always efficient and iconographic)

 

Last screen, a system info displaying the charge and voltage of the battery (the config file has 2 PLI settings for that purpose). I also had fun with some extra verbiage on that one.

The cell/battery icon on the left isn't depleted in real time to avoid flickering on the sprite but it's updated each time you pass in the menu. The voltage and the charge % is updated in real time though, and you see it fluctuating a bit when you fire.

 

I did my best for the details. Wires (ribbon cable) going to the counter are hiden in a black mesh tubbing. Quite organic, my favorite. I also put some of the anti mosquito mesh to hide a bit the second speaker that is in there.

 

Same on the front of the counter. I also put a screw head and a small crystal to hide the hole left by the removal of the reset mechanism of the counter.

 

 

The wires coming out from the counter will be really used. I've always thought that the magazine cylinders should be some kind of smart targeting system (obviously not "finished" since the blasters end beaten by the sabers). Since it's the E-11-X I could invent anything after all.

I'm therefore installing 2 red lasers in the mag cylinders. They are controlled by the rear sight mechanism. I got that idea from the very beginning and that's why I wanted to make THIS very model of blaster : wire from counter to mag cylinders and scope rail stopping BEFORE the sight.

Like here

 

To avoid any switch between the outside of the main body and the internal electronics, I used (again) a hall effect sensor, installed in the PVC chassis. 2 magnets inline are installed in the scope reticule that activates the lasers in the "accurate aiming" position of the sight.

 

 

The stand. I got the smoked plates for free. I discovered later that it's polycarbonate, 1 cm thick, I got many panels it's worth a fortune. Attached 2 pieces together and made the stand with it. PCed legs with accent rings (quick cut with the lathe).

I still have to make a galv-etched plate now that I have the resist photo film

 

 

and finally,

video time. Sorry for the length, I really think I had to detail that one.

 

E-11 model X Custom Blaster - 3 videos

[erv]

Finished my galv-etched plate. My first attempt to etch an aluminium plate with the new film. Still need some improvements, photo film transfer had minor dents and permanent marker doesn't resist to the galv-etching process. Will make a better one next time.

Signing the plate isn't a sign of being egocentric, but just a convenient way to hide one of the dents

 

 

 

 

scope time

 

first I tried to disassemble the front lens. I don't have the special tools required for that so I gave a shot to that

 

 

however, it seems that the scope got a shock and the lens mount isn't circular anymore. I got the bolt almost out but I had to screw it back or ruin anything. I got worried the anti glare coating on the lens will go away will the stripper but since acetone never ruined my glasses I gave it a try.

 

I disassembled first a smaller part that didn't have any optic in it an tried my PC stripper. Worked like a charm in seconds. I put a silicone plug in the exposed part of the inside of the scope to avoid the jelly stripper to get in and I immersed the scope.

 

 

 

then I noticed a screw that locks the lens ring.

 

however, after trying my mocked up tool, the ring wont come out. I now have to hope it will accept the 200°C of the PC cure. A simple kitchen glass withstands it so I'm not really worried.

 

As for the A2 model, it has, like I said, a little light bulb attachment on the top. I put a white led there to test : it lights up the azimuth scale engraved on the glass inside. I left enough space between the ring and the lens to eventually insert a red filter to make a canon reticule. I really dig a scope that lights up inside ! I'll grab some power supply from the hengsler counter to drive the top led.

[erv]

Cut the ring. Won't put it back, it looks cool enough without and I like the brass accent. I was able to disassemble most parts and the PC job went well. Some area look like there are packets but it's just due to the grainy surface of the scope which is now partially covered.

 

The lit internal reticule is FANTASTIC. Used a red SMD led and an old coax cable to grab power inside the henglser counter.

 

 

my best attempt to show you what you see in the scope. Lit markings and azimuth scale AND targeting lasers. :004:

I won't put any other fake reticule on a red filter or anything, it would ruin the fact that scope is REALLY working !

 

 

still have to perfect the white lettering (and try the white crayon) but I can call it done !

 

 

 

[Defiance7x13[TK]]

Good gods that this is sick! Great work, very impressive!

[bluehickey]

OMG, your skills are out of this world!

[pandatrooper[TK]]

Thanks for posting this here Erv. I actually found your post on the RPF a while back and posted it here as well. Thanks for sharing!

 

It's an amazing blaster, really fantastic job!

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

that scope is very interesting!

a cross between the cannon, and the X...

 

nice work ERV!!

[blueboxer[501st]]

I'm absolutely blown away!!! Amazing job... just speechless.

[RogueTrooper[TK]]

Awesome job Erv, fantastic, you put a lot of great work into your E11. Thanks for sharing!

 

I love everything about your X model, but the one thing, the scope mount.

 

If I may ask, why did you use the original ring bracket for the scope? I know that it is the original way that the A2, C and D model scopes were mounted in WWII. But, why not fill in that area of the scope and make it look like the regular M38's, M40's, M47's and M77's , then mount it like the scopes were in the movie.

 

 

Edited September 30, 2021 by gmrhodes13
photo updated

[TrooperVenger]

Colour me a shade of gobsmacked.

That is awesome. Truly you have made something of epic-ness.

[Locitus[Admin]]

I too saw it before on the RPF. And my god, screen accuracy aside, this might be the most beautiful E11 I've ever seen.

[The Phantom[TK]]

Man that is beautiful...I want one

[Ogait-Nas]

Awesome O.o

[Quebectrooper]

I just realized life was beautiful !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Edited January 24, 2011 by Quebectrooper

[SW1]

Hi Erv about time you turned to the darkside and joined the FISD, that is one most impresive E11 i still have all my sabers with your cfb not letting them go mate , looks like i will have get a blaster core of you when there availble , because i want to do a E11 like yours and Pablos , can you PM me here when your doing your next run of blastercores mate

 

TTYS

Steve

[TKRobert]

It's almost as nice as my Doopy Doos build

[opentheblastdoors]

that was a crazzyyyyy build i love it

Edited January 25, 2011 by opentheblastdoors

[TKCaleb]

MY GOD! THIS IS FREAKING AWESOME!

[erv]

If I may ask, why did you use the original ring bracket for the scope? I know that it is the original way that the A2, C and D model scopes were mounted in WWII. But, why not fill in that area of the scope and make it look like the regular M38's, M40's, M47's and M77's , then mount it like the scopes were in the movie.

 

Thanks guys !

Not sure I understood that properly. My scope is mounted "normally" from under, with screws, on a scope rail. The original attachment with hinges and springs was removed. The ring area in the middle just holds the top light that illuminate the scale inside the scope. That ring isn't part of attaching the scope to the blaster or to the rail.

Edited January 25, 2011 by erv