40K Bolter Prop
Intro: 40K Bolter Prop
Ok the plan here was to make a 40k blaster prop from wood, plastic, foam, whatever was needed to put it together.
This project was started like 4+ years ago. I would start it, get busy with something else and it would end up back in the attic. Twice I brought the project out to work on it until it was finished and twice I didn't The 3rd time I swore I would finish it, I finally did.
When I started I didn't have the tools to make it. When I started I didn't have a table saw. So I went out and got one. I did a drawing in Rhino 3d (that drawing is long gone, two laptops back) and once I understood how big I wanted it to be, I mostly finished the drawing - enough to start. Some years later. I picked up a 40w eBay laser cutter and realized that I could continue working on it because with out it, making things like the flames or the hand guard wasn't practical (i.e. me being lazy) so work continued.
I didn't paint the the prop. I put an ad out on craigslist and found someone to help me out. I was determined to finish the thing and knew if I tried to paint it, it would of ruined all of my work.
This is a short instructable. I've included a few pictures I took over the years while putting it together
STEP 1: Design/Initial Work
So I got a hold of every bolter picture I could find. Then I decided how big I wanted the thing to be and worked on a basis design using Rhino 3D. When you have a table saw everything you are gonna make is basically a box. One reason I decided to build a bolter - not many curves to it.
Cut as much of the body and cover on the table saw as I could. cut the rest with a hack saw or hand held jig saw.
For the grip -that was the only curvy part and I just filed and rasped a block of wood together to make the handle. Trial and error and bondo. For the brass pieces in the handle and pommel. I made separate pieces and fit them into the grip. More bondo and sanding. Barrel was easy - PVC tubing and a piece of wood - epoxy and kinda done!
I made the site rail, site, misc pieces on the bolter the same way. Then the project got parked for a year. I wasn't up to trying to make the handle, skull or flames using the same method.
STEP 2: Laser Cutter - Work Continues
During that time I picked up a 40w eBay laser cutter for another project (see my control panel instructable). Once that was done and the trauma of that project was over, I realized I could do a lot of the part using the laser cutter - bolt latch, flames, mag release, trim around the bolter cover AND the front grip with it. So I was back motivated again to continue.
I decided to push through and finish off the thing. For the rounds I used PVC tubing, two tone painted them and glued them into the magazine. Then I glued the mag into the frame.
The front grip was made from stacking 3/16 wood cut from the laser cutter and stacked, until it became a complete front grip.
The trim around the thing was made from 6-7 pieces each individually cut. That was for both sides.
I figured out in CorrelDraw how to import an image and turn it into a object. Found some hot rod flames, imported them, text cut them with some thin craft foam, then cut the real ones out of 1/8" Plexiglas sheet. (I melted the tips on the first couple - trial and error).
Mistake made at this point - gluing the skull, flames hand guard and misc other pieces to the main gun. This was to cause the person that painted it a LOT LOT LOT of trouble.
STEP 3: Painting
Well, I knew if I tried to paint it I would ruin it. And I knew I wasn't motivated to even spend the time to do that. Or motivated to learn how to paint it, so I out-sourced. I posted an ad on Craigslist for a painter.
This was a first time for me. I would always take on all parts of a project, regardless of the outcome.
STEP 4: Finished
Finished. Now I have to convince my wife its fine art and should be hanging on the wall in the living room and not the garage.
2 Comments
IsaacG27 2 years ago
seamster 4 years ago