The Sunstar Pistol - Remodeling a Masterpiece
Intro: The Sunstar Pistol - Remodeling a Masterpiece
One of my original triumphs was my Original Handgun It was a good project, and despite many further attempts, i never replicated that nice unique design.
The new version i have dubbed 'The Sunstar' it fires a live flare of fusion material from the small star at its core. The star itself is held in a Tri-directional gravity field, keeping the gun light and accurate.
Most things that come into contact with the blast will melt, including most metals.
If needs be the gun opens to fire a pulse of sun matter, which can take out a small army (read a few hundred)
The original was not very well thought up, so i decided to 'Mod' it, using these various fine materials.
The new version i have dubbed 'The Sunstar' it fires a live flare of fusion material from the small star at its core. The star itself is held in a Tri-directional gravity field, keeping the gun light and accurate.
Most things that come into contact with the blast will melt, including most metals.
If needs be the gun opens to fire a pulse of sun matter, which can take out a small army (read a few hundred)
The original was not very well thought up, so i decided to 'Mod' it, using these various fine materials.
- Some nice upholstery leather
- Some fancy wood veneer
- Some lenses
- A variety of small cogs
- A few new nozzle sections
STEP 1: Reworking the Opening Section.
I decided on a slightly different mechanism for it to open, give an optional 'sun blast' mode.
Firstly i removed all the the section where the 'vial was before' (see first picture)
Next i replaced this with various parts to give more of an 'internal barrel' feel, it took a bit of playing around, and these items were held in places using both epoxy resin and superglue.
Next to work on the top. The bottom hinge would open just as before, but the top needed to open upward. First i had to file the gap to allow for a more heavy duty bolt, this through the back hole then made my hinge. The original magnets hold it closed perfectly.
I then used an old motor from a CD drive on one side, an old clock provided me with some small plastic cogs. These were all glued in place using epoxy resin.
Finally, an old perf wheel from work fitted perfectly as the barrel.
Firstly i removed all the the section where the 'vial was before' (see first picture)
Next i replaced this with various parts to give more of an 'internal barrel' feel, it took a bit of playing around, and these items were held in places using both epoxy resin and superglue.
Next to work on the top. The bottom hinge would open just as before, but the top needed to open upward. First i had to file the gap to allow for a more heavy duty bolt, this through the back hole then made my hinge. The original magnets hold it closed perfectly.
I then used an old motor from a CD drive on one side, an old clock provided me with some small plastic cogs. These were all glued in place using epoxy resin.
Finally, an old perf wheel from work fitted perfectly as the barrel.
STEP 2: The Handle. (part One)
Ok, i decided the first thing to go would be the handle.
It HAD to be done. I wanted to keep the shape, but did not want the old scrap leather and exposed card.
So, i ripped it off.
I had decided the power for the gun was going to be a star or sun, so i needed to fit this into the handle. I started by taking the bare handle, marking a rough centre then drilling out a hole at the top, it only needed to be deep enough to sink my lense into, so i didn't go all the way through.
I then made a simple paper template, and used this to cut out both sides.
I then glued these two sections onto either side. A simple rig used a vice and some floppy discs held it all in place while it dried.
It HAD to be done. I wanted to keep the shape, but did not want the old scrap leather and exposed card.
So, i ripped it off.
I had decided the power for the gun was going to be a star or sun, so i needed to fit this into the handle. I started by taking the bare handle, marking a rough centre then drilling out a hole at the top, it only needed to be deep enough to sink my lense into, so i didn't go all the way through.
I then made a simple paper template, and used this to cut out both sides.
I then glued these two sections onto either side. A simple rig used a vice and some floppy discs held it all in place while it dried.
STEP 3: The Handle. (part Two)
Next i need to add the lens and the leather.
Once the Veneer is dry, i re-drilled the gap for the lens, you may need to use a Dremel to make it a bit large, and it also helps to smooth it off.
I got a small lens left out of a camera, the lens still had its metal surround, using these i google some pictures of the sun, found one i liked, and printed it out onto some glossy paper. I cut this out and stuck it in the hole.
Place the lens in place, and hold it stuck with a few blobs of epoxy resin or super glue.
Finally cut few strips of leather, and carefully glue them over the exposed sections of the handle, i find that if you spread PVA glue onto the leather it make it slightly wet which allows it to 'mould' around the handle better, Cut the leather where needed, and fold around the bottom of the handle.
At this stage i also slid an extra slip of metal onto the trigger.
Once the Veneer is dry, i re-drilled the gap for the lens, you may need to use a Dremel to make it a bit large, and it also helps to smooth it off.
I got a small lens left out of a camera, the lens still had its metal surround, using these i google some pictures of the sun, found one i liked, and printed it out onto some glossy paper. I cut this out and stuck it in the hole.
Place the lens in place, and hold it stuck with a few blobs of epoxy resin or super glue.
Finally cut few strips of leather, and carefully glue them over the exposed sections of the handle, i find that if you spread PVA glue onto the leather it make it slightly wet which allows it to 'mould' around the handle better, Cut the leather where needed, and fold around the bottom of the handle.
At this stage i also slid an extra slip of metal onto the trigger.
STEP 4: Finishing Touches.
I need to redo the paint job, the original wasn't as dark I had hoped, and was done using a silver marker instead of proper metallic paint. Mask off the sections you want to remain 'virgin'. Give a nice even spray using black 'direct to metal' spray paint. As always, many coats, patience, and long dry times are the key.
Once this was dry, i then dry brushed the metallic paint on, a light coating all over on this one.
Remove the masking.
I needed the wood on the handle darker so, i go myself some wood varnish.
Re-mask the gun ready to varnish the veneer. Give the varnish a good stir, and apply to the handle, i gave mine two coats, which worked great.
Leave it to dry, and remove the masking tape.
Last thing to do, was to drill a few small hole in the handle, and put some little screws in.
Once this was dry, i then dry brushed the metallic paint on, a light coating all over on this one.
Remove the masking.
I needed the wood on the handle darker so, i go myself some wood varnish.
Re-mask the gun ready to varnish the veneer. Give the varnish a good stir, and apply to the handle, i gave mine two coats, which worked great.
Leave it to dry, and remove the masking tape.
Last thing to do, was to drill a few small hole in the handle, and put some little screws in.
STEP 5: Completion
So there we are, finished, share any comments, and all that jazz.
- gmjhowe
- gmjhowe
71 Comments
GylfieGaming 10 years ago
This thing is epic! I am thinking of making something like this myself. I'm lucky because I have these hinges on my cupboards so I have extras.
nemo13 10 years ago
https://www.instructables.com/id/Neo-Steampunk-Dephaser-Pistol-Gun/
The Bandogge 11 years ago
ZachFejes 12 years ago
Just a thought in case you make a future model (or in case I decide to do something similar for that matter :P ).
For the sun, it should be possible to get one or two little screens (from an old cellphone store) and put in a rechargeable battery to run a video of a living star. The gun would suddenly look even more believable, and if you were to pull it out to show someone, they would do the biggest double take in history!
Either way, amazing, amazing project!
Kimbly107 12 years ago
Benson1 14 years ago
Other then that I really like it, good show!
j3tripp 13 years ago
HotPinkBulb 14 years ago
Thanks for the comment.
Benson1 14 years ago
HotPinkBulb 14 years ago
kellykell 13 years ago
HotPinkBulb 13 years ago
kellykell 13 years ago
swilus 13 years ago
HotPinkBulb 13 years ago
imagigadgets 13 years ago
adamc90 14 years ago
TheMaker888 14 years ago
guns and Goggles soon..
Btw where do you get your Materials ?
like Brass and Mechanical parts?
HotPinkBulb 14 years ago
TheMaker888 14 years ago
( a spear like projectile )
gets thrown from the Gun...
have you ever seen a Hot wheels track?
you know those Track Boosters?
well this is Generally the same Basic Idea
*Fling one Object from One Point to another*
Let Me Know If You Are Interested...
Then I Will Draw A Digram For You Ok ?