How to build a EE-4

Every merc comes one day to the point, where he´s annoyed by the the lack of range and firepower of his old trusted EE-3. The logical solution is to swap it with a more sophisticated model, the EE-4.

Monday my Webley flaregun arrived, it´s a MK IV, not the old MK I that was used for the EE-3. But it has the same caliber, and some of it´s appearence.









It´s in a great shape, with a nice patina.


And today the barrel received:






First job ...... making a adapter from some delrin:






Done:







I really like it.




I have a spare 4x20 scope:



I think i will refrain from t-track, and instead use some u-shaped alu-profiles (as with the ROTJ-Sterlings) - but that isn´t written in stone yet.

And of course i need a rifle-butt.

Is that barrel made out of machined aluminum? Looks awesome, how is the weight compared to resin?

I too like the barrel, who made that thing of beauty?

Originally Posted by WTFett

Is that barrel made out of machined aluminum? Looks awesome, how is the weight compared to resin?

Yeah, machined Aluminium.

I have no resin one to compare, and i will probably never buy a resin gun - but usually resin versions are not as heavy as real guns. But a ROTJ EE-3 with a massive resinbarrel compared to a hollow alu one .... no idea.

WOW... I'm not an ROTJ guy... but WOW... you're gonna have a real cool blaster.

Originally Posted by Bobby Fett UK

I too like the barrel, who made that thing of beauty?

These barrels were once made by Obi1kenny.

As far as i know they are long out of production, and hard to find. Most people who had one, used it for their EE-3.

Originally Posted by clonecollector

WOW... I'm not an ROTJ guy... but WOW... you're gonna have a real cool blaster.

Thanks, yeah.

I think i will fit fine in my collection.

While i was waiting for some glue to cure at my E-11A pistol build, i found some time to inspect the barrel closer.

The long part is only stuffed into the socket part, and secured with one small setscrew.




But the wall is very thin, so the inner tube got a indention when the lonely setscrew is thightened up- combined with this severe cut



It is a somehow unstable construction, that doesn´t lines up perfectly (yes, i know noone will notice, but i know it ...... and i´m german

So i decided to make a new and clean cut that eases the alignment:



Next step is to turn a disc that will be pressed into the tube end - it will stabilize the tube when the setscrew puts the needed pressure on it to hold the parts together.

Today i had some time to spend in my workshop, and i started to draw some pencil lines:






Then cutting and shaping some alu-profiles:




And after that a lot of drilling, adjusting, and pop-riveting brought this result:






Big Bore Bad Boy :smoking :






I´m satisfied with the way it comes out, definatly has more guts than the EE-3:




Now i have to try to get a shoulder-stock for it.

I decided this morning that i don´t like the hollow look from the front:



The muzzle is so big, it´s to easy to look inside the hollow barrel.


So i made a small part to place inside, after all is black it should be no longer that visible as now, but give it more detail and add some "realism".

thats a sweet looking blaster, cant wait to see it completed

Originally Posted by Ogunn

thats a sweet looking blaster, cant wait to see it completed

By your command.



Today daddy got new toys.




Finally, the long needed parts:




There was a tiny problem with the fit, so i used my mill:




To make the slot a little bit wider, 0,7mm:






After that it was possible to fit the flaregun in the notch:




The assembled parts, yeah.




To big for a good pic on the workbench:




Needed to lay it down on the shops concrete to get a good angle for a complete pic:



Next job - milling the blocks to mount the scope.


And finally, a size-comparision-pic:



It´s bigger to hold it, than expected from pics.

Awesome!

she's as beauty sir....

What else to say

That is one beefy and built looking blaster. That is some excellent work on the aluminum. This rifle is already a thing of beauty but I can't wait to see it all painted and weathered.

Thanks for all the nice comments, guys.

I will keep you informed as soon as there is some new progress.

Id like to see it next to an EE3 build

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Id like to see it next to an EE3 build

The difference is not soooo big if both are build as a ROTJ, due to beeing close in size, both having the typical Webley grip and the same caliber, and the covered barrel ...... the biggest difference is the part with the locking mechanism at the end of the chamber, and the more prominent hammer on the MK I.

As soon as i am lucky enough to grab a cheap Webley MK I , or a brass Hand-Schaub, i would build a ESB EE-3.

Then i make pics off them side by side.

yeh ur hammer is kinda hiding

Wow! Awesome build!!

Wow! That's one sweet looking blaster! I'm envious of your workshop. I also can't wait to see the paint-up.

Originally Posted by OTIKing

Wow! Awesome build!!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by fettwho

Wow! That's one sweet looking blaster!

Thanks. I know it´s not completly s.a., but i like it to idealize my stuff like a "real" blaster/gun instead of copying the movie-props - they are often overdone for better effects on screen, that makes them not "realistic" guns, as they would be in-universe.

Originally Posted by fettwho

I'm envious of your workshop.

Indeed it is very handy for doing this stuff in metal.

Originally Posted by fettwho

I also can't wait to see the paint-up.

Pics will come in the next days - yesterday it got some black paint and some wear with real dings and dents, and today i milled the scopemount-blocks and glued some greeblies.

OK, it has been some time since the last update, i´ve been to stressed to get much done on my own blasters. But finally i made some little progress.


I milled the scopemounts


nice and rough, nothing to shiny - it´s Star Wars.



And don´t ask how big the chunk of alu was before milling - as i had no proper sized alu blocks, i needed to take a "slighly" oversized one to carve them out.


Some black was added and some greeblies were glued



Still needs some additional weathering, up to now i only did the "mechanical" weathering with hammer and sandpaper. More colors and some dust/pigment work still need to be applied.


The real brass grip




And the muzzle




And again, some size-comparisions (real sterling with real parts, MGC with real Hensoldt, wood grips, ........)




Thanks for looking.

Makes me feel less excited about my stormrider ESB blaster Ive been working on....very cool indeed.

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Makes me feel less excited about my stormrider ESB blaster Ive been working on....very cool indeed.

Why that?

But thanks, i take it as a compliment.

Im still excited just less with all the aluminum, Cant wait to build another ROTJ blaster for myself

Fantastic build Love it !

It feels for sure very real and heavy when you hold it . I´m jealous ^^

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

Im still excited just less with all the aluminum, Cant wait to build another ROTJ blaster for myself

Ah, i understand. Yeah, nothing beats the feel of metal on a gun.

Originally Posted by RedArc

Fantastic build Love it !

It feels for sure very real and heavy when you hold it . I´m jealous ^^

Thanks.

Aye, it´s heavy and feels like a real gun ..... wait ... except the barrel all parts are real.

You know what .... i got the flaregun from Austria.

Very nice job!!!!!!!!!

Awesome work! Love it

****. That is insane! Great example of why having the right equipment pays off! >.< My PVC pipe barrel will have to do

Thanks guys, your nice comments are highly appreciated.

Originally Posted by JayBox325

****. That is insane! Great example of why having the right equipment pays off! >.< My PVC pipe barrel will have to do

Thanks.

But to be honest, no, it doesn´t really pay off to have/buy the machines/equipment just to build this things. Not if building parts to not need to buy the parts is the only purpose of the equipment. It´s not only buying the lathe/mill, you have to double the price of the machine for buying the additional needed tools. It would be cheaper to buy the parts, or have them made, than making them yourself (with all needed/made expenses added honestly).

But it does pay off if you see the machining and building as a own hobby. If you feel the building as fun, not alone having the ready part available. Then it´s a very satisfying fun to make your own parts. I like building things after spending the day in the office, it´s relaxing.

Nice job. Delrin was a good choice as it is the best machinable plastic around. I tried using other materials for my han solo blaster but found delrin worked best and didn't have any trouble making it. Delrin Sheet, Delrin Rod, Acetal Sheet, Acetal Rod

Beautiful blaster! Have you put it on a scale? I'm curious what it weighs.

My No 1 Mk I tips the scale right about 7 pounds, and I haven't even added anything to it yet.

Well impressed with your work ! Any advice in sourcingfor a uk based (in his 40s) newbie Boba builder

Originally Posted by Geber Teg

Beautiful blaster! Have you put it on a scale? I'm curious what it weighs.

My No 1 Mk I tips the scale right about 7 pounds, and I haven't even added anything to it yet.

Thanks.

I just tried it, but the kitchen-scale went into "Error" after going over 3Kg.

Ha! Error! Dang Kitchen scale!

Originally Posted by jakefox24

Well impressed with your work ! Any advice in sourcingfor a uk based (in his 40s) newbie Boba builder

Thanks, but i´m afraid i´m not familiar with the UK market - i only know that importing is a pain in the *** since some years for you UKers.

Originally Posted by TripleD

Ha! Error! Dang Kitchen scale!

Aye, well said.

That's is AMAZING! wish I could build something like that....nice work!

Amazing work..

Thanks guys, for your kind comments.

Amazing! Love the craftsmanship....

You do amazing work. The more I see here the more $$$ I picture going out the window as I try to build some of these amazing replicas.

Just stumbled upon the thread and wanted to restate how incredible those pieces are. It's awesome that your two hobbies overlap ... creating some neat products.