Westar Blaster buildup

SerpentKing

New Hunter
Here a couple of quick pics of the pistol grip. I use poplar wood for mastering odd-shaped parts. Hopefully by the weekend, I should have a completed pistol grip, with trigger and butt-plate.

1.jpg


100_1333.jpg
 
Haven't decided on that yet. I'd love to use metal tubing, but I'm not equipped to machine metal. So, forming the vented muzzle from bar stock just isn't possible (yet).
Most likely, I'll use EMT pipe to form the barrel master, then mold it in resin. Alclad paint works well for simulating a metal finish, so it will look better than it sounds . . .
 
The grinding continues . . .

The left side is mostly done. I gave it a heavy shot of gray primer and some buffing to fill in the wood grain. The right side still needs a lot of shaping. There's a .25" filler piece that goes between them.

Did I say I'd have the pistol grip together by the weekend? Shows what I know . . .

100_1336.jpg
 
Do you have a lathe? that would help all to much with the barrel. By the way, are you using a dremel or a router for the edges? I made a westar (not completely screen acurate because I drew up my own diagram) literaly a couple of days ago using a router. And I'm extremely happy because I made it out of one solid piece of wood which will make it easy to mold if I ever get the money/find someone who is waiting to do it/wait till I go through collage and have a job to pay for some molding supplies.

I might post some pics of it latter if you don't mind.
 
Do you have a lathe?

I need about $1000 for a lathe set up. If I can sell some props, that will be the next thing I buy.

you using a dremel or a router for the edges?

Um, no . . . I just use sandpaper. I own a Dremel, but I usually prefer the control of doing the sanding by hand. However, I never would have tried this build without a scroll saw. Easily the best $200 I ever spent.

Regarding 'film accuracy', I don't sweat it too much. A lot of film props are built quickly on a tight budget. That's true of ALL movies. They look good for a few seconds on screen, but when you get a good look, they appear unfinished or under-detailed. So If you want to use some creative license, I say do it. I'm actually planning some 'gunsmith modified' Westar variants, when this build is finished.

If you want to show off your own Westar pics on this thread, go right ahead. Me casa, su casa.
 
Westar 34: Reboot

I wasn't happy with the pieces, so I scrapped them and started over. Here's the handgrip as of right now. It still needs a lot of sanding to shape it up, and the 'window' obviously hasn't been cut out yet.

100_1337.jpg


100_1339.jpg


100_1340.jpg


100_1342.jpg
 
Looks good so far, Try and keep the faith with it though ... Its pretty demoralizing when all these people look at your WIP and only a few of us reply.

You thought about wood dowel and bondo to shape the barrel?
 
I've thought about wood dowel, metal tubing, PVC pipe . . . when I have a closer look at the measurements, I'll have a better idea of what I'm doing. I'll probably try a couple different things before it looks right.
 
Need your input!

I've put a lot of work into contouring the buttplate, but it isn't exactly 'movie accurate'. I think the piece looks good as is. I need your opinions: Should I go with it, or redo it?

Also, I recontoured the trigger/guard piece to move the trigger out further, and the trigger guard is smaller to allow more room for my finger. Please tell me how it looks.

In the photos, I had to use a green Lego to prop up the buttplate, and the handgrip and trigger guard need more sanding to make everything smooth and flush. Please ignore that.

13.jpg


14.jpg


15.jpg
 
Lookin' good. What you said about rush made movie props. You're so right. The lightsabers were made out of flash guns from cameras. And about the lathe. Someone I know got an old quite usable, workable lathe with some chisels for 400-500 bucks. Old tools might be less pretty and slightly lee functional around the workplace but whatever works, works.

Happy crafting.
 
This thread is more than 13 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top