Crap. Just dawned on me: School's out this week for the summer. My wife works at one of the Junior High's and today is her last day. All the districts take Summer Break within a week or so of each other.

Back to the machinist in town or Shapeway's.

In the mean time, I'll finish riveting the turret and see about working on some of the less delicate detailing (so I don't dick it up while handling it).

So far, seems that the "wing" covers appear to be okay - no negative comments here or on an FB page I've posted to - so I'll mount them when the rivets are all in.

Mike

The extra riveting on the wing covers is quite pleasing to the eye, it adds variety to the turret, definitely no complains here.

Thank you Nicolás. Just confirms to me that I won't remove any.

Mike

The wing covers are fine and I think that they and the rivets break up the smoothness of the large turret side plates.

Hopefully you'll find a solution to the barrel issue. Have you thought about wood? Get a few dowels and have them lathed to shape. Probably cheaper and probably would weigh less than aluminum and 3d resin.

Alex,

I've got a small and large wood lathe. I like the idea of metal or plastic better though. Pen makers (wood) use CA glue as a sealer/finish on their pens. I'll have to research the method so I can give it a smooth finish. The wood's grain could be the nemesis to this material.

I should hear back from the machinist before long.

I hope to get some more done on the turret today...now that I'm laid off...however, for a new job, I have this hugely LONG security form to fill out. It's taking forever to do....

Mike

Mike,
I tend to agree. My father suggested wood as an alternative to a metal barrel. He said wood should be lighter and less costly to make. My concerns would be the opening not looking too thick. I'm not a wood worker so I have no idea.

I'm interested to see how you handle the barrels and mount them. I think metal would be you best way to go. Are you going with 3 barrel sections with each section straight? Or are you going to taper one or more sections? Some pictures/drawings appear tapered and others don't.

Either way, great work and can't wait to see the work continue. Ad good luck on the new job.

This is the design of the barrel:


Mike

Hi Mike,

Interesting drawing - where'd you get it? I just emailed you my take on the gun, which is a tad less beefy at the front section. (11 vs 14mm diameter in 1:35)

Tom,

Check my reply. I kinda went back to the drawing board and redid measurements based on the initial data I received way back when (jeez, how long ago was that?? ).

Mike

Hey everyone I have a question, I am new to making models and have found that my brushes constantly get ruined and I don't know how to take care of them.Any tips will help. Thanks In advance!

-Cross

Welcome to the hobby and to this forum! There are proper sections in this forum to ask such questions, and this isn't one of them, but here you go.

Pax.

Mike,
How about making wood barrels and using them to cast resin ones.

Cheers Rob.

Rob, nothing is off the table yet. Haven't heard from the machinist yet...I'll call tomorrow.

I think if I turned them in wood and coated ("polished") them with CA glue, that'd be fine. The CA will fill in the grain and give it almost a glass-finish.

Local 3D printing is definitely out, but Shapeway's is a possible.

Mike

How about contacting Aber?

http://www.aber.net.pl/catalog.html

http://www.aber.net.pl/contact.html

I may now have this covered. A discussion with another modeler that was unexpected (in a good way).

Cost would be the issue Steve. Especially for only two. Someone else checked with a company in Poland(?) about this; was not something they'd do for such a small quantity or at a price that would make it affordable.

The local machinist and I spoke briefly today: add $45 to the total because of that 100 mm slope/angle in the center section that goes from 21.5 mm to 17 mm. Requires some extra set-up. Don't have a total yet.

Options are still open...more on that once I get more info.

Mike

This may have been covered elsewhere but you will also want the machinist to dill the small end of the barrel to represent the bore. He may want to do this as a first step or do it last thing in the process, depending on the hardness of the material used.

As an aside: I feel strongly that these barrels could be built up out of a number of layers of concentric plastic tubing and then turned to a final profile on either a machinist's or a woodturning lathe. One would have to temporarily slide a close fitting metal rod into the bore to make the plastic barrel strong enough to not bend away from the cutting/dressing tool as you put the finish taper on it.

Mike,

Why not make a go of it with wood. You have the equipment and the cost should be negligible. At the least, it'll give you a working mock-up set of barrels. Worse case, you toss em as a lesson learned.

I'd still go metal if possible. Maybe see if you can find a hobbyist or a machinist willing to work off the clock for a little bit of money.

Or ask around online at some of these machine shops (like emachineshop.com) or even machinist message boards. Get a few quotes and go with the best price. You might get lucky and find some bloke with a new CNC lathe he's itching to play with. Dad restores old furniture as a hobby and shops around for replacement metal pieces like that.

Good luck. It's a great project and a great piece of work you've done.

Bah. Ran out out .070 rivets. More on order.

Finishing up a campaign build as I wait. As soon as it's ready for paint, I'll spray the helipad's circles and do one of the Kugelblitz's I have primed.

Mike

Hi Mike, I have been following your work like many of us since Day 1 and all I can say is, I salute you ! Splendid work, Buddy !

Marc

There's a thread going on at http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,40345.75.html

with some speculative info.





This one gives an idea of the layout with some crew numbers for a three gun turret.

I like that turret layout Steve. Nice picture.

Rivets arrived! Turret top rivets are done.

Working on the template for the helipad rings. Paint soon.

Mike

Tac --

Much respect for the dedication you're showing. What an ambitious project! I've gone back and read the thread through. No pearls to throw in but following with high interest. Go get 'em!

Huck

Thanks for the comments Huck. It's taking time but it's enjoyable. (mostly )

Finishing up a couple things on the bench...need to get them done and put up so I have room. Appears I've found the solution to the barrels. This will really make a difference to this build and my feelings of "accomplishment." It's a big step in the right direction.

Got six shots in my lower back (to "burn" the nerve endings) at three of my discs. Gotta take it real easy right now...no heavy work (to wit - tile work or anything else in the house). Does leave me more time for the bench.

I think it's time for some wood, the belt sander, some thin sheet brass, and workshop time to get the things on the back of the turret started...and the base for the sights.

Goodness...really, where to begin again.

Mike

Would the barrels for the K7 rail gun work?