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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 8:16 am 
MAA Did you get my email?

<M>


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 8:18 am 
I did now ... ;)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...For he today that sheds his blood with me
shall be my brother."


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 3:34 am 
Just to confirm, the fixings you see in the reference pictures are aluminium solid rivets with a countersunk head. Being that the original shrouds were aluminium, that is what they would use.
The referred to plates in the pictures must have allways been seperate parts, left and right, as there must be access to both sides of the work piece to form solid rivets.
The plate on the upper front of the shroud of the original PR is some sort of repair piece as it does not appear in the movie.

I think the actual construction of the real shrouds is a mystery that would only be solved by dissasembaling the original, ESPECIALLY with regards to the methods of attachment to the internal parts.

Cheers

Tony
When you are out of Pulse Rifles, you are out of Weapons!


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 6:17 am 
Quote:
Quote:The plate on the upper front of the shroud of the original PR is some sort of repair piece as it does not appear in the movie.


Hi Tony --

Does that mean we don't need to incorporate that front plate for the purpose of making an accurate set of shrouds ?? Seems every PR be they resin, SD, GEM, MIM, or G&P has that front plate. And honestly -- I'm kinda used to the look.

What do you guys think ??

BTW -- I wish to state that I'm making these shrouds for myself, as I considered buying a kit e.g. G&P based Pulse Rifle but ultimately decided to make my own starting with the shrouds. I'll post the results on the Board though (if they turn out to be any "good").:)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...For he today that sheds his blood with me
shall be my brother."Edited by: [url=http://pub217.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=menatarms>MENATARMS[/url] at: 12/7/03 1:37 am


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 5:06 pm 
I would agree with Tony here in that I believe that the side 'plates' on the shroud would have been separate parts, and consequently the shroud would have been made to come apart in two halves.

While it's a nice idea to think that the innards can just slip out of a complete shroud you have to put yourself in the position of the armourers on set at the time:

If the gun jams and needs attention, and you've got Jim Cameron breathing down your neck to get it fixed so that they can continue the shot, a mostly British crew either just about to have a(nother) tea break and/or go into overtime I know that I'd prefer to just be able to whip one or both sides of the casing apart - fix the job quickly and slap it back together again.

The theory about the shroud being in two haves is further reinforced by the fact that the PR that I saw at Bapty's did have the front plate on it (possibly added for or during Alien³) but while it was pop-riveted to one half of the shroud it was screwed to the other half with self tapping screws so that the shroud could come apart.

My big regret about the Bapty visit is that we ran out of time. I very much wanted to ask for the shroud to be removed to get a photo of the inside. :(

Harry.
<IMGSRC="http://www.triotech.demon.co.uk/hhacabanner.gif[/img]


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Sun Dec 07, 2003 8:08 pm 
The shrouds are made in two halfs - that much is certain. However, I'm not sure if unscrewing at least 6 screws (2 for the side, 1 for the front mag plate, 2 for the rear mag plate and 1 for the lower rear clamp) to get the shrouds apart would be faster that the disassembly procedure described above. What about the rear shroud band?
Also, when looking at the following picture I wonder if ther rear plate is rivited in place! If you have a look at the diameter of the pins visible in the mag well it's hard to believe that these pins are hollow shafts with the actual screw inside while self tapping screws usually are somewhat pointed:
www.encom.demon.co.uk/opr13.htm
Harry, do you have a larger view of the mag well area that might clear this up?

Cheers,
Stefan

Edited by: [url=http://pub217.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=bugstomper>Bug Stomper[/url] at: 12/7/03 1:16 pm


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 Post subject: Re: Q - About Detail on Pulse Rifle Shrouds
PostPosted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 12:07 am 
Ok, Ive hesitated to reply to this thread but heres my experience from building a set of aluminium shrouds.

Youve got to remember that except for shape theres a world of difference between an ally shroud and any form of plastic/grp one. The material properties are completely different.

Once the 2 halves are joined at the top (underneath the carry handle section) then its very easy to 'flex open the bottom to remove the shroud from the thompson.
The only thing you need to do when its actually in place on the gun to ensure a rock solid fit is to keep the bottom edges together.
Thats the reason for the rear clamping band and also the front one I think too.
There doesnt need to be any physical fixing of the shroud to the thompson itself, so no extra holes drilled in there to weaken it. Where the shroud is folded on the lower edges acts as a clamp on the sides of the PR.
Believe it or not with an aluminium shroud thats all thats needed to hold it in place. I discovered this when test fitting mine. I was originally going to screw it into place internally but I picked it up and shook the gun around violently (this was with no bottom clamps at all) and it didnt budge. When I fitted the clamps in place it just wont move.

For those who say its not easy to strip then I personally think the front lower 'clamp' is fixed to the barrel assembly, when thats removed by simply unscrewing the barrel it takes the clamp with it releasing the front bottom edge of the shroud. The rear bottom clamp is held on with a single screw that goes into one of the existing holes formerly used to fasten the stock in place. Once thats removed the entire shroud can be flexed open and simply lifted off.

With this method there is no need for the front and rear fixing plates on the shroud, in fact they would be a hindrance. The only reason I can see them being there on some of them is to hide a less than perfect shroud and cover up some bodge it together fixup.


theForce is my ally, but a kick A$$ lightsaber helps........


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