The Aliens Legacy
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My M56 journey... CONTINUES! (more pics coming!)
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7718		 Page 1 of 3
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Wed Feb 24, 2010 11:38 pm ]
Post subject:  My M56 journey... CONTINUES! (more pics coming!)
Well, I thought I should start posting some photos of my SG build.
Currently, I am working on my stabilizer arm, more specifically, the "wrists", that connect to the "bones" of the arm.
I have finished drilling most holes, but I just purchased a new 1/2" end mill bit, to finish off the rest (more photos to come).
The wrist blocks are made from "6061" aluminum (same metal that is used to make wheel rims) = 3" H x 2-5/16" W.
The detailed plans are not my final versions, but just for my own use. Once I complete the arm, and all works like it's supposed to, I will make final drawings of the finished arm. Every schematic will be hand drawn with my "old school" drafting supplies, we're talkin' tungsten tech pens on mylar drafting paper baby! Then, they will be turned into blue prints, for anyone who might want them. My hope is to have a complete smart gun blue print kit, for anyone who might want it. Headset, lamp box, stabilizer arm, vest, gun...etc. It will take me a while, but I WILL have it done.

I'm thinking of providing free e-mailed pics, or a complete set with blue prints and templates for a very low fee (still thinking)... Any thoughts?

Thanks to all members who have helped me with this build so far, it has been greatly appreciated.

More photo's and updates to come.

Attachments:
Pre-drilling, preparing for milling!
Stabilizer Arm 1.jpg
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Stabilizer Arm 2.jpg
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Stabilizer Arm 3.jpg
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Working Plans 1.jpg
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Working Plans 2.jpg
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Author:  gman666 [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Doing prints on the board about killed me in college. I could not imagine doing mechanical prints without autocad or solidworks. Your skills have me in awe. Watching this with great interest.
Author:  Scapey [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Very nice work!
Author:  Jesse DeGraff [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Dude....WOW!! Seriously nice work.
Author:  Ttaskmaster [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
I'd buy that for a dollar!!!

Well, a number of dollars actually... but colour me interested, mate!!
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Why thank yee! Your comments are encouraging!
The worst part for me is time. I am VERY lucky to have access a milling machine at work, which has been my only saving grace.
As for the drawings, it's just one of the many little passions of mine. I LOVE drafting, but I do have to give props to autocad. I first started using it in 1987, but I always fell back into hand drawn prints. I have tried the new autocad programs, but I'm just not that swift to figure it out. I'm just trying to find a happy balance right now, between work, home (TV), and my health.

All of your costumes have been an inspiration to me, especially (and obviously) the smart gunners. AMAZING work by all!

I tried putting together a SG costume in 1986, 1989, 1995 and finally 2007, when I started up again. The bug really bit in when my wife and I first met Mike at the Calgary comic-con.
I began visiting this forum, but never joined up, until seeing Mike's kick-ass armour at the show. From then on I was hooked! This is a great group of folks, and I'm proud to be associated with it.
My wife has even been thinking about going as an Alien, or possibly Ripley (since she is 6 feet tall) for a couple of years now, and she also loves the forum. Unfortunately, she has OTHER plans!
Hopefully we can make it to San Diego next year, and It would be a blast to meet my fellow Colonial Marines! My wife will be going as an Imperial Officer (she LOVES Grand Moff Tarkin), and I, obviously will be SG'd out!

Okay... I'm done rambling!

Thanks again for your kind words! Back to work now!
CBD
Author:  Jesse DeGraff [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 9:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Hey Xeno, if you make it down to SD give me a buzz. I live down here now :)
Jesse
"Happiness is a Warm Smartgun!"
Author:  Bug Stomper [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
It looks like it's too late to say this, but the brackets of the arms used on Aliens didn't have the three holes in the side walls.
Sorry for the bad news.
Nevertheless great work!

Cheers,
Stefan
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Thu Feb 25, 2010 11:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thanks for the invite Jesse, I will definitely let you know.

As for the stabilizer arm... I was going to keep them solid like in the movie, but I am trying to keep the weight down as much as I can, besides, I just think it looks a little more BAD-ASSSSSSSSS ! :lol:
My reference material I used for this arm came from numerous photos (like the one attached). So I figured a little artistic license was okay. I think I'll have to do the same thing with the headset because I can't quite make out the detail underneath the camera housing, and the underside of the headset. I have to scratch build most of it, so it's going to be...fun :roll:

Thanks for checking out my posting marines! HOORAH!!! :delta:

Attachments:
3a arm detail.jpg
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Author:  Space Jockey [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 7:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Those hand-drawn drawings look bloody good to me. Great work. :shock:
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Fri Feb 26, 2010 3:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thank you kindly!
They will look better once I finalize them. The hardest part is remembering to label all the measurements!
Author:  WDI [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Xeno_Stomper wrote:
...I think I'll have to do the same thing with the headset because I can't quite make out the detail underneath the camera housing, and the underside of the headset. I have to scratch build most of it...


We have some useful leads in the drop ship helmet thread.
Some of the model parts used are from kits that also contain parts used on the SG headset.
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thank you for the info WDI... I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed, I tried doing a search for it, but I can't seem to find the info. Could you link me to thus thread!?!

Greatly appreciated! :oops:
Author:  PVB [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Xeno_Stomper wrote:
Thank you for the info WDI... I'm not always the sharpest tool in the shed, I tried doing a search for it, but I can't seem to find the info. Could you link me to thus thread!?!

Greatly appreciated! :oops:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3128

There's quite a few pages to read through. :wink:
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thank you for the link PVB. I will check it out! :delta:
Author:  Airborne Mike [ Sat Feb 27, 2010 3:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
This project rocks Chad. Can't wait to see the finished project

Mike
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Sun Feb 28, 2010 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thanks Mike! Calgary show's coming up... Tic-Toc, Tic-Toc :shock: I should have my BDU's in the mail this week, sew the patches on my flak vest, and hopefully scrape together some $$$ for a resin VP70 before April hits.
Author:  Outcry27 [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
The funny thing is, if you look at my pictures over time, I eventually stopped wearing the flak vest entirely. Kinda ironic after all the effort I went through getting it, too! Enjoy it, but don't be surprised if you eventually decide you look better without it ;)

Nice work on the metalwork, too. It looks like you've got much better tools at your disposal than I did - you should do just fine with the CodyCam plans. Looking forward to having another 'gunner on the Line!
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Mon Mar 01, 2010 11:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Thanks for the kind words big guy.
I looked at the CodyCam plans, but I decided to do my own from scratch, just going by reference photos. I lucked out on the springs for the arm. At one point I was going to have them made by a local spring shop, but they wanted $19 ea!!! Times 6... Is a lot! I found 15/16" x 4" long compression springs for a little over $20 for all six! :D For the "bones", I'm using a product called "Unistrut". 4x pieces at 9' long, with the width being 1 5/8". I wanted to have 2" wide aluminum, but my source had none available, so I went with the cheaper unistrut. The aluminum is a little thinner, but very strong (photo's coming soon).
The real pain in the ass for me is not having the time to work on it as much as I would like to.

Anywho... Thanks for the comments!

See ya'll real soon!

P.S. Killer SG costume Outcry... That is one sweet animal killer!
Author:  Outcry27 [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 5:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
You're gonna have me jealous of your arm by the time you get done, hehe
Author:  Jesse DeGraff [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
May I just say here that I LOVE seeing more smartgunners in the works? Even without my LOOOOONG overdue a$$? :oops: :roll:
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
The more the merrier I say! A whole squad of smart gunners would be... Well... Just the bee's knees!

I just hope mine comes out looking as good as yourz guysez! :D

When I first started this, my wife (in her infinite wisdom), asked me if I enjoyed punishing myself!?! To quote Vasquez... "Hudson may be right..."
Author:  TECKNO VIKING [ Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Nowt wrong with Superior firepower in a squad of Bad ass Colonial Marines. Not like we do it stealthy what with shoulder lamps lighting our paths & clang of armour as kit it`s it whilst we move.
Superb project to undertake & Look forward to seeing this through to the end.
One day the TECKNO VIKING shall be an SG Oh Yes, it will be mine!

Jason
Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
SO SAY WE ALL!!! :D

Okay, now for an update:
Yesterday I received my compression springs for the arms, and they look like they will work JUST fine-n-dandy! You can't beat the price, that's for sure... $3.30 for two, and to have them custom made - $19.82 ea!!!

Link to amazon, where I bought them:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BD ... ss_product

The photos are just to show what the eventual bone will look like. I temporarily taped the cutting template on the "unistrut" aluminum channel.
The place I purchased the aluminum channel, only comes in 12' lengths for a little over $65, and they will custom cut lengths for you. I had them cut four, 9" long pieces, which leaves me with plenty of extra "mulligan" channel to use.

Once I finish this costume, I will take what I have learned from this and build another one, but next time around I plan to build a Canuck version of the SG costume... A winter themed SG. ALL white, with possible white & grey camo!?! Any thoughts or ideas?

Okay marines, until next time... Stay frosty! :delta:

Attachments:
Bone & Spring 1.jpg
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Bone & Spring 2.jpg
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Bone & Spring 3.jpg
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Bone & Spring 4.jpg
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Author:  Xeno_Stomper [ Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: My M56 journey... BEGINS! (more pics coming!)
Last Saturday, I lucked out on some stamped trunnion covers for my arm. I found a place in town that makes coin blanks and medals. The owner never uses aluminum, but he was nice enough to stamp some out for me. At a $1 a piece, I can't go wrong.
They are 1" x 1/8" thick. All I have to do now is drill holes and I'm home free.

Also, I received my BDU's yesterday in the mail. $25 is a price I like. Now all I have to do is fade them.

Attachments:
Trunnion Cover.jpg
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Camo 1.jpg
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Camo 2.jpg
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