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 Post subject: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 5:44 pm 
Hi guys ,i'm in need of some info.
Originally i was going to get one of the Relics smartguns(when i first came across it i thought it looked ok),but having trawled this forum i'm having serious doubts.
The pros i guess would be cost as i'm in the UK,though that seems to be it for the pros
Cons - pretty innacurate,below are the pics they sent me

So what realistic alternatives are out there,are the bike parts used very easy to get hold of,and what are they from?
Is anyone selling smartgun kits?
Any chance someone would be kind enough to list the parts needed(except for the MG42)
Any info tips or advise would be great
Thanks
Andy

[img]http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/8360/p0569ma.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6920/p056b6yj.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/1742/p056d3qm.jpg[/img]

[img]http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4355/p056h5wd.jpg[/img]

Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 6:07 pm 
Hi Andy

The replica I made was from as many real parts as possible. As you know the original gun is the MG42. The rest of the bits are all motor cycle parts.

[img]http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/Drake%20copy.jpg[/img]

:D

The front struts are from an AR125 – Not too hard to find here in the UK and still available from Kawasaki but at £78 quid each you might want to give them a miss. The last set I picked up were £5 but they range up to £30

The front handle is from a Kawasaki GPZ750: Again available off sites such as EBay for about £15. If you’re going to go ultra-realistic you don’t won’t the one with the additional small button.

The rear handle assembly has not been officially sourced as yet but Kawasaki make a number of clutch handles and assemblies that do the job.

Steven 210 is the latest board member to have built a Smart Gun you can see it in this thread here. An exceptionally good resin copy.

S210 SG

Are you looking to build in metal or resin ? Products by Matsucorp would make a good base for a quality resin replica.
<img border=0 src="http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/ff%20okay%20copy.jpg" />Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=osmotic>Osmotic[/url] at: 12/7/05 11:16 am


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 07, 2005 9:03 pm 
I have one of the relics SG, and I have to say it's not all that bad. You can see some of the wood grain, and it's inaccurate, but with a few do-it-yourself tweaks, it can be made to look good.

But I have seen Matsuo's SG parts in person and I have to say they kick all kinds of butt! If you can affod it and it won't be too problematic to get them shipped to you, he is the way to go!
"Being dead means not having an opinion"


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:35 am 
Cheers for the input being swayed towards Matts MG42 as the base.
I know if go for a cheaper option i'm going to regret it,just worried about delivery/customs charges .
Good to hear the bike parts should be available.
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 2:17 pm 
Matt’s would make a very good base gun to start from. I’ve found Matsucorp very amenable when it comes to transport to the UK. ;)

I’m sure Steve 210's experience will be invaluable if you go that route :)



<img border=0 src="http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/ff%20okay%20copy.jpg" />


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:21 pm 
With enough blood sweat and tears you can make a pretty good replica out of the Relics, but after Matt released his kit, I really wished I had started with one of those. Oh well, I got my Relics cheap from eBay in 2002, when there was nothing else except the Golden Armor kit.

[img]http://img248.echo.cx/img248/7832/sgfulll0fo.jpg[/img]
Exo2

My Props Website


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:13 pm 
Well i made my decision and opted for one of Matts MG42's for the base of my Smartgun.
Its paid for so no turning back now
Big thanks to Exo & everyone else for helping me make my decision.I could've got a cheaper mg but know i'd have regretted it,and the Relics SG seems to need the same parts as a scratch build anyway(at least to make it accurate).
Here's hoping i don't get stung by customs(though i'm allowing for it anyway).
And i've started trying to get the bike parts needed.
So expect lots of questions once i get the parts.
Thanks guys
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:21 pm 
Awesome! I'm sure this will turn out great. :)
"How lucky are the few who know where they belong."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 5:45 pm 
[img]http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/fronthand%20copy.jpg[/img]

This is the one.
<img border=0 src="http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/ff%20okay%20copy.jpg" />Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=osmotic>Osmotic[/url] at: 12/14/05 10:46 am


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:41 pm 
Is this the right swithgear?
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISA...:B:EF:UK:1
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:53 pm 
Thanks
didn't think it was but thought id check.
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:56 pm 
No problem. I’d tell you the year but I can’t remember. I’ll go looking.


<img border=0 src="http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/ff%20okay%20copy.jpg" />


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 1:04 am 
Hey Osmotic, is that a real MG42?


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 8:42 am 
Quote:
Quote:Hey Osmotic, is that a real MG42?

Of course :D


<img border=0 src="http://www.hkmproductions.dsl.pipex.com/ff%20okay%20copy.jpg" />


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:26 am 
Quote:
Quote: Hey Osmotic, is that a real MG42?


Of course :D

Cool. Does it still fire? If so, can you post some pix/video please.

Mike

A06/TQ2.0.22134E1
The only good alien is a dead alien!


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:26 am 
Now christmas has gone,time to get cracking on my smartgunner costume,mg42 is ordered,i know the bike parts i'm after and currently working on it,BDU order going in the next few days,boots,flak vest shouldnt be a prob.Steadicam arm and vest being looked into(my current steadicam rig isn't really accurate enough).
What other parts will i need to make the SG,and where can i get them.How is the SG attached to the arm?
What about sound boards etc,light effects(was thinking of some kind of strobe lighting in the barrel)
I know i'm gonna need the SG headset(already got my pentax lens),again who does these?
I have one of these video lights ,could this be adapted for the shoulder lamp?Do i really need the lamp?
That'll do for now cheers guys:D


Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=saintadjg>saintadjg[/url] at: 1/9/06 6:32 pm


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:23 am 
Quote:
Quote:Steadicam arm and vest being looked into(my current steadicam rig isn't really accurate enough).


Have pics of your current rig?

Quote:
Quote:I know i'm gonna need the SG headset(already got my pentax lens),again who does these?


Nobody... yet... although somebody here is working on it. I'm sure he'll speak up when he wants to. His initials are Jesse Degraff. ;)

Quote:
Quote:I have one of these video lights ,could this be adapted for the shoulder lamp?Do i really need the lamp?


Well, that could certainly be used with a minor modification if you're on a restricted budget. There's at least one board member who makes a very nice DIY light kit. His initials are Guardian Matsuo. Dang, I keep messing that up don't I? :lol:

Russ




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"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 5:38 am 
pics of steadicam rig can be found here

Link should be working now
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."Edited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=saintadjg>saintadjg[/url] at: 1/10/06 9:20 am


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:28 pm 
The link didn't work for me.

-Alex
"The M41-A. When you absolutely, positively have to kill every mofo in the room. Accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:37 am 
Andy, is that your Cody designed support arm?

I knew I'd seen those pics before. :)

Russ

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"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:23 am 
Yeah i posted them in the introduction thread.Wish i'd made the front mount vest now as that would probably have been good enough(at least for the time being).
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:14 am 
Did you post those on the HBS forums too? I KNEW I'd seen them before. :)

I was going to go with the first design, but then decided to invest in getting the second one made. Isn't going to be cheap as the AL alone is spendy, not to mention finding a source for the vest blocks. I want to go with a more modular system and not Cody's vest block from the first book.

I can't imagine it would be terribly expensive to make up a front mounted vest though. Are any parts of your arm nonstandard length? Like the lower bones?

Russ
Image

"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:38 am 
Yeah they were on HBS ,all the bones are the same length(or close enough at least)
Got a couple of guys working on new vest and arm,having made one myself already i dont really want to do it again.If you have access to macining gear its a doddle if you have to do most by hand its a nightmare(for me at least) but i'm very proud of my rig none the less.
i want something that looks more like a real Steadicam rig(not worried about the sled).Cody's front mount vest is actually pretty close,and looks cooler than the rear mount.I went with the rear mount vest for comfort issues that were raised on the HBS forum.
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:39 am 
Quote:
Quote:i want something that looks more like a real Steadicam rig(not worried about the sled).


I can relate. That's why I'm trying to get Cody's "redesign" of the MK3 arm made. Isoelastic... *drool* ;)

Quote:
Quote:Cody's front mount vest is actually pretty close,and looks cooler than the rear mount.I went with the rear mount vest for comfort issues that were raised on the HBS forum.


I never figured I'd be doing all that much video shooting (especially since I lost my support crew...) so I always figured the front mount vest would work fine. Plus, as you said, Cody's design of the vest is pretty cool. I'm hoping that Jesse is aboe to get his vest "kits" done "soon" so I can use that as a pattern base, and add the adjustable metal breast plate as seen in Cody's plans. Just have to wait and see how it all falls togeather.

When you built yours, did you do as it was suggested and build your gimble first, or did you do the vest/arm first?

Also, the video on your site, was that shot using the pvc pipe rig, or your cody rig? It seemed like you needed to balence your unit a bit more to remove the "rocking" motion. Still, always cool to see what people have done with what they've built. :)

Russ

Image

"Time has little to do with infinity and jelly doughnuts."


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 Post subject: Re: Smartgun
PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 8:50 am 
It was the very first time id used it and was using it wrong ,ie holding it in the wrong place above the gimble,and on the wrong side of my body(the arm came from the right and i held the post on my right have switched the arm round to come from the left now so the arm comes across my body ,much more comfy).Cant remember the order i built it.I must check out HBS havent been there for a long time.

Anyways back on topic looks like i may have found my first bike part:D

[img]http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9745/leftswgear1yb.jpg[/img]
Andy Gardener - TK2173

"The UK Garrisson,the very best there is.When you absolutely ,positvely,have to impress every mutha in the vicinity,accept no substitutes."


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