It is widely agreed that the screen used grenade ammo box was based on a MTM Case Gard S25. Up until now, I've only used these to store or display my pulse rifle grenade collection and have not made it around to doing anything special to them. I'm sure that there is someone here that has perfected a way to stencil the labels, so I'm going to put that detail on the back burner.

The first thing that I want to improve on my ammo box is the noise factor. Considering this is supposed to be a box of explosive ordnance, I would like to think these little fire-crackers were being gently cradled in the case. Without the following modification, I've noticed that these shells simple rattle in the box if picked up and moved.

Hopefully this solution will be of interest here...

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img1.jpg[/img]

I picked up three packs of Black/Self Adhesive Velcro. These come in 3/4" squares made by BULLDOG HARDWARE No. PH-337. Each package contains nine sets. Also on hand is a dandy pair of tweesers.

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img2.jpg[/img]

This picture shows the contents of one opened package of the above named item. The three 'hook' strips on the left will be discarded. The soft pads, (three strips on the right) are the only ones used in this application.

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img3.jpg[/img]

Using the tweeser to grab the center of the pad, carefully lower the self-adhesive piece into the bottom of each shell cubicle. Be real steady here. It tends to want to grab the sides even if it barely touches it.

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img4.jpg[/img]

Twenty-five cubicles nicely placed. This isn't my best work, however. I was a little nervous doing this in front of the camera.

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img5.jpg[/img]

Out of three packages, nine sets per, this is what becomes excess material. Not a problem because they are extremely inexpensive.

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/ammobox/img6.jpg[/img]

Once the pads are in place, there is a nice soft touch down for each piece of artillery that is thrown into it.

I'm thinking of doing something similar to the inside of the lid. Has anyone already addressed this?

Also, if there are any additional tips and tricks regarding this piece (colors, painting, labels, stencils, etc.) , please don't hesitate to show them here.

Cheers!

Tom

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/sig3.jpg[/img]
Edited by: [url=http://pub217.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=williegoldman>Willie Goldman[/url] at: 4/20/04 10:20 am

heres what you can do with the top. have two layers of foam, padding, whatever. then cut out where the m40s/38s will be on material #1. Then have just the padding there, glue together and then glue to box. viola!

Ripper
just one way of doing this
_____________________________________________________________________
"Rip. Short For Ripper. Caus Rest In Peace when i'm done with you."

There's a problem with the cases. There's ingraved writing on the lid of the case. Even if you paint them, the writing is going to show. Time for an answer to that problem......
------------------------------
M-40 grenade: $30

Pulse Rifle: $2000

Tactical Smart Missles: $10,000

Sulaco Full of Badass Colonial Marines: $700,000,000

Kicking some alien ass: Priceless

You could sand down the writing that's on the lid. But I figured that the prop makers for the film probably didn't bother, so when I got my stencils from a board member here, I simply applied them in their proper place. The lettering was made of vinyl, so it did a good job of covering up that writing anyway.
"Being dead means not having an opinion"

Thanks for the input fellas! Most appreciated.

Would it be alright to ask if those stencils are still available??

I had a guy that made good vinyl decals for my boxes but he went belly up on me. But as DSB said they covered the lettering on the box pretty well. I'll dig up a pic of it and post it for you.
fdoveraker@att.net

I have to ask why the engraved writing is a problem? It is there on the screen used ones and having a couple of boxes with the vinyl decals on them I have to say that once painted and marked you don't notice the writing underneath.

Sounds a little like trying to find the solution to a problem that doesn't exist, in my opinion...

Cheers

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

So very true...

[img]http://www.m41a.com/ebay/ammobox/img6.jpg[/img]

This one had no prior surface prep at all. I simply applied the decals straight to the box and it turned out really nice.

Edit: To help reduce load times, I started a second thread covering the inside lid and doing a little extra on the outside of the box. Here's the link...

pub217.ezboard.com/fthealienslegacyfrm2.showMessage?topicID=239.topic

I've had quite a few requests regarding these ammo boxes and realized that I forgot to point out that my email addy is listed on my pictures. If anyone would like more info about them, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Tom

[img]http://www.m41a.com/z_temporary/octsig.jpg[/img]
Edited by: [url=http://pub217.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=nimmot>nimmot[/url]  at: 11/9/03 7:25 pm

The decals are great.
I got some of Tom's the other day and just applied them to my box no prep. It looks great.
Thanks
STeve