While I have a few correct parts and a nice airsoft MG foundation, I am going to try to scratch build & cheat my way through a good chunk of this build.
My goal for this thread is to focus on the less "sexy" parts and keep these boring bits as cheap and easy as possible. Maybe they might be useful to others and of course I hope to answer some questions of my own.
First up are the handles.
I am using 7/8" steel tube. I had heard it is the modern 'standard' handlebar size and I confirmed it does allow for snug fits from the switch box and lever brackets.
For the rear handle, I actually just friction fit the tube. I warmed up some PVC pipe with a heat gun so that it wrapped around the tube. Then I cut the newly shaped pvc bits so they fit snugly in the hole where the stock had previously attached.
Attachment:
20150505_130744.jpg [ 109.6 KiB | Viewed 18188 times ]
I literally just hammered it all into place and it is VERY snug.
For the front handle, I used my absolutely terrible welding skills once again. I cut and welded a right angle, then cut 3 'fins' out of some scrap sheet which I welded to the base tube.
Attachment:
20150513_122115.jpg [ 273.6 KiB | Viewed 18188 times ]
A word of warning, the vertical post is very easy to get 'too high'. It was WAY too long in those pics and twice I had to cut it down to get a good relationship for the height of the handle to the gun and bracket.
So then I just dropped some washers above and below the barrel cover, and slid a lag bolt through the top of whole thing. The nut is on the underside of the barrel cover and can't be seen. It is actually pretty sturdy.
Attachment:
20150514_185919.jpg [ 217.46 KiB | Viewed 18188 times ]
So in a related topic, my first "cheat" is adapting the 'wrong' switch box into a more correct one.
As documented in 'M56SmartOne's thread
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14382&start=100Attachment:
Smartgun switch.jpg [ 190.16 KiB | Viewed 18188 times ]
I had long ago purchased the 'wrong' switch box, but they are soooooo close! The only difference is that red toggle witch vs. a black rectangle. So I gutted my 'wrong' one and simply REMOVED the red toggle. (also hit the parts with some paint while I had it apart).
Attachment:
20150506_181422.jpg [ 149.68 KiB | Viewed 18188 times ]
Now, I will simply glue rectangle piece of plastic to cover up that hole. Who would know the difference?! No one. That's who.
Now on to the drum mag cover...