Frankenblaster!

[Skin-Job]

This is the 'Frankenblaster' I finished recently.

http://www.karlderrick.com/hosted/index.html


It's a lash-up of parts including:

A Sidkit Bulldog frame and grip frame,
Sidkit grips,
Machined aluminium butt cap,
Machined steel Barrel,
Machined Sightrod,
Offworld zinc upper receiver,
Genuine Steyr plastic parts.

All the metal parts are chemically patinated as I hate the look of bare pewter and zinc.

I was never keen on the red LEDs, so I left them out. It feels more 'real' without them. I also went with water clear 5mm LEDs instead of the green 3mm LEDs on the sight rod.

Oh, knocked up a holster too


Karl

[jakob2121]

Looks great. I'm really surprised that the offworld receiver doesn't look more awkward on the huge sidkit. Great job getting that together.

[Skin-Job]

Thanks,

The Offworld receiver isn't really that much undersize. I think it's quite close to the real thing. I think I'm right in saying the Sidkit receiver is a little oversize.
Someone will put me right, I'm sure.

One thing I wanted was a blaster which wasn't delicate in any way. You can handle this any way you like without rattles or fear of denting. You can slam it into the holster and draw it very fast.

it's really fun


Karl

[Bwood]

Wonderful job, proper.

[Skin-Job]

Thanks Bwood,

It was a lot of fun to make.
I'm quite happy with the metal finishes. I do a lot of this kind of thing for work and I'm pleased that everything looks suitably steel-like.
The chemical patina is pretty robust too.

Karl

[jedeyenight]

Great Job Brother!
Awesome looking!

[Skin-Job]

Thanks!



Karl

[Countrypaul]

That looks absolutley awesome, great job

Has a very "real" look to it if that makes sense

Thanks for sharing

[Skin-Job]

Thanks Paul,

I think the patination treatment of the metals has a lot to do with that. As I say, I don't like raw pewter and zinc...

It looks real in daylight and feels real in the hand. Solid and robust. Not rattly and delicate. I really wanted a blaster which you can hand to a stranger and not stress about


Karl

[joberg]

Excellent job on that one Karl, looks cool

[Skin-Job]

Thanks Joberg!

Karl

[hirohawa]

Great work!

Is the Steyr end cap and Bolt Handle still plastic?

[Skin-Job]

That's great, Hirohawa, thanks!

The bolt handle and end cap are modified from the Sidkit. The end cap had to be trimmed down by at least 2mm all round.
It was a long job, even with a dental drill

Also, the bolt handle had to be hollowed out slightly under the 'crook' to be sure it would rest far enough down to sit flush in the side cover recess.

The bolt handle raises and lowers with nice resistance, but doesn't retract.

I think the proportions of the Offworld receiver on the Sidkit grip frame are rather nice.

Karl

[Staar]

I have to be honest, when I saw the title on this thread I thought I was going to see another one of those awful plastic things with Offworld and a few random parts stuck all over it with Supaglue. I couldn't have be more wrong, this is a magnificent blaster and a refreshing look at how to present a really great looking replica.

IMO, you have done a stirling job and aside from the weathering on the black machined parts (which nitpicking I would say) is a tiny bit too heavy I love the combination of the various elements, the finishes and the 'real world' feel this blaster radiates. Those grips are magnificent and the clean steel of the sightrod offset against the brass and patina of the steel is perfectly realised.
For me, the look of nearly every Offworld blaster is spoiled by the appallingly flat bolt and I'm very glad to see that you have replaced it with one that has the slightly rounded bevel - it makes a huge difference

This is a wonderful build mate and you're to be commended highly for the precise re-modelling and your presentation.

Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

Highest regards

MARK
_________________

[darthwolf7]

Beautifully crafted! Very nice job!!

[Skin-Job]

Thanks very much for the generous comments everyone.

Mark,

I like a bit of real world weathering. The side covers are weathered a bit heavy because they have parts that stick out. They would catch a bit more wear. It's a matter of taste.
I like really 'lived-in' props

The bolt handle is the Sidkit, re-worked. I agree that the standard, flat bolt handle isn't great and wanted to use the Sidkit if possible. There were a lot of hours fiddling and fettling to get it all to fit.

The grips, when I first got them, were a bit too 'screaming turn signal orange' for my taste. I wanted the lovely dark amber colour. I experimented with different ways to do this, and settled on a piece of sponge and a slightly thinned, alcohol based black ink. After polishing the back of the grips, I dabbed ink on in very thin layers until it looked right. It's important to keep trying the grip on the frame. You'd be amazed at how little ink it takes to change the colour significantly.

Thanks again for all the positivity.

[joberg]

Thanks Karl for these little tricks concerning the darkening of the grip, very usefull

[Skin-Job]

Joberg,

Yeah, I really wanted a dark, mellow whiskey colour.

Screaming orange lollipop wasn't working for me


Karl

[namebrand]

I think the weathering is really well done on this, and I wish I had those grips on my blaster (whenever I eventually build it)!

[Skin-Job]

Thanks John,

Yours will be great, I'm sure.

The Coyle grips are a good colour too.


Karl