- March 30th, 2022, 6:20 am#4968425
I will include a list of parts and where I got them below.
Just a warning, it got seriously deep in the rabbit hole!
Parts and sources:
-Aluminum Tubes from AutoSpa RV Flow-Thru Big Brush 67" extension found at walmart for $19.98
-R331 Clippard valve Ebay for $5
-Acrylic Tube ebay for $25
-Replica banjo fittings ebay for $25
-Remington model 31 forend ebay $40
-OD green Gaff tape 1" wide Amazon $15.50
-black carpet tacks from walmart $2
-momentary switch from hobby store $6 pk of 4
-Hex head bolt assortment from Harbor Freight $7
So at first it was just building a sturdier stand. Then I ended up working on the wand. First I had upgraded the grips to real wood. The rear grip didn't turn out as smooth but for the forward grip I used a Remington Model 31-16 gauge corncob wood forend with black carpet tacks. Be sure to cut the tacks in half and predrilled the holes! To darken it, I used Rustoleum Stain+Polyurethane Kona.
I then wanted a real valve so I sourced a clippard R331 off of Ebay. I also used some hex head bolts and nuts to install it. You will need to drill out bigger holes to fit it. While I was at it I got some replica banjo fittings and a momentary switch to add to the ear. Couldn't get a black tip so red will work for now. After repeatedly taking it apart I decided on aluminum handles. So after alot of back and forth with myself I decided to order some aluminum but before I got home I found the right size in aluminum from a RV extendable cleaning brush.
The forward handle will accept the 1 inch aluminum section quite nicely and the rear handle can be upgraded to 1 1/4 but NOTE THAT HASBRO LOVES USING GLUE!!!!! The rear has and adapter that hold the connectors for the battery pack. The tube is glued into it. To fit the bigger tube I have to pull it all out cut the wires from the connectors to extend then out the back, sand away a tab and enlarge the exit hole on the box. Fortunately for the forward tube the pop mechanism will fit and operate with the 1 inch tube installed. IMPORTANT!! MAKE SURE YOU LINE UP AND MEASURE THE HOLES BEFORE YOU DRILL!! Mine are not pretty but they are mostly covered.
I am currently waiting on an acrylic tube but I wasn't a fan of the subdued lighting upfront (no surprise), so I removed it. There is a section of plastic that covers a small pin that needs to be pushed out. Then the plastic tube can be removed. Be careful it is flimsy.
Parts Removed:
I will say I do love how it looks when I activate it without the foam and plastic dulling the colors through the tube. The blue looks especially pleasing.
Test before acrylic tubehttps://www.facebook.com/HardenedByLife ... 862475565/
Just a warning, it got seriously deep in the rabbit hole!
Parts and sources:
-Aluminum Tubes from AutoSpa RV Flow-Thru Big Brush 67" extension found at walmart for $19.98
-R331 Clippard valve Ebay for $5
-Acrylic Tube ebay for $25
-Replica banjo fittings ebay for $25
-Remington model 31 forend ebay $40
-OD green Gaff tape 1" wide Amazon $15.50
-black carpet tacks from walmart $2
-momentary switch from hobby store $6 pk of 4
-Hex head bolt assortment from Harbor Freight $7
So at first it was just building a sturdier stand. Then I ended up working on the wand. First I had upgraded the grips to real wood. The rear grip didn't turn out as smooth but for the forward grip I used a Remington Model 31-16 gauge corncob wood forend with black carpet tacks. Be sure to cut the tacks in half and predrilled the holes! To darken it, I used Rustoleum Stain+Polyurethane Kona.
I then wanted a real valve so I sourced a clippard R331 off of Ebay. I also used some hex head bolts and nuts to install it. You will need to drill out bigger holes to fit it. While I was at it I got some replica banjo fittings and a momentary switch to add to the ear. Couldn't get a black tip so red will work for now. After repeatedly taking it apart I decided on aluminum handles. So after alot of back and forth with myself I decided to order some aluminum but before I got home I found the right size in aluminum from a RV extendable cleaning brush.
The forward handle will accept the 1 inch aluminum section quite nicely and the rear handle can be upgraded to 1 1/4 but NOTE THAT HASBRO LOVES USING GLUE!!!!! The rear has and adapter that hold the connectors for the battery pack. The tube is glued into it. To fit the bigger tube I have to pull it all out cut the wires from the connectors to extend then out the back, sand away a tab and enlarge the exit hole on the box. Fortunately for the forward tube the pop mechanism will fit and operate with the 1 inch tube installed. IMPORTANT!! MAKE SURE YOU LINE UP AND MEASURE THE HOLES BEFORE YOU DRILL!! Mine are not pretty but they are mostly covered.
I am currently waiting on an acrylic tube but I wasn't a fan of the subdued lighting upfront (no surprise), so I removed it. There is a section of plastic that covers a small pin that needs to be pushed out. Then the plastic tube can be removed. Be careful it is flimsy.
Parts Removed:
I will say I do love how it looks when I activate it without the foam and plastic dulling the colors through the tube. The blue looks especially pleasing.
Test before acrylic tubehttps://www.facebook.com/HardenedByLife ... 862475565/
Last edited by Quietmodder13 on May 3rd, 2022, 10:38 am, edited 6 times in total.
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