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M28 piston is done!

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#121 · (Edited)
I've been trying to grind some kitty litter in a small ball mill I made out of legos, a lego motor, and a small paint sample can. Once I get the kitty litter powder I can use the bentonite clay and mix it with sand and water to see how easy green sand is to work with. It's taking it's time to crush though because it is so small and the batteries keep needing to be recharged. Once I see how the green sand works I can tell you if it would be good for making bolt handle molds or if something like plaster would be better.
 
#123 ·
I personally would like to hold out for your upgraded piston with the nylon ring. I believe the ring will help stabilize the sear engagement end of the piston. Do you have any pistons made up with your new machinist?
 
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Discussion starter · #124 · (Edited)
Its still going to have a stabilizer ring, just made of aluminum, it will be in the shape of the piston. He has made one, then this week when he was supposed to have others done, he let me know when I got there he couldnt make any others cause he was out of materials. "Woulda been nice to know before my drive there" but I am not sure when the upgraded versions will be available
I can try and get a picture of what it looks like for the standard version today. Its not our piston but its an idea of what it looks like though.
 
#125 · (Edited)
You really need a nylon or delrin ring on each end. The alum ring will eventually scratch the insides of the stock cylinder which is only alum. Some aftermarket cylinders are SS or steel then all alum piston would work.

People have done all alum pistons for VSR and APS2 cylinder in the past and all have gone to nylon or delrin rings for that reason. Delrin is also self lubricating so the piston can really slide more smoothly.
 
Discussion starter · #126 ·
I understand this, but this is just the standard version to get us off the ground basically. I was figuring the standard would only cost about
$40-$45 "standard piston in this picture is not our piston but looks exactly like it."
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and the upgraded version would be closer to $55-$60
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The standard version is perfect for the people who dont wanna spend as much, and want they're M28 up and running right away.
 
Discussion starter · #127 ·
I did some more number crunching. I believe either way I can get this up and going. I can do the upgraded versions as well. Will just cost a few more bucks but its not too bad.


If anyone is willing to prepay, let me know asap, and let me know what version you want. These will be custom made to order. I just need to get a few people together for this to work.. and I mean just a few people,lol..

I am ready to get this going if you guys are.
 
Discussion starter · #129 ·
I would have a dislaimer notice that they can scratch the cylinders inside. I know that I am not the only one in the world that just wanted my rifle to work again. a few scratches is a small price to pay to get the M28 working. I know the upgraded version is going to be the best seller for sure but how many people would be cheap like myself and want the cheaper piston. When my Bar10 blew the stock piston I didnt wanna spend the $50+ on a piston so I bought the cheapest one I could find and was very happy with it, cause I was able to use it again and for less money.

The basic piston is perfect for people who are on a budget only and dont care about a few scratches inside the cylinder. They will just have to keep them lubed.
 
#132 ·
I don't understand how you can crack a tooth on a sucking candy. I just chew everything, even jaw breakers, though I have to crack them with a hammer and nail first to make them bite size.

Anyway, I just realized plaster might work instead of green sand. There is a possibility it can also be reusable. The green sand would produce a rough surface and I'm not sure how smooth you can get the plaster. I do know however just how you can make a mold to make a bolt handle, but you will need to file off and smooth the part where you pour the molten metal into. Just trying to think of all the cheap possibilities to find the best one.

Ranger, do you think you will be making bolt handles for all types of rifles or just the m28? I'm just curious.
 
#133 ·
Smelting metal isn't as easy as you may think. You'll need a furnace with enough heat to melt the aluminum (1220F/660C), a crucible capible of handling the molten metal and some means to transfer to your mold. The other problem is ANY mold you use MUST be completly void of any moisture. Also remember that the molten metal will contract some, so you'll have to play with the molds to get the correct parts you want.
I'm experienced in alchemy (been turning lead into gold for a while), and I can tell you working with molten lead (at 660F/327C) is a bit hairy.
Be careful in this endeavor, either find someone experienced to teach you the processes or hire someone to do it for you.
 
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Discussion starter · #134 · (Edited)
I'm getting old and I'm lactose intolerant so calcium deficiancy made my tooth brittle I guess. I pack this stuff you can get at Meijer/Walmart for temporary fillings and its helped. I cant afford to see a dentist right now so I have to deal with it for a bit. I shoulda took calcium pills lol..

As for the molding handles.. You should be making em buddy, sounds like you are pretty interested. If I were you, I would give it a try and ya never know... It very well could be worth you selling em. Dont get me wrong, you got me thinking as well,hahaha.. But this could end up being your "thing" that opens the door for you, if ya know what I mean.


Edit... Cause Rich posted while I was typing,haha..

I actually agree, it can be dangerous if not a handy person. "Not saying you are or arent, just saying anyone" I havent really played with hot metals other than welding or soldering. I've had my share of mishaps,lol.. Dropped a soldering iron and caught it cause instinct told me to stop it from hitting the carpet. Fast reflexes made it happen before I could tell me no.. Bam, caught the dang iron part... Yeah, that was pretty awesome! Thankfully I played hot potato for a sec till I was able to get the nice cool handle.. Only got slight burns but it was enough to teach me to just let it drop..
 
#135 · (Edited)
Trust me, I've done my homework on casting metals. If you haven't noticed already, if I get interested in something I research it to no end. And as I said before, I have an aunt who has a degree in metal casting (well metal working but a large part of it was casting. Now she makes jewelry). I also said it is probably better to use pewter instead of aluminum for it's lower melting temperature and higher strength. And you said that it must be completely void of any moisture. This isn't true actually. As long as it is only very slightly damp, like the water in green sand, it will only produce steam without reacting.

I'm not trying to steal the show or anything Ranger, it's just that I've been thinking about this for a while anyway and if I make my handle myself then I can make it the best fit for my hand. Unless you don't want to sell bolt handles I don't want to steal your business.

It seems I'm not the only person who catches falling soldering irons by the hot part. The only problem is I juggle (duh) so I've trained myself to catch anything and everything and can't stop myself. Luckily I only caught it by the hot part once and then other few times by the handle.
 
Discussion starter · #136 ·
I agree, you do, do lots of research..

You wouldnt be stealing the show at all buddy, if you can get this going I would happy for ya.. I feel you would do a good job. Infact since you would have her advice and stuff it would be a great idea..

That was the only time I caught the iron on the hot side, I couldnt believe I did it.

I have always had fast reflexes and I caught a jar of pickles my mom bumbed at the store years ago. I did it without even thinking. So when the iron fell it was just reaction and I wasnt able to tell my hand to stop in time,lol.. Pretty funny after it healed but I was pretty upset at the moment.
 
#137 ·
Fast reflexes and the ability to catch stuff comes in handly lol. I actually caught a spitball once during studyhall. The kid must have thought he was living in a tv show because no one actually uses spitballs. It was a little gross but it gets you the rep of "don't try to mess with me, it won't work."

Thanks, I'll try to make the bolt handles as soon as I get all the things for it. I found this kit that includes almost everything needed to start casting, and it is a little under 100 dollars which really isn't that bad if you think about what it would have cost if I were to buy everything seperately. I'll have to save up for it though so it won't happen soon.

I hope the piston business catches on. You should also start making other things for the m28 like specialized spring guides.
 
Discussion starter · #138 ·
Yeah thats not a bad price man, though I couldnt afford it either,lol.. Yeah I like having goor reflexes. I tend to react fast on the feild. I also am able to dodge bb's sometimes,hahaha.. I hear the shot, and just arch myself like on the matrix,lol.. After I hurt my back its just not the same but I still am able to react pretty fast.
 
#139 ·
~Ranger~ said:
That sucks, did ya bust a tooth? I recently decided it was a good idea to bite on one of them Starlight peppermint candies,lol.. Then all of a sudden I screamed.. Cracked my tooth near the edge. Wow that hurt!!
Click to expand...
Wisdom teeth. And it sucks because I didn't even get them taken out yet. I have no insurance and they wanted $1500 so I ended up spending $75 on the xray at the first place and then another $65 for the consultation at the oral surgeon.
 
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~Ranger~
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