3D Printing for Air Gunners ?

[Blackrider]

I know very little about 3D Printing but I find it interesting if only to discover more about its practical usage so I wondered what components could be produced in relationship to aiguns and could we as airgunners benefit from it ?

Synthetic stocks for pistols comes to mind but full length stocks possibly not due to their length unless someone had a very large expensive printer.
However, maybe stock parts on the lines of the AA TDR's could be made ?

Yesterday I read up on how centrepin fishing reels can be made which was interesting !

Any thoughts ?

[Neil54]

The Brocock S6 indexing pawl is made of plastic and is no longer available.

I am sure one could be 3D printed.
I have looked at 3D printers and found there is more to printing than meets the eye.

[Hsing-ee]

On the auction site and elsewhere on the interweb I have seen pistol grips, front sights, and a few other bits like rearsight blanking plates.

Of the various offerings only the blanking plates look OK.

I think unless its a cheap fix then it is better to have a part made from wood, steel, alloy or brass. That resin stuff or whatever it is doesn't really have any aesthetic quality.

[Blackrider]

The Brocock S6 indexing pawl is made of plastic and is no longer available.

I am sure one could be 3D printed.
I have looked at 3D printers and found there is more to printing than meets the eye.

Mostly all about plastics, polymers and resins material wise isn't it Neil ?

[Blackrider]

On the auction site and elsewhere on the interweb I have seen pistol grips, front sights, and a few other bits like rearsight blanking plates.

Of the various offerings only the blanking plates look OK.

I think unless its a cheap fix then it is better to have a part made from wood, steel, alloy or brass. That resin stuff or whatever it is doesn't really have any aesthetic quality.

Yes, I initially thought of pistol grips then I thought off rails and mounts but possibly not, however rotary magazines may work ?

[Hsing-ee]

Yes, I initially thought of pistol grips then I thought off rails and mounts but possibly not, however rotary magazines may work ?

They might, but as I think magazine rifles are barbaric, I would not know!

Seriously though, unless it was a really simple one, probably better to pay for OEM.

[ashf9999]

As it’s all over the Beeb tv news today, Let’s just hope the wording of the proposed bill to make ownership of plans/blueprints (so not just the actual weapon bits, as was previously the case) for 3D-printed guns only encompasses illegal weapons, and they don’t f-up the wording and make legitimate bits for legal airguns an imprisonable offence.

I suspect the multitude of Labour MPs will be instructed to jump on the ban bandwagon, so it better not include legit applications.

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877

[Blackrider]

As it’s all over the Beeb tv news today, Let’s just hope the wording of the proposed bill to make ownership of plans/blueprints (so not just the actual weapon bits, as was previously the case) for 3D-printed guns only encompasses illegal weapons, and they don’t f-up the wording and make legitimate bits for legal airguns an imprisonable offence.

I suspect the multitude of Labour MPs will be instructed to jump on the ban bandwagon, so it better not include legit applications.

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3877

Good point, thanks for posting !

Read the above and the Beeb article, you're probably correct in saying it will get through and that's the end of that !

[Chippendale]

There’s a fella does this, he made me the telescope mount for my light pattern, I know I know sacrilege to all you pre war gun collectors but if members of our bell target club can cheat by using PCPs I can cheat by using a scope. At least I’m using an original type of gun, a springer, that was used originally, said with tongue in cheek.
He also made a couple of front sights for my L Pattern.

I told him that Protek may be interested that he can do this. I don’t know if he did or not but Protek are now selling front sights for the older Beezas, whether or not it’s him that supplies them I don’t know.

Cheers

Melv

Chippendale

[Shed tuner]

any lump of plastic under low stress is a good candidate.
grips, mags, sight inserts , blanking plates, cocking handles, scope caps, PA rings, sidewheels, chrono stands...

But there is a quite a learning curve, and if you're not not a tinkerer, it probably isn't for you...

[Blackrider]

any lump of plastic under low stress is a good candidate.
grips, mags, sight inserts , blanking plates, cocking handles, scope caps, PA rings, sidewheels, chrono stands...

But there is a quite a learning curve, and if you're not not a tinkerer, it probably isn't for you...

Not something I would particularly want to take up personally but I find the process interesting !

[Shed tuner]

Not something I would particularly want to take up personally but I find the process interesting !

I've greatly enjoyed my 3D printing journey - about a year into it now. I spend nearly as much time modifying and tweaking the printers as actually using them (sound familiar), but it's great fun, and the results are good and definitely usable. Silencers, and silencer baffles, along with grips, are particularly handy as you can easily customise to suit your own requirements. Also all manner of tool racks/holders/inserts for lathe tools, socket sets, spanners, changegears etc.

I've also found 3D part designs on the interweb for various hard-to-find household item repairs, e.g. toolbox latch, bike shed bracket, curtain rail runner inserts, and a remote control battery cover. It's one of those "what would I have done without it" type purchases once you get used to having it available, like microwaves, or lathes.

[WebleyWombler]

I've greatly enjoyed my 3D printing journey - about a year into it now. I spend nearly as much time modifying and tweaking the printers as actually using them (sound familiar), but it's great fun, and the results are good and definitely usable. Silencers, and silencer baffles, along with grips, are particularly handy as you can easily customise to suit your own requirements. Also all manner of tool racks/holders/inserts for lathe tools, socket sets, spanners, changegears etc.
.

Well if you feel like more experimenting, a weaver or picatinny maxi rail for my .25 Bsa would be very welcome Jon......

[Powderfinger]

Looking at the summary wording of that 3D printing bill, it is badly drafted and will cause all kinds of chaos for legitimate hobbyists. On past experience, I do not expect MPs or civil servants to show any competence in drafting a bill covering a technical subject.

[Blackrider]

I've greatly enjoyed my 3D printing journey - about a year into it now. I spend nearly as much time modifying and tweaking the printers as actually using them (sound familiar), but it's great fun, and the results are good and definitely usable. Silencers, and silencer baffles, along with grips, are particularly handy as you can easily customise to suit your own requirements. Also all manner of tool racks/holders/inserts for lathe tools, socket sets, spanners, changegears etc.

I've also found 3D part designs on the interweb for various hard-to-find household item repairs, e.g. toolbox latch, bike shed bracket, curtain rail runner inserts, and a remote control battery cover. It's one of those "what would I have done without it" type purchases once you get used to having it available, like microwaves, or lathes.

Very interesting, thanks Jon, it appears they are very versitile !