View Full Version : RDA Weapon props
matt bond
02-05-2010, 11:38 AM
Hey up, thought you might like to see these two props I have worked on recently.
The PDW Rifle, as used by Col. Quatrich and others throughout the film, was built for a friend who requested a replica after seeing the film for the first time. Some details are slightly off due to limited time to produce it and a shortage of reference images during the build, that said the client is happy and it has most of the details.
http://www.avatar-forums.com/picture.php?albumid=225&pictureid=1558
The RDA pistol I built second up, with the intention of casting it to produce several copies.
http://www.avatar-forums.com/picture.php?albumid=225&pictureid=1548
Anyway enjoy:laugh:
DreamWalks
02-05-2010, 11:40 AM
Are you tempting us with no picture? :nconfused:
Edit: the problem has been averted. :)
Atokirina'
02-05-2010, 11:45 AM
I would definitely buy one.:D
DreamWalks
02-05-2010, 11:49 AM
Wow, impressive, what is the body made from?
matt bond
02-05-2010, 11:55 AM
what is the body made from?
They are both made from either sheet ABS plastic or Styrene plastic sheets.
The rifle's main receiver was built as a hollow box with the handgrip etc. being built up as sheets sandwiched together and then sanded to shape for the curves etc.
The only found item on either are the muzzles; being metal pipe of different sizes on both and the mount rail along the top of the rifle; which was scavanged from a disasembled airsoft gun.
DreamWalks
02-05-2010, 12:05 PM
They are both made from either sheet ABS plastic or Styrene plastic sheets.
The rifle's main receiver was built as a hollow box with the handgrip etc. being built up as sheets sandwiched together and then sanded to shape for the curves etc.
The only found item on either are the muzzles; being metal pipe of different sizes on both and the mount rail along the top of the rifle; which was scavanged from a disasembled airsoft gun.
Please forgive me for my ignorance, but I have never seen anybody make props or etc, but when you use the ABS/styrene sheets, how do you bond them? Heat? I've always wanted to attempt to make something this way, but I do not have the slightest idea where to start.
Shatnerpossum
02-05-2010, 12:10 PM
Amazing! This is just the sort of thing I have been wondering about.
In the future would it be possible to contract you for this sort of thing?
comedianmasta
02-05-2010, 01:05 PM
Hmm... I remember a few sick ones with scopes, as well. Oh well, still lokes awsome! Great job!
matt bond
02-05-2010, 01:39 PM
Please forgive me for my ignorance, but I have never seen anybody make props or etc, but when you use the ABS/styrene sheets, how do you bond them? Heat? I've always wanted to attempt to make something this way, but I do not have the slightest idea where to start.
Not a problem, I am always happy to help. I use a cyanoacrylate adhesive (industrial grade superglue) to bond the seets together when I sandwich them up, making sure to hold them tightly together in a vice while it dries.
The grip on the rifle has about fifteen layers of plastic built up in the rough shape of the widest part of the grip, then it is filed and sanded to shape the curve areas. I find that this creates a very solid part as it has no hollow areas, although it does mean you use a lot of plastic on the replica.
I usually then use a two part epoxy resin or fibreglass car body filler to blend any edges etc.
I have updated the picture of the rifle to a current one, with the Mantanza Arms Corp logo shown. This was probably one of the most time consuming parts to do though as they ended up being hand painted, as i couldn't print decals with the text being white.
In the future would it be possible to contract you for this sort of thing?
I built this rifle for client, so yes. But if you want to discuss anything plase send me a private message.
Hmm... I remember a few sick ones with scopes, as well. Oh well, still lokes awsome! Great job!
I was asked by the client to make this for as cheap as possible, hence no scope or extras, I would like to build the larger NVG looking scope at some point though.
DreamWalks
02-05-2010, 01:46 PM
Not a problem, I am always happy to help. I use a cyanoacrylate adhesive (industrial grade superglue) to bond the seets together when I sandwich them up, making sure to hold them tightly together in a vice while it dries.
The grip on the rifle has about fifteen layers of plastic built up in the rough shape of the widest part of the grip, then it is filed and sanded to shape the curve areas. I find that this creates a very solid part as it has no hollow areas, although it does mean you use a lot of plastic on the replica.
I usually then use a two part epoxy resin or fibreglass car body filler to blend any edges etc.
I have updated the picture of the rifle to a current one, with the Mantanza Arms Corp logo shown. This was probably one of the most time consuming parts to do though as they ended up being hand painted, as i couldn't print decals with the text being white.
Awesome, thank you for your time, I appreciate it. I'm dying to give something like this a go. Something really small though. :nwink:
Netherhawk
06-20-2010, 11:24 PM
They are both made from either sheet ABS plastic or Styrene plastic sheets.
The rifle's main receiver was built as a hollow box with the handgrip etc. being built up as sheets sandwiched together and then sanded to shape for the curves etc.
The only found item on either are the muzzles; being metal pipe of different sizes on both and the mount rail along the top of the rifle; which was scavanged from a disasembled airsoft gun.
Hey matt, great build! the weapons look sweet. at the moment i'm attempting a similar build, but with the longer version of the gun. i was wondering about the thickness of the plastic you used. I have to mail order in my plastic so i only want to buy it once. also what is the width of your smg? I've got all the other dimensions figured out, just not the width. any help in this would be fantastic.
thanks
damn those look great! nice work :nlol: