17 replies to this topic

[Pineapple]

Well, after a very generous person sold me a few 2-packs of AT2000s, I finally got a chance to ease my craving to modify a Nerf blaster (I was getting tired of rebarrelling NiteFinders, which have been the blaster of choice in the neighborhood). So I got my grubby mitts on a blue one and got to work...

No attempts to make it resemble a real firearm, nor replaced shells.

No integrations.

No tries to make it fully automatic, put magazines or clips on it (although I thoroughly enjoyed THIRST & co. 's efforts in that big semi 2k thread).

No fancy paintjobs or custom body work.

Though I like all of the above, I just wanted a 2k that fits my playing style, which is to keep moving and firing, and reloading while on the move...just like stock class paintball, which I also dig.


Here it is...compared to a stock 2k. It's a basic PETG mod, four 4" barrels done in the usual manner. I even left the overpressure release valve in place, to ensure longevity and depend on barrel dynamics to maximize performance. It sure is nice having clear barrels to double check on ammo (lots of times, running amok, easy to forget to reload). I didn't range test it, but it does shoot at least 60 feet easily (across the pool).



Here's the part that fits me best. My hands are pretty big for a 2k, so I decided to make the pump handle a bit larger, and easier to pump on the run.

A 3/4 inch T fitting became a pump handle/foregrip, and it fit the dinky pump lever quite nicely, and chucking the nasty-to-remove pump cap allows the T to nest into the area where the pump normally rests.

I also 'chopped' the left side of the shell that normally covers the base of the 2k turret...huh? Well, I discovered that once the PETG is glued to the turret, it is challenging to turn the turret without flexing the barrels a bit. Taking away the shell covering that part allowed for a fast recovery time using just my left thumb.


Aim and shoot...


And a little flick with the thumb, and the next shot is in place. (I'll learn to shoot better action pictures without me moving all over the place.)


Sights are usually unnecessary, but on a 2k, there is no point of reference, so I carved a notch sight out of plastic and epoxied it in place. It's decently accurate, but it allows me to look and point/shoot without too much "aiming" (Most shots taken inside of 30 feet anyway.)

Finally, I chopped the backside away to take away some cosmetics, and make it kind of ugly...no mistaking whose 2k this is! It also allowed me to stick the sight on and leave the liquitron visible to see if there's any pressure inside...as though I wouldn't know if I pumped it or not.

POTENTIAL CHANGES:

--Longer barrels. I think that while 4 inch barrels give decent range, 6 inchers will give even better range. Firing has the dart followed by some white vapor, a la SM1500s/ SM5000s. I know that more can be squeezed out of the stock setup with a longer barrel turret.

--Speedloader. I know that Lefty (southpaw) is looking to make a speedloader for his 2k. I agree. A speedloader or two would render any need for a sidearm/ back up as extraneous baggage. Disciplined reloading techniques would keep the turret full even while on the run.

So there it is. A Nerf blaster, finally the way I like, for my way of play.

Not so with my son. He wants one of Boltsnipers homemades now. Bah.


-Piney-

[Sqiggs89]

Nicest At2k mod I've seen. If I could get my hands on some Petg I would like to try it. 60 feet with out the pressure realese vavle unplug, that's awesome. I have mine pluged and I think I only get 55 Ft. Nice job.

Edited by Sqiggs89, 13 April 2005 - 02:59 PM.

[VeggieBoy 3000]

Go with the 6-inch barrels. My at2k's are 6-inch PETG'd and I am very pleased with the performance. Mine, however, have the release valve plugged but they still get awesome range on 2 pumps and decent range on only 1 pump.

[Evil]

Very pretty Piney.

[THIRST]

Reminds me of this ol' thang. Sweet job, that looks really nice, and is definatly much nicer than my old one, heck, mines been broken for awhile now...

THIRST

Edited by THIRST, 10 April 2005 - 11:25 AM.

[JSkater]

Great job, Piney. I can see how that would let you run & gun, as well.

[Pineapple]

Go with the 6-inch barrels.  My at2k's are 6-inch PETG'd and I am very pleased with the performance.  Mine, however, have the release valve plugged but they still get awesome range on 2 pumps and decent range on only 1 pump.

Thanks, Veggie. I'm taking both your pieces of advice.

I'm going to do another 2k turret in 6 inch PETG (really going to need a speedloader now! Fingers too fat to push darts even halfway down), and use the 4" turret as a pistol round spare, or just put it on another 2k.

I've also plugged the overpressure release; since I'll be the only one using it, I'll watch my pumps...of which 2 pumps give amazing range (same as if I pumped it all the way to the valve bleeding off). Less pumps = more mobility. Good calls.

Thanks,

-Piney-

p.s. Nice chop-top 2000, THIRST. You made one way before me! Time to make a new one, maybe?

[Suave]

I'd say 8", but that's me. That's what we use for PVC, but it might be different for PETG.

[MattPaintballer]

I'd say 8", but that's me. That's what we use for PVC, but it might be different for PETG.

I assume that goes the same for SM1500s, too?

Piney, that's a nice 2K. I'm really digging the new pump handle, because even my tiny hands are too big for that thing. I've seen other pump handle replacements before, but they had really long handles which look weird and weren't very practical. Yours however is he perfect size. By the way, where did you get your PETG?

[Suave]

I'd say 8", but that's me.  That's what we use for PVC, but it might be different for PETG.

I assume that goes the same for SM1500s, too?

Yeah pretty much.

Actually my 1500s might've been more like 6". I'm not sure.

6"-8" will be fine. If you cut too long you can always take some off.

[LordoftheRing434]

I had 6" for my 1500. 6-8" sounds like a good idea.

[cxwq]

I wouldn't go over 7" on the 2k or 1.5k, but that's just me.

[CTA then and now]

I figured this would be a good place to ask this question.

I am wondering that on mods for the at2k(or any other guns, for that matter) that it is possible to subsitute the material they are using in the write-up with another type(brass, in my case) and still follow the directions they give you.

I know this may be a mundane question, but I want to be 100% sure.

[FIDO]

Yes, unless the OD of the tubing you are using is too big or too small.

[CTA then and now]

Okay, thanks FIDO.

[cxwq]

I figured this would be a good place to ask this question.

I am wondering that on mods for the at2k(or any other guns, for that matter) that it is possible to subsitute the material they are using in the write-up with another type(brass, in my case) and still follow the directions they give you.

I know this may be a mundane question, but I want to be 100% sure.

Depends entirely on your darts and the size of the tubing you want to substitute.

Generally, people use brass for a smooth sliding fit, PETG for a somewhat snug sliding fit, nested brass for a very snug, then smooth sliding fit, and SCH80 for a loose sliding fit.

If your FBR isn't exactly 1/2" then substitute the tubing with the appropriate fit.

In this case, brass is actually a slightly better material for the at2k for most FBR. I only use PETG in pump guns when doing a multi-barrel mod so it's lighter and I can see which barrels are loaded. Brass gives slightly better range.

[Suave]

Yeah, and even if it's not the same, you usually only have to make minor adjustments.

[Pineapple]

Thank you to all who commented.

Hey CTA then and now, cx and Suave are right about tubing size (diameter). Use whatever fits your darts (homemade, or factory) best, and adapt them to your application. Some alterations (like putting 1/2" SCH40 PVC on a AT2k turret) will require some creativity/ lots of glue/epoxy on your part, but the goal is to acheive the best performance, based on what you have available near you, material wise.

The cool thing about Nerf mods is that you take off of other's ideas and adapt them as your own. I've seen situations where everyone is "asking if they can copy their design"...c'mon! This is a Nerfing community...we're supposed to trade and copy without "credit" or other such juvenille playground politics. Use any/ all/ some/ none of what I do, and feel good about it!

I usually believe that someone has already done everything I'm trying...but I'm either trying to improve on it, or just share what works best for me.

To those who haven't discovered yet, the "T" grip that works really well for me is simply a SCH40, 3/4" T coupling. Put a small (I used 1 1/2") section of 3/4" PVC on the lower part of the "T", then a 3/4" PVC endcap. Black e-tape to bridge the gap and give some insulation from the joint edges. Epoxy that sucker right over the existing little pump handle. Fill in the "forward" part of the grip (I used some plastic mesh left over from making some Nerfing facemasks for my kids) and you're all set! Leave off the pump cap (the one you probably mangle when you're trying to take it apart) and the open end of the coupling fits right in that area, and the handle doesn't fall out when running, moving, etc. Copy, copy!

And MattPB, I'd tell you where I got the PETG from, but then the source would have to kill me. So let's just say I got some of the last PETG available for now from the NIC. BUT with that said, I'm going to go to the pet stores when I go to Honolulu soon; it looks a lot like the riser tubes for those who make their own aeration systems for aquariums (of which I have a few years experience). I'll take various sizes of darts to the store, and pass on info when I can get there.

But again, use whatever fits your darts best, and go for it! Even 1/2" SCH40 CPVC (of which I just bought 20 feet of to experiment with.)


-Piney-

Edited by Pineapple, 14 April 2005 - 03:21 PM.