19 replies to this topic

[dizzyduck]

Contrary to popular belief, AT1Ks do not suck. And no, that is not a typo, that is an AT1K I am referring to. As in the AirTech 1000.



The AT1K has a big ol' spring in it, so it definitely has potential. Plus they're cheap (price-wise). I got mine at Family Dollar for $5, but I've seen them sold at BigLots and CVS too.

When you open it up, you'll see this:



There is a casing around the plunger that is held together with screws. If you unscrew that, you'll find the trigger catch mechanism, complete with its own weird sort of torsion spring wrapped around it. Don't lose it!



Most of the internals of the AT1K are attached to one side of the shell with screws, so if you take everything out, you'll see this here:



The plunger tube is a bit undersized, but it does have a really nice spring, with thicker wire than I've seen in many other blasters that use similarly sized plunger tubes. At the end of it is a rubber stopper with a hole in it where air flows out of it. Rather than remove that entirely, you will want to widen that hole.



I cushioned the plunger head as well, even though it has a hard rubber head on it already. I just like having the extra padding.



One thing that I don't like about the stock AT1K is how it primes, so to solve that I glued a handle to the back of the priming "sled" for more convenient priming.




Then I went to work on the turret.





Foam Backer Rod for sound reduction has become pretty customary for all of my spring-powered blasters.



And paint jobs are customary for ALL of my blasters, this one included.





Ranges? Pfft, ranges are overrated. I can honestly say I got an average of around 55-60 feet with my darts, but my height affects ranges, so keep that in mind if you choose to believe me when I say that the AT1K is a viable secondary. It's great for gunslingers too; I prefer it over the mechanically temperamental Maverick.

Questions? Comments? I already know I'm going to get flamed for daring to deface the Maverick.

[cheesypiza001]

Awesome!

[Disturbed]

Great mod and SPECTACULAR paint job!!! Thank your mother for producing you (over reacted much?).

[goatsrecon]

That is probably my most favorite paintjob out of your other guns. I love the choice of dark blue and black.

Now I'm regretting not buying one of these when I saw one at an outlet mall.

Edited by goatsrecon, 17 May 2009 - 11:20 PM.

[Mr BadWrench]

BOB, I use stepped drill bits



$9.99 on sale at harbor freight now

[nerfboi]

Nice job. Love it when people mod uncommon guns. Great job
Thats pretty cheap for a 3 set. I've seen those for for $15 a piece. But those are GREAT. I love them.

[Jedijoe9]

This makes me regret giving away the three AT1k's I found thrifting. I really like the idea of having a pistol on hand that fires multiple shots without a speedloader-- I commonly find myself going to my sidearm after being rushed and then dying while trying to ramrod a second dart to fire at an enemy that is ten feet away from me. Nice job.

Also, from the IRC chat earlier:

[BritNerfMogul]

I really like this. It's made a overseen blaster become something more and the PJ's perfect. Now if only I could get one....

Also, to dizzy, was the new cocking mech made out of choice or because it had to be repaired?

Again, great job.

[dizzyduck]

BritNerfMogul, on May 18 2009, 12:55 AM, said:

Also, to dizzy, was the new cocking mech made out of choice or because it had to be repaired?

It was my choice. I found having to "claw" the back of the blaster to a primed position was uncomfortable and impractical.

[BritNerfMogul]

dizzyduck, on May 18 2009, 06:01 AM, said:

BritNerfMogul, on May 18 2009, 12:55 AM, said:

Also, to dizzy, was the new cocking mech made out of choice or because it had to be repaired?

It was my choice. I found having to "claw" the back of the blaster to a primed position was uncomfortable and impractical.

Fair do's. I'm not a big fan of PVC pipe cocking mechs, but if it works for you.
Good job. Do I detect a slight hint of cleaness to the paint job also? It seems like the colours aren't as dark as some of your other works. I like the new look.

[bionicsuperjew]

Good Job dizzyduck,

I just replaced the barrels on my at1k also and am getting almost 40ft out of mine using stock darts, so if I can get more that is awesome. I have also thought this gun had potential but I tried to mod one a couple of years ago and did not get good results. I really what you did to the cocking mechanism in the back with the handle. What kind of glue did you use? Is it just hot glue?

[Daniel Beaver]

Nice work, I'll need to try this. Ranges are overrated, long live ranges!

[dizzyduck]

bionicsuperjew, on May 18 2009, 01:18 AM, said:

What kind of glue did you use? Is it just hot glue?

Epoxy first, then hot glue to fill in the gaps.

[Basilisk]

Fantastic! Props to the stunning paint job! Nice simple mod too!

[white moonlight]

Nice Paintjob.

Way to go for bringing the AT1K back.

Those ranges are good as well.

Nice Mod.

[gameplayer20859]

Great mod and paintjob (as usual )! I love how you made a practical cocker and I'm digging those ranges too! Great overall work.

[flashflint]

Could you, by any chance, let me know what brand that cpv is? The walls are thinner than mine and it intrigues me.

[dizzyduck]

flashflint, on May 18 2009, 10:01 PM, said:

Could you, by any chance, let me know what brand that cpv is? The walls are thinner than mine and it intrigues me.

Genova 4120, 100 PSI, purchased at Lowe's. It fits slightly looser than 17/32" brass.

Edited by dizzyduck, 18 May 2009 - 09:21 PM.

[L3G10N]

dizzy duck you are probably my favorite modder ever. I love how you take underrated guns and then preform fairly simple mods to them making them awesome. I also love your easy to read write-ups. I have personally done both your howler mod and this one and got great results. I love the at1k and I thank you for giving it the respect it deserves.

[Nerf Bros]

Great job, I really love the paint job... Then again I like all of your paint jobs...

-nerfbros