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Full Crossbow Modification

Cloning The Unicorn Stage 1

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#1 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 12:58 PM

Frantoinette


Cloning The Unicorn Stage 1


Every clone needs some tissue and DNA to work with, even if it's not the rarest.

Here is the specimen we will be manipulating...

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Specimen photo #2
Specimen photo #3
Specimen photo #4




First, you'll need to remove to specimens flesh and organs.

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As said in previous modifications, sanding is the longest and biggest pain in the ass of the modification. Steps are simple here, start with course sand paper, slowly move towards fine. I ended with 600 or so.


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All of the insides of this thing pretty much have to go for what we're doing, for me to finally get this all to work, that's what I had to do. Lots of careful dremeling is in this step. Lots

Next, get yourself one 1 1/2 polycarbonate round tube and PVC hex coupler bushing thing. (IE the plunger tube and coupler used for a +bow)

Cut the poly tube to about the same length as the stock crossbow plunger tube

Now you can use the silver duct tape as shown in the +bow write up, but I used a combination of painters tape and etape. Wrap the coupler until it generally fits snugly into the poly tube. Next, fill up the dead space of the coupler with hot glue. Finally, get some plumbers goop and push that thing in there as deep as it'll go.

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Size comparison #1
Size comparison #2



Next, since we had to really gun this thing, we gotta make sure it's straight and in place where it should be. For this, put some lubricant on the outside of the new plunger tube so it won't stick to hotglue, put it where it should be, and dump some hot glue near the sides, let harden, and take the tube away and you should have something like this.

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That should keep the back of the plunger tube in place.


Now to keep the front of the plunger tube in place. Put on your barrel of choice, doesn't matter. Keep positioning until you're 100% sure that's where you want it to go. Glue it in place a little bit with hot glue (just enough to keep it in that spot for a few minutes really)

Put both sides of the crossbow together, and etape it togther extremely tightly. Not, get a drill bit, pray to your god, hold you breath, hope you marked the right spot on the gun to drill through, and drill all the way through the gun.

.......YES, YOU'VE DONE IT!
Now take your 2 inch metal screw or threaded row and twist it through the whole gun and bolt it together
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As far as that step is concerned. It really is a gamble, but it's the most efficient way to put this plunger tube securely into the gun. Lots of measuring and marking and placement is key. I did all 3 a hundred times over, and my screw isn't EXACTLY where I wanted it, but it's close enough

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Next we'll be covering the plunger rod and spring set up
Most use metal sheeting, but that's just not my style. I used polycarbonate
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Lots of dremeling and careful fitting is key here. Once it fits it rather tightly, drill some small holes and add some nuts and bolts in key spots. I also put industrial super glue under the poly. This thing is ROCK solid.

Onto the plunger head
There's a piece of plastic used to keep the spring in this gun, however, it's not the strongest. Time to beef it up with a washer. Just cut it to the correct size, and goop it on. I clamped it to the plastic over night as well.
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To keep my extra springs in, reduce overall stress, and add a lot of strength, I used a circular piece of steel I found inside of an old hard drive.
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Get yourself a 1-3/8 rubber washer (yet again the same in a +bow) and put it in front of the original plastic thing that holds the springs in, follow by the other rubber things used as the plunger head in a stock crossbow
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As you see, I cut off some of the plastic on the tip of the plunger rod. Eliminates some dead space, and it prevents the thing from hitting against the screw going through the coupler.

Springs used: Crossbow spring + longshot spring

Don't forget to add strength bolts behind the rest plate to prevent breaking, put this beast back together and give it an insane Soothsayer paint job. Oh wait, you can't. Just paint it as best as you can haha

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more photos #1
more photos #2


The barrel on this thing is pretty much perfectly horizontal and straight thanks to the method in which the internals are installed.



Ranges: 110-115ft
1 bungee: 120-124ft
2 bungee: 130ft-ish

Ranges have been edited. I have since then gotten a better seal with the rubber washer using better lubricant.

All ranges done with a 12 inch PETG barrel. I'm suspecting that a 9 inch CPVC barrel may improve my ranges, but I'll get back to you all on that soon..


I'd like to mention, this is stage 1. I have ordered the stock barrel and crossbow arms and they are on their way, once they are here, stage 2 will be installed. Trust me, once finished, this blaster will send chills down your spine.

I'd ALSO like mention, once this gun is complete, much more detailing like some of my previous guns will be added. Name painted on side, small detailing, maybe some epoxy putty cosmetic work. It will look orgasmic

Edited by Soothsayer, 24 July 2009 - 08:00 PM.

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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#2 stuck by stefan

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 01:37 PM

Wow... i love that thing.


But Wait, assuming you are putting the crossbow arms on, How are you going to attach them if the clip on the front is cut off?
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#3 Hi Yah

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 01:53 PM

This is a very nice looking crossbow. It looks a lot better than the condition in which you bought it in. Great write-up and great gun.
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The yellow balls are also slightly smaller in diameter than the green ones.

#4 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 03:21 PM

Wow... i love that thing.


But Wait, assuming you are putting the crossbow arms on, How are you going to attach them if the clip on the front is cut off?

Polycarbonate strips and a few bolts. Sounds ugly, but it'll look very nice.


hi yah! - Thank you. Once stage 2 is posted, I'll fix and add a few steps as well.
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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#5 balisticjoe

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 04:01 PM

Hey this was supposed to be my x-bow. all kidding aside-you did a good job on it. Seems to resemble the guru III. The paint looks very clean-you may want to touch up a little ion the back-doesn't flow too well if you get me.

Edited by balisticjoe, 04 June 2009 - 05:38 PM.

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#6 mystefansdontflystraight

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 04:53 PM

Beautiful, just beautiful. You really inspire me to get off my lazy ass and finish mine. It's about half sanded down, with holes all over it from a failed hornet integration. Sigh.....
I like the way you replaced the plunger tube. I can see the Guru MKIII influence. CPVC will help your ranges quite a bit. I had PETG, mine got like 90ft with the plunger tube replaced, and I switched to CPVC, it got about 15ft more.
Is there a lot or any plunger handle bendage with the bungees?
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QUOTE(Blacksunshine @ Dec 24 2009, 02:15 PM) View Post

QUOTE(white moonlight @ Dec 23 2009, 01:29 PM) View Post

It's just screaming to be rearloading...

I seen a movie about that once.



#7 Skorpion

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 05:05 PM

Nice paint job!
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#8 umpshaplapa

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 05:28 PM

Hey this was supposed to be my x-bow. But you took it at the last minute under me with crappy dealing tactics in the biggest douche move of the century. And now you try and replicate the guru without the sf. I hate you right now. Mostly just pissed you were cheap and bid after I left at 11:30 thinking no one would be so cheap as to bid anymore on it.

You clearly don't know how internet auctions work. There's always someone that bids with 1 minute left.

What exactly was the point of all the plunger tube replacement? It didn't seem to ad an insane amount of range. I might be confused about the ranges of x-bows though.
Also, what paints are you using? They look awesome.

Edited by umpshaplapa, 02 June 2009 - 05:30 PM.

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#9 Shrub

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 05:45 PM

Very very good pj simple yet clean and beautiful. Also I bet she feels much better after the new pj and modding she looked pretty beat up before ehh? Well anyways nie work can't wait to see part 2.
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#10 balisticjoe

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 06:26 PM

Did you do anything to reinforce the rod after the initial gap? With as much power as you are putting in it you may want to look into that. Also what was your reasoning for using hot glue instead of e-tape to center the tube?

Edited by balisticjoe, 04 June 2009 - 06:02 PM.

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#11 A side of nerf

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 07:50 PM

I am not saying he doesn't have a right to be a douche-he dose-and it is good to see him exercise his rights.

Then why the fuck are you complaining?
Don't answer that.



Did you sand the outside of the plunger tube for any particular reason? It looks cool, I'm just curious though.
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#12 TantumBull

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 09:07 PM

Hey this was supposed to be my x-bow. But you took it at the last minute under me with crappy dealing tactics in the biggest douche move of the century. And now you try and replicate the guru without the sf. I hate you right now. Mostly just pissed you were cheap and bid after I left at 11:30 thinking no one would be so cheap as to bid anymore on it.

You clearly don't know how internet auctions work. There's always someone that bids with 1 minute left.

On eBay maybe. Doesn't mean it isn't cheap. The way I see it is if you want something bid on it-give me a chance to actually get it-give the auctioneer some cash-and don't be a douche. I am not saying he doesn't have a right to be a douche-he dose-and it is good to see him exercise his rights.


Dude, shut up. That's strategy. We don't have special rules here for people that need to go night, night at a specific time.

Soothsayer, nice blaster, man. Totally do that cosmetic putty work you mentioned. I look forward to stage 2. This is for re-sale like all your other x-bows, correct?

Edited by TantumBull, 02 June 2009 - 09:08 PM.

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#13 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:02 PM

There is little bending with the bungees are added. I use mini bungees, so it's only giving it a little extra power


The ranges of this gun are impressive in my opinion. Some people can only get 100ft with a plunger replacement and the maximum amount of bungees they feel comfortable putting on.

Yes, I did sand the plunger tube, just for looks.

The paint I used is this metallic shit home depot sells


balistic joe-
Grow. The Fuck. Up.

If you wanted it so badly, act like it you mook. You should've paid attention to the auction until the last second. It's not my fault you're so unfamiliar with how auctions work. I didn't do anything wrong, and the only person who is a douche bag is you for not paying attention to the auction of a gun you wanted so badly.

So, in conclusion,
Pull your fucking diaper up, realize it was no ones wrong doing but you're own, and if you ever talk to me like that again, I'm sure you won't be sticking around here too much longer.




tantumbull- The only offer I would take for this is a bone stock crossbow, or one very very close to completely stock.

Edited by Soothsayer, 02 June 2009 - 11:05 PM.

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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#14 nerfboi

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:06 PM

and if you ever talk to me like that again, I'm sure you won't be sticking around here too much longer.


I'm kind of curious as to how thats going to happen? you don't own the boards..... Last time I checked, only Admins and some Contrib. could do that.

On topic: Great job man. I LOVE the paint job. Great choice of colors. And nice job of getting off the old paint. How long did that take you? I'm guessing 3 hours total?
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#15 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:11 PM

and if you ever talk to me like that again, I'm sure you won't be sticking around here too much longer.


I'm kind of curious as to how thats going to happen? you don't own the boards..... Last time I checked, only Admins and some Contrib. could do that.

On topic: Great job man. I LOVE the paint job. Great choice of colors. And nice job of getting off the old paint. How long did that take you? I'm guessing 3 hours total?

I'm not saying I have any power, but breaking the rules, and treading on a fine contributor like myself to this site isn't looked upon too fondly.

As far as sanding, 3 hours? hahahaha. Try 7 or 8. Takes a loooooong time to get it all.
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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#16 TantumBull

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:13 PM

tantumbull- The only offer I would take for this is a bone stock crossbow, or one very very close to completely stock.

I wasn't interested in buying. I was just wondering if this, like some of the other xbows I've seen you do, was going to be for sale. Basically out of curiosity as you have a tendency to find beat up crossbows, make them pretty, and then resell them.
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#17 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:17 PM

tantumbull- The only offer I would take for this is a bone stock crossbow, or one very very close to completely stock.

I wasn't interested in buying. I was just wondering if this, like some of the other xbows I've seen you do, was going to be for sale. Basically out of curiosity as you have a tendency to find beat up crossbows, make them pretty, and then resell them.

Yeah. Honestly the most I've ever paid for a crossbow was this one, $115 I think it was. Excluding this one, the highest I've paid was $32. I usually find them ad goodwill/thrift stores/garage sales/etc
I'd say 50-60% of the crossbows I've obtained were for less than 5 bucks or free haha
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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#18 nerfboi

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:24 PM

and if you ever talk to me like that again, I'm sure you won't be sticking around here too much longer.


I'm kind of curious as to how thats going to happen? you don't own the boards..... Last time I checked, only Admins and some Contrib. could do that.

On topic: Great job man. I LOVE the paint job. Great choice of colors. And nice job of getting off the old paint. How long did that take you? I'm guessing 3 hours total?

I'm not saying I have any power, but breaking the rules, and treading on a fine contributor like myself to this site isn't looked upon too fondly.

As far as sanding, 3 hours? hahahaha. Try 7 or 8. Takes a loooooong time to get it all.

I smell some arrogance in the air. If you a fine contributor as you say you are, how come you haven't submitted any to the contest? Cause from what I've seem, there are some pretty good ones there... Even better than some of yours.

On topic: Damn, I would have just stopped after an hour.
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#19 Soothsayer

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Posted 02 June 2009 - 11:32 PM

nerfboi- You're mistaking arrogance for my candor. Why haven't I contributed to the contest? I'm not in this hobby for prizes or rewards, I'm in this hobby because it makes me happy.

Edited by Soothsayer, 02 June 2009 - 11:37 PM.

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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.


#20 PointBlank

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 01:11 PM

That thing is beautiful, great work!
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#21 Shrub

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 01:40 PM

Who nows he might add this thing to the contest when he is totally done with it. What's that I taste in my mouth is that... drool, oh no I must of stared at the crossbow too long.
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#22 Ro-Sham-Bo

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 03:15 PM

Very beautiful work. That is all I can say about this.
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QUOTE(baghead @ Dec 31 2008, 07:58 PM) View Post

Wait a second? a Canadian National team... just won at Hockey!?

who would have ever seen that coming?


#23 Icey

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 05:26 PM

That thing is UNGODLY good looking. But to the point, I've been looking for that shade of blue for a while. Did you just get it at a hardware store or something? I can't find it anywhere and I don't really want to get it on the internet. Thank you.
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Haven't been on here since what...like 2006?

#24 Possemhunter

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 06:20 PM

Beautiful work! I love the paint job. Simple but so clean.
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#25 Soothsayer

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Posted 03 June 2009 - 10:55 PM

That thing is UNGODLY good looking. But to the point, I've been looking for that shade of blue for a while. Did you just get it at a hardware store or something? I can't find it anywhere and I don't really want to get it on the internet. Thank you.

I found it at home depot. They had like 4 different metallic colors.
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yeah I'm that guy who made that cool thing with the cool paint.



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