11 replies to this topic

[tassie nerfer modicas]

Hello out there I wasn't entirely sure where this would go, Due to it being partly me talking as well as asking questions and there's the lack of a question thread, so with the blessing of the gods of nerf and the moderators, we begin.

I've kept this under my hat for a fair while so there will be no pictures until it is complete.

As some of you may know I had the great privilege of acquiring a stock vortex tornado as well as the rare ammo, I've planned on keeping it stock but my greatest challenge was to replicate the ammo.

I have seen the write up of the tape rings, which I slightly modified to be more user friendly I will not go in to depth on it but I used a ring of rolled paper at the top to simulate the original airfoil design, Its a bit heavier but it works and flies straight.
I had also seen a similar reproduction on Google images with gasket lining, the maker said it worked but I cannot verify, But to my knowledge no-one had tried to mold the rings, until me.

I had found out that plaster of paris makes a fine mold, but I had to develop what type of mold I would be using, I tried a two part mold first but to no avail as its hard to center the inner plaster, I tried to use vasoline (petroleum jelly) to lubricate the mold for easier removal but the vaseline would suffocate the latex and cause the bottom of the ring to not cure, without the vaseline it cures beautifully but getting a perfect cast is proving ever tricky as the air gets trapped at the bottom of the mold and causes an uneven cast.

I do believe I might have all the issues sorted out and if it works I shall include a picture of a finished ring, until that time I would like to talk about/ discuss with you fine people the trials or tribulations you've had through trying to make your own koosh rings, nerf parts, or homemade blasters.

If my determination pays off would people like to purchase molded rings for koosh blasters, as I don't actually know if anyone would be interested.

Sincerely yours a Tasmanian.

30/08/2012 REPLYS
I've currently got another ring in the mold at home but as current, I'm 250 kms away from my home, when I get back the ring should be cured and I will post a picture of the rings progress.

If the rings turn out perfectly I'd be selling them for $3-4 a piece but bulk discounts might work, but as much as I experiment with it the further away perfection seems, I'm thinking of getting a small company involved so I'd have access to injection molding but as most don't know I'm a full time uni student and time is hard to come by.

I hope this answers the questions.

Here's a pic of rings molded after changes to the mold, I've still got one trick up my sleeve for a mold but I have to see if it works first then a pic shall be uploaded btw in the last 3 days I've traveled 1000kms.


http://tinypic.com/r/35bw2t0/6

http://i48.tinypic.com/35bw2t0.jpg

Edited by tassie_nerfer_modicas, 31 August 2012 - 06:08 AM.

[Daniel Beaver]

Could you post some pictures of the molds you currently have?

[HasreadCoC]

This was a topic a NRev user and I had discussed a while back, of particular interest to me was the idea of making homemade Koosh blasters once we had/have the ammo down. My attention on this subject has since shifted to the nerf vortex line/ammo, but I am still quite interested in getting out alternate ammo types.

Right now, we have fast moving mid-long range slug darts. In relation to a Newsletter question on NRev a while back I had said we do not need to move "up" in the power levels of the hobby, nor down, but rather "sideways". I feel that a slow-medium speed ammo compared to darts (like Koosh rings or vortex disks), which has long+ range could be very good for the hobby, and provide some fresh play. Think Kritzkrieg to stock Medigun in TF2 (if that reference makes sense).

So, I will continue to watch this topic interestedly.

[KoRnEd]

I would actually be interested in purchasing a large amount of these (Think 100) if you decide to market them.

[Ice Nine]

This veers dangerously close to a concept thread but it sounds like you've actually done some work, so I'm going to leave this open for now.

I've kept this under my hat for a fair while so there will be no pictures until it is complete.

See, that's the part that's bothersome. Why not share it? What's the worst that would happen? If you don't put up pictures I'm going to be far more skeptical of this thread, and by proxy, you.

Edited by Ice Nine, 28 August 2012 - 08:48 PM.

[Draconis]

*hurries off to the workshop to beat this guy to market*

[Kansas City 1706]

I agree.

If you do get the mold perfected, and you do start selling them, how much would it cost per ring? Or would you price them in lots?

Because I am very interested because I recently got a Tornado over the summer, aswell as 3 rings.

KC1706

[HasreadCoC]

This veers dangerously close to a concept thread but it sounds like you've actually done some work, so I'm going to leave this open for now.



See, that's the part that's bothersome. Why not share it? What's the worst that would happen? If you don't put up pictures I'm going to be far more skeptical of this thread, and by proxy, you.

*hurries off to the workshop to beat this guy to market*

My guess is that this is why.

[hamoidar]

I recently got a Tornado

Kansas got a Tornado

My guess is that this is why.

I think that Draconis was being sarcastic.

On topic: I too would like to know how much the price-per-unit is going to be, as I aquired a tornado as well.

Edited by hamoidar, 29 August 2012 - 06:13 PM.

[HasreadCoC]

I think that Draconis was being sarcastic.

True, but the idea still holds.

I would also be interested in hearing a price. That and performance will be the factors that would make or break a vortex comeback. I could seriously see people using them as primaries at indoor/windless wars.

[leafy]

If you do get the mold perfected, and you do start selling them, how much would it cost per ring? Or would you price them in lots?

I 2nd this. As I recently acquired a firestorm.

[Kansas City 1706]

[quote name='hamoidar' timestamp='1346281967' post='321210']
Kansas got a Tornado

LoL I never would have thunk of that.