What are the things I have to consider when making miniature modern firearms?
I’ve been making miniature gun models as a hobby when I was little but never out of metal obviously because I don’t have the skill to and its too dangerous for a kid. Now I’m thinking about learning art metalcraft to make fully functional rescaled replica of modern firearms for a hobby, but how do I get started on it?
- What classes I need to take or what do I need to learn to make them?
- What metal is easiest to cast and mold and to yield realism along with precise details of the model? Also durability?
- What kind of tools and equipment?
Just any pointers or any information regarding this topic that can help would be greatly appreciated.
Example would be something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esfNu4OzI-4&feature=fvw
Thanks
Posted in Hobbies | 
Tags: consider, firearms, gun, gun models, Hobby, making, Metal, Miniature, Modern, modern firearms, precise details, things
2 Responses to “What are the things I have to consider when making miniature modern firearms?”
If you are going to work in metal, you have a choice of making wax models and casting or machining bar stock. You may end up doing both. Wax makes accurate objects with some clean up required.
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/castgobl.htm
http://users.ticnet.com/mikefirth/neckmold.htm#FACEMOLD
There are good low temp (600F) melting metals (zinc and tin based) that are fairly soft in use. Brass and bronze are higher temp, heavier and take a higher polish.
Machining requires constant precision work, depending on your scale requiring precision using watch makers lathes, tools, and parts. Brass would be the most likely metal although steel or aluminum could be used. If you wanted to make models with moving parts (not necessarily making shooting models, but units that could be field stripped like full size) then you would be stepping into a very limited class of model makers. http://www.google.com/search?q=precision+model+making&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
You may wish to work your way up – jewelry casting and making may give you the best insight as to casting. For precision metal machining, possibly available from community colleges.
I think considerations for making guns (any size) rely a lot on choosing the right metal. The metal has to withstand the forces generated by the “controlled explosion” of shooting it. So if you want to have it functional you can’t go by the easiest one, as that might result in the whole thing blowing up. You will have to learn about different types of steel (and yes, there are a lot).
I don’t know whether there are many gunsmithing classes to be had. I know I met once one guy on an arts/craft show who did demos on gun making, he was into replicas of antique guns, so people like that still exist.
I would recommend search for gunsmithing. Maybe you can find a local gunsmith who would be willing to give you pointers or could at least tell you where to find classes. There appear to be also a couple of schools for it out there. I am sure there are also a couple of books which you should be able to find.
If you don’t want to make functional models, things are going to be easier. But I really wouldn’t try to make functional models without thorough instructions on proper construction. I would guess the risk is similar to home-making fireworks…