Found at a local thrift store

[ed_ification]

I went shopping with my in-laws this weekend, and we hit up the biggest thrift store in town (because neat finds happen).  So, I hit the toy section, because I am a big kid at heart, and what did I find but:





I'm not sure, as yet, HOW I'm going to modify these...  but they just scream possibilities to me.

[Frizzenflyer]

there are so many roads to take, so many possibilities.

[ThreadJack]

I see a couple of blasters in your future, me thinks...

[reiperx]

Thanks a lot, my wife's going to be flying out to your house to shoot you for giving me more ideas.

[Master Bluespike74]

I love non saber projects.  Helps to change the pace from time to time.  I look forward to these being converted to become part of your arsenal.  Maybe a character development along the way as well?

I await your progress pics.

[ed_ification]

Well, with the Vigilon (the pistol) I want to keep the orange parts orange, so that I can keep cops happy (happy cops = no new holes in me).  For the other pieces of it, I was almost thinking a Fett-style configuration of colors.

With the Longshot (Rifle) - that one I'm less sure about.  I know I want to add a strap sling to it.  I might just turn it into something steampunk-esque.  I'd love to add some LEDs to both pieces, but I'm not sure exactly how I would do that (and I'd want to do so safely - don't want to blind anybody.)

Might also take a look at Nerf's site, to double check the instruction manuals.

[ed_ification]

So a bit of an update.

I had a friend who was cleaning, and found 3 LED ice cubes.  They're plastic with a button on them, allowing for a rapid flash/slow flash/steady on illumination.

Would anyone know anything about these?  I was goofing around earlier, and placed a cube into the ammo receptacle of the pistol, and it fit.  If I could gut the cubes safely, I could harvest those parts and rig up a better look...

[ed_ification]

Yet another update.  I got 2 small "laser pistol" toys in my Xmas stocking, one red and one blue.  Taking these apart, I had a look at the guts.  It looks as though it's an LED and speaker connected to two circuit boards, with a piece that, when the trigger moves accordingly, completes the circuit.  They run on the little circular button batteries - might replace those with a trip to Radio Shack for a regular battery holder (a single AA ought to be more than enough).  I don't need the speakers, as the sounds are really annoying.

What I am thinking is that once I get around to modifying the pistol (I need to get some stripped screws out of it and replace those), I'm going to run wiring for the red LED so that its circuit will complete when the ammo chamber opens, as I think that the pistol looks more menacing that way.  I may also try to place the blue LED into the disc launch field so that its circuit completes when I pull the trigger - basically, giving me blue LED flashes as I "fire".

[Zephon]

So a bit of an update.

I had a friend who was cleaning, and found 3 LED ice cubes.  They're plastic with a button on them, allowing for a rapid flash/slow flash/steady on illumination.

Would anyone know anything about these?  I was goofing around earlier, and placed a cube into the ammo receptacle of the pistol, and it fit.  If I could gut the cubes safely, I could harvest those parts and rig up a better look...

Actually yea, I know where you can buy them for relatively cheap price.

They give them away at Disney California Adventure at night when you buy drinks at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party (where I got my first one). I was intrigued by the cups as I thought it was the cups and wasn't aware of the ice cube until after finishing my drink, and found the site for the cubes. Here's their assortment of ice cubes: http://www.windycitynovelties.com/gcssearch.aspx?w=led+ice+cubes

[Uli-Winn]

I am just gonna throw this out there, just so you can be aware.

I own a business that modifies Nerf blasters and the like. From my experience, I have found that most people who are big into Nerf would pay a bit of money for that Longshot you picked up if it is in working condition. Just something to think about before you go ahead and do any cosmetic work on it.

Good finds though, looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

[Genkaku Sho`shyk]

i will say this as well... as for the idea of using them as stage props.. perfect... on the other hand, i myself have for a long time looked into how to get Nerf to be a LITTLE bit more accurate, and a little bit farther flying... witch brings me to the "air gun" idea... with some kinda compressed air.. rather then a weak spring... this is only my idea for small stage props that can be USEFULL in an action shot...

on this note, i would like to SPECIFY that the compression would not be crazy high... im talking just a little more power then what the stock spring gives.. just that little extra push to get that extra 5 feet, and keep it on target.. the projectile would be a inch shorter off the back... again this is simply in my mind, not actually made, i have spent several years thinking on this idea .. so im not just tossing random ideas... i would be possibly testing this idea out in the near future.. as i have gotten job recently.. (last year) and have several nerf guns as wel... that i have been using as idea props... ... where to attach the air hose, the air compression chambers... all these things in my head.. lol... i need to put this stuff down on paper... lmao

[ed_ification]

Well, it appears, after dissection, that the Vigilon DOES fire - I just need ammo for it.  Which means my modifications need to take that into account.  Since it is complete, no reason to destroy it utterly.

The Longshot is NOT complete.  It does not have the magazine case, nor the pieces which fit onto the gun exterior.  It does appear to cock and fire, though I've not fully tested it.

Question - the two small toy "laser pistols" have a positive terminal with spring, 3 button batteries, a piece of hard wire (think paper clip in consistency) that, when the trigger is depressed, completes the circuit to the circuit board to which the LED and speaker are wired.  If I was to switch the 3 button batteries for a more easily acquired battery, would anyone happen to know what type to use to continue to drive consistent power to the LED?

Also, any suggestions as to grit level of sandpaper to use prior to applying spray paint?

[Genkaku Sho`shyk]

you would be looking at adding a transistor of some type like the buck puck, as well as possibly modifying the inside handle to house the new buck-puck and batteries... plus you would need to know the programming of the transistor to have the proper current flow.... im not an electrical engineer, but i do know the basics as i was a ground-man electrician for 2 years... just never kept with the trade... i am a massage therapist now and love my job.. indoors, and not entirely back breaking work lol

[ed_ification]

I can put up pics of the light up pistol guts if needed as well...

[ed_ification]

Well, the painting of the pistol has begun.

I've disassembled it.  The front of the pistol will be kept its bright orange color, as will the trigger, clip release mechanism, and accent pieces.  The center part of the main body is going to be silver, as will the top rear of the pistol.  The rest of the gun will be black.  I still haven't decided about the LEDs and other materials as yet...