But that's boats.

This project was a lot more fun - and less sweat.
And there was even a little metal-working involved here!

This all came about because I wanted a ray gun.
A real honest to gosh ray gun!
I guess the Buck Rogers weapons were okay - for their day.
But the Bugs Bunny / Marvin the Martian type was the one.
And it really really works! (echoes of Ron Propeil!?!)

The basic design. Kinda spiffy, huh?
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-01.jpg


The shell is hand laid fiberglass over a foam core using 8 ounce woven
cloth and west 105 epoxy. Both were selected after a detailed study
of what was in the scrap box. Most of the glass was laid on in small
patches because of the curvature, but every lay-up was closed out with a
full sized wrap to help keep loose strings under control and give a
smoother surface. In all three separate lay-ups were done to get the
final shell. Using West 105 with 205 (fast) hardener the resin kicks
and can be handled in half an hour. So it didn't take long to make the
shell.

The core was dissolved out with a little lacquer thinner leaving a the
body hollow, but the insides sharp as 40 grit sandpaper.

The shell was then filed and sanded inside and out to a smooth surface
and finally gelcoated.

This first one has a 15 mw laser pointer installed - because it was
cheap and easy. And it's fun to use as a "kitty prod" to herd cats.


The basic shell with the laser retainer hardware installed.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-02.jpg


Laser goes in right about here...
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-04.jpg

The metal-working part...

It took a few iterations to get the trigger shape right, but I'm happy
with the results. I haven't measured the pull, but it's not heavy.

The trigger was bandsawed from 1/4" aluminum plate and smoothed nicely.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-06.jpg

The other part - call it the "loop"(?) - was blacksmithed from .063
steel strap by bending it around the correctly sized deep well socket
and pounding it into submission with a hammer.


The business end.
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-07.jpg


The pencil laser pointer is held in place with a sort piece of brass
tube bonded in the front end, and a larger diameter piece in the aft
end. The pencil fits over (ie outside) the front one and inside the
aft one. Then a small plastic cap (from a sting-ez insect-sting
stick - hey, it fit perfectly!!) holds the laser firmly in place.

Up and running:
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cave-.../Raygun-08.jpg


The second one (in the works now) will open up in the middle to allow
for a 450 mw laser to be installed.

Same shape and style, but a seriously more dangerous weapon.


Fiberglass is fun stuff.
All it takes is some imagination.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Maki...erglass-parts/