I only have an lpeg gearbox to work with so this will only have a range of about 20m and fps of about 180. I decided to knock it up in plastic tube and wood as I haven`t got any metal lying around at the moment plus these are easier to work with. The lpeg box is the perfect shape and size, its a shame there isn`t a similar box which is more skirmishable. The hop has a bit of loading rod glued to it to increase the length. Done about 4 hours on it so far. 
looking good. helps put into my head where it all fits etc
I didn`t manage to get much done on this today as I was suffering from a bit of a hangover 
Got the hop in place, and made up the barrel and end cap. The plastic on the hop doesn`t take glue very well so if the epoxy doesn`t work I may have to rethink.
I`ve emailed action hobbys to see if he will be carrying any spare gearboxes in the future, just waiting for a reply, was thinking about the M14 box but that angled motor may be a problem, if it sat level it would be perfect.
Has anybody got a pic of the MP40 gearbox by any chance? 
mp40 maybe too long. its a pretty big gearbox. yea i think the m14's out too. was considering the army l85 gearbox or just being lazy and making a mk5 from a ak box heh
This is the box we really need, just the right shape
never used a plastic gearbox before, whats the longevity like?
Do you like my little tank?
i've heard very very bad things about the star plastic gearboxes. wouldnt touch one with a 50ft pole
Pish & tush! Nowt wrong with a plastic case per se (very useful to see what's wrong without opening it!). My L85 was one of the first in the coutry and had a crappy motor but everyone I know who has a Star SA80 loves 'em! Fantastic for 60 second spring changes too!
I`ve just heard back from Action Hobbys and they`ve got M14 gearboxes in stock at £40
or just ask keith at rsov and it'll prob be half the price.
I had a few friends with star m249's chom. they've stripped so many gears and broken so many bits its daft. wouldnt trust em one bit.
as I understand it though the G&G l85 box is a similar arrangement but metal. thats replicated in the army l85 so maybe worth a pop. also worth nothing that has a blowback unit in it. Blowback sten anyone?
This is the box we really need, just the right shape
actually im not sure its the right shape at all as there is too much of the gearbox near the front which means it would hang out the bottom of the receiver.
I have been looking at this myself as a possible project and i am 99% sure an AGM mp40 gearox would fit with a only a bit removed from the front. I have knocked up a quick scale drawing using the sten blueprints and a scale drawing of the MP40 gearox courtesy of air-sharp.com:
“I wanted to come to the Volga at a specific location at a specific city. By chance it carries the name of Stalin himself. So don’t think I marched there for this reason – it could carry another name – but because there is a very important goal... this goal I wanted to take – and you know – we are very modest, we have it already."
Adolf Hitler, November 1942
"Comrades, Red Army men, commanders and political workers, men and women guerrillas! It is on your perseverance, staunchness, fighting skill and readiness to discharge your duty to the country that the defeat of the German-fascist army and the liberation of the Soviet land from the Hitlerite invaders depend! We can and must clear the Soviet land of Hitlerite vermin."
Joseph Stalin, November 1942
im not a massive fan of the mp40 box but thats a close ish fit. will open mine up later and see how possible it is to take that bit off the front
I think the query was the plastic gearbox which doesn't have problems as far as I am aware. The contents are a different matter! Every make has bust pistons/springs/gears from time to time. M249s and SA80s tend to get hammered!
hi
how about a famas gearbox, dont look too far off, just maybe have to reposition the trigger.
jay
hi
how about a famas gearbox, dont look too far off, just maybe have to reposition the trigger.
jay
I have just been given a batterd tm famas off my mate if anyone wants it for a fiver or less pm me.
If its passed 9 there is a 95% chance im pissed.
I have just been given a batterd tm famas off my mate if anyone wants it for a fiver or less pm me.
Have done just that!
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
hi
how about a famas gearbox, dont look too far off, just maybe have to reposition the trigger.
Hmm, looks a bit wide at the bottom.
Barrel and trigger mech done
It's starting to come together Slick!
Looking good so far!