Thats Amazing! Will it be in action next sunday? If so, i'm so glad i'm on the allies side 
Thats Amazing! Will it be in action next sunday? If so, i'm so glad i'm on the allies side
Lol unfortunatly...Zee Germans, have plenty of MG42's to go around. But dont let me dampen your sprites. 
Looks great Oddball
Looks very good oddball,might even try blueing my .30cal
even might build a mg42 looking at yours,is there anywhere for measurements i can use from. cheers.
I will probably draw some simple plans up at some point.
Here is a diagram many are using 
(I remember giving this guy dimensions and photos of my MG42 to make these plans)
But there is nothing like having a real one to copy so I will try and give some ideas on how best to do it in metal.
If I was to start again I would just get a full length of 50mm box section with a 3mm wall.
I think if you just drill groups of 3 holes with a finishing drill size of about 18 - 20mm that should give a slot hole of 54 to 60mm long.
If you want to taper the box section it is just done so that it is reduced from the top view not from the side elevation, so to do this you would have to cut 4 slots down the box section 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom then clamp them and weld them up then grind back.
This would in my opinion be less work than the unistrut cutting and having to remove the zinc galv.
EDITJust took some dimensions during lunch and the slots are 44 x 18 but I am sure you can play with this a bit and still get a good resemblance. 
See diagram below.
Thanks all!
Don't think it will be running for Sunday but may bring it along.
Free speech is expensive these days!
Thanks
I think the carbon in the oil must bond to the surface of the metal to blacken it, a bit like black mild steel has higher carbon content.
The box section I used is black mild steel anyway so not as much work was required on that part.
Free speech is expensive these days!
Hopefully my mate will start building the frame in the new year, and because we've been delayed we're taking Odballs advice, shelving the uni strut for a different project and just using 2mm box section with the holes cut using Odball's template. I've sourced an 11.1 lipoly battery, and Mosfet, and using an AK box with high speed gubbins inside. Going to use a CA M249 feed and generally eveything will be aimed towards getting that "Tearing Calico" sound of 1200 rpm
Sounds great!
You should be able to get the plan elevation view right if you take time working out what shape to cut out of the centre of the box section. Also if you mark off the points between the holes you will not be welding at a point where you will later be drilling/ cutting the slot holes.
Get black mild steel box 50mm OD if you can you will probably only get this with 3mm wall but if you find a stock of 2mm wall let me know.
The M249 hop unit may require a M249 air nozzle fitting into the gearbox to get the length right or you will get a miss feed problem.
This is why I am thinking make a hop out a brass bar/pipe then solder other parts to it to make the hop control and feed tube.
Free speech is expensive these days!
if you find a stock of 2mm wall let me know.
I had my mate over for dinner again this evening, he said they not only have 2mm box but 1.5 mm box at work, so we might be able to keep the weight right down. I dont know how I'd go about getting any steel to you, I imagine it's a bit hefty to post it. Let me know how much you want and I'll do my best for you 
Great news my local metal supplier only seems to get 3mm but may ask him again thanks.
Free speech is expensive these days!
My Mg is finally at the fabrication stage, I hope to clamp eyes on it this weekend and will post pics up as soon as possible ( and when someone tells me how to post pics cos I've only managed to link pics so far!)
A question for those in the know, how does the top plate hinge up and lock down? Is it just a basic hinge or is it curled metal with a bar like an ammo box? Also how does it lock back down in place? I'm asking because we dont want to manufacture the wrong thing and have somebody come up and say " you didnt want to do it like that you should have done this..."
It's hinged, like an ammo box.
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Nice one, that's been passed on. Does it lock down like the M60? that's the nearest thing we've got to work from. (top m60 e3 shorty)
Me thinks you would like photos and a video. 
Free speech is expensive these days!
I'm having difficulty in working out how to post pics on this site, cos I'm a technophobe dunderhead I know.
However this should link to the first pic of my full metal Mg42 project
http://s89.photobucket.com/albums/k232/ ... 009033.jpg
Not bad!
Will this do just have the picture in your PC and use the Browse option on the forum posting then choose add the file then use Place inline.
Free speech is expensive these days!
Thanks for that, I also have to reduce my picture size. I'll take some better pics on Sunday and post the best one up. I've ordered a basket mag, just waiting for it to be delivered, Can you show how the mag clamps onto the gun so we have some idea of how to replicate it? For the stock I brought an oak pew end thats appx 150 years old for a fiver, came out of a church demolition. I've copied out a pattern and given it all to another mate who is a carpenter. He's going to do the hard work in his workshop with a bandsaw, then it's back to me to attack with a grinder with a flappy wheel sanding pad and a black and decker powerfile (wicked tool) to round it all off and fit into the chassis.
To fit the drum mag, you either need to fit a real steel feed tray, or fabricate a bracket and weld it on. There is a spring loaded clip on the drum which holds it all in place when fitted. When I get time, I'll shoot a short video of mine for you to make it clearer.
There's also quite a few pictures of my MG42 builds on this thread viewtopic.php?f=55&t=3707
When I want your opinion - I'll tell you what it is!
Now that sir is a work of art! Aw I feel all insignificant now 
The link is really useful for the photos though especially concerning the mags and feed. I've just realised how many mistakes we've made already but I think we can remedy some of them. The photos have however prevented me from making quite a lot more. This is a first attempt at a scratch build, so I'm still confident we can build a reasonable look alike.
I should soon be taking delivery of an AA tripod
http://www.battleorders.co.uk/acatalog/ ... _GUNS.html
scroll down it's at the bottom of the page. Can any of you guys with replicas or de-acs, show how this tripod should fit to the gun? We're going to have to replicate it, and I wont get hands on for a week, I was just hoping to research in advance.
First pic fresh from the bandsaw, now just got to attack it with a black and decker powerfile and 60 grade paper. could do with any picks of stock, taken from different anglrs to skow what I need to carve off
