Running the same concept as my Shocker Slug unmilled bodies, this project was meant to bring the same level of customization to the Axe platform in a very similar way. These unmilled blanks have ample material for producing a new milling pattern, which doesn't have to fit within the confines of a pre-milled OEM base model body. These bodies allow truly custom markers to be built around a blank shape that includes all the internal features needed to make a functional marker, then afterward the fancy milling can be applied to the external areas.
Design changes:
My bodies include a few tweaks which were meant to fulfill some special goals. Some of them are enhancements that I believe will improve the marker, while others are simply changes meant to make the bodies easier to manufacture.
· A latching feedneck boss is integrated directly into the body (compatible with Empire's feedneck spec)
· Unmilled material is extended around the back of the body, which partially-surrounds the bolt endcap. A small amount of material is also added to the front, extending the body slightly further forward.
· Eye covers were added to allow access without disassembling the body. The bodies still use Axe sensor boards, detents, and detent springs. The eye covers can use standard-size socket head cap screws, or low-profile "button head" screws to blend better with the body.
· Precision pinholes were added to the body to make them easier to locate for custom milling.
· Serial numbers are engraved directly into the body itself, allowing them to remain intact even after re-anodizing.
Prototyping:
Once the design was finalized, I needed to create some prototype bodies. The main purposes of these prototypes was to test the changes and develop the manufacturing process. Below you can see some initial pictures I took to show the changes made with each body...
First Demonstration:
Below you can see one of the unmilled blank bodies assembled into a full marker. I had a couple tiny adjustments to make on the manufacturing side, but ultimately these bodies function very similar to the OEM versions. Testing went well and I also made a video to help show the functionality.
Permalink: https://www.youtube.com/embed/2-S21Xt3Bok
Axe Milling Grafts:
This section of the page will be used to catalog the various cosmetics being applied to these unmilled bodies. Currently the project is very young so there have only been a few ideas.
· Fireaxe
· Modified tube body Axe
· Necro-Axe
· Others? (future designs)