renegadecow Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I was messing around with my M500 front sight last night, shaving off some material as it was too tall. Then I realized how easy it would be to make new sets of sights ranging from a hooded front to one which looks like the hammer and sickle emblem of ye old USSR Then I thought "Fiber Optic". Pretty as it is, it costs $36~$41 on the Smith&Wesson website. Since I've bought from them before, I know that shipping will be an extra $20 even for such a small part. The important part here is I HAVE NO MONEY. The solution, amazingly enough, comes from my childhood: LEGO. Specifically, the green antenna part commonly found in those space sets. Its green. Its bright. It glows. Not exactly fiber optic but it works. Now to chop it up. I just fashioned a piece of PVC to look the part by S&W also copying the dimensions of the original front sight. A large gap is in the middle to accumulate light and two holes on either end are drilled to keep the rod in place. Now, its important that you polish the ends of the antenna you cut up so that it does light up. To do this cleanly, cut your length with a very sharp knife/cutter. Sand ends with 400 grit sand paper. Buff both ends against a sheet of paper until shiny. Paper actually acts like sandpaper with 1000+grit. I just painted the pvc part black, wait for it to dry and poke in the antenna bit and is held in by friction. The whole ordeal took just this morning, start to finish. unpainted. it glows on the gun aimed, very low light, no camera flash Link to post Share on other sites
Dock trinE Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 That actually looks really professional. Time to go dig up those old lego sets. Link to post Share on other sites
DarkLite Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Wow, that's ace. And I can get Lego-knock-offs for practically nothing in HK.... hmm. Link to post Share on other sites
transist Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Genius. Link to post Share on other sites
renegadecow Posted April 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I'm guessing its the same material as used in the glowy parts in Gundam sets particularly the beam saber. There are plenty of those left over (after building the mobile suit) if you're reluctant on chopping Lego bits. Link to post Share on other sites
zentaurus Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 and i'd been looking for something like that for aeons have even tried looking at children's party sets and such Link to post Share on other sites
Sturaiku Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 *rushes off to the nearest toy store* VERY creative use to make a make-shift fiber optic! 29 internets for you. Why not 30, I dunno. Link to post Share on other sites
Auroris Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Hey you also get the bright orange space antennae to use as the rear sight! This is genius! I needed you to post this before I spent $40 odd on a TruGlo Illuminator!!!!! lol Link to post Share on other sites
DarkLite Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Hmm, they did some red ones before too. Link to post Share on other sites
Belladonna Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 epic! i love it. Link to post Share on other sites
chris u'5 Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Good job! Funnily enough fibre optic sights always used to remind me of those bits of Lego. Link to post Share on other sites
chas Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I actually had that same ideamonths ago, as my students always have lego parts all over the place. Ijust wanted the looks for my Kart EBR (the aftermarket kits' sights have the glow-worms), but never thought it'd work. Link to post Share on other sites
smefeman Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Sweet, I might just have to try this on my guns! Link to post Share on other sites
T0p Sp!N Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I always prized the few transparent LEGO bits I had... Now I have a use for them again... NJ, tol. :thumbs-up: Link to post Share on other sites
Treadhead Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Light gathering rods of various diameters available here: http://www.yellowcatshop.co.uk/shop/defaul...ubcatid=3500137 Somewhat cheaper than buying lego! Link to post Share on other sites
Royal-Air-Force Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Link am borked for me. Rich. Link to post Share on other sites
Treadhead Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Odd.... it works for me... Got to http://www.modelshop.co.uk Online Catalogue 'Strip and Shape' tab circular rod About 2/3 down the page.... Link to post Share on other sites
farrasdevell Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 having lived with a number of 1stgen cybergoths, i have piles of this stuff sitting on boxes in the garage from my days of making custon shiney/glowy things for ppl. You know it has never occured to me to try this...... Damm Link to post Share on other sites
Cliffor Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 That is so very, very awesome! When I get an m500 this summer I am definately trying this Link to post Share on other sites
ollie_ty Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 As soon as I read this, I went into my loft to find my Lego stash Now, how to grind down a g36 sight post. Hmmmmm... Link to post Share on other sites
RSP1 Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 I always liked those pieces. I used them on Lego pistols... but never got around to sticking them on airsoft stuff. Nice idea. Link to post Share on other sites
Docv400 Posted April 23, 2008 Report Share Posted April 23, 2008 All that plastic....must be a Marui These little, cheap, simple mods are often the most satisfying aren't they Nice job Renegadecow, and thanks Tredhead for that useful link. Link to post Share on other sites
zentaurus Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 thanks too, Tredhead, for the link. very niicceee! hope they do international delivery Link to post Share on other sites
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