I thought it might be of interest. Was not sure where to post this but Modelling seemed like a good fit. If this is an inappropriate place please feel free to delete.

Decided to build a full sized prop weapon based on the Tau Pulse carbine from the Warhammer 40k miniature game. Here is a picture of something similar, though the "markerlight" on the top of the weapon will be replaced by a scope.


Started with a 2.5 cm rifle from the game and scaled it up. I went with the idea it would be roughly the same size as the M4 carbine (29.75") and based all my measurements on that assumption. Since I do not have a CAD program, I went with photoshoping my template.

Template in hand I traced the outline on a nice hunk of 2X10 and headed off to the woodshop on post. Loads of guys making handmade beds gave plenty an odd look. I cut the basic shape and brought it home to finish. Despite dremels shoddy plunge router attachment, I was able to get my grooves cut pretty quickly:


Then I started on the top scope and the under slung "grenade launcher" or the box thing in the above picture. These are very rouch yet, made from Sintra:



Next will be some seriousl patching, sanding and sealing. I might add some electronics to the plastic bits for lights, though I am not too sure yet.

Then it's a shot at the Tau armor so I may take my place as Geek Supreme.

Wow that looks cool. Can't wait to see it finished. What would the player you're playing against facial expression look like when you pull that out of your backpack...

That's the beauty of this game. half of it is psychological warfare. With this toy, it might turn out to be more of 3/4's. LOL

Just pull it out before every game (you know what I mean...!) and I'm sure your opponents will stare at it and forget the game even existed.


Hooray for double entendre!

this would be cool, rig a paintball gun inside of it then when you lose start shooting your opponents models (note this may get you lynched)

but seriously the thing looks great

That might not be a good idea Bob...but cool, especially if you actually play paintball with that.

I've actually always wanted to play paintball with pulse carbine marker and some tau firewarrior or pathfinder armor on. An I don't mean just simple replica, but actual functioning armor. Then have some for my friends and we could paintball tau style with markerlights, etc. Ah, but if I had the money to pay that guy who makes game armor replicas....

And the carbine looks great!

I don't think you'll get functioning ballistics/laser armor tau-style until a hundred years from now, snyper.

I regards to using this as a shroud for a paintball marker, there is a guy whose web address eludes me who does something similar. Though he does not make 40k stuff (yet) he makes shrouds that look like a variety of modern weapons to fit over markers. Even make a pulse rifle from Aliens. I was kinda thinking about trying to do something similar if I could find someone with a vacuum form table.

Anyway, going to work on this some more in the next couple days and this weekend. Needs some sanding and filling, the launcher and scope needs some work as well. After this one I am starting an IG lasgun.

Damn you bet me to it!

I have been building a Tau firewarrior helment (2 failed attempted) trying to get the smooth bit is really heard with fibreclassing anyway. Hmmm... gun hey..

Awsome job so far keep posing the results, then we can all order one :-)

I always wanted to build a lifesize replica of the Tau armor myself but never got around to it . I applaud your initiative and your work so far; the carbine looks great!

Quick question for you all. The underslung box on the carbine is a grenade launcher correct? If so, would you think it would be open? Started working on that bit and not sure if I should leave it open or not and I cannot find any good reference art for it.

Thanks

It's a grenade launcher. I think it would be open. Don't know how it could fire and load grenades if it wasn't.

I believe there is a permanent slit in the underslung EMP launcher. Remember-> Tau Grenades are like hockey pucks . As to how they are loaded into the Carbine I am unsure but I would assume some manor of cartridge is used. Good luck

manner of cartridge. Manner.

With regard to the mock up, it does look awesome. Any ideas on how heavy it will be? looking at the carbine I thought maybe the grenades would go at the round hub thing just aft of the barrel. Think of the round hub sliding down to reveal a chamber for the grenade to be set. Can't wait to see it finished, let us know the cost of it as I might be interested in crafting a full length pulse rifle (unless someone beats me to it. Likely, as I'm pretty lazy)

Ok, I figured it was open but the reference are I was seeing made it look solid. I thought maybe there was some shield there or something to prevent dirt and debri maybe. I don't really play on making the grenade launcher super details but I might at a little in therre.

As for price of this so far, it's been pretty cheap. The 2X12 was 7 dollars and I am sealing it with wood glue before I start finish sanding it and painting, so another $3. I had to buy some bits for my Dremel and a routing attachment but if you already have a dremel or router you will not have to spend that money. If you need dremel bits go to http://www.widgetsupply.com They have great selection and prices.

The plastic is not too expensive. It is a material called Sintra and I paid $35 for a 4'x8' sheet of it which I built some IG armor with, started a DE set and will still have enough to use for my Tau set. You can sometime buy it from sign shops in smaller sizes.

Well, anyone from the UK may have seen the paintballing gameshow "X-Fire", a marvellous game fronted by Ed Hall. The contestants used a marker that truly was the spitting image of a basic pulse carbine - even with a top mounted hopper that echoed the little thing-wotsit that sits on the pulse weaponry of the Tau. I always wanted to paint up an all-carbine team in X-Fire oranges and black but since the Pathfinder markerlights spoiled the resemblance to the gameshow, I never got around to it. Suffice is to say that now I'm making an honour guard in all carbines...

Sadly, X-Fire was cancelled due to worries with military engagements in some contry somewhere. I don't recall all the details, but basically I was miffed! It was a great show, but I can't find any digital images of the markers they used.

It'd be great fun in a scenario game. I've been working in my mind on a way to convert a regular paintball marker to a pulse rifle/carbine and then build a helmet with working electronics in it.

The helmet would be fun, but I don't think available off-the-shelf technology is quite up to the task just yet.

Anyway, awesome job, I can't wait to see the finished product. Keep up the good work.

Off-topic: OK, since some of you guys are obviously into paintball, I'll have to start an OT thread since I have some questions and I'm starting the game in the next month or two.

Well, real life has kept me busy but here is a small update. Mostly some detail I was able to do this week. Sealed the wood and sanded it nice and flat. Cut the round inserts on the front. Put grooves in the under slug grenade launcher.





Plan on getting a lot done tomorrow, including some lights and more detailing. Hopefully get a couple base coats of paint. Then the weathering.

B