Last Saturday was WyvaCon, and it was a blast!
Here I am in my Jayne Cobb (Firefly/Serenity) costume, complete with “Cunning Hat” and Boo.
Tag Archives: Nerf
Nerf Internet Resources
This post is meant, specifically, for those who attended my Nerf modification panel at WyvaCon this past weekend. That said, the information may be of interest to my regular readers as well. The following will be a list of resources that I use for either ordering parts for my projects, for learning new ways of doing things, or for getting the latest info on new blasters.
Orange Mod Works is where I get most of my upgrade parts for spring powered blasters. The carry a variety of upgrade springs, as well as kits that include re-enforced blaster components.
Blaster Smiths UK is a supplier of custom made Nerf tactical gear, such as holsters and tactical vests. They also carry upgrade grade parts for various blasters. Be warned, as they are based in the UK, shipping prices are going to be higher.
Hobby King is where I purchase my batteries and battery charger. I recommend doing a good deal of research before ordering any battery. Some batteries are less stable than others. For more information on batteries check out…
Foam Data Services is a Youtube channel that focuses on a scientific approach to Nerf. Here you will find some great videos about the best motors and batteries to use in Nerf. Tom also does product reviews, chronograph tests, and some excellent wiring tutorials for electric blasters.
The Dart Zone is a blog that focuses primarily on modifying electric flywheel blasters. The primary contributor, torukmakto4, posts some great how-tos.
Blaster Labs is a great site for news and reviews. If you want the latest info on the newest blasters, without running all over the internet to find it, this is the site for you.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at remedyarms@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, and thank you to all those who came to my panel!
WyvaCon 2015 or Bust!
WyvaCon 2015 is this Saturday! I’m fairly confident that I will have everything ready in time, but there is still much to do. I have a scratch made prop gun to finish for my cosplay, a modified Nerf blaster to finish, and a myriad of smaller props to finish sanding and painting. Then there is the remaining logistic stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining.
I think i’m most excited about the Nerf Modification Panel that I’ll be hosting. I’m looking forward to meeting some fellow Nerf nerds, and sharing my hobby with the convention attendees. I’ll be taking questions, sharing my own tips and tricks, and doing a few firing demos. Should be a blast.
WyvaCon is an annual science fiction, fantasy, and gaming convention. WyvaCon 2015 will be held on Saturday July 25th, at the Wytheville MeetingCenter in Wytheville, VA. Doors open at 9am. Admission is only $5. The convention runs until 11pm that night. For more information check here.
If you are a regular reader of this blog, and you can make it to the convention this weekend, I would love to meet you!
I’ll be back to my regular post schedule next week. Thanks for reading.
What’s Up and What’s Coming.
I’ll admit that I’ve been slacking a bit on the blog posts lately. I assure you that it is not because I have nothing to post about. On the contrary, I have a small back log of projects and reviews to post on. However, preparing for WyvaCon has me pretty busy at the moment. Throw in work, family, and other obligations, and July is going to be packed. I should be back to my normal, once-a-week, posting schedule come August. In the mean time, I’ll try to post when I can.
In other news, I have closed my online store. It was a fun experiment, but it seems my readers are much more interested in commissions, than one-off blaster re-paints. All remaining inventory will be on sale at WyvaCon for drastically reduced prices! What doesn’t sell at the convention will, subsequently, be placed on ebay.
At WyvaCon, along with the old inventory, I will have a few custom modified blasters for sale, and a few scratch built replica props as well. I’m also bringing some cool demo pieces for my Nerf modification panel. I hope to see some of my readers there. For more info check out the WyvaCon site.
Expect some fun stuff in August. I can’t wait to review the new Nerf Rival and Nerf Doomlands 2069 blasters! Thanks for reading.
Custom Nerf N-Strike Alpha Trooper CS-18
Yes, you read the title right. This is not an Elite Alpha Trooper. While it is true that a reverse plunger blaster will never be as efficient as a direct plunger blaster, this old school trooper could definitely give an EAT a run for its money.
Aesthetically, the blaster has been given a brand new color scheme. I started with a charcoal grey vinyl dye as a base coat. I masked off the areas that would remain grey, and sprayed a few coats of Krylon Fusion gloss White. The detailing is done using Citadel model paints, Abaddon Black and Xereus Purple. All painted parts received a flat clear coat. The orange bits were left orange for safety and style.
However, we all know that it’s what is on the inside that counts. I started with an Air Restrictor removal. All locks were removed, and the stock main spring was replaced with a 5kg Orange Mod Works spring. Slam-fire is still operational, although the increased spring force does make slam-fire less smooth.
I am quite satisfied with how this blaster looks. The color combination looks better than I had hoped. As for performance it is capable of out-distancing a stock EAT by a good 5-10 feet. (Firing Elite darts level at a height of 4’10″… I need a chrono.).
This blaster will be for sale at my table at WyvaCon 2015 on July 25th. For more info click WyvaCon 2015. Thanks for reading.
A Walking Dead Inspired Nerf Modification
Just a quick post this week. I’m currently surrounded by commissions, and projects for WyvaCon 2015. This year I will be offering modified blasters for sale, along with my painted blasters and other props. This is one such piece.
A Zombie Strike Crossfire Bow has been used by Norman Reedus. Bearing this in mind, I decided that I needed to make this blaster more worthy of the great Daryl Dixon. To that end, this Crossfire Bow has been given a basic OD green and black paint job. I kept the orange for the sake of safety.
Beyond the paint job, this blaster has been upgraded with a OMW 7kg spring. With the plunger re-lubricated, it packs quite a punch. Look for it at my booth at WyvaCon, come July 25th.
I’ve got to get back to working on commissions. Thanks for reading
A Message from Orange Mod Works
Last week after writing my review, I decided to send OMW an e-mail briefly restating my thoughts. Here is what I wrote:
Dear Orange Mod Works,
Yesterday, I received my O-Tac Hammershot S1 kit, and I have to say that it is everything that you all promised it would be. I did an install and review post for my blog at remedyarms.wordpress.com. I would be honored if you would check it out.
I have been a costumer and a fan since the Recon Unleashed Stage 1, and I think this latest kit is the most professional and most polished kit yet. I appreciate the risks that you guys take. Making a 6 shot hammershot that works, no one else is even trying stuff like that.
That said, I’ve heard a lot of frustration in the blaster community over the delays and lack of communication. I realize that engineering and testing take time, and I have found your products to be worth the wait. However, the lack of communication is damaging your relationship with the Nerf community.
I just don’t want to see a company, who’s products I enjoy, loose business over bad PR.
Sincerely,
Matthew D. Lundy
The following is the reply that I received. (Out of respect, I asked permission before sharing this with my blog readers.)
Hi,
Thank you for your kind words and your concern. For the past two years we sort of dropped off the grid as far as being visible in the community because Jim and I were spending all of our time focused on the manufacturing and logistics of our product while hoping the kits and parts would speak for themselves. We know now that that attitude is not sustainable and the goal now is to keep people up to date with the whole process instead of just updating when we have good news. We will do this primarily using facebook and the idea is that by bringing everyone along for the ride we can revitalize the sense of community that was there at the beginning of OMW.
We missed a great opportunity to connect with our fans during the production of the hammershot kit. We realized too late that it would have been the perfect opportunity to open our doors and show off our vacuum molding setup and all of the hand work that goes into the kit but we may still do that while I’m in Taiwan next month.
I really enjoyed your review and your criticisms were very fair. I exaggerated the texture on the hammer with the idea that it would wear over time and become less aggressive without fully wearing out but may have over did it. If we do a texture for grip in the future it will be toned down.
Regards,
-Jun
Support Team
What do you all think? Can OMW redeem themselves in the eyes of the Nerfing community? I, for one hope it is not too late.
Thanks for reading.
Review: The Orange Mod Works Hammershot Kit
Here it is! The long awaited Orange Mod Works O-Tac Gear Hammershot S1 Kit. Now, When I say “long awaited” what I mean is that I pre-ordered this kit in August of 2014. At the time OMW was saying that it would be ready to ship by the end of October. I received it yesterday.
When this kit was originally announced, I was stoked. The Hammershot is one of my favorite Nerf blasters in both form and function. The prospect of making it into a six-shooter was an exciting one. Now that it is finally here, let us see if the reality lives up to that prospect.
Building a New Primary Part 3: Behold the Banshee
Locked Out: A Nerf Vigilon Modification
I am not a fan of safety locks in Nerf blasters. Case in point, the above Nerf Vortex Vigilon. Because of its many mechanical locks, it has been jammed in such a manner that the only recourse is to disassemble the blaster entirely. How, you might ask, did this happen?
Remedy Arms 