Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
Version 2.0 is ready to print! For the uninitiated, the PM422 Songbird is a single-shot .22 LR pistol that is 100% 3D printed with the exception of rubber bands (in place of springs) and a roofing nail to serve as the firing pin. Obligatory glamour shot:
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The required amount of detectable metal goes in there and then the cavity is filled with epoxy/adhesive and capped off. I bet a bunch of roofing nails would fit very neatly in there...:
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I also changed the raised "SONGBIRD" text to an engraving. This makes the top flat so that it's easier to add a rail.
I came up with a simplified barrel catch which requires a new barrel with a tab on it. The new catch doesn't require the small hole in the frame from the previous version. It will accept a regular rubber band with no need to cut or tie anything:
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I also designed a barrel that snaps in place using the hole on the right side of the pistol:
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I don't know how flexible those tabs will be so it will need some tuning. These barrel mechanisms are experimental.
Users of the first version tend to just wedge the barrel in place and not bother with the barrel catch at all. Version 2.0 retains that capability and will accept any version 1 barrels.
Here's a look at the guts. I've added a hook at the top of the frame to hold the hammer bands. This relocates the majority of rubber bands to the inside of the pistol:
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The trigger has been modified to greatly reduce the amount of support material required. The firing pin retainer has been redesigned to be easier to print, and it no longer requires a piece of filament to keep it in place:
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If it turns out that you can't fit enough rubber bands inside the frame, you can use the large trigger pins to string bands on the outside, same as version 1:
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Version 2.0 is ready to print! For the uninitiated, the PM422 Songbird is a single-shot .22 LR pistol that is 100% 3D printed with the exception of rubber bands (in place of springs) and a roofing nail to serve as the firing pin. Obligatory glamour shot:
Looks a lot like the first version, right? Let's break down the changes and improvements (photo heavy):
I should explain the version system I'm using. The number to the left of the decimal is the version of the frame. Any part set from any 1.x release file will fit any version 1 frame. The number to the right of the decimal refers to the version of the internal components and/or build procedures in the ReadMe file. The internal components may only work together with components from their specific release version (e.g. a 1.0 trigger might not interface properly with a 1.8 hammer, but a set of 1.8 internal parts will fit a 1.0 frame).
Here's the new frame. The overall dimensions and ergonomics are unchanged. The first thing you'll notice is the cutout for weights in the grip. I changed the cutout from the bottom to the side so that no support material would be needed in this area:
I came up with a simplified barrel catch which requires a new barrel with a tab on it. The new catch doesn't require the small hole in the frame from the previous version. It will accept a regular rubber band with no need to cut or tie anything:
I also designed a barrel that snaps in place using the hole on the right side of the pistol:
Users of the first version tend to just wedge the barrel in place and not bother with the barrel catch at all. Version 2.0 retains that capability and will accept any version 1 barrels.
Here's a look at the guts. I've added a hook at the top of the frame to hold the hammer bands. This relocates the majority of rubber bands to the inside of the pistol:
The trigger has been modified to greatly reduce the amount of support material required. The firing pin retainer has been redesigned to be easier to print, and it no longer requires a piece of filament to keep it in place:
If it turns out that you can't fit enough rubber bands inside the frame, you can use the large trigger pins to string bands on the outside, same as version 1:
Some more glamour shots:
I think that just about covers it! FP of FOSSCAD has offered to print and test this version. I might have to make a few tweaks before the public release. I'll report back after he's done.
Questions or suggestions? Let me know in the comments.