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This is just a collection of stuff I think about and enjoy making. Most of the tools I use are very inexpensive such as: 1/16 drill bit, exacto knife, light sandpaper, the wife's emory board (sandpaper-on-a-stick), needle & thread, super glue, contact cement, scissors, small needle nose pliers and a little patience. I also have a Dremel that comes in real handy, but I'm not allowed to use it inside.
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Weapon Modifications.
Arctic Camo: save the paint and use non-adhesive white Teflon tape. Wrap the stocks and magazine.
Suppressors: most all of 21st suppressors will fit other weapons. I use the MAC-10 & 11 for my M16, M4, Uzi suppressors. The SOCOM will fit the Berreta, MP-5, Uzi. If you have one that doesn't fit, get the file or sandpaper and remove a little material.
Extra Boring?: I'm sure most of you have gone the way of boring out your rifle barrels (most of mine are), but don't forget that M203 grenade launcher. Do this by starting with the small drill bit (1/16) and working your way up through the larger sizes untill you get the barrel thickness you desire. I find it easier for me to drill by holding the bit btween my fingers and twisting (partially cause I have no drill press). While you are drilling in stages, grab that 'Nam shotgun and give it a bore and be sure to remove the "shark fin" off the end of barrel. Also the shotgun is black underneath that silver paint, I lightly sanded mine down to get a dull finish.
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Uniform & Body Modifications:
Undershirts: To get the effect of wearing a undershirt, take a peice of selected fabric, cut out a rectangle, fold in half (long ways), then cut a small "half moon or circle", when you unfold it there should be a perfect circle to slip over soldiers head.
Body Work: If your soldiers neck is really loose and he will not stand at attention. Give him some support by taking some 1" elastic and cut about 3" to 3.5" long, next sew the ends together, turn inside out and slide over head. This will keep the head upright and look like he is wearing a neck gaitor or turtle neck. The same goes for his other joints as well, just make sure you cut them short enough to be tight when you place over joints.
Small Head Dilemma: To get the Kevlar helmet to fit the smaller headed figures, go to the craft/hobby store and purchase some "Fun Foam", it's pretty thin stuff. Next cut some strips to line the inside of helmet, use contact cement to secure these in place. Put as much as you need in there, even double-up on the sides untill you get a snug fit. It comes in black and other various colors.
Tactical Helmets: For the 21C helmet, just remove the camo cover and sand off the glue residue, you can probably use your fingernail if the glue isn't too hard. I left mine the black color it was molded in with scratches and "dings". SOTW has a pretty cool "Protec" style helmet, but you'll need to remove the inner shell to fit the 21C heads, also sand off the ridge that runs from front to back, next add a chin strap using elastic from a rifle sling. Another cool helmet is the ones that come with the various 12" hockey players, they're usually black and fit 21C heads nicely.
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Accessories:
Night Vision Device: To get the full effect from the NVD's, you'll need to remove that cap and install a lens. Take an exacto knife and cut just below the cap to remove. Next take a drill bit and drill all the way through to the backside between the two eyepeices, drill with larger bits untill you are satisfied with the thickness of lens tube. Now finish up your Sprite soda and cut a small circle of plastic (it has to be green plastic), you may need to touch up circle with emory board untill you can wedge it in the lens tube. Use the blunt end of a sm. paint brush to push from backside, you want the lens to be right at the front of tube. Drill out cap untill it fits snug enough to keep the dust out. Remember the more you drill out of the tube the weaker it will be. If you're not comfortable doing this, send me your NVD (with a little something for my time) and I will do it for you.
Action Lights: Coleman makes some mini-keychain lanterns and Q-beams that really work. All you need to do is remove keychain and plastic eyelet. You can find them in most stores in the flashlight section. I added a wire handle to my lantern, and I'm working on a portable battery pack and cord for the Q-beam. I removed the batteries to keep from leaking and corroding the inside.
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