January 20, 2026

I modeled the “plunger/suction cup” piece. My skills with SolidWorks continue to improve. The plunger was a great lesson in creating a profile and revolving it to create the basic geometry. I also modelled some “inserts” to hold the arms into the gun boxes. Printed up the 50% version, and they are so tiny and cute.

For the arms I got some 1/2″ aluminum tubing from a local store. Come to find out, that 1/2″ tubing was actually 13mm diameter. This did not fit into the holes of the 50% arm pieces (which were expecting a 12.7mm diameter). To enlarge the holes I had to MacGyver a “motorized sander” using a 3/8″ wooden dowel wrapped in sandpaper and put into a drill. Scary, but it worked.

I got some 1/8″ steel rod to cut and bend for the gun arm “fins”. Cut and bent one as a test. Now I just have to replicate the exact same cuts and bends, seven more times…