8" Drop Forward on an Emek

[OfMiceandMachines]

So I've been playing since the early 00's and way back then the drop forward was a popular way to get a heavy tank moved forward on the gun for balance and let you tuck tighter behind small hard bunkers. Now that all pro play is on air fields and tanks are all light CF the need for a drop forward has vanished. (And is widely perceived as "bad form")

However, my own personal taste never changed with the times. I love drop forwards, I love being able to tuck the entire marker package close to my body, and I almost exclusively play on small hard bunker speedball fields.

I've held onto and used a Spyder TL+ with a 6" drop forward for all these years and when I recently got back into paintball I decided to get with the times and pick up an Emek. Simple, reliable, easy on paint, and uses modern air handling concepts. However, there no longer exists any person dumb enough to want massive drop forwards on a modern marker... guess that means it's time to fire up the CNC mill.


Square and true block of 7075 with ASA porting cut in.




Doing the long bore. 180mm with 4mm OD drill. (It went just fine thank you very much)



Profiled and webbing cut.



Machining side 2 in some soft jaws.


Machined and installed for test! It all works. Now to send off to the platers for some sweet type III hard coat.

I hope y'all get a kick out of a very retro element on a modern gun. I know I certainly do!

[Jordan]

Pictures? Not working for me.

[Spider!]

Same, but I would like to see them.

Haven't seen this kind of pic problem in a while. It's like one of those hospital bills where they've already billed your insurance but don't identify you as a responsible party.

The Page knows what size the pics are, but won't show them.

[scottieb]

Another opportunity to use this meme!

[Hellion360]

I saw your pics on FB.
Part looks great, though I am a drop hater LOL.

I am glad it works for you!

[OfMiceandMachines]

Pictures should be working now. And here's the picture of the CAD showing the bores.

[RAZRBAKK]

That's amazing work. Looks sweet!

[Wmasspeedsoft]

👍 👍

[NONOBLITUS]

Damn , that’s awesome and beautiful work you did there.

[Alexndl]

Glad you put the CAD file, was wondering how you drilled the air line
good work!

[Knuckle Dragger]

You’re a madman! I love it.

[OfMiceandMachines]

Back from the platers (Type III, class 2), installed, and working well.

Now for a playtest this weekend.

[Spider!]

Very nice.

1) was that a drill bit you used on the long airline?
2) are we looking at 1300 shots per fill?

[boarder2k7]

Awesome work! I'm also in the camp of loving a good drop forward now and then, keep it tall and tight. The longer tank out the back style still hasn't sunk through my early 2000s brain yet

[JaggedX5593]

This is amazing. Keep us posted on the play testing. I would definitely be interested on how that changes the overall balance and fit. Definitely interested if you ever decide to start selling these.

[Cyberpyr8]

I have never been a drop forward guy (prefer a peanut tank instead) but I have to say I would totally use that setup! That looks great. How did it work out?