VSC Trracer

[Conined]

I have had a Trracer sitting in various basements for the better part of 20 years. I figured its time to do something with it.
Originally I was going to knock out the old feedneck and adapt / make a side feed stock class setup. On further reflection I didn't like that design. So I started planning machining a new vertical stock class body. This will certainly test my novice(at best) machining abilities.
I started by order some aluminum tubing with the nominal ID of the largest diameter in the original Trracer body. Unfortunately, I screwed up and ordered tubing of a slightly larger bore. I shall not let this stop me, but I will now have to at least make a new hammer. I believe I can make the bolt work, but machining a new one would be fairly simple. I already intended on making a new valve assembly anyways.

I decided the assemble the body as a composite. I machined the breach with the barrel threads to an interference fit with the purchased tubing. This worked out really well.


Next was machining the feed. I wanted it to be compatible with Phantom feeds. I whipped up a quick indexing block so I could keep everything correctly oriented.


This was done on my Taig mill. First was drilling and tapping the hole for mounting the feed block. I then used a two flute endmill to drill the feed hole to 3/8 (the largest shank diameter in the Taig). I then needed to enlarge the hole with a boring head. This was the most concerning moment for me. I have only used this boring head one time and I was not a fan.



This went OK. Still not a fan of this boring head, especially with the cheap import boring bars.
Here it is up to the current point with the barrel. You can also see the start of the valve assemble. I'm not sure if I am just going to remake the valve "housing" or the internals as well. The original vlave assembly looks like its butress threads and I'm not sure if I want to make a new threading tool.


I decided to save some effort and 3d print the feed block.


I plan on also making a new grip to take standard ASA's, I may also try and make a vertical ASA mount and 12g changer like on a phantom. We will see. I also plan on anodizing this myself.
Maybe making this a build log will hold me accountable to finish.

[$L!mBo]

props to you!
im on a similar journey

[RedLeaderSB]

I should post some pics when I find them, but I just pulled the feed and drilled the vert. The feed block I made covered the side hole nicely. A lazy approach, but I didn’t hate the result on mine.

[capitalpaintball]

Had a feed printed that uses the site rail holes for mounting.

[Jsc5150]

Oooh baby where can I get one of those? Even just the files

[capitalpaintball]

Jsc5150 you can hit up Budster on here. he printed it for me. Be aware it wont fit a 2 arm pump handle

[Conined]

Finished up the body today. Made a couple of happy accidents though. I forget to take into account the diameter of the cutter, so one of the slots for the pump arms is too far forward.

The feed interferes with the pump stroke, so I will have to make a new pump handle that accommodates the feed

I also didn't machine the body too length until the last operation, and after cutting the slots for the sear the tube expanded. This lead to the pictured janky lathe setup. The clamp is holding the tube tight against a piece of aluminum to prevent it from collapsing. This worked about as well as expected. I ended up finishing it in the band saw.

[Conined]

Finished machining the internals (new valve and hammer). Everything is going to need a good polish, it's pretty crunchy right now.
Here's a pic of slotting the hammer for the sear. I used my "Big" mill for this.

[Melrosejedi]

Nice work everyone, very nice.

[Conined]

Here's where I am at today:

This project is starting to become the Trracer of Theseus.
I was trying to avoid 3d printing as much as possible, but since many of the original components were composite I guess I'll allow it.

After having the 86 frame in my hands, I am not a fan. Currently reprinting as a more traditional 45 frame, as well as correcting some other minor issues.

I may try and machine a new feed at some point.
Also need to do something about the cup seal. The original was toast, and the TPU one I printed still leaks a little. Might just have to lap it in a little. I did something similar for an autococker valve a while ago.

I picked up some of the necessaries for anodizing, so that will be shortly in the future in think.

[$L!mBo]

ThatBobbyjoe has the coolest Trracer feed ive ever seen if youre looking for some inspo

[Cal440]

Any in depth info on that feed?

[$L!mBo]

Cal440 made from scratch!
i think its a powerfeed plug on the front, feedneck contoured and the tube is welded on

[Conined]

That's a clean job right there

[ThatBobbyjoe]

Slimbo got it right . Chopped the feed neck and tapped two 8/32 holes to mount it.

Also look up UHMW ,I’ve been making cup/pierce seals with it and had really good results. Could shoot you some if you need 🤌

[Conined]

Thanks for the tip! I thought about casting urethane after seeing Doc's recent post using it for bumpers.

[RedLeaderSB]

I submit this hack job. Just drilled vert feed hole and covered with 3dp plastic

[RedLeaderSB]

Yes, I design
I have similar themed styling feeds for my ss25, the meteor compact and others. I have more stock class things than I can use at this point

[Conined]

That thing looks awesome! What filament is it?

[RedLeaderSB]

I like to use the bambu labs carbon filled nylon. It has good properties, and I don’t have a lot of issues with it. Medium expensive as far as 3dp materials, but I think it’s a good fit.

[Conined]

Here's where we are today:


Made up a stock and a vertical adapter. I am going to remake the VA though. Right now I have a 10-32 stud screwed into the top of it and the whole assembly acts as the front grip frame screw. I am going to take the simple way out and drill a through hole and seal it with an oring.

I am trying to avoid modifying any of the original parts.

[Cal440]

Looks good 👍

[flyweightnate]

Try a shoulder screw so you have a predictable OD to seal that o-ring on

[Conined]

I think I'm about wrapped up with machining parts. Made an aluminum feed block and got some carbon fiber for the feed tube. Next is finishing and getting anno'd.


Unrelated to paintball, but I've also been working on a 1.3cc compression ignition model airplane engine.

[RAZRBAKK]

Wow that is extremely sick. Excited to see how it finishes out.

I went down a different route for a Trracer build a couple years ago. Wanted to avoid 3D printing anything for it to make it look more factory. Wanted to do VSC but wasn't sure how.

[Chaos]

I kind of went to cheater method on mine.... MCB member ReconSWS was making 3D printed slides called Reconslides a while back that was originally for the Trracer later on he made a version for the Phantom. When he released the ones for the Phantom I bought a bunch of prototypes from him one of which was a Desert Duck style slide that was never actually produced and was just done is more of a proof of concept. It's sat in my box of parts for a little while until I can figure out what to do with it and after a while I sat down and hatched out a plan. I had a Trracer Tagmaster already and decided I was going to make that slide fit on that marker. In order to do so I had to make an adapter block that is threaded in underneath the slide for the pump rods to connect to. Then I had to take the existing body that I had and modified it so it would be closer to center feed and then install the slide with one of Mongo's feed tubes attached. This now functions essentially like a Desert Duck and I have dubbed it Obsidian after one of our fellow MCB members suggested that for a name.

[Jackson]

That's awesome. What is that pistol grip? Looks perfect on there, kind of target-pistol-esque.

[Chaos]

Honestly I'm not sure... Bought it from an MCBer a few years ago and had to mod it to fit. It's designed for an AR15