ADA: Ask Doc Anything!

[DocsMachine]

Well, really, that's just a long-winded way of asking "what's your favorite gun?"

Arguably, there's a dozen or more current markers that would work, from any one of the top makers.

But me, personally? I'm still a big old-school fan of the 'Cocker. Mainly just because I'm a gadget freak, and the 'Cocker is by far the most customizable marker we've ever had. I could come up with some hornswoggle about it being the most versatile, able to be a fast E-marker, a top-end mech, and even a pump, but in truth, I like 'em just 'cause they have lots of bits and bobs and moving parts and they're just generally fun to work on and shoot.

Doc.

[Cunha]

If you had magical powers (other than the ones you already have) and could magically make the paintball gun of your choice the one paintball gun that the entire paintball industry is oriented towards and becomes an Olympic game with, what would it be?

This should not include factors like "well I have a buncha spare parts for such and such" but really the one that you wish provides the definition and direction for the game.

[DocsMachine]

Interesting thought. Are these historic enough to NOT chop? Or are they just one of the many paintball experiments that are just insignificant blips in the timeline?

-Good question! And hard to answer.

On one hand, they're rare. I have no idea how many were made, but I'd guess fewer than a thousand. Probably- but still a guess- maybe only a few hundred.

On the other hand, they've been around for some 25 years now, and there's really never been any collector's interest in them. Their value really hasn't gone up, there's never been some famous person auctioning off their personal one, there was never the least bit of aftermarket support, there's really nothing particularly strange about it that would entice players to use it (like a Nova's dildo-nose, a Vector's bark, etc.)

I can pretty much guarantee that if you customized one, you'd have the only one, ever.

Doc.

[un2xs]

-Don't know. The Panther is one of the few guns I've never had through the shop. A non-destructive option might be to find some clever and stunningly handsome machinist who could make you a Freak back for it.

These can take a modified Prolite barrel. (Thanks for that info CapitolPaintball)

I don't know that there is really a need for a Freak back for it unless a person wants to focus on efficiency. The spring lever detent seems to do a decent job with various paint sizes... based on my experience with a Puma.

-Good attempt, lots of great ideas especially for back in those days, just somewhat poorly executed.
-If you wanted to sacrifice one, yes, there's (nearly literally) a ton of metal that could be milled off. I'll never be as light as an LV-1 or whatever, but it wouldn't surprise me if you could lighten it up by a full pound or two.

Interesting thought. Are these historic enough to NOT chop? Or are they just one of the many paintball experiments that are just insignificant blips in the timeline?

-Define "improve". Accuracy? Sure, get a different barrel. Consistency? Maybe with a little polishing. Efficiency? Good luck. Comfort? A custom-milled grip frame might go a long ways on that one. Appearance? It's already a Blade. There's only like three players on the entire planet that have seen one of those actually used on the field.
-Hard to say. If you have one that's already well-used, don't be afraid to use it. They're built fairly durably.

If you have a clean, unused one... well, they're really not much of a collector's item, but in my opinion they're more valuable unused or low-mileage.

Doc.

I have three Blade (Version 1) that have been in a case for about twenty years. They are in decent shape, but I have never used them. I am going to take one to a friend to rebuild... he loves oddball guns. I think it would be a real hoot to field a Blade. (I think he will get the ?PG1?, too.)

(So far my friend has gone through/re-ringed four of my guns... Blazer 1K, 98 Fox, RT Classic, Vector.)

[DocsMachine]

Can an ICE Panther be re-threaded to either ICD or Cocker thread? If I already have a "Panther" barrel would there be any advantage to moving to another barrel set?

-Don't know. The Panther is one of the few guns I've never had through the shop. A non-destructive option might be to find some clever and stunningly handsome machinist who could make you a Freak back for it.

What are your thoughts on the Andy Greenwell Blade?

-Good attempt, lots of great ideas especially for back in those days, just somewhat poorly executed.

Can it be lightened enough to matter?

-If you wanted to sacrifice one, yes, there's (nearly literally) a ton of metal that could be milled off. I'll never be as light as an LV-1 or whatever, but it wouldn't surprise me if you could lighten it up by a full pound or two.

Are there any ways to improve them?

-Define "improve". Accuracy? Sure, get a different barrel. Consistency? Maybe with a little polishing. Efficiency? Good luck. Comfort? A custom-milled grip frame might go a long ways on that one. Appearance? It's already a Blade. There's only like three players on the entire planet that have seen one of those actually used on the field.

Are these best used as wall hangers, door stops and boat anchors? (Its too late to use one as concrete reinforcement in Walz's shop floor.)

-Hard to say. If you have one that's already well-used, don't be afraid to use it. They're built fairly durably.

If you have a clean, unused one... well, they're really not much of a collector's item, but in my opinion they're more valuable unused or low-mileage.

Doc.

[Number six]

I need it done. Can anything be done to prevent future problems? The body is going to get anodized. Do I need to have that done first? Can the tubes be anodized before installation? I don't need it done next week, but within a year would be great.

[un2xs]

What are your thoughts on the Andy Greenwell Blade? Can it be lightened enough to matter? Are there any ways to improve them? Are these best used as wall hangers, door stops and boat anchors? (Its too late to use one as concrete reinforcement in Walz's shop floor.)

[un2xs]

Can an ICE Panther be re-threaded to either ICD or Cocker thread? If I already have a "Panther" barrel would there be any advantage to moving to another barrel set?

[DocsMachine]

Have you ever made insert tubes for FBM Autococker bodies?

If so, do you have any that need a home?

-Nope, but I can sure make some. If they include the valve, like the Fishbones, I can't promise they'll seal, but then, neither could Spanky.

Doc.

[Number six]

Have you ever made insert tubes for FBM Autococker bodies?

If so, do you have any that need a home?

[ta2maki's cat]

In the interests of ....ask me about the cat, ...

Doc.

Tell me more about this cat, you speak of. I might know the little furball. Not in the biblical sense, of course. That would be awkward....

Long hair or short?
Male or Female?
Still got all it's pieces? ie. Half-tail? One-eye?

Thanks,
The Cat

[DocsMachine]

Is it possible to freak bore a PMI trracer barrel? Not sure there is enough meat on it... if not, any other option?

-I seem to recall, no, but it's been a while and can't recall exactly why. The two usual culprits are the breech hood or barrel thread being too shallow, and in the case of a Trracer, that snp-ring groove for the pump stop might have been an issue. I'd check, but I don't have a Trracer on hand.

The other option I tend to recommend for various markers that need a 7/8" OD barrel to clear the pump (SL-68, Sterling, etc.) is find one of the new smaller-bore Phantom barrels, and have it rethreaded to fit.

Doc.

[Alexndl]

Is it possible to freak bore a PMI trracer barrel?

Not sure there is enough meat on it...

if not, any other option?

[DocsMachine]

What platform that car was built on?

-It's basically just a rebodied '77 Chevy Blazer. 4-bolt 350, Turbo 350 trans, NP203, 14-bolt with a Detroit in back, and a D44 up front. It's loud and rattly, but I also put 16,000 miles on it.

And, if I ever have the time, money and workspace (triple-HA!) I have a 2014 GMC 2500 frame I'd love to mod and roll under it. 6.0L LS, 6L80E, NP208 I think, and the modern 11.5" rear. IFS, EFI, ABS, shift-by-wire, remote start, overdrive....!

All I need is the time, money and space to do it.

Doc.

[Edit- that pic is the original layout, that still had the 6-lug 44 in front and the 12-bolt in the rear- with it's broken Gov-Lok. I swapped engines and axles a few years later.)

[DocsMachine]

Doc, Can you send me back the 2 solenoids I shipped you? I have a guy here local that can machine the housings for me.

-Er, I already bought and cut the material, and spent quite a bit of time doing up some proper drawings.

And considering I invented it, and producing and selling products like this are literally what keeps my lights on and the cat fed, I'd appreciate the opportunity to complete the job.

Doc.