Interest Thread - Phrame 3.0

[flyweightnate]

A quick May update. I have what I think is a very clever design for cart in grip, but my laptop started acting up with a "bad allocation" error in my CAD. Not sure if I corrupted the file or just need more RAM, but should get 32GB by the end of the month in hopes it's the latter. Then it's off to the Makerspace to cut some widgets before showing y'all what's in store.

I've been working on this slowly, for a while, and think it's just cosmetics left at this point. Now, the question is - are enough MCBers interested to make it worth a CNC run? (Short answer: yes with Cart in Grip as the priority)

Interest List:
1. Flyweightnate: Bottomline x1
2. Jonnydread: Cart Grip x1
3. Binson: Cart Grip x1
4. Fossilhead: Cart Grip x1
5. Myrkul: Cart Grip x1
6. Redsquirrel: Cart Grip x1
7. Grendel: Cart Grip x1 and regulated bottomline x1
8. Handy: Cart Grip x1 and regulated bottomline x1
9. Loophole: Cart Grip x1
10. Xemon: Cart Grip x1
11. ImpactFour: Cart Grip x1
12. HaveBlue: Abomination x1
...

This frame is intended to address three things I don't like about the Phantom.
1. The EV Phantom 2.0 frame is giving people problems, but hoses aren't cool anymore.
2. The .45 frame never felt like it "fit" quite right in the web of my hand.
3. Anyone else notice 1911 spec grip panel screws don't line up quite right?

This frame will allow gas from either a bottomline or a VASA to the valve body, inside the grip frame. To do that, the body slot needs to be notched wider and a special but simple modification needs to be done to the valve body (bobbed or standard), both hidden inside the frame lines. However, you can then field-strip the gun without special tools, taking off grip panels to access internal macro fittings, or any of that - it's just a single face seal o-ring from the frame to the valve body with plenty of diameter for the gas. The VASA will clear a standard thumb screw. I'm debating whether to make the front end match a standard Phantom frame, so you can all use the standard U/C kits. (I'm leaning heavily towards yes.) The ASA uses standard 3/4" spacing, but the holes are pretty far forward, which keeps the CCI stocks and bottomlines from fitting as the "heel" will interfere. CP ASAs fit, and are easily modded to provide the gas through.

So the question is, at a price point similar to or less than EV's 2.0 frame kit, and available in raw or black, how much interest is there? Do these features check all the boxes, or am I leaving out something super-important? I'm hoping for $150-175 for the frames (the VASA features increase the cost but could be done with a jig after the fact, too), $40 for a bottomline, and $50 for a VASA. I would absolutely open-source the prints to modify valves and bodies for gas-through, or offer pre-made valves and mill the bodies for a small fee.

If there's interest, I'll finalize prints and quotes (I'm far better at the design and documentation than CNC programming, so I'm outsourcing that part) and get this show on the road.

[Jordan]

Geez, Sheridans need cool stuff like this, too....

[flyweightnate]

Make a bullpup with a 1" lower tube and it might fit...

Maybe if this works, I'll buy a PMI SB and start down that road next. Haven't ever shot nice brass.

[Jordan]

[JeeperCreeper]

I mean, we do get K-frames, Bluefork frames, and pretty much any cocker frame. We got cool stuff, too

[Fossilhead]

I'd be interested. I've been looking at building/getting a Phantom again.
This would be a good reason to start the build.

[BLachance75]

If you’re going to make a new frame perhaps an in grip 12 gr.

[JeeperCreeper]

Now that is something I would buy

[XEMON]

Id be in for one of hose too if it pans out 👍

[flyweightnate]

Well, it fits... I'll tweak some internal dimensions to take a CCI pierce and look for info on fast change knobs.

[Brandon]

This is really neat, I'd be interested. The easier to install and less I need to do on my end besides bolting it on the better.

[flyweightnate]

I'm planning two routes. One would be a modification - light machining on the existing body and valve, so people with nice ano can keep it. The second path, I'd buy some bodies and preemptively modify them, and make a batch of bobbed valve bodies. Just supply the internals and pump kit.

[Brandon]

I prefer to use cocker threaded roundhead bodies, so sending it to be modified or something along that route would be better for someone like me.

[SignOfZeta]

It’s cool I guess but I’m just never going to be the kind of person to pay $300+ to get rid of an airline on a $300+ gun.

Actual 1911 grips don’t really fit a Phantom unless they are rubber. For me that’s fine. They don’t take the right screws either. I just modified a CCI aluminum handle and my hardwood grips to fit each other.

I would like it to see the exact same idea Extreme Velocity had actually working. That would be cool. It might embarrass those fools into not releasing any more new garbage products and actually test them themselves instead of using loyal customers as Guinea pigs for the most expensive products in the history of the Phantom that also don’t even work.

[Grendel]

I really do not need more Phantom stuff. Fact is I really am not that great with a Phantom in my hands. Ever since I moved to Sniper II from the Phantom I came to prefer stacked tube markers especially with pumps. With that said I think this is a worthy evolution of the Phantom. While the Phantom (especially Mike's CCIs) are just fine out of the box they have been a compromise due to Mike not evolving the design by very much over the decades but instead concentrating on quality and consistency ("if it ain't broke don't fix it"). It makes sense, the Phantom is a highly successful design that was slowly tweaked over time and at the time of the sale of assents was a well oiled machine/product.

I am in support of this effort and if you asked Mike I am sure he would give you a thumbs up. You have to remember Mike did try evolving the markers CCI provided but those attempts essentially failed not because they were poor attempts but more we [the paintball community] did not support his efforts. There were modifications to the Phantom Mike wanted to do as well as the Revolution and also a Semi-Automictic and they did not happen simply because there really wasn't support from users that were clamoring at the time for changes/new products. Mike got screwed by the community IMO.

So all that said, you can count on me to buy at the minimum one frame, I have parts for building a new Phantom that I am in no hurry to build and I would love to make it without external air lines. I also like the idea of a true vertical VASA (never been a fan of angled VASA).

[Myrkul]

I jammed a 32 degrees rebel frame on my phantom and have never once looked back. It's light, comfy as all hell, makes me feel like I'm a gun slinger from an old spaghetti western, and best of all cost close to nothing. I can add a bottom line if I choose to, also off a rebel, but I strongly dislike open class phantoms in the first place. Phantoms feel the best with a 12 gram and a feed tube. If I want a hopper and a tank, I feel like their are other platforms that are much better suited for that.

[Myrkul]

Grendel this was just my long winded and rambling version of "I don't think the demand will be super high for this mod"

[Grendel]

Fair enough

[RAZRBAKK]

Could someone school me on what a rebel frame is?

[flyweightnate]

Well, I do believe this is a proper MCB thread now. Zeta has reinforced the notion that modding guns is useless. We have wandered far off topic. Price has prototyped his preferences in MS Paint. And 12 grams were mentioned. Quickly.

I love this place.

[binson]

^ I think we all want one made of brass hehehe!

[XEMON]

Don't forget bashing on direct feed ...

[JeeperCreeper]

Xemon is right, Direct feeds are lame. Feed tubes are also lame. Must hand fondle every ball or its not "real paintball"

[Jordan]

Well, I do believe this is a proper MCB thread now. Zeta has reinforced the notion that modding guns is useless. We have wandered far off topic. Price has prototyped his preferences in MS Paint. And 12 grams were mentioned. Quickly.

I love this place.

In some ways, we've come a long way since Drum, Brewtt, and B, but in other ways, we haven't. 🙂

[Nish]

This post makes me miss our old bearded smile with a waving cane.

[redsquirrel]

Very cool, and I do usually go after anything Phantom related, but I’m actually quite partial to the hardline aesthetic.

[Jonnydread]

Very cool, and I do usually go after anything Phantom related, but I’m actually quite partial to the hardline aesthetic.

I am in this camp as well. I love the idea, but I like the VSC setup and I don’t use stocks so a mod like this isn’t really in my wheelhouse

[JeeperCreeper]

Your left handed view is null and void 😆

I don't like the air line, as I usually look down that side of the marker. That's why I have a left feed body, to make more room between the airline and the feed tube so I can sight right down the barrel. I also like the VSC setup, but would prefer if the cart was in the grip, making it a more streamlined, pistol setup.

[flyweightnate]

I'm glad I asked, as the cart in grip seems like a common desire, and wouldn't be too hard to do with the framework I've already built. Just a question of knob design at this point. I know you're all big fans of a -32 pitch thread, so you get loooots of turns to tighten it down, right?

[RAZRBAKK]

I would absolutely be interested in the in grip.

[flyweightnate]

Torx with Whitworth thread? Anyone?

[XEMON]

As long as it's left handed threads 😁

[Jonnydread]

Cart in grip is def something I would be interested in

[redsquirrel]

Same here, super desirable.

[Myrkul]

Cart in grip would absolutely be something I was into.