SSR-1 Surgical Strike Rifle

by Flintman in Workshop > Metalworking

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SSR-1 Surgical Strike Rifle

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I recently rescued several boxes of surgical tools that were on their way to be recycled and melted down. So what can you make with a box full of surgical tools? Just about anything you can think of. These are very sophisticated tools and could be reused and modified for robotics, sculptures, custom tools, RC vehicles....you are limited only by your imagination. This project will be purely artistic in nature and will end up in my personal collection of space art. The SSR-1 (surgical strike rifle) is an advanced futuristic weapon with many unique features. Stainless steel, several hidden (and secret) features and more!
Since these surgical tools are made from stainless steel, each one will have to be modified or machined to make the SSR-1 as light as possible. You could skip any modifications if this was to be a display piece only. However, I will be carrying this to conventions so weight is extremely important.
Now, what do you do if you don't have a box full of surgical tools? Actually, any box full of stuff could be used to create a cool space gun. It just comes down to imagination.

Supplies

3 boxes of surgical tools
Various stainless steel fasteners
Various black oxide fasteners
Metal lathe (optional)
Milling machine (optional)
Drill press
Mig or Tig welder
Precision screwdrivers and tools
Hacksaw
Angle grinder with metal cut off wheel
Fine grit emery papers
Assorted fine metal files
Tap and Die set
Leather strapping (optional)

General Layout and Design

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I think one could go in many directions in designing a space rifle with these or any kind of parts. I emptied all of the tools on the floor will roughly laid them out to see what looks good....and what doesn't. I like a more machined look but a few hidden welds can speed up the building time. If you are good at welding, this project could be accomplished with no machining.
However, I want a more machined look with as many welds hidden as possible.

Starting With the Shoulder Stock

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I will start with the shoulder stock and work forward. This blue piece is a good start and will have to be drilled and threaded to attach the next parts.

Working Forward

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This instrument will work fine for the shoulder stock. The back section will have to be filed a bit to attach properly. Any pieces that are cut or removed may be used somewhere else so they will be set aside.
This piece is hardened and the ends will have to be heated to anneal them. Then holes are drilled and tapped for 10-32 button cap machine screws.
These 2 pieces are now securely attached to each other and is a good start for the stock.

Advancing the Stock

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Here are more pieces that will help lengthen and fill in the the stock. Anneal any areas that need drilling as most of these pieces are hardened.

Working Backwards

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Here the barrel and front emitter is pieced together. The handle section will have to be disassembled and converted into a spring loaded trigger.
Masking tape is used to temporarily hold pieces in place to decide if they work in the design.
Parts of a an endoscope make a nice flip up sight.

Meeting in the Middle

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Here are some interesting tools for the middle section. The same process is used here too. Hidden welding, annealing, drilling, tapping threads, etc.
Here are 2 laser cut flexible shafts that will look good when attached. 2 for each side.

A Finished SSR-1 Laser Rifle

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Here is the finished SSR-1 laser rifle. Total weight is 9.5 pounds and length is 26 inches. There was over 12 pounds of accumulated scrap as the parts were cut up. This project was purely artistic and could have gone in many directions. I may tinker on a few more pieces in the future, (leather strap, small cables, etc.) but it looks pretty much finished.
So, the morel of this project was to have fun! There is no right or wrong way to create a piece like this.