Update on a few projects

We've been exceptionally busy these last few weeks and development has taken a bit of a back seat. We're very grateful for the support all of our customers have shown us by buying into the Blastersmiths project and it's wonderful to see our kit out there in the world being used as it was intended (and in some cases, other uses are found, you know who are you :P).

I thought I'd take the chance to update a few projects that we have rumbling in the works. Of course, there's the fact we're now producing 3D printed parts. There are lots of nice things in the pipeline for that, we're striving to do things that haven't been done before so don't expect any iron sights this side of Christmas! Of course, things don't always work out. Our Vertical Foregrip prototype is being shelved because no matter how much plastic we throw at those rail grips, they keep fatiguing under combat stress. Until we find a solution to that, they'll sit here as prototypes because I'm not happy letting a sub-standard product reach the market.

Elsewhere, we have the Juliet rigs. Our prototype has proven its mettle and there are a few changes that need making. We've made those changes and the first production variant is slated to be made up on Tuesday afternoon. There will of course be pictures but it's not in the standard black, just as a heads up.

The blaster sleeve is still on the table. We're trying to balance everyone's needs with what's actually practical. We're still going with the little and large approach - so a separate holder for the Stampede and Rapidstrike and a different one for the Stryfe and Retaliator. There's a prototype here in the office but I'm not happy with the balance between retention and accessibility at the moment.

The Vambraces are good to go, I'll launch those as soon as I get a moment alone with the website.

Finally, we have a battle belt on its way. Essentially, a wider tactical belt complete with MOLLE webbing, you'll be able to strap it around your waist and dig in. I'm thinking of expanding the system to integrate it into a torso piece for a slightly more flexible armour phys-rep. There will be pictures on the blog and Facebook page when the prototype battle belt is finished.

I'd like to say thank you to everyone again, you're all amazing and your support is what keeps us going when things get busy. I'm off to a little dance and then get back to work.

All the best,

-Mike, MD Blastersmiths UK Ltd

Meet Amber...

Amber is our RepRapPro Prusa Mendel Tricolour development 3D printer. She's been with us since April and has certainly made our lives interesting. She's why Development Fridays have been a bit quieter the last few months than we would like.

Unlike her sisters, Amber is designated solely for development. Blastersmiths UK was born on the idea of tactical equipment and that comprises both fabric and custom plastic components. We've been working these last few months to bring this system online and we're starting to trickle new and innovative products to market. We're proud, as a company, to participate in the Rep Rap project - we're based less than 20 miles from the home of the project and Dr Adrian Bowyer's lab in Bath. It's only fitting we utilise the flexible and effective platform he and his team developed to bring Nerf compatible custom components to those that demand them.

Our suite of printers are all open source platforms designed to be built by the hobbyists. We've made a number of modifications to them and we have full control over our configurations. If a failure occurs, we can repair it within 2 hours while replacement parts can be ordered and delivered within a 48 hour cycle. We opted for the Prusa platform for this very reason, it's a system that can is flexible yet resilient in the face of commercial pressures. For Nerf parts, you don't need a high resolution printer that can sing its way to the moon, you need something brutally efficient that can print block plastic effectively and efficiently. Amber and the rest match those criteria wonderfully.

So what can we do with it, then? Well, we're offering a different approach. We're aware of our competitors and their works. We're aware of their abilities and we'd like to offer something unique. There are low hanging fruit out their that haven't been plucked and we have our eyes on them. We've just released our Rapidstrike switch plate kit for those looking for an easier method to install high current switches to their builds. A simple drop in plate complete with the necessary switches, we're hoping it lowers the threshold of entry just a little. Torch mounts, rail mounted vertical grips and other components are on their way. We will trickle products to market over the coming months so keep an eye on the website, our Facebook page and BritNerf.

This is a new field but the last few months have taught us a great number of things as a company. We hope to continue to build our reputation as a solid and dependable after-market parts company for years to come. In new markets such as these, companies come and go but we're building BSUK to last.

Finally, yes, Amber is a tri-colour printer but we've only got her working the one colour. Why? We're approaching 3D printed components the same way we approached tactical equipment: you can have any colour you want so long as it's black. Orange and blue are on their way in a couple of months. We've got our future growth and development covered. Every design we've worked on so far has not required support material to get going and it's something we're very much hoping to avoid.



And yes, that is a Sledge-fire shell prototype on there but it's not a Sledge-fire shell as you know it. ;)