N/A How to make an ergonomic bolt knob/handle for 50 cents in 10 minutes

[nobody1]

I have made several ergonomic bolt knobs.

The AEA HP SS has the most brutal hammer spring and the smallest bolt knob I have seen.
I have also done that for the Crosman Icon, not because it really needs it, but it makes the pull slightly more comfortable.

The bolt knobs are made of thermoplastic, also known as moldable plastic or polymorph.
It comes in small white granules that you heat up (in hot water) and mold together.
It can be molded (like playdough), by hand, for a few minutes.
This is enough to make simpler shapes like a bolt knob.

It sticks to many things, and it slightly shrinks when it cools down.
This means that it will stay where you place it.
It is also extremely tough, and very hard to break.

The original color is white, but (using water based ink) the color can be changed to whatever you like.

I have attached photos of everything.

 

[nobody1]

The AEA HP SS needs a very big bolt because pulling back the bolt feels more like pulling back a recurve bow than an airgun bolt.

 

[SpiralGroove]

Very Functional ..........

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Never heard of this stuff. Thats pretty neat.

 

[MartinT]

Great idea!
BTW It can also be purchased in black, another buying option is a brand called “Sugru”, but this is more like Playdough, so it doesn’t have to be heated first, but it takes more time to harden.

 

[subscriber]

Never heard of this stuff. Thats pretty neat.

www.amazon.com/Sukh-10-9oz-Moldable-Plastic-Pellets/dp/B0C1YX39S5

www.amazon.com/s?k=polymorph+plastic+beads

 

[Motorhead]

Better handles on Toggle cocking PCP's can be a good thing !!

 

[nobody1]

If you consider doing this then get some practice first.
Get a nail, imagine it's a bolt and try to make a bolt knob around the nail head.

When you think you know how to do it, heat some water and dump the nail in the water.
Then you can recover all of the moldable plastic and reuse it.

 

[bivy53]

Good idea! You can do the same with epoxy stick. Plastic steel,I think it’s called. Not reusable like your thermoplastic, and takes a while to harden, but results would be quite similar.

 

[Vana2]

Interesting stuff! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Sicumj]

Nice outside the box thinking. I like the design on the Crossman the best.

Now if you can come up with a way to make the star wheel for the HP mags.

 

[nobody1]

Nice outside the box thinking. I like the design on the Crossman the best.

Now if you can come up with a way to make the star wheel for the HP mags.

The moldable plastic works for simple shapes.

I have also used it for single shot trays, before I had a 3D printer.
I am sure it would also work for all kind of barrel bands.