Theoben Rapid Mk2

[Motorhead]

New butt-plate design?   

SPIKE LEE Edition perhaps ?

[YEMX]

I did some more sanding on the stock, to try to get a more level surface on the stock before using this epoxy fairing compound THAT ACTUALLY GOT DELIVERED ON TIME!!  I'm going to get to work filling in all the dips and mistakes I made.  I'm not going for a PERFECT surface finish, since this is going to be painted anyway...  But there's some spots that will be glaringly obvious after painting.  Only bad part is- since it's epoxy,  I won't be able to sand until tomorrow.  But progress is being made again! 

[YEMX]

This is the fairing compound I'm using:


Mixes 1:1, it's a little stiffer than Bondo filler, but it's the same idea- except it's an epoxy.  So far, I like it!  The working time is longer as well.  It can be spread really thin too!  A little goes a long way.  I got it on Amazon.

Here's some shots of the filled areas on the stock:






Just like with the Bondo, I went around the entire stock, filling in the spots that I felt needed it.  This is the only filling I'm going to be doing- I'm not going for a perfectly smooth surface.  Just a "not as imperfect" one.  I am simply correcting the blatant defects in the surface.  I can live with the smaller dips and such.  Not like they'll be easily seen after paint anyway.

I'm hoping that this stuff will sand as easily as Bondo.  There will be quite a bit of sanding.  No biggie, it's par for the course.  But I'm hoping that the stock will be fully painted by Sunday.  The only thing to do now is figure out what scope to use.  I'm really considering getting that Beeman blue ribbon S2 scope clone off ebay...  I think it would be a perfect fit on this build.

[YEMX]

No picture updates.  The fairing compound didn't take over 12 hours to cure!!  This is awesome!  I kept testing the left over stuff on the mixing sheet.  Totally surprised that it was cured hard in only a few hours.  The stock is sanded down.  Not perfect, but MUCH better.  The worst of the surface defects have been filled, everything is smooth- or at least its smooth enough for me.  This fairing compound is awesome!  A little tougher to sand than Bondo, but really easy to work with.  It's expensive, but it will be my go to filler when working with epoxy...  Until (if) I find something better.  No strong smell like with Bondo either.  If it wasn't for the higher cost, I'd just quit Bondo altogether!

I still need to fill the holes in the stock, where I put the stand into the stock, but I'll worry about that when it's time for the butt-plate and spacers. 

[YEMX]

It's a bad picture, but at least it's all one color now! 



I won't bore you with painting pics.  I'll post again once it's all painted and done.  Now to decide on what scope to put on her... 

[YEMX]

Last coat of color is on, still need to take all the masking tape off and clear coat it.  The stock won't be done today    I still need to fill those two holes in the back of the stock, and install the butt-pad and spacers.  Then the stock will be DONE.

I've got a Hawke AO scope that I'm going to put on this rifle- I have 30mm Theoben rings for this, and I've ordered 30mm to 1" spacers for them.  Just waiting on those to arrive.  I guess it's a good thing it's not completely done yet! 

[YEMX]

I couldn't wait...  The paint's been drying all day.  I still need to spray the clear.  I also need to install the butt-pad and spacers. 







Almost done 

[YEMX]

Clear coat is on- so paint is done.  I've filled the cavities where the stand went with epoxy, and I've put a layer of epoxy on the stand and re-inserted it into the stock.  Tomorrow when the epoxy is done curing, I'll flush cut the wooden dowels off, do some light sanding, and then install the spacers and buttpad.  By Wednesday the stock will be done-done.  Then I can weigh it again, before putting the Rapid in it.  Still waiting on the scope ring spacers. 

Up close, you can still see imperfections.  But from a foot away, they're hard to pick out.  Plus, I know they're there, so of course I can see them.  Just glancing over the stock though, from a couple feet away, they're camouflaged by the paint    Anyhoo.  Overall, I'm extremely happy with how it finally turned out.  The stock feels good in the hand, and even now, is comfortable to shoulder.  It'll be even more so, when I install the butt-pad.   

[Motorhead]

Fantastic exercise in stock alteration/modification.  Looks great !

[YEMX]

Fantastic exercise in stock alteration/modification.  Looks great !

Thank you Scott!  You've been a big motivation in getting this stock done!!  I appreciate the push. 

[ranchibi]

Ooh! Almost done..looks fantastic! Great work 👍.

[YEMX]

Ooh! Almost done..looks fantastic! Great work 👍.

Yessir!!  Thank you!  I just finished up with the final little things to finish the work on the stock!  I drilled the holes and installed the butt-plate and spacers:


It's not perfect, but I did start with an el cheapo airsoft stock.  So the fit is bound to be "not great"...  Scott- I'm going to have to do better next time in the weight department-  Final weight of this stock is 3 lbs, 12 oz.  So it's actually on par with it's real life counterpart...    Next stock I do will have to be done a little different to shave some weight.  I don't mind the weight, TBH- but now that Scott's got me thinking about it, I want to see how low I can go and still make a strong stock...

Yes, I did epoxy the spacers and butt-pad into place, as well as the screws.  I did this for the same reason I didn't add an adjustable cheek piece (well, the MAIN reason):  This rifle is for me.  I don't need it to be very adjustable.  Once I've set the LOP, I don't see a need to adjust it.  Plus, this rifle isn't going anywhere for a long, LONG time. 

Anyhoo, I'll take one more picture tomorrow, of the rifle in the stock, w/the scope rings on and the LDC installed.  THEN I'll call this project FINALLY complete!  I know this thread started close to two years ago, but really, this journey started back in '14 when I purchased this action from Chip Smith.  The idea has been in my mind since the first time I ever saw a picture of a Theoben Elan back in '98 or '99.  I think this tribute build is a touch better.  Maybe not the stock, but surely the internals of the gun, and the barrel.  The only things that would have made this the PERFECT build, is if I had been able to get my hands on a anschutz trigger and some 7 shot Theoben mags...  Even though an anshutz trigger isn't correct for an Elan.  I'm not sure if it would have even fit on a Mk2 action.  I think those were on Mk1's.  But overall- I'm happy!!!  Dream gun #2 check!!!

[YEMX]

Okay...  I couldn't wait.  The epoxy is set enough, my 30mm to 1" ring adapters came in whilst eating breakfast...  I HAD to see her all together, and didn't want to wait until tomorrow.   









Here ends the build portion of this journey...  I will soon be sighting this puppy in.  I'll start a new thread showing that part.  It'll be short though 

I thank you all who have been watching this project from the start, and I appreciate all the kind words and gentle pushes to get this done! 

[Motorhead]

FANTASTIC !!! ...... you would never know it is a PCP with the hpa tank nestled down within the fore stock.

What a journey this has been for you & a BIG congrats in sticking with it to completion

[YEMX]

Thank you again Scott!!  For your great assembly work and tuning of the gun itself, and all the pushing to get this done!  I'm supremely happy with the way it turned out!  Keep an eye out for that shooting post and such!  I've got to dig out the chrony and get some numbers before sighting it.  I'm so happy this is finally DONE!!  I can now enjoy it!