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Admantius — TF2 Sniper Rifle Tutorial
Published: 2011-09-21 00:50:45 +0000 UTC; Views: 15170; Favourites: 283; Downloads: 142
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I realized that I somehow never uploaded this, even though it's at least 3 years old. Thought it might be helpful to some of you.Only change I would make after actually using this prop: don't use balsa wood. Take the extra time and effort to make all the wood bits out of a sturdier material, because this damn thing breaks ALL the TIME.
Edit: I was asked how to figure out the scale of a prop, particularly for someone who isn't necessarily good at drawing. If you are interested in my response, see my reply here: [link]
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Comments: 41
What wood is easy to work with besides balsa that would be easy-ish to carve. I have done a lot of cosplay, but I have never really made any props. I have never worked with making wood so I am unfamiliar. Also with sanding wood so you sand by hand with a piece of sand paper or do you have some type of sander? What kind of sand paper do you use? Thank you for making this tutorial. My sister and I and a couple of friends are going as the fem versions of TF2 characters to AX 2015. I will be making Sniper, my sister is going to be Medic, my friend Kat is going as Scout, and my friend Jessie has a Heavy but she might decided to do Engineer instead. Anyway thanks!!!
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How fragile will this end up being? Before I start working on this for an upcoming convention I'd like to know if it will snap in half if I bump it on a wall on accident or something. this is the first prop I'll have ever made.
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Only change I would make after actually using this prop: don't use balsa wood. Take the extra time and effort to make all the wood bits out of a sturdier material, because this damn thing breaks ALL the TIME.
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Gooing to the do it yourself store tommow, And im dooing this, How long does it take? I'd say a week or so if i can only work at it about an hour a day (work *sigh*)
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I might never make this but in favoriteing it anyway (but who knows, Iv'e been increasingly interested in cosplay, and Sniper is my favorite character)
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Nice home made weapon! 
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I love you 
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Showed this to my brother "Thanks man, now I can go as Sniper to Youmacon."
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Any idea of how to make a scale drawing for someone who isn't very talented ay drawing?...
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The way I usually do it is figure out how big I want my prop to end up being in comparison to me. For example, I wanted this sniper rifle to reach my hip from the floor, and that ended up being about three inches. I then used my reference picture of the rifle from the side and found out it was three inches long on paper. Here's a visual of my basic math for how I did it: [link]
Some of it was admittedly just eyed on my part, as well.
A second method would be to somehow project the image onto a piece of paper at the size you want it, and then trace it so that each individual component is the exact scale to the whole. I didn't do this myself because I didn't have access to any sort of projector, but perhaps you do.
Hope this helped!
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You are so awesome! Thank you!! That is so helpful!!
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holy hell.
thank you SO much for posting this!! I am considering a Sniper cosplay, and this is JUST what I needed.
I know you said you wouldn't want to use balsa wood if you do it again.. but I don't know how I'd be able to cut it if I used anything sturdier. I don't have a whole lot of tools
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Excelent! I'm glad I was able to help~
As for the alternate wood choice, perhaps consider carving it from a rigid foam and coating it in a sand-able material such as wood Bondo? I have used that technique for things like horns, and it may be sturdy with enough layers.
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oh, a foam would be VERY doable. I'll have to consider experimenting ^_^
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Im trying to make a Sniper rifle like this and need some help, are there mock-lenses the scope, and if there are, how'd you secure them?
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I just painted a circle of craft-foam to look like the lense that's rendered in TF2. I just hotglued it in place. A picture, to give you an idea: [link]
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What do you suggest using instead of Balsa Wood?
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If you have access to a jigsaw and power sander, then I'd say use a piece of harder wood like a 2x4. If I were to remake this, I would definitely go for that even if it would make it heavier to carry around. I've learned that with this prop I want durability.
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Oh God, I'm so happy to see this!
I've never worked with wood before, so I'm a bit nervous to try..
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Are you ever required to modify this so it passes weapons check at a con? How do you take it with you if you have to fly?
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I haven't been asked, to date, to modify it at all. No one has required me to add the orange tip or anything, if that's what you mean. When I've taken it on the airplane before, I wrap it in its own box (with bubble wrap) and check it with my bags. It's almost guaranteed that it'll be opened and inspected, but they always leave it intact.
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i love this... i knew u were an awsome artist but u just keep surprising me everyday
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Hey, I'm planning on making his rifle to but I'm just baffled about figuring out the dimensions. Think you could help me out? <: D
Thanks a lot in advance!
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I would suggest printing out a reference picture of it, figure out how long you personally want your prop (in comparison to your height, etc), and break down the lengths of things using that picture. For example, if the rifle in the picture is 3 inches long over all with a 1 inch handle, and you want your gun to be 3 feet long, then you know that the handle will have to be one foot long.
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Ah, thank you so much! This really helps me. And the tutorial helps set a foundation, so thanks for that to!
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Your props are always so amazing.
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i used regular plywood for my keybades and they are damn sturdy. the only downside i could see would be the thickness you need for this gun. if you were really skilled with a jigsaw i would say you should carve all the layers of plywood separately and then put them together. if you are close enough you can sand or file down the edges to match up, or even use some kind of sculpy around the edges to easily even it out and make sure you don't have any problems later with splintering. also, there would certainly be more weight to it. but i guess that is inevitable with a prop that size. it's awesome looking by the way!
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If I remake this gun I would use a plywood two-by-four with my jigsaw and a dremel tool for carving.
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