Raygun 66: Shaping the Grip

The grip model (black and white on the left) was molded and cast in resin (gray on the right). I wanted the top of the grip to be narrower than the bottom, so I bandsawed the casting right down the middle and sanded a bevel onto both halves. Then I glued the two parts together, and filled in the crack with Bondo™. I'm still trying to figure out what carved design I will inset into the sides of the grip.

Starting a Second Raygun

After having so much fun making my first raygun—the Raughnold Model 81—I have decided to put together a second one.



These are the parts I'm starting off with: A meat grinder part (bottom), a floral candleholder end (center) (I'm guessing), and a chromed drink pour spout (left). For the grip I've decided to fabricate my own and cast it in resin pieces(right). Each side will have a faux ivory carving inset into the dark colored base. I've made the rough model of the grip by cutting black acrylic sheet and gluing several layers together. To round it off a bit I've filled in the cracks with pink Bondo™ body putty and sanded it down. Next I will make a rubber mold of the grip, then cast it in resin and rework that to get the final shape.


My inspiration came from the pocket pistols of the 19th century, that ladies (and gents) could carry unobtrusively. I love the grips that have the fancy carving on them, and thought of how it would be relatively easy—with my experience working with resin—to construct a nice one in the Steampunk style. Also when I found the pour spout I felt it would make a great middle section of the raygun. Notice some of my sketches for this project.

Raygun: We have a winner!

We have a winner! Congratulations to Lauren who guessed (http://tombanwell.blogspot.com/2009/02/rayguns-raughnold-model-81.html):

Hey Tom, here's my guess:Particle Accelerator- air nozzel

Pulse Detineator- body of a lamp

Leather Grip/Handle- sink faucet

Exahst Port- trophy base and a chess piece/rook

The object that no one had guessed was the trophy part. My clue "The one found object that no one has yet identified will be recognized by winners." referred to winners of competitions would recognize a trophy part.

Thank you to all who entered. It's been fun for me, and I hope for you. Congratulations to Lauren for the correct guess!

Above are the found objects in context. Faucet, trophy part, rook, lamp part, and air nozzle.

Raygun Contest: One more clue

Fourth Clue

The one found object that no one has yet identified will be recognized by winners. Above is a photo of the original parts after molding. Careful study could yield a lightbulb moment. Earlier clues (and guesses by readers) and the original contest listing with rules should be read by anyone venturing a guess. Good luck! I expect a winner soon.

Win a Raygun: More Clues

There have been some good guesses, but no one has nailed all five found objects yet. Today I will post three clues, which should make it considerably easier. My first contest was won almost immediately, so I wanted this one to be a little more difficult.

First Clue

When I first announced the raygun contest (refer to it for more photos), I wrote "In the model 81 there are five objects that I can identify." As many of you have noticed, there are actually six found objects, but one of them I cannot identify, so it is not included as something to name. It is the silver colored power generator shown above. It has been guessed as a part of a flashlight, a television knob, a dial from a stove, etc. Please ignore it in your guesses. It is a collar of some sort as it had a large bolt sticking out of it, but exactly what it is I do not know.

So the parts you are guessing are the particle accelerator, pulse delineator, grip, and two pieces making up the exhaust port.

Second Clue

None of the objects is made of wood.

Third Clue

Many of the objects have been guessed correctly, but there is one item that no one has guessed. Think of something other than any of the previous guesses. Good luck!

Raygun Contest!

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Every boy dreams of owning a raygun, and as a soon-to-be grandfather, I have tapped back into my boyhood fantasies. I decided I had to build my own rayguns after being inspired by the works of Tinkerbots and Greg Broadmore of WETA Workshop. The Raughnold Model 81 is my first gun.


Following Tinkerbots example, I have created the raygun by assembling found objects, along with some parts I’ve fabricated. It is a marvelously challenging art form: Bringing together disparate objects into something new—a process through which the individual parts disappear into the whole. Part of making it all work together for me is adding bits and pieces to help disguise the original parts so that there is no distraction.

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The Contest



I have intentionally not shown the gun in progress as I wanted to hold a contest in which you, the viewers, attempt to guess which found objects I used. In the model 81 there are five objects that I can identify. All were acquired at either a yard sale or a thrift shop. The first person who can correctly identify all five objects will win one of the rayguns, which I am selling on Etsy for $95.



Anyone can participate. Submit the list of your five objects as a comment. If after one week no one has correctly identified all five objects, then I will give out a clue. Each week that passes without a winner will lead to another clue. Please submit only one guess per week. After I have given a clue you are welcome to guess again. The contest will continue until someone correctly guesses the five objects.

Clue #1: None of the objects are gears, nuts, bolts etc.

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The Story

We have here an extremely rare raygun manufactured in the late 19th century by the Swedish manufacturer Raughnold. This is their model 81, famous for its sleek lines and fine balance, coupled with its extremely effective vaporizing ray. The functioning of the raygun is not well understood, but we do know that the power generator in the center of the gun sends a ray through the pulse delineator which is amplified by the particle accelerator.

Measuring over 14” long, this beauty is solidly built, yet light enough to be handled even by those of the feminine persuasion. From the particle accelerator nozzle all the way to the rear exhaust port, this raygun exudes quality. The gun is cast in resin, with a hand-stitched leather grip. A custom wet-formed leather holster will be available soon.

Raygun Model 81 plans

My first raygun, Model 81 by the Swedish manufacturer Raughnold is nearing completion. Due to its unusual method of production (which involves assembling junk and other found objects) I will not be showing photos of the work in progress. Instead I will post a finished picture once it is complete. To whet your appetite, here are the plans so far. This will be a full-size, nicely weighted weapon capable of destroying all of the bearer's problems with a single blast. And a beautiful leather holster will be made to house it. This gun and holster will be produced in a small quantity and made available for purchase.