New store!

I just created a "For Sale" tab for things I want to sell. There should be more items up soon. Right now, I have a New in box Marshmallow crossbow up for sale. Check it out!

Also, I have posts about my first home made and a 4B overhaul coming soon!

I'm back! (explanation)

Hey guys, (all 10 of you :P) I obviously haven't posted anything since June, and I apologize for that. I modded and went to wars all summer, but most of the projects I did ended up in failure, and others were simply too difficult and time consuming to document properly for a blog post. I also haven't modded much since we stopped having wars, because that's what I do 99% of my modding for at this point. I have been working on some things in the last couple days, and I will at least try to do overview posts of mods that I do so I can answer any questions anyone may have about the blasters. I'm really busy with school, but I will try to post at least every 1-2 weeks. My next post will probably be an overview of my first home- mades, and most likely a parts list for them because several people away from this blog have asked for them.

Also, I've been wondering if this blog is actually useful to anyone. I have 10 known followers right now, and I get comments on most of my posts, but I was wondering if you guys think I should keep going with this blog or not. Please comment below. (As always, suggestions/ constructive criticism for this blog are also welcome)

Modified Air Zone Quadshot/ Tripleshot

The stock Air Zone Triple shot/ Quad shot is a terrible blaster in it's stock form. The darts barely shoot 2 feet (if they leave the barrels at all). But modifying this blaster makes it a very worthy NIC primary indeed...

I built this with the Intention of using it as a primary at my first NIC nerf war. It wasn't very difficult at all to mod, especially for how awesome it turned out to be.
Modifications done:
- Four 9" CPVC barrels
-Rear loading
-Dremeled out rear of barrels to ease rear loading
-Plunger tube to turret seal improval
-Raider spring added to stock spring
-Reinforced/ removed safety lock from catch
-Made raider stock compatible (using pvc attached inside shell and pvc coupler inside raider stock
-filled empty spaces with foam backer rod (to improve feel and dampen sound and vibration)

I improved the seal from the plunger tube to turret using the useless rubber piece on the end of the plunger rod. Others have done this and been able to retain the rotation mechanism, but mine no longer worked. After trying many other things, I gave up and now I have to manually rotate the turret.
Here is the blaster without the stock attachment:

With the stock attachment:

Close ups of the connections:

The section of PVC inside the shell has been attached with Super glue, liquid epoxy, hot glue, and has also been mechanically fastened on both sides of the shell with screws. I don't think It's going to go anywhere.
The coupler has been attached inside of the raider stock with hot glue. 

Ranges with very inconsistent padded darts that I use at wars:
Fired parallel-to-ground:
80-100 feet
Fired Angled-to-ground:
90-110 feet

Ranges with single BB hot glue domes:
Fired parallel-to-ground:
90-120 feet
Fired Angled-to-ground:
120-140 feet

So if you want an excellent primary that works great for almost no work at all, (and a very good price) GET AN AIR ZONE TRIPLE SHOT/QUAD SHOT NOW! :D

Please leave any comments/ questions below!
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Note: I've stopped watermarking my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab with a disclaimer.

Thanks for reading!

Marshmallow Crossbow Review!

I bought this with the intention of modding it to shoot darts, but I decided I would do a review of it in it's stock form first. So here we go:
The marshmallow crossbow is actually powered by the bow arms, unlike other similar blasters like the Nerf Big Bad Bow that use spring plunger systems and have bow parts that are only for decoration. It has a breech in the very front where large marshmallows are loaded into. You then close the breech, prime the blaster by pulling the priming handle back, and pull the trigger to fire. It has quite a bit of power to it. Here are some pictures:
Marshmallow crossbow (rest):

Marshmallow Crossbow (primed):

Breech closed:

Breech Open:

Ranges (it claims ranges up to 30 feet):
Parralel to ground: 18-22 feet
Angled to ground: All landed within a foot of the 25 foot mark

*Note- Your results may vary depending on brand of marshmallows used, age of the marshmallows used (mine were quite old and starting to get stale), and weather conditions (Heat may affect bow arms and marshmallows, wind may affect ranges). Also, Performance decreases somewhat noticably every time you re- use a marshmallow due to the marshmallow changing shape when being chambered and fired.

Overall, I think it's a really cool blaster. It's fun and comfortable to use, and it performs well for a marshmallow shooter.

--
Note: I no longer watermark my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab.

Thanks for reading!

3DBBQ Darts!

Here is the thread on NerfHaven about these: http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21282

... And so I decided to make some. I went to Lowes and got some wire, and Made a calibration set.
Here is the brand of foam I use (I have an earlier post about this):

Here is how I made the darts.
First, Cut your blanks, and wrap the desired amount of wire TIGHTLY around the blank, leaving the desired amount of foam for padding at the tip:

Wrap the exposed wire in E- Tape TIGHTLY:

... And you're done!

Before you mass produce them, you will want to make a calibration set to determine the optimal amout of wire wraps so that the darts perform well in your modified blasters. I made a few darts with different amounts of wraps and determined which ones worked the best for me. (your results will vary depending on your materials)

Here is the wire I used:

Close Up:

Please comment with any questions/ tips that you have for making these!
I'm going to continue to pursue optimal performance with these darts.

--
Note: I've stopped watermarking my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab with a disclaimer.

Thanks for reading!

My first homemade! (sneak peek)

I'll post about this in the next few days once it's finished and I've completely fixed any problems that pop up. I'm using SG Nerf's trigger catch design.

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Note: I've stopped watermarking my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab with a disclaimer..

Thanks for reading!

I'M BACK!+ Nerf N- Strike Elite firing tests + S.L.A.N.G. War!

As said in the title, I'm back! I've been busy with the last few weeks of school. I have two more days this week, but there are no more tests/ assignments, so I'm pretty much free, and will be posting on a more regular basis.
On another note, UrbanTaggers found videos of N- Strike Elite firing tests! Here is the post.
Also, yesterday I went to my first S.L.A.N.G. (Salt Lake Area Nerf Geeks) war. It was only three of us (Shmmee, another guy, and I), but we had a blast! We should have more people for next month's war though. If you live near Salt Lake City, Utah, come check it out! We would love to have more people and expand our group. Here is the thread for yesterday's war, and stay on the lookout for the next one! I can't wait for next month's war!

Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage is direct plunger!

To the delight of modders everywhere... THE N-STRIKE ELITE BLASTERS HAVE DIRECT PLUNGERS! Here is the link to SG Nerf's post. http://www.modworks.blogspot.com/2012/05/nerf-elite-rampage-internals-quick.html (All credit to SG Nerf for the pic)


I know in my past posts I said I wouldn't be purchasing hasbro products very much anymore. After seeing that Hasbro's marketing team did send UT his pinpoint sights, I realize that what they did wasn't as bad as we thought (as it was a coincidence with the marketing team and the lawyers.) I am still a little sore with hasbro, but I will be posting reviews again as well. I don't like that they are just recycling old designs, but I will still buy these because of how moddable a direct plunger blaster is.
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Note: I've stopped watermarking my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab with a disclaimer.

Thanks for reading!

Nerf Supermaxx 1500 Review!

My Dad found a Vintage Nerf Supermaxx 1500 at the thrift store recently (thanks dad! :D), and since I already have one modded, that I would keep this one stock now that I have some Supermaxx darts. (they were with the vintage SM3k that my grandparents gave me (link here)). It gets 20- 25 feet flat, and 30-40 with an angled shot. (darts are wrapped in tape to fix the previously nonexistent barrel fit because of how old they are) The OPRV (over pressure release valve) kicks in at 2-4 pumps.
Here is a pic:

I've gotten a few projects done and documented so I will be posting them over the next couple weeks!
--
Note: I've stopped watermarking my photos because of how time consuming it is to do so. If you use any of my photos on your blog/ site/ whatever, please link to my blog and give me credit for them.

Also, please notice that I have updated the "About Foam Frenzy/ Contact" tab with a disclaimer.

Thanks for reading!

S.L.A.N.G. (Salt Lake Area Nerf Geeks) May war!

I just recently found this group of SLC nerfers! From who I've talked to, they seem to be really nice guys and I can't wait to see them at the war on May 26th! We need more participants, so if you're in the SLC area, come check it out! (I'm really exited for my first war!) Here is the war thread: http://www.nerfrevolution.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=4794&p=55297#p55297

I've been busy lately, so I'll be lacking posts for the next few weeks. I am working on nerf related stuff however, and I will write up the posts when I get the time. Just trying to hang in there untill school is out!

Updates

Sorry for the lack of posts once again, It's the final push at the end of the school year and I've been busy with other things. Today I should get a few Nerf- related things done, and I'll post those throughout this next week. I'll be working on making some of iamthatcat's pool noodle blanks (his nerfrevolution thread here and his blog here). I'll also be reviewing a stock Nerf Supermaxx 1500 that I found at a thrift store, and I'm working on making some 3DBBQ darts that Manta told me about. (NH post here).

NoM's Nerf lessons #9!

I love NoM's Nerf lessons! Here is the latest one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg6m9EIpytk&feature=g-u-u


More posts coming soon!

Urbantaggers Back! Hasbro sucks.

For all who haven't seen this post on Urbantaggers: http://www.urbantaggers.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-stuff-from-hasbro-story-of-uts.html#more

Reading this made me sick. I'm not going to be making many (maybe any) Hasbro purchases ever again. Hasbro has taken douchebaggery to the next level. This picture, posted on Urbantaggers says it all:


Any Hasbro purcases I may make however, will not be reviewed on my blog. I don't want to promote any of their products any further.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I've been very busy.

Orange Mod Works 5+ KG Spring and O- Rings review!

I've already posted a review for the same spring in a Nerf Alpha Trooper (link here)
I love this spring. I ordered this one with the intention of using it in my Raider, and it ROCKS!!!! It fits into the blaster perfectly with no priming issues at all, and is very powerful.
I also ordered their 2x O-Rings. It was $1 for two of them, and they work great! They give your blaster such a good seal, that the darts vacum load into the breech when you push the priming handle forward. The spring and the O-Rings together made my Raider one of my favorite blasters. Orange Mod Works has very nice products for a very good price, and I will be purchasing more of their modification kits/accessories.
With one of these O- Rings and this spring, my Raider will achieve ranges of 50-60 feet with a slightly angled shot. I have also lubricated all of the moving parts, removed the air restrictor, and padded the plunger.
Link to Orange Mod Works' website
Link to 5KG spring
Link to O-Rings
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Update: I haven't posted in a while because I have been quite busy, but I am working on some blaster related stuff, and I'm working on a bunch of posts

Nerf Dart Tag Quick 16 Review!

I know this blaster is like a year old, but I found one at Target on sale for $10 the other day and had to pick it up. (I wasn't really interested in paying full retail price for it.) I'm actually very happy with this blaster. I think it is more comfortable than a normal raider, because the handles are bigger. (Same lenth as a raider, but wider and heavier) Ranges with stock tagger darts are 25- 30 feet flat and 35-40 feet with an angle. It has a very smooth priming and firing operation, but slam fire doesn't work very well. It locks up if you slam fire too fast (which isn't very fast at all), and the blaster jams or doesn't chamber a dart a little too often. Bottom line though, is that it is a very nice blaster, and I recommend it. It wouldn't really work well in an outdoor war, but it would TROLL in an indoor war.
Overview:

Clip loading slot:

Jam Door open:

Comparison to Nerf Raider:

Foam backer rod

WARNING: Huge wall of text. Read at your own risk :P

It's hard to find a good brand of Foam Backer rod to make stefans with. I've sure had my share of troubles with it. I would just like to share what I've learned through my experiences to help others to find the perfect backer rod for a great batch of stefans. :)

The current brand of foam backer rod that I use is called "M+D". I have found it at Lowe's and Home Depot. (Link to the product on Home Depot's website) I got some once a couple of years ago, and it was really bad and didn't make stefans well at all. But at the end of last year, I went to Lowe's and found some of the same stuff, but the color had changed a bit, and it was much denser. I picked it up, and it made the best batch of stefans I had ever made. I have learned that you have to check carefully before you buy it, because it is very inconsistent. One day it is perfect, and the next it sucks.

Even though this brand works for me, I got sick of buying 20 ft. lengths. So I looked all over the Nerf forums, and settled on buying some closed cell FBR from Best Materials (Link here), because many people said how high quality it was. So I ordered 130 feet of it. When it arrived, I was very disappointed. The diameter wasn't quite 1/2" in diameter, and it was way too loose even for CPVC. It was too porous and "squishy", and melted way too easily when I tried to make a few stefans with it. Their stuff may have been good in the past, but they must have changed brands or something. So now I have 130 feet of useless backer rod. The moral of the story here is don't buy FBR unless you can see it in person and know that it will work for stefans. The only time I will ever buy FBR online again when I can't actually see it in person, is when I buy it from a trusted Nerf community member that is selling it specifically for the purpose of making stefans. (or I have ordered a small 1-2 foot sample to know if it really works before making a large order.)

Here is a photo of the MD backer rod that I currently use to make stefans. It has a very good fit in CPVC, and will probably work well with PETG.

Cut in half to show density

Here is a photo of the bad FBR I ordered from best materials.

cut in half to show.....what little density it has

Here is a Side by Side comparison of the FBR (Best materials left MD Right):

Here is a side by side comparison of the FBR cut in half (Best materials left MD right):

For my next FBR purchase, I think I will try Forsaken Angel 24's backer rod. (link to his website)

Please leave comments with your experiences and suggestions for buying FBR

Nerf N-Strike Elite Rampage!

Nerf just posted a video on the new N- Strike Elite Rampage on their youtube channel! Here is the video:

Like I said in my post about the Retaliator, I don't like how they are just recycling the old designs, but I think the new ranges and accessories are cool.
Please comment with your thoughts on the new N- Strike Elite line!

CPVC Breech Build Guide!

Here is how I built a simple CPVC breech. It wasn't very difficult or time consuming, but you need to take your time and test fit the pieces carefully for optimum performance. It gives a single shot blaster with a 1/2" PVC coupler a better rate of fire without sacraficing range.
Here is What you need:

1/2" CPVC Barrel (barrel length determined by blaster used), 1/2" PVC sheath (no specific lenth), 1/2" long piece of 1/2" CPVC stub, 5/8" OD O-Ring (not pictured or needed, but highly recommended)

First, Let's make the sheath. Using a 5/8" drill bit (spade bit not recommended because it makes the hole slightly too large), drill out the inside of the PVC.

Now, outline a breech hole large enough for your darts:

... cut it out, and file/sand the hole smooth

Glue your CPVC stub into the rear of the sheath (PVC cement/solvent weld recomended)

And glue in your O- Ring if you are using one

O-Ring Recomended for better seal

Now Dremel out the inside of your CPVC barrel so that darts can be pushed in easily

And you're done! I recomend attatching string/wire to your breech so that the barrel doesn't come out all of the way for faster loading.

breech open

breech closed

Breech in singled Nerf Big Bad Bow

I also recommend making a breech locking tab similar to one that SG Nerf uses in his brass breeches to prevent the barrel sliding forward during firing (SG Nerf's brass barrel slide breech tutorial):

 

Vintage Nerf Supermaxx 3000 review and Internals guide!!

The Nerf Supermaxx 3000 can achieve ranges of 50+ feet accurately with it's stock darts. The ranges and accuracy would probably be even better with newer darts. It's internal mechanisms are similar to those of an Air Tech 3000, exept the rotation mechanism is actually powered by the tank. There is a mini tank that when pressurized enough, will rotate the turret. It is really cool, but it doesn't work very well anymore. Here are some photos:
Overview:

Model #/ other info

Barrels:

Internals:

                                         Close up of trigger/ pump assembly

Close up of tank/ barrels assembly:

Close up of tank:

The rotation mechanism tank mentioned above is just behind the blue rear area of the main tank. It has a piston that when pushed out by air pressure, hits the rotation mechanism and rotates the turret.

Haven't decided whether I'm going to Modify this or not. If I did, I would make the rotation mechanism manual (the automatic rotation of the turret is "out of whack", so I think it would perform better that way. I would also re barrel It with PETG tubing, and glue over the trigger/firing pin spring for a cleaner trigger pull.

Please leave your questions/ comments below!

Orange Mod Works announcement!

Here is the email I got from them last night:

Hey Orange fans,
Preordering for our Longshot Immortal Kit has been extended until
11:59 PM CST, Monday, April 9th, 2012. Afterwards, the kit will
not be available for sale until all preorders are shipped.
The biggest change is that in addition to the collector's tin
box, preorder customers will now receive a bonus priming handle and
a 25% discount on our next Longshot add-on kit, which will feature
the sealed breech and shotgun grip.
Please visit the update page below for a photo of our prototype
parts and more in-depth information:
>> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=GKdA2&m=3i1GxiRFrFZBGHb&b=D5dq5kkGkp5qGKEL9sOpDQ
Also, we have finished the troubleshooting videos for our new
Massacre kits. If you experience any issues when installing
these kits, please check out the following links:
Alpha Trooper Massacre - Troubleshooting Common Issues:
>> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=GKdA2&m=3i1GxiRFrFZBGHb&b=lVEOFtjhkzr9p5aZsYR8ng
Alpha Trooper Homemade Dart Tooth Tutorial:
>> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=GKdA2&m=3i1GxiRFrFZBGHb&b=KA_bp3eWrMwqv7J7E0d7dw
Longstrike Massacre - Troubleshooting Common Issues:
>> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=GKdA2&m=3i1GxiRFrFZBGHb&b=GxTY6LATi6tauJp9tA5FZA
Raider Massacre - Troubleshooting Common Issues:
>> http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=GKdA2&m=3i1GxiRFrFZBGHb&b=.vxtQqDpoNwJDthIK7y93A
Thank you, and have a happy Easter weekend for those who
celebrate it!
Orange Mod Works
http://orangemodworks.com
http://orangemodworks.com/forum
http://orangemodworks.com/blog
http://facebook.com/orangemodworks
http://twitter.com/orangemodworks
1080 W Sam Houston Pkwy N #230, Houston, TX 77043, USA
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I won't be buying the LS kit quite yet because it's pretty expensive (It will be worth it though). I am interested in their add- on kit that will have a sealed breech and a shotgun grip. I have always wanted a sealed breech (brass breech) in my modded LS, but I can't currently source the materials, and I'm not sure if I have the skill to make a brass breech. I've also been interested in a shotgun grip for my LS, because it will even out pressure on the bolt sled to prevent breakage.

Please leave comments with your thoughts on this!

Thrift store score!

I've already posted about this before, But after my thrift store find yesterday (Titan and Raider), I would like to emphasize how great thrift stores are for Nerf collectors/ modders. You can find all kinds of blasters at a dirt cheap price. (ex. Longshot for $4) Here is a list of all of the things that I have found at the thrift store so far (that I can remember):
2 Nerf titans
Vintage Tech Target
Nerf Raider
Nerf Longshot (near perfect condition with front gun and clips)
Nerf hyperfire
Nerf Air Tech 3000
Nerf Max Force Rattler
Countless Mavericks
2 Nerf Nite Finders
Nerf Supermaxx 1500
Nerf Sneak Shot
I hope this motivated you to go to your local thrift store :)

Nerf N- Strike Elite photos spotted on German website!

I found these links on Jerm's facebook page.
Elite Barricade:
http://shops.ricardo.ch/kategorien/spiele-und-spielzeug/outdoor/weitere-spiele-fuer-draussen/nerf-n-strike-elite-barricade/in6990509/

Hailfire:
http://shops.ricardo.ch/kategorien/spiele-und-spielzeug/outdoor/weitere-spiele-fuer-draussen/nerf-n-strike-hail-fire-elite/in6990508/

Rampage:
http://shops.ricardo.ch/kategorien/spiele-und-spielzeug/outdoor/weitere-spiele-fuer-draussen/nerf-n-strike-elite-rampage-blaster/in6990511/


Retaliator:
http://shops.ricardo.ch/kategorien/spiele-und-spielzeug/outdoor/weitere-spiele-fuer-draussen/nerf-n-strike-elite-retaliator-blaster/in6990510/



The rampage seems to be sporting the retaliator stock... a little dissapointing, but it still looks awesome! Can't wait for these to come out!

Stay tuned for more cool posts!
comment with your thoughts/ideas/opinions!

Nerf N- Strike Elite Retaliator + rant

Nerf has just unveiled the new N-Strike Elite Retaliator  on their facebook page!

Looks cool but very familiar...

It's pretty much a Blue Recon with a new stock, a 12 dart clip,and an "assault grip" (as the video called it). I think that the new color/ accessories look cool and the ranges are cool (hopefully good modding potential for even better ranges). It does annoy me however, that Hasbro hasn't really come up with anything new (besides vortex) in a really long time. They recolor their blasters, and now they're doing the same thing, along with new ranges and accessories. I'm also mad at hasbro for shutting down Urban Taggers. Will I buy these elite blasters eventually? Yes. But not until Hasbro cuts the shit. I'm not saying that the repaints aren't cool. But they need to release new designs while they are doing repaints. They're starting to do the same thing with Vortex too. The Lumitron is just a recolored, glow in the dark Praxis. The Upcoming Pyragon is just a praxis with a different grip and slam fire.
Here is the official video for the Retaliator from Nerf's Youtube channel:

Sorry if my rant is disorganized, I just needed to vent some of that out. :P
Please leave Comments with feedback for my blog, and your thoughts on this subject.
Also, if you like this blog, please tell others about it and follow!