They are so extremely simple they just scream for improvement. What I've done here is fit and glue felt in each half of the hopper, this dampens the noise generated by balls rolling around. The felt has to be cut very precisely, (my method, or lack there of, was anything except precise, so I won't describe it here), The main issue is making the two halves fit seamlessly. Mine has a smallish gnash in the felt on the right, where I slipped with the scizzors and in this balls can stick, especially the last few. Look closely and you'll see that I cut the felt back about a quarter of an inch from the nipple. And it only covers the bottom of the feed hole, to prevent complications from arising when one jams a guppy in it. I attached it with Elmer's glue all, but I would recommend hot glue or superglue. Be sure to spread it evenly, and concentrate on lining up the seam at the bottom with the edge of the hopper half. Note that you only need to "pattern" one side to cut both.
All you observant people out there probably also noticed that the hopper has holes in it, all you people who are observant and quick witted also immediately made the connection between those holes and their purpose. Yes, they are there so you can see how many rounds are left in your hopper. I cut them by making some crude measurements and sawing them out with a dremel tool. Some said I could've used a sharp utility knife, but I do not recommend this at all. When "dremeling" anything I cannot over stress the importance of eye protection, I know everyones going to say "yeah, yeah.." but after my father buried a small flake of metal in his pupil which eventually had to be drilled out, I have become somewhat vehement on the subject of eye protection. Long sleeves are a good idea as well, at the dremel's medium speed setting, that plastic isn't being cut so much as its being melted. Liquid plastic searing into your arm is unpleasent, (and I don't even want to think about it getting into someones eye). After designing and cutting the view holes, clean up the edges with a utility knife, (a real util. knife, not a plastic carpet knife), and a little sandpaper.
These mods really don't work well in conjunction with one another. The felt dampens in-hopper echo but the view holes tend to project it. The view holes would be more suited for a gun, (or player rather), with a high ROF, (it mights complement NYWDBA's agitator mod nicely). Whereas the felt suits itself to someone sneaky. devious and quiet. Felt, by the way, can be purchased at your local "Mart" for .12 cents per 12x8 sheet. |
