Aristocrat V2

A YouTube assembly video can be found here:

https://youtu.be/UjSuP3siHHg

~~First off, I recommend your favorite print settings for these parts. They're all pretty simple, but the slots for straps on the Main Body might want to be made more durable than usual so that they can hold up. Perhaps use 5 walls for that? Up to you, really.

~~ I recommend you print the Main Body standing up, with the front facing up and the back facing downwards. With Supports. This way, the Supports support what they need to but come out more easily than in other orientations.

~~ Print the Retaining Arm Hinge Pin standing up as well. This makes the Retaining Arm work much more smoothly.

~~ The Trigger Ring was designed to fit my spidery fingers. Its internal diameter is 20mm. You are welcome to rescale it to fit your hands.

ITEMS FOR CONSTRUCTION:
4mm Elastic Paracord (required)
3mm Elastic Paracord OR Assorted Rubber Bands (required)
String or Ribbon of some kind (Nylon Kite String recommended)
2 Straps of some sort (4 Velcro Cable Management Straps loosely recommended; "Whatever works for you is what works")
Super Glue (You don't need it; I don't use it, but you can do it if some friction-fit parts keep slipping out)

TOOLS:
Scissors / Paracord Cutting Implement (required)
Small Hammer / Heavy Thing To Firmly Tap Other Things (recommended)
Lighter (recommended)
Sandpaper (Optional)

Step 1: Install the Trigger Assembly

Thread the String through the hole in the front of the Main Body. Continue threading it until it comes out of the back of the main Body. Tie it securely to the square hole of the Release. Place the strung Release into the slot at the back of the Main Body and pull on the string from the front to confirm that everything is secure. Ensure the Release may slide fully back and forth freely within this slot. Use Sandpaper at your discretion to make this happen.

Take the Release Bar and slide it through the slots in the side of the Main Body (towards the back). Your goal is to slide it through the rectangular hole in the Release. This Release Bar is what keeps the Release sliding forwards and backwards properly. If using 3mm Paracord, tie a loop in one end and hook it on one of the hooks of the Release Bar. Loop it around the back of the Main Body and hook another loop around the hook on the other side of the Release Bar. Your goal is to have enough tension on the bar that it springs back when pushed but not so much that pushing the release forward will be too difficult. If you have Rubber Bands, attempt to find one that accomplishes the same task. You should end up with Image 1 in the Assembly Images Folder.

NOTE: If the Release Bar is proving a troublesome fit, you may choose to sand it down slightly. This part is intended to friction-fit with the Release, so don't be too zealous with your abrasive paper.

Step 2: Install the Retaining Arm

At the rear of the Main Body are two large holes. Take your Retaining Arm and hold it so that the largest hole in that piece fits between the holes of the Main Body. Slide in the Retaining Arm Hinge Pin.

Also at the rear of the Main Body are two hooks comparable in appearance to shark fins. Take some more 3mm Paracord (or a rubber band), hook one loop on one hook and pass the elastic through the unused hole on the Retaining Arm. On the other side, hook your elastic of choice on the symmetrical hook. Like before, your goal is to maintain mild tension while the parts are at rest. Refer to Image 2 if necessary.

Step 3: Install the Priming Arm

Underneath the slot where the Release Bar is, between the slots for straps, towards the bottom middle of the Main Body is the hole in which to insert the Priming Hinge. It is intended to be a firm fit, but not intended to crack the Main Body as it enters. Be firm and perhaps use a heavy item to tap it, but don't force it. Insert it so that it sticks out mostly evenly on both sides.

Priming Handles L and R are next. Slot them into place on (you'll never believe this) the Left and Right of that hinge, respectively. Shocking. Do make sure the Sharkfin bits are facing out. The holes in the front of the Priming Handles is the place to firmly install the Priming Grip bar. Do so now, and firmly tap it if necessary. Refer to Image 3 if you so choose.

Step 4: The Big Cord

The front end of the Main Body has a small hole on either side. Thread some 4mm Elastic Paracord through one of the holes (from the outside towards the middle of the Main Body) and tie a knot on the end that is closest to the middle. Wrap the Paracord back, behind the 'sharkfin' of the Priming Handle of that side, underneath the Retaining Arm, behind the other 'fin' of the other arm, and into the hole on that side. Tension the cord so that it is slightly stretched even at rest, and tie a knot in the other end that pokes through the hole (towards the middle) so that it stays that way. Due to my poor explanation, you may want to refer to Images 4 and 5.

NOTE: Overtensioning the string will result in difficult/impossible priming and difficult/impossible releases. Undertensioning the string results in boring velocities unfit for Aristocracy of the Aristocrat. Tensioning it is more of an art than a science. Do not trim excess paracord just yet.

If assembled properly to this point, you should be ready for basic function tests. Pull back on the Priming Grip like a lever until the 4mm Paracord slots into the grooves on the back of the Aristocrat. If it does not reach that far, chances are that you have overtensioned the 4mm Paracord. When it is in place, return the Priming Grip to its initial position. You can fire the Aristocrat in this phase by pressing on the back of the Release like a button on the rear of the Aristocrat. If triggering the Aristocrat is unduly difficult, either the 4mm Paracord or the 3mm Paracord/Rubber Band around the Release Bar are tensioned too tightly. Attempt to amend this.

Step 5: Mount the Aristocrat to your arm

FOR Velcro STRAPS: Make a 'double strap' by linking the end of one strap through another. Make another. Due to different dimensions of different arms of different people, you may find a different strap configuration works best for you. This step invites you to take creative liberties and totally isn't vague because I don't have a clue how best to explain how to strap the Aristocrat to everyone's arm. Find a way to firmly strap it so that it won't shift forward on your arm no matter if it's firmly pushed forward for a long time. I recommend that the first strap sits in front of the ball of your wrist, but mounting it behind the ball of your wrist works too.

Step 6: Install the Trigger Ring

Put the ring on, with the 'duck bill' facing towards your knuckle. Move the Aristocrat as far forward on your arm as it will go. Since you now must tie the String such that moving your wrist down will pull the trigger, the Aristocrat won't trigger if you set the proper String length now and the Aristocrat slips further forward later. You won't be able to pull the trigger the full way with your wrist. Thread the string through the hole in the top of the ring and tilt your wrist slightly up. Make sure the string is taut (but not fully triggering the Aristocrat!) and tie it. The goal is that when you swing your wrist down, the string fully pulls the trigger. Image 6 shows the ideal configuration.

NOTES ON AMMO:

Refer to the Ammo Placement folder for images demonstrating the best positioning of each ammo type. The Aristocrat fires each ammo type and was laboriously designed to fire each effectively, but is most effective with Mega darts.

I've worked very, very hard on this, and this is my first blaster I've ever designed (as far as this contraption can be designated as a Blaster). I really hope you have some fun with it, and if you have any advice or improvements, please contact me so I can see them!

Hail the new Aristocracy,

~~ Octocat, High Lord Artificer.