This is a guide on how to build your own intimidator, it will cover:
A) Why Build
B) Where to start
C) Prices and hunting for deals
D) Useful links to places that sell useful items
E) Parts needed
F) Customization and making yours one of a kind
G) Closing Comments
H) People who can help/helped me
I) My gun and parts I find excellent
WARNING!!!!!! I am not responsible for anything that goes wrong with your gun. Everything in here is a suggestion. I am not endorsing any place or person of business. I still would recommend people to buy guns normally, this can get pretty messy if you are clueless. Read carefully and enjoy building your gun.
Section A= Why Build
Why build? Because its fun and the girls will be all over you.
Before you commit to building your own Intimidator, ask yourself why. What is the advantage? Do I have the funds and more importantly, the time? Am I doing this to increase my knowledge and skill? Is it going to cost me more than a used one?
Will I be able to build it? Plus its fun!
These questions are just a few of the many you should be asking yourself. There a are three big items that can cause a conflict here.
1)
Time= Do you have it? Do you need a gun before HB? Can you commit to building your gun or will it be a bunch of parts lying on your desk for 3 months? We all lead hectic lives at times, between everything, can you take time out to search for key parts and buy them?
2)
Money= Pretty self explanitory, money is what you need to get parts, of course. The advantage to building is that you can control the amount that goes into the gun at one time. Instead of blowing 500$ at once, you spend 20here and there. Doing this project is NOT cost effective.
3)
Skill= Do you have the knowledge and ability to do this? This is your project, the last thing a busy tech wants is a failed timmy you couldn't build. There's no point in building a gun if you can't do it yourself.
The main reason that lead me to build was customization and creative control. I hate getting a gun in trades and not having a color scheme or parts that I want. Doing this will give you the chance to control and carefully pick out parts that will fit your needs, leaving more money to you in some cases.
Section B= Where to start
Before you even start looking at bodies, frames, etc. Get a good working knowledge of what you are about to do. Read anything and everything you can. Stickies, reviews, faq's, they are all key. Ask questions, know what parts work where and why, know what parts to stay clear from.
Next, start getting a plan together. Get a visual image of what you want. Use photoshop, read through the picture threads to see what works and get some ideas, go out and play and see what people have. A plan usually changes shape and form by the time you are done, some things don't work out.Try to see if this is something you want to be annodized or milled, thats a different topic.
The most important step is to decide what GEN Timmy you are building, this is the basis or "theme" upon which you are working on.
Quick rundown of GENs: (Blast only)
GEN1= Ripper1's, Classic's
GEN2= 2k2's,ECx's,GZ's,Z,Dragon Species, Texas Storm's,etc.
GEN3= Empire1's, Alias,ND,RussianL,Lasoya2,Ripper2,Ripper2.5,etc.
GEN4= Infamous,Empire2(As of March 2006, I have not seen much in the way of building one of these)
You can build one of these, or a combo or none. There are a few aftermarket bodies that are non Blast. Once you chosen your type and "theme", you can begin the fun.
Section C= Pieces and hunting for parts
Having a well thought out, working gun will depend ont his step. Every part,component has a function and must be considered carefully. I bounced back and forth on so many things, its insane. Some parts are very hard to find, new or used. Sometimes you must sacrifice a part because of price or availabilty.
Patience and staying the course are key. When cruising the web, its very easy to "impulse buy" something. I went through 5 bodies before finding the one for me, I almost bought something I didn't want. Don't feel pressured to buy something you don't want, thats how the seller wins.
When buying used, the first thing you do is check out if its a legit sale and if the seller's legit. Getting scammed out of 400$ for a Ripper2 body isn't fun. Be wary of sellers who are pushy and won't talk to you other than basic costs. Not everyone has time to talk about a 10$ ramcap, but if your buying a body or frame, make sure you keep in contact. If you don't have any feedback, don't demand anything, thats not how it works. Be considerate and poilte.(This has no relation to the gun, just a tip)
Buying new is a different story, there are many online stores that sell many Intimidator parts at fair prices and will be excellent places to buy from. Keep an eye on stock availability and prices. As with buying that new camera or TV, keep a list of different prices and sales. Don't be hit with heavy shipping charges either, some places charge WAY too much for shipping.
By being patient and careful, you can pick good parts and not waste money. Its possible to get a cost effective gun, you just have to be smart.
Section D= Places to buy online
DISCLAIMER: I am not endorsed by any person of store. This is strickly on a personal basis. I have used most of these places or have heard many, many good things about them.
www.ebay.com
www.criticalpaintball.com
www.paintballkingdom.com
www.pbgear.com
www.Pevs.com
www.PBNation.com
www.PBReview.com
www.thetimmystore.com
www.pbwarehouse.net
www.assassinspaintball.com
www.markerkits.com
www.paintballmedic.com
You can buy from anywhere you want to. These places have a good product list to scan for items.
Section E= Parts list(screws and o-ring sizes when I find them)
Body
Ram,Ram cap, Ramsleeve
LPR, LPR Block, Guage
HPR
Frame,Frame Electronics,Board,Membrane/buttons,Eyes,Grips,Trigger Guard,Trigger,Trigger Screw
Feedneck
Ball Detents,Eye covers
Bolt
Solenoid,Barbs,Hosing
O-rings,Screws
ASA of some kind for tank
Tank
Hopper
Barrel
Paint
Quality parts from...
Blast(DUH)
AIM(the bodies aren't bad)
AKA
Hybrid
CP
Section F= Customization
One of the biggest thrills and "honors" of doing this is the chance to make yours like non other. Everyone has their own vision of what they want, so this guide won't give tips on how to. Annodizing and milling can give your gun new life and make it 1 of a kind. You can also make your own customizations.
The simplest way to customize is to give your gun a name.
I've seen a know of good anno'ing from Absolute finish, Precision PB and PBcustomz. You may want to check them out or look around for yourself.
Section G= Closing Comments
I hope this guide gives you, the reader and builder a glimpse into the world of the custom Intimidator. I still recommend that most people buy the regular way, pre-built. Have fun, be safe and toss some paint in your gun! There's nothing fun about having it in your shelf or gearbag and it not getting some!
Section H= Props
These guys helped me in someway somehow, I'd like to thank them.
Paintballer187
Paintballer8869
Crankwalk
Play_Front- Makes his timmies better than any I've shot
Lopez17- my "mentor" and a really cool guy
Bob Long and Blast for fixing a few parts and making the Intimidator.
Ladd17- Gave me some inspiration from his gun.
PBNATION, Intimidatorowners.com, and PBREVIEW
Section I= My gun(thought I'd share)
Took me about 2 months to build, overall cost, under $600. I had a board, reg and lpr already. I call it the "Magnum".
Specs: Alias body, 05 Bl frame, Frenzy 127.5c,Cp slingblade,kila detents,2-liter,Gen4 timmy eyes, empire ram and ram cap,cp barrel,hybrid rail and on/off,hardshell bolt, alias trigger guard. 2k5 lasoya LPR,redz feedneck,GEN6 hybrid grips.
I like using AKA regs, cp and hybrid parts, for the most part, they are all good quality and come in a variety of colors and sizes. I might annodize it 100% gloss blue one day, but for now, looking for ways to make it more unique.
If you find this helpful or find it terrible, let me know. Please feel free to leave feedback!
Building a Timmy? Read this.
