Tokyo Marui V3 Gearbox

[isparkthela]

Anyone know where to buy a complete TM V3 drop in gearbox that is wired to the back for a TM ak47?

Thanks!

[Mitchell12]

You'll be hardpressed to find a TM one. You can get other drop in's that will work fine though.

[isparkthela]

Originally Posted by Mitchell12

You'll be hardpressed to find a TM one. You can get other drop in's that will work fine though.

That's kind of what I thought. I searched and came up with nothing...I really want a TM one.

thanks!

[m102404]

The CA complete ones are not too hard to find. They need a bit of cleaning up, but they're a solid base to work with. Built like a tank.

The Action complete mechboxes are very nice...bit pricey though.

[Mitchell12]

I've had my JG v3 for a few years no no problems. Lots of grease in em though.

[isparkthela]

I have a G&P metal body kit, TM front end, and real wood furniture. So far, this has been a really cheap build and all I need is the gearbox.

I keep on hearing that no one builds an AEG like TM and when I started making the gun I overlooked the availability of complete TM gearboxes. If I continue to find nothing, I will check out those other options. Thanks for the help guys!

[m102404]

This is just my personal take on things...others might have a different opinion obviously.

TM has a great rep for a reliable mechbox for 2 main reasons:
1. Quality control. Their parts might not be the fanciest (see point #2) but the mechbox is assembled well.
2. Their mechboxes are designed to shoot 280-300fps w/ 0.20g bbs. This "stock" power level is fairly tame. When you run a "low" power setup...everything works better, smoother, longer.

But...
- their mechbox shells are actually quite "lightweight" compared to what else is out there. They're good...just light.
- their gears are pretty thin/small...totally fine for stock (and mild upgraded) power levels...but they're not beefy steel gears
- the bushings are plastic...again, they'll last quite a while at stock power levels, but are generally not thought to be suitable for upgraded power levels.
- the flimsy plastic spring guide is shit...but again, fine for stock power.

But...
- their other parts are nice...piston/piston head/cylinder head, cylinder, nozzle, tappet, switch, etc...
- TM motors are very good as well and definitely cost affordable

With "clone" mechboxes...the compromises that you'll tend to see are a lack of general quality control (fit and assembly) and the last two items. Quality control/consistency has been improving. But the molds/tolerances and material quality of the "little" parts are sub-par when compared to other makes.

Just my $0.02

Tys

[Skladfin]

TM Gears have superb meshing. If you combine it with TM Motor + good shimming, you won't hear the gear whine at all using anything over 9.6v.

The only thing I don't like about TM gearbox is the spring guide and the bushings. Everything else is perfect, especially their piston.

[isparkthela]

Originally Posted by m102404

This is just my personal take on things...others might have a different opinion obviously.

TM has a great rep for a reliable mechbox for 2 main reasons:
1. Quality control. Their parts might not be the fanciest (see point #2) but the mechbox is assembled well.
2. Their mechboxes are designed to shoot 280-300fps w/ 0.20g bbs. This "stock" power level is fairly tame. When you run a "low" power setup...everything works better, smoother, longer.

But...
- their mechbox shells are actually quite "lightweight" compared to what else is out there. They're good...just light.
- their gears are pretty thin/small...totally fine for stock (and mild upgraded) power levels...but they're not beefy steel gears
- the bushings are plastic...again, they'll last quite a while at stock power levels, but are generally not thought to be suitable for upgraded power levels.
- the flimsy plastic spring guide is shit...but again, fine for stock power.

But...
- their other parts are nice...piston/piston head/cylinder head, cylinder, nozzle, tappet, switch, etc...
- TM motors are very good as well and definitely cost affordable

With "clone" mechboxes...the compromises that you'll tend to see are a lack of general quality control (fit and assembly) and the last two items. Quality control/consistency has been improving. But the molds/tolerances and material quality of the "little" parts are sub-par when compared to other makes.

Just my $0.02

Tys

When you say "mildly" upgraded, about how many FPS are we talking? 350 & under?

What about ROF? I understand that when you run an 8.4v battery and switch to a 9.6v you are ultimately applying more stress to your internals, but is the added amount of wear noticeable? With no modifications, can a TM mech box handle the stress of a 9.6v battery? Or are you drastically decreasing the stock TM’s life?

Your $.02 are greatly appreciated!

[m102404]

Sure under 350 could be considered mild.

Sure, wear with bigger batteries is noticeable. TM boxes can handle bigger batteries...but for how long? They were built for "Stock" power levels....if you push them beyond that who knows when it'll fail. (Note: I've had some that have lasted quite a while....but the point is that you're pushing it up to or past it's designed limits). I wouldn't say that it's drastic though in general.

But put a M150 spring in it and hook it up to a 4000mah 35c lipo and rip off a dry fire burst...and it may not survive through it's first trigger pull (or it may! LOL).

[venture]

Originally Posted by isparkthela

When you say "mildly" upgraded, about how many FPS are we talking? 350 & under?

What about ROF? I understand that when you run an 8.4v battery and switch to a 9.6v you are ultimately applying more stress to your internals, but is the added amount of wear noticeable? With no modifications, can a TM mech box handle the stress of a 9.6v battery? Or are you drastically decreasing the stock TM’s life?

Your $.02 are greatly appreciated!

Old timey Tokyo Marui standard procedure: Do not upgrade the spring (well maybe 10%) and do not increase voltage and do fire in full auto with 5-10 shot bursts. You will then have a gearbox that is good to go for years.

TM's plastic bushings will not handle sustained auto firing. Friction will melt them down. I do not know if these new reinforced third party boxes with steel gears and metal bushings/ bearings can sustain full auto firing or not, but don't do it with stock TM.

[isparkthela]

Yea that is kind of what I figured. You wouldn’t put a beefed up engine in your car and not have to worry about the breaks, tires, shocks, etc. The same concept applies here.

I do not have enough confidence to piece together a complete mech box. I am looking for something that is rock solid and very smooth…not the top of the line, but solid. You say CA or Action make a decent box?

[Skruface]

ACTION gearboxes are simply inexpensive Chinese cloned parts in a cloned gearbox shell.

Something like this may be better: it may have a few cheap parts in it, but the majority of it is decent parts from well-known manufacturers (Systema/Guarder/G&P):

http://airsoftglobal.com/product_inf...oducts_id=7177

[isparkthela]

Originally Posted by Skruface

ACTION gearboxes are simply inexpensive Chinese cloned parts in a cloned gearbox shell.

Something like this may be better: it may have a few cheap parts in it, but the majority of it is decent parts from well-known manufacturers (Systema/Guarder/G&P):

http://airsoftglobal.com/product_inf...oducts_id=7177

What battery size would be safe to run with this gearbox? What is the velocity on the sp120 spring?

[CDN_Stalker]

Personally I'd just rewire it to the rear (if you have modded an existing AK47), if all is from scratch......... then I understand why you'd be looking for a drop in mechbox.