Flatline question for Mimos or others.

KossaK · 08-05-2002, 04:21 PM

I'm directing this at Mimos since i know he uses and loves his flatline. but anyone else with knowledge that might be useful can chip in !

I just bought a flatline and installed it. (properly! it works great!)

my problems is this: My shroud does not fit properly. at all.
I've put it on properly... through the right hole in the back of my sight, but it's TOO LONG! i'm only talking about a misalignment of like 3 or 4 millimeters... but it's enough to ensure that my feed neck will not close, and the foregrip on the shroud is putting a fair bit of pressure on the barrel, knocking it out of place. I've messed with it every way i could think of without damaging it... and now i'm fresh out of ideas!

I've resorted to using the barrel WITHOUT the shroud for the time being, but i WANT TO USE IT.... theres no sense in me spending a wad of cash only to use HALF of the kit i bought!

Mimos? i forget if you use your shroud or not... but does this problem sound familiar? or am i just "special" ??
I dont want to shave the shroud down, because i'm scared i'll void whatever manufacturers warranty i may have... I'm actually gonna fire an email off to Tippmann soon and see if they can maybe send me a shroud that fits or something... (which is another thing, does anyone have the tech help email for tippmann? the link is broken on their site!?)

I'm gonna see if i can attach a picture of my problem. i'll edit it in shortly.

KossaK · 08-05-2002, 06:59 PM

Bump! somebody help!

Morbid_Obesity · 08-05-2002, 07:58 PM

Do you have a 98 custom or an original model 98? I remember hearing that the kit didn't fit well on the model 98 and it was only compatable with 98 customs either below or above (not sure) serial number 83000. I dunno if this helps or not. Try calling Tippmann's number with your gun's serial number on hand.

Morbid_Obesity · 08-05-2002, 08:01 PM

tippman's support email is tech@tippmann.com

sniper14 · 08-05-2002, 08:01 PM

i think your special, ive never heard of this probem before, all i can think of is shave it down, or not use it at all, and ur not useing just 1/2 of the kit, its plastic the 130$ i payed for it probally 20 if not less is for the sheath. it preforms just as good w/ out the sheath, if not better cuz after u get the addapter all alinged u dont have to take tha barrel out of the addapter making it more consistant. plus it looks cooler w/o the sheath, not many people have a bent barrel

sniper14 · 08-05-2002, 08:04 PM

oh yea, our breech looks kinda dirty, whens the last time u cleaned that thing?

Mimos · 08-05-2002, 09:43 PM

Good eye catcher Kossak. I said wth's my name doing on a thread?

Quote:

Mimos? i forget if you use your shroud or not... but does this problem sound familiar?

Normally I do not use my shroud, I will use it on occasions however. Like when I'm at a Field and I don't feel like explaining the curved barrel to every other person. And two, yes, it sounds incredibly familiar.

My elbow latch had a very hard time trying to push past the little bit of excess plastic. I had to slam it shut rather hard. I finally got fed up with it, and filed off the extra few mm's of plastic. See picture.

I had to file off quite a bit. But, it closes very smoothly now. If the small amount of damage is cosmetically concerning to you, I'm sure you could pick one up from Tippmann with a discount or maybe even free minus s&h, due to your inconsistent shroud.

Mimos · 08-05-2002, 09:45 PM

here it is.

Still can't get the hang of the resizing with this new program.

KossaK · 08-06-2002, 06:25 AM

Ok thanks guys. Mimos, i am probably gonna have to do the exact same thing that you did, and mill off a little of the extra plastic. I'm just leery of doing it because if i ever run into problems with the actual BARREL, my warranty might be voided because i frigged around with the shroud.

Also, i emailed Tippmann, and i dont know if they read the whole thing or not, but they sent back a generic reply of "ship your gun out to us" sort of thing.
I refuse to ship my gun anywhere, especially down to Minnesota, or wherever Tippmann is, because i'm in eastern Canada, and i'm not gonna get screwed with all the cross border crap, shipping, and the potential to have TWO national post services LOSE my gear! I think i'll CALL them in an hour and talk to a PERSON.

oh and someone was talking about serial numbers: only 98's and 98c's with serial numbers under 8000 are affected. i'm in the 27,000's!

Meph · 08-06-2002, 06:56 AM

Just use a dremel disc to it. They last 30 seconds, but they can cut anything known to man!

KossaK · 08-06-2002, 07:32 AM

Ok i just got off the phone with Tippmann.
Apparently this shroud issue was common with some of the old-style shrouds.
They are sending me a new shroud, free of charge, all the way up to Canada. I'll admit it suprised me. infact, i need to go change my Depends!

Many of you already know this, but they key to dealing with a company is this: Talk to a REAL breathing PERSON. Email is good to break the ice, but CALL them and TALK.
I'm actually pleased!

Mimos · 08-06-2002, 02:24 PM

Hey, that's awesome. I knew they'd take care you. I should have called them a while back for a new one. But, I don't really need one anyway.

Anyway, glad to hear they're sending you a new one free, over international borders none the less.

KossaK · 08-06-2002, 03:08 PM

yeah! Now i'll have two shrouds, one of which i can mill, and use in the unfortunate event that i somehow damage my GOOD shroud...

What would really make my day, is if my new shroud turns out to be one of those METAL beauties.... though in all reality, i can't really see that happening.

I'm just thrilled that i'm getting a new shroud sent out to me! if i could sing or dance, i'd probably be doing that right now!

SmittyTheMaster · 08-06-2002, 07:38 PM

kingman customer service blows, they would never send free parts out those greedy *******s