If you’ve tried posing the TF2 sentry and dispenser props, you know what a pain in the ass they are. They fall into the ground and they don’t seem to react at all the the physics gun beam, almost like they’re effects instead of props (though effects aren’t pulled down by gravity). There is a spot to pick them up with but it’s about a pixel wide and really hard to find. What I’ve had to do is stand looking straight up and spawn them directly over my head and then try to grab them with the physics beam while they fall toward me.

There are a couple add-ons that make things a lot easier. First, the sentry poser, found here. This provides you with a new tool that lets you spawn, place, and aim sentries of whatever level or color you like with just a couple clicks. The only problem I’ve found is that picking them up with the phsyics tool tends to re-aim them.

This TF2 Sents pack is neat, too, providing you with dispensers and teleporters that aren’t just props — they build right in front of you with animation from the game, and even work once they’re built. The teleporter effects aren’t quite right yet, but they’ve gotten better in each release (this is version 1.3).

Don’t forget to read the facepunch forum threads contained in each link to see how to install these addons and figure out how everything works.