Lightsaber building workshop info/signup

Hi all...

I'm working on putting together the lightsaber building workshop info. My idea is to present you with ideas and design examples, let you pick the saber, buy the parts, and then we'll put them together here. You can build a nice lightsaber hilt starting at about $6.00.

I'm working on taking pics of some of the hardware sabers I've built so you can look at them. In the mean time, you can visit the sabers from the big yellow box website at

http://bigyellowbox.tripod.com/

On this site he shows several sabers that can be built from home depot parts and gives instructions. I haven't built any of his designs, but most look pretty nice and easy.

His website has bandwidth problems, so it's often difficult to get to because it's so popular.

Post here if you have questions or to sign up...

In addition, I have molds of a few parts I can cast up, like bubble displays, buttons, activators, end caps, etc.

If you want original trilogy style grips, I have a floor mat from Walmart that we can still cut a few from, or several can pitch in and buy another one ($17.00 I think, which can get about 10 sets of grips if you cut straight). Or, if you want really nice ones, you can get many accessories from John Shields at

http://www.blast-tech.com/

John's a great guy, his products, delivery time, and customer service are top-notch.

I'm currently planning on having our first workshop June 3.

Post here if you have any questions or to sign up. As soon as I have my pics up I'll post here.

Doug

 

Count me in -
Ryan A.

 

I'm there, too, man.

 

First off...date correction: June 7, not June 3 (that's a Saturday)...

Second, I've put up some pics and descriptions of what I've put together (and still have to take pics of). They're at:

http://jedi5150.fateback.com/props/hardware_sabers

I've done each for $20.00 or less.

Let me know if you have ???'s....

Doug

 

I've posted a pic of the saber I helped Neil build a while back..it's very Vader-inspired, and cost him about $6.50...

http://jedi5150.fateback.com/props/sabers/club-members/neil-nebeker-1.jpg

I've also used up the last of my casting resin making "greeblies" for you to use on your sabers...I have a few d-ring mounts, vader anh "bulb releases", vader ROTJ door catches, bubble displays, luke anh buttons, and a few other pieces. I'll get a pic posted later...

Anobody else coming?

Doug

 

Howdy doo folks,
I think it is high time we discuss building a couple of electro-luminescent (EL) blades. My idea is to combine financial resources to create two blades, one good and one evil. The donors to the project would have access to the finish products for props in fan films or live presentations. Rotoscoping aside, a couple of high tech props has club recruitment potential. At this point in the game having a discussion has the advantage of being free.

Alan...

 

Having a lightsaber that actually glows...sounds like a wicked cool idea to me. I'll pitch in.

 

EL could be cool...

Sorry I haven't posted back in here sooner, been all tied up finishing up "Reepo" and my modem is being wacky....

Anyway, just thought I'd let everybody know that Home Depot has 1.5" x 12" chrome drain extensions on sale for $1.00!!! That's a great price, and that's what you'll need for your saber body....

I'll try to get a list of other generic parts/supplies you'll need soon...

Doug

 

Hi all,

I've got a list of the generic parts you will need coming soon. In the mean time, there are a lot more custom sabers you can see at the sites below:

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=Rogue74&album_id=54138

http://www.thelightsaber.com/CustLight.htm


Stay tuned....

 

Here's a shopping list:

-Saber Body:

1.5" diameter 12" long chrome drain pipe - Home Depot (on sale right now for $1.00)

-Tailcap/pommel:

For the tailcap you can use a 1 3/8" hole plug from Ace Hardware, a 1 gallon milk jug cap, a 1.5" fender washer from Ace, or a sinkknob from Home Depot (check to make sure it will fit on the end of the pipe). Or use your imagination.

-Emitter:

Every saber has an emitter...the end where the blade comes out. The easiest thing to do is to cut it at an angle or cut an s-curve in it (like Luke's ANH saber). I have templates to print out to use to cut the s-curve using a dremel tool (which I have). I have instructions to make a Vader ROTJ style emitter, but it takes time (and about $12.00 in supplies). I'm still working on resin-casting it, but it's not working very well.

-Belt Attachment:

You'll need a way to hang it on your belt. The original trilogy used D-Rings. You can get D-ring assemblies at Home Depot or Ace in the Picture Hanging section. The ones they have aren't exactly screen-accurate, but can be made more-so if you pick up a pack of 1" d-rings at Walmart (in the fabric section) and we replace the D-Ring on the assembly with a walmart d-Ring. A pack of 4 d-rings at Walmart is about $0.80. If you use a d-ring, you should also pick up a belt clip. I use a key clip from Walmart (back in automotive, where they make keys). These work well.

You can also use a cell phone quick release belt clip (you know, with the little round knob on the phone that clips into the belt clip). This would be more along the lines of what was done in the prequels. I think you can find these at Walmart.

-Grips

I've got plenty of original trilogy style grip material to go around. If you don't want original trilogy grips, use your imagination. Other people have used rubber o-rings, bicycle grips, etc. You could also make bigger yoda-style grips from PVC pipe (I've got some).

-Greeblies

Obviously, you'll need some buttons, knobs, etc. I've got resin-casts of a bunch of these style items, or you can use screws and screw caps (Ace Hardware), lamp screws, thumbscrews, etc. It may be a good idea to rummage through the parts bins at Ace hardware.

-Other supplies you'll need:

100 grit and 220 grit sandpaper (1-2 sheets each) - Dollar store, walmart, etc
1 bottle quick-tight super glue - Walmart
X-acto style hobby knife (if you've got one, bring it)
dremel tool with cutting discs (if you have one. I have one we can all share).

If you're going to paint any parts (like emitters, tailcaps, buttons, etc) you'll need:
1 can of spray primer
1 can of flat black spray paint (or whatever color you want)
1 can of clear spray paint

Walmart has some really good spray paint for $0.97 per can that works well for this, it dries fast, etc.

I've got 1 can of Krylon original chrome for painting endcaps chrome. This is good paint except if you handle the part a lot, it will dull. We may need to pick up another can depending on what all we paint with it. It's about $4.00/can

I've got plenty of screws, a tap and die set, a drill press, a dremel tool, a pipe cutter, hacksaw, jeweler's hacksaw, files, razor saw, etc that I will share.

That's it for now, I'll post more as I think of it.

 

Here's a pic of another custom I did this last week for Levi. Click on it to view in the correct proportions

[image=http://www.wackychimp.com/uploads/j5150-custom-2.jpg]

 

I had something come up this weekend, and it doesn't look like I'm gonna be able to make it. I still want to build a hilt, though...

 

OK, so is anybody coming?

 

The lightsaber building get-together was a blast. Coery and Erik's sabers turned out really cool, and I think Ryan and I are on our way to having pretty cool sabers, too. We should definitely do this again. Anyone interested in the least bit should do it. It's inexpensive, fun, and you actually feel like you've accomplished something afterwards.

 

I'm glad everybody enjoyed it! I was worried about the logistics because I hadn't done this before, but it turned otu really well....I've got some pics I'll get posted in the next little while and link to them...


Doug

 

yeah, my saber is pretty freaking cool!

 

I've uploaded a few pics of the workshop....

They're at:

http://jedi5150.fateback.com/props/sabers/club-members/workshop/index.htm

More to come!

Doug

 

O.K.

Now that I'm puttin' together a saber, I think I need a costume to go with it. So, is there gonna be a costuming workshop?

 

I'm game. My sewing machine is ready!! Anyone else?!?!

 

Count me in, I have a sewing machine I can borrow. YIPEEEEEEE