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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Lightsabers & Blasters Machined sabers...

Discussion in 'Costuming and Props' started by Darth_Cronus278, Jul 29, 2005.

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  1. Darth_Cronus278

    Darth_Cronus278 Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2005
    Attention all machiners of custom sabers: I haven't seen a topic devoted to machined sabers, so I thought I'd make one. Let me start with a question: Where do you get that wonderful thick walled tubing?? This thread can be used for anything concerning machined sabers, from designs to materials. Just don't try to sell them. LOL
     
  2. icbob

    icbob Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 7, 2005
    get a solid rod and empty out the center as you see fit :) takes some time to work, and u might need some special machine to do it
     
  3. Hitogiri

    Hitogiri Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jun 4, 2005
    Go to http://www.onlinemetals.com/ and look for 6061 aluminum tubing. Its what most saber makers use for their stuff.

    Hitogiri
     
  4. Smiling-Otter

    Smiling-Otter Jedi Youngling star 3

    Registered:
    Mar 21, 2001
    Onlinemetals is where I do most of my buying. Be sure to check out their "RAQ" section (Rarely Asked Questions.) It's a hoot.
     
  5. Darth_Cronus278

    Darth_Cronus278 Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jun 30, 2005
    Thanks for the help. Lets keep this one going. I'd love to see pics of people's machined sabers, some design sketches, or whatever. Thanks again.
     
  6. Master_Byrd

    Master_Byrd Jedi Padawan star 4

    Registered:
    Jul 23, 2002
    Geez, that 7077 aluminum is expensive...
     
  7. Quinn-Tain_Finn

    Quinn-Tain_Finn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2005
    I have ordered a small length of tubing to machine a custom saber, and the design is similar to the Mace Windu ep2/3. As a matter of fact, the grip section is exactly the same. Therefore, I am in need of grip material for this particular section of the saber. Any ideas?? Maybe someone sells this type of gripping? I need some good suggestions, as this will be my personal saber. Any help will be welcomed with great enthusiasm. By the way, I'm not new, read the sig!!
     
  8. Plo_Strax-Avix

    Plo_Strax-Avix Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 29, 2005
    This is my custom machined Luke ROTJ Stunt.

    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/SW%20Stuff/CustomROTJ024.jpg]

    I bought a length of solid aluminum and got a machine shop to make it manually. It has some mistakes on it because the machinist didn't factor in human inaccuracy when making the ridges, and ended up running out of space for all the ridges...

    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/CustomROTJ004.jpg]
    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/CustomROTJ011.jpg]
    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/CustomROTJ015.jpg]
    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/CustomROTJ019.jpg]
    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/CustomROTJ023.jpg]

    The emitter can be removed so that a Graflex clamp can be fitted. I still need o get it anodized black and bronze, but sort of getting used to it being 'naked' now...

    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/DSCF6072.jpg]
    [image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/drago_x/Luke%20ROTJ%20Stunt/DSCF6077.jpg]

    Here I have 2 varient of the Park's activation box on it...sort of make it look like the 1:1 version of the Exclusive chrome plated limited edition mini Luke Skywalker Light Saber from MR...
     
  9. LukeSkiewalker

    LukeSkiewalker Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Apr 4, 2003
    That's looks cool. Did you make the plans for them or did you find them somewhere? I ask because I have some crappy plans and I wanted to convert them so that the saber was two pieces so I would have and easier time turning into an EL saber.
     
  10. Hitogiri

    Hitogiri Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jun 4, 2005
    And more importantly, how much did the machinist charge and did you tell them what they were making?

    Thanks

    Hitogiri
     
  11. Plo_Strax-Avix

    Plo_Strax-Avix Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 29, 2005
    I found some plans online, and then drew my own using Corel Draw base on those. I changed some parts (like the ridges) to make them uniform in width, and rounded off some odd figures...

    You can actually see the printout of my plans on the wall behind the saber in the first pic...that's my favourite pic of this saber ;)

    I've since found better plans off the net, but couldn't find any good plans for the Luke Hero Saber, the one the MR Luke EE saber is based on...anyone got those plans?
     
  12. Plo_Strax-Avix

    Plo_Strax-Avix Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 29, 2005
    Machining cost me $75. I just told them its a part for a bigger prop. They don't speak much English so no point trying to explain exactly what it is anyway...They refuse to make another one though after this, saying its too much work...I'm currently looking for a company with a CNC machine to make more...
     
  13. Hitogiri

    Hitogiri Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jun 4, 2005
    Thanks for the info. I am interested in getting a machinist to do one of my designs but mine would be tube, not solid and have 3 seperate parts(base/pommel/emitter), I'm hoping for a good price range on it.

    Hitogiri
     
  14. Quinn-Tain_Finn

    Quinn-Tain_Finn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2005
    So nobody knows where I can get Windu style grips for my machined saber??
     
  15. Quinn-Tain_Finn

    Quinn-Tain_Finn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2005
    [image=http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a140/quinntainfinn/saber1.jpg]

    Here is my saber design. I have the tubing ordered, so hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll have pics of the actual saber. It will be done totally on a lathe, and the activator will be the Ki-Adi Mundi style LED bar. This is also the saber that I need Windu style grips for. My major question: Polish it, or leave it with the machined finish?? LMK what you think.
     
  16. Hitogiri

    Hitogiri Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jun 4, 2005
    Quinn-Tain Finn, you have turned away from the dark forces in your life. Come back to us, we miss you. No hard feelings, besides sacrificing your brother WAS your idea......
     
  17. Quinn-Tain_Finn

    Quinn-Tain_Finn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2005
    You are blinded by the lies of the Sith, dear child, as was I. It isn't worth the pain. Come back to the light...
     
  18. The_Random_Menace

    The_Random_Menace Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 3, 2005
    I SO WISH I HAD A LATHE...

    that ROTJ saber is beautiful and thats the next project i wanted to do
    i was thinking about just buying the force fx one though cuz its very nice
    i also asked the good man and random sabers if he could possibly make one, but no response yet

    i have a machine shop down the street but i get shy, because well im a star wars nerd lol
    i love every aspect about it... but i think that i could get them to lower the price from 75 to maybe, hopefully, 25
     
  19. The_Random_Menace

    The_Random_Menace Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 3, 2005
  20. sal

    sal Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 28, 2004
    currently I'm having the top portian of the sidious saber machined from aluminum it should be done by friday if all goes well.
     
  21. jedi-hungrylikespie

    jedi-hungrylikespie Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jun 12, 2005
    Quinn-Tain_Finn, there is some realy good grips that look similar to windu grips. they are actualy luke anh grips heres the site: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/Scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=39
    hope this helped.;)
     
  22. The_Random_Menace

    The_Random_Menace Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 3, 2005
    after i were to recieve my finished machine saber... how would i andonize parts black and bronze/copper
     
  23. Quinn-Tain_Finn

    Quinn-Tain_Finn Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Jul 30, 2005
    Thanks for the help. I wonder if I cut them down some to make them more narrow if the adhesive backing would still hold to the body of the saber?
     
  24. meiv4

    meiv4 Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 27, 2005
    Ive just ordered some tubing to machine my first saber. its 1 1/4 id schedual 40 aluminum pipe so it should be a little over 1.5 od. ive been toying with some designs and i might be posting some here later. im lucky to have a machinist for a dad and a lathe and mill in my garage so i will be doing all of the machining myself. planning on making it an EL saber so wish me luck and ill see if i can draw some plans.
     
  25. The_Random_Menace

    The_Random_Menace Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    Jul 3, 2005
    HEY EVERYONE... i am planning on getting a lathe, so i can make lightsabers of course...

    but i plan to make my own RandomSabers if you will.

    If i do make one... ill post about it hear with pics, prices, and more...

    i will make my own, sell them, then make custom ones...
     
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