COMPLETE(?) Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Maybe people are a little tired of saber builds on here... and considering how complicated some of the projects are on here, this is a simple build...but I've been putting this together, and am CLOSE to done, figured I would post.I got a lot of good ideas from forum members, so maybe I can share a couple, and get some help on finishing.

The great thing about this saber build is it's dirt cheap. I bought the Bolsey on Ebay for 9.99... 10 bucks is a small price to pay for a fun little project.

Anyway, when I picked up my Bolsey flash I was SHOCKED to see how small it was. I knew yoda had a shorter flash,but I thought it was just a 2 cell rather than 3... nope. Tiny, but pretty cool.


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It was pretty beat up...not a big deal, but it looked mint on ebay (this happens to me a lot, heh).


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Getting the top off looked like it was going to be a huge pain in the ass... but it actually came apart pretty easily. THD9791's flash top I know was a pain, so I may have been lucky on this.


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Once I got the black band off, I unscrewed the shroud part and pulled all the little thin metal pieces out... rescrewed it back together.


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THIS metal piece for attaching to the camera was a HUGE pain in the ass. Much like THD9791, I just sanded the crap out of the rivets with my dremel and then forced it off. I then banged out the rest of the remaining rivet with a screwdriver and a hammer.


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So using the schematics from the visual dictionary and Ed-209's photos from THD9791's thread here:

http://www.therpf.com/f9/thd9791s-yoda-lightsaber-178890/

I started on the band... measuring, scoring and then filing out the square groove.


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Next I cut up a piece of sink tube I had, and made the 4 handle grips...


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Now I know the bottom end of the Bolsey is completely different than the Praco flash - but I have no idea where to get an alternative, so I figured I would just sand off the paint on the one I have... Thanks to panterateama for some suggestions...


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I sanded it down with a super fine grit... so while not quite the same as a praco, as a cheap alternative, it works for me. I just need to make the edges a little more even all the way around.


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So next was on to the band, control box and grips....

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Nice work. While I'm not a saber junkie, I really enjoy threads were people take the time to document their progress. It really helps those of us who are starting out.

Looking forward to following your build.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Wow, nice job! I love the plastic sink pipe idea, I think I was so frustrated getting mine apart that I rushed the end. Wonderful sanding job on the bottom too, keep it up!

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Very nice build so far! I've been trying very hard to limit my collecting to OT sabers only, but stuff like this really make me want to expand my collection!

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Nice job!
I have about 7 Bolseys and 2 Pracos to finish. For that rivet holding the bracket on--you can just pop it off with some twisting. For the grips, I used weather strip. I'm only doing the Praco with authentic Lambo wheel and Corvette oil pan switch, so the others will get whatever I can find. The Bolseys all have electronics, so the wheel is no problem--I have fashioned tube holders instead.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

KhalDrogo said:

Very nice build so far! I've been trying very hard to limit my collecting to OT sabers only, but stuff like this really make me want to expand my collection!

Click to expand...

Yea I felt that way about the OT sabers, but when I saw that the Yoda was originated from a flash handle, I figured I would make an exception.

- - - Updated - - -

HermesBlackstar said:

Nice job!
I have about 7 Bolseys and 2 Pracos to finish. For that rivet holding the bracket on--you can just pop it off with some twisting. For the grips, I used weather strip. I'm only doing the Praco with authentic Lambo wheel and Corvette oil pan switch, so the others will get whatever I can find. The Bolseys all have electronics, so the wheel is no problem--I have fashioned tube holders instead.

Click to expand...

I've never even seen a Praco go up on ebay, so while I'd like to do a praco as originally built, it will probably be a while off. This one is kinda practice.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

So since I don't have the corvette oil pan model, and trying to keep the cost down on this one, I decided to make the activator with styrene...

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I wrapped sandpaper around the flash and then sanded the styrene to get it close to the right curve...


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Then glued it down, and sanded the sides...


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To get the rounded section, I cut a sharpie lid down lengthwise and sanded it til it was close to the right size...


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A bit of a screw up, I cut the square piece out of the wrong side (looking at mirrored specs is a prob for me... measure twice! cut once.) so I needed to fill and cut a new slot.


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But now ready for paint.


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Primed and then painted black. I was trying to match the type of black... I figured it was just a flat black. In the end it doesn't look quite right next to the original pics, but I really like the flat black look, so I'm keeping it that way!


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Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

So next up was the grips...

I had asked nniebling on another thread what he had used as grips, and he mentioned plastic sink tube. While I had already planned this, he mentioned using a rubber spray over it to give it some grip.

So after sanding down my grips to the size I wanted, I found some Rustoleum Rubber spray (seems the only type in Canada) and gave it a shot...


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The look wasn't really what I expected... but it looks awesome. So win.

After the way the sanding turned out on the bottom piece, I decided to take a fine sandpaper to the rest and carefully re-brush it. I was a little hesitant, but then remembered I only paid 10 bucks for it, so at worst, I'll just replace it.

The sanding turned out pretty sweet, and so this is where I'm at with it right now.


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A comparison of the control box with the original posted on another thread(pic from ED-209... hope that's cool)

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What I'm still needing:

The proper end cap - this isn't that big a deal... I kind of like how it looks now. But a bottom that better matches a praco would be good.

This screw...


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(picture is from Ed-209's original Yoda flash from previous thread- lemme know if it's not okay to post)

Anyone know what that is or where I can get one? It's being picky, but since it's likely reasonable I'd find it, I figure I may as well.

PEM Nut - I'm thinking I'm just going to order the 400 or so I'm going to be forced to just so I can get 1. I figured it would be easy to get off this board, but apparenlty not.

Lambo Wheel - This is a huge pain. While I have no issue not having the proper oil pan, this isn't something I'm going to be able to come close to replicating. I figure I'll maybe just break in a few months and get one off ebay - at least I'll have an extra for a future praco build. Unless anyone knows a good alternative.

Anyway, any ideas on the above? suggestion?

Thanks fer lookin.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Hi there,

this looks rather good indeed ... the oilpan is nicely replicated from scratch ... and looks spot on.

Here's a lighter picture of the original :



Well done sofar ... it's beautiful

-Chaim

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Thanks.

Every part seems to be a *little* off from the original -But I still quite like it as an interpretation of the original.


The final parts are on the way...

Well not that shroud screw... As I believe Chaim has mentioned, it's probably a screw for pracos...

Anyone know of a similair screw should look for?

Sym-Cha said:

Hi there,

this looks rather good indeed ... the oilpan is nicely replicated from scratch ... and looks spot on.

Here's a lighter picture of the original :

[url]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz258/Sym-Cha/yodasab2-a_zpsf65f3a62.jpg[/URL]

Well done sofar ... it's beautiful [url]http://i833.photobucket.com/albums/zz258/Sym-Cha/icon14.png[/URL]

-Chaim

Click to expand...

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

This is the only screw that I heard of that came rather close :



It's a Mikuni Carberator Jet 135c ... just have no clue where
to purchase them in Canada . . . since I never did buy one.

-Chaim

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Nice work! Lightsabers are among my favorite movie props and are what got me interested in props in the first place! That being said, I'll never get tired of them

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

wonderful button!

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Very cool, nice price too, also if I've learn nothing else today I've learn the oldest calender was discovered in Aberdeen.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Well the FINAL (?) pieces came in for this build, so gotta finish this thread off!

First came the PEM nut, thanks to Mark aka Fyberdyne labs... saved me from having to order a bag of 300!



I was terrified to drill into the flash at this point to add the PEM nut. It's one thing to do that when I bought it for 9.99... but now I've become attached to this little project, and didn't want to slip and gouge it (I use a hand drill... and it's probably 10 times the size of the flash). I positioned the nut slightly off center, since the original ED209 one was slightly off as well - lined up to the other nut.

Then Bill aka Bill313 hooked me up with my lambo wheel needs... Truly great.



I couldn't find a screw long enough for the lambo wheel with the same head as the original, but whatever... minor detail I'll fix if I come across one.



The only thing I MAY yet deal with is that brass screw. Chaim linked one above, and I MAY order one... though the ones I've found will cost me near 15 bucks, and I'm only guessing I'll be able to use it. Maybe I'll get bored one day and just take my chances.

Other than that, I would say I'm done with this one...

Thanks all RPFers who helped out...whether by sending me pieces, advice, or starting threads that got me into doing this one, just for the hell of it.

Re: Another Yoda Saber from a Bolsey flash build

Nice!! looks great

Looks great!
Mark

Thanks!

Funny thing is this is the only saber I have I can call complete... the rest are just a pile of parts.

Slowly...

Yup ... congrats on your first finished builds ... good photography too

and yes I have an archive box full of bits and parts as well. Need more
time to finish my Luke's ANH and ESB, Obi-Wan's one original parts and
one cast+replicas ... a Vader ROTJ Graflex and a mix between a Heiland
and MPP replica's ... 1 Praco and another Bolsey 2 . . .

-Chaim

Great build and GREAT thread! I was searching ebay tonight for a flash, found one, and wondered what it would take to convert it. This thread is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Very nice work! Love the scratch-built oil pan!