14 years ago, I built an Obi-Wan ANH lightsaber from a very nice Russrep kit. I was pleased with it at the time, but times change. More info and references on the original prop have come out, and my skill level has greatly improved.
So, after years of chomping at the bit to make another attempt, I recently took the plunge, and picked up Roman’s latest iteration. Only the weathered version was available, but that’s no big deal.
I’ve swapped out the clamp for a TGS, and the bubblestrip for a WannaWanga. I then moved on to the process of weathering the booster and the grenade. First, hammering, sandpaper, files, and steel wool. Then rusting with white vinegar fumes. Then scrubbing, sanding and soaking in vinegar to remove the rust. Then bluing. Then more hammering, sanding, and vinegar treatments. And so on. Once the surface damage and pitting looks about right, I can switch to just bluing and sealing with Barricade.
In regards to simulating the booster weld, any tips? I plan on applying and then shaping a blob of solder onto the appropriate fin. Should the fin be shaved or flattened out, first? In some reference images, it almost looks like the real Browning boosters had the fin’s edge cut down before welding.
The clamp is the big question mark. I haven’t yet decided whether to go with the Tunisia, Death Star or Chronicles version. Or whether to add the chrome tape or the screws and wires. I take it no new info has come out as to whether those details only appeared on the Chronicles version, and not during filming?
I’m also not entirely sold on Roman’s clamp spacer. The edge of the channel in the side of the spacer is visible through the clamp slot, which looks weird. Wondering if I should cut out a hole in the spacer so that the clamp slot actually looks like a slot, like on the real prop.
Any tips on alternate/more accurate clamp spacers and booster adapters would be appreciated, although I may just work with what I have.
Anyway, here’s the “before” picture of the stock Roman replica, before any mods.
So, after years of chomping at the bit to make another attempt, I recently took the plunge, and picked up Roman’s latest iteration. Only the weathered version was available, but that’s no big deal.
I’ve swapped out the clamp for a TGS, and the bubblestrip for a WannaWanga. I then moved on to the process of weathering the booster and the grenade. First, hammering, sandpaper, files, and steel wool. Then rusting with white vinegar fumes. Then scrubbing, sanding and soaking in vinegar to remove the rust. Then bluing. Then more hammering, sanding, and vinegar treatments. And so on. Once the surface damage and pitting looks about right, I can switch to just bluing and sealing with Barricade.
In regards to simulating the booster weld, any tips? I plan on applying and then shaping a blob of solder onto the appropriate fin. Should the fin be shaved or flattened out, first? In some reference images, it almost looks like the real Browning boosters had the fin’s edge cut down before welding.
The clamp is the big question mark. I haven’t yet decided whether to go with the Tunisia, Death Star or Chronicles version. Or whether to add the chrome tape or the screws and wires. I take it no new info has come out as to whether those details only appeared on the Chronicles version, and not during filming?
I’m also not entirely sold on Roman’s clamp spacer. The edge of the channel in the side of the spacer is visible through the clamp slot, which looks weird. Wondering if I should cut out a hole in the spacer so that the clamp slot actually looks like a slot, like on the real prop.
Any tips on alternate/more accurate clamp spacers and booster adapters would be appreciated, although I may just work with what I have.
Anyway, here’s the “before” picture of the stock Roman replica, before any mods.