Re: Edraven99's Real Parts Lightsaber Build Thread - Real Parts Obi Build!!
Ok… so I’ve been meaning to post a step-by-step build thread for my Real Parts Obi lightsaber ever since I saw Tom’s build.
I figured that people might want to see (no offense to Tom) a less “extreme” build, that might not be as daunting as drilling the grenade or cutting up a vintage flash hider, and still makes use of as many vintage parts as possible for their builds.
And the beauty thing about this build is that because Roman offers complete Mk 1grenade replicas as well as a replica of the ANM2 booster cone, all of you out there with replica parts can do this build as well!
So here’s what you need for hardware parts:
- One 3 ½ “ long 1/4 20 carriage bolt
- One 3/8 16 rod cut to about 6 ¼” long
- One 3/8 16 to 1/4 20 coupling nut (Thanks Tom!)
- One 1/4 20 nut
- Two 1/4 20 washers
Step 1:
Put the carriage bolt through the AS handwheel. You’ll notice that the square base of the bolt fits perfectly into the square slot of the handwheel hole. Tighten with one of your washers and the nut.
Step 2:
Put your booster into place in the handwheel, complete with the booster cone attached. Mine’s a replica cone that came from the run that
teecrooz had done, which was beautifully finished by
Serenity. It’s still available as far as I know from Roman.
Use your last washer and secure with your coupling nut.
Step 3:
Test fit your clamp. The clamp should sit on top of your booster fins and when closed, snugly clamp around the lip of the booster cone ring.
Here’s the neat thing: the diameter of the booster cone ring is the same diameter as the grenade! To further test the fit of your clamp, release it, take your grenade and have the base of it “sit” on the clamp tabs and close the clamp again. You should be able to lift everything with only the tension of the clamp holding everything together (though I would NOT recommend swinging it around!)
At this point, attach your transistors to your clamp. I attached my vintage transistors but cutting off the “legs”, drilling a small hole into the resin base, epoxying a small brass screw with the screw head cut off, and securing them using small brass nuts through the clamp holes. The washer is from Roman.
Step 4:
Once you’ve attached your transistors, once again, place your properly fitted clamp on top or your booster fins.
Take your 3/8 16 rod and screw it into your nut adaptor all the way so that it’s tight.
Then, take your grenade - with the brass top plate still screwed on – and gently thread the 3/8 16 rod through it and once again have the base of it sit on top of the clamp tabs.
Another fun fact: the hole in the brass top plate as well as the opening in the wind vane base are pretty much 3/8” in diameter so the rod will keep your grenade in place.
Add your bubble strip to the clamp and close it to secure everything together.
Step 5:
Screw on your balance pipe and adaptor (again, I’m using Roman’s adaptor) and voila!
You now have a very securely put together Obi Wan lightsaber with minimal fuss and utilizing as many of the pieces to the original parts as possible!
As for my build… I’d say I’m about 99% finished with it. I have a re-chromed AS handwheel on it that I’m using at the moment for it, but I intend to swap that out with my vintage chromed handwheel as soon as I can get the D-ring hole drilled.
I also may try and swap out my wind vane wheel (propeller?) with a more accurate ‘ridged’ ring; which I do have, but I need to get the ring re-soldered back together.
And for all of you who bore through this really long post, how about a special treat? And what better treat than not one, but
TWO real parts Obi Wan Kenobi lightsabers?
Enjoy!!
