1st Graflex

[db94]

Hi

Posted a wee introduction earlier today along with an apology -

Been a "member" on here for several years and picked up loads of useful information, followed projects and enjoyed everyone's collections but never once posted/contributed.
My participation in this forum was completely one sided, sorry.

My collection includes my childhood vintage toys and Master Replicas OT sabers and blasters - it was actually MR that got me back into SW and collecting after my wife treated me to Luke's ESB saber for a birthday present - I was instantly hooked.

Always hankered for a Graflex and last month I was lucky enough to acquire a beautiful 2 cell - the very second I held it in my hand and realised just how well these things are made I knew what direction my collecting was going to take. I was holding a real lightsaber and incredibly impressed with the engineering.


It's beautifully weathered, wouldn't change a thing about it. My plan is to complete with a 3 cell - I'm guessing a genuine 3 cell end piece will be out of my budget but thankfully Roman has put up pre orders for his graflex parts including the end piece so have treated myself to one (can't wait for it to arrive) and will source grips, calc strip as I go along.

Obviously I have poured over all the fantastic threads covering graflex builds and can only thank you guys for the information and more importantly the push I needed to buy one in the first place - I am sincerely very grateful.

Here's a few pics - honestly can't wait to update this post as I build my very own graflex saber!!!!

 

[thd9791]

Beautiful score! It's going to make a hell of a saber

 

[NeoRutty]

A welcome to the club, a farewell to your wallet.

 

[newmagrathea]

Very nice, congratulations on your score. I did the same thing, I bought a 2 cell and later picked up a real 3 cell bottom right before the prices skyrocketed.

 

[phunkymunky]

Oh my, I started with a 2 cell, then another, then a full, then went with a Romans and still want more. These things are addicting. Very nice, and congrats on your purchase. Hope to see your build. Although there's only 3 variants, not including vader and anakins, I never get tired of seeing these. I love seeing what everyone brings to the final build.

 

[propmainiac]

Youve taken your first step into a larger world.

 

[db94]

Cheers guys really appreciate your replies -

Looking at buying grips, read all available info on t tracks and poured over your pictures, gotta say researching this has been really enjoyable and everything I read gets me more excited about being in the Graflex club.

So after reading lots and looking at loads of pictures I am no further on in making a decision so I am thinking as I will 100% be building other graflex sabers (hopefully genuine if I can track them down) I might be a few different pieces and have them at hand ready and waiting.

I have pre ordered Romans ANH conversion kit to go with the replica end piece but also fancy Roys kit and t track from Gino

Quick question on the t tracks I have mentioned - would like them to fit snug round the circumference of the hilt and not lift at the edges, are there any better from those mentioned above for achieving this? Realise this look might not be 100% movie accurate but looking at my MR LE and FX saber I noticed they were snug all the way around and I prefer that look. Is this achieved by heating then moulding the grips on just using strong adhesive?

Cheers for any help/info you can pass on

 

[Sym-Cha]

http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=253797 ... all possible T-tracks I've collected over the years, minus Todd's costume, whose T-tracks are being mentioned though and I assume you can always file or sand Roy's or GINO's plastic T-tracks to a more snug custom fit

Chaim

 

[thd9791]

this is a new thing, when it comes to the movies. The TFA track hugs the graflex perfectly, though no one has made any.....yet!

All other T track was supposed to be installed on a flat surface in the first place, and thats why it lifts up....so most of it out there still does.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Blast-Tech (rubber) and King of Parts (metal) T-tracks were the only ones that had a nice curve
underneath for a rather slick snug fit onto a G R A F L E X flashgun :

(King of Parts metal T-tracks ... purchased via ebay ... unknown if still available)

Chaim

 

[db94]

Sym-Cha
Huge thanks for posting that link - exactly the guide I was looking for, lovely clear pictures

What do you think about these - both from the UK the first coming from chilterns furniture industry
-

Not sure of the background on this one

 

[Sym-Cha]

The T-tracks in your first pictures are the same as offered by our member Marv ... the second T-track is quite horrific ... nice find for real parts . . . yet so ugly :wacko

Chaim

 

[Solos blaster]

Congrats on your first, even if it is a 2cell!

I love the pitting on the bulb holder. Makes me think of a well worn emitter from a heavily used saber and tells a great story, ala some of the surplus weapons from WW2 and earlier that we have today.

I can't wait to see it finished!

 

[thd9791]

The T-tracks in your first pictures are the same as offered by our member Marv ... the second T-track is quite horrific ... nice find for real parts . . . yet so ugly :wacko

Chaim

My thoughts exactly, at least it has a glue channel, but gosh only a mother could love that T track

 

[db94]

Well here is a 3 year update - As plenty of you suggested I got well and truly hooked of finding out all about the various versions of the flash and tracking them down.

The amount of information available from this forum, fb groups and new collecting friends is amazing.
I have loved every second of the hunt - visiting all the second hand shops within driving distance and spending hours online every week.
I set out to buy/build a static lightsaber but fell in love with the actual flash.

Have made one ANH static from a Folmer, used Master Replicas grips on a TGS bottom with a Robertson screw. The recent two rivot discovery (my all time fav thread on this forum) is a fine excuse to build another.

So here is an updated picture of my collection 3 years on. I am really happy with it, took my time and didn't go crazy with the money just a good balance of patience and good luck.

Thanks again to everyone that shares info on here, really is appreciated.

 

[eethan]

ahah my god that was awesome. I discover this post for the first time and went through it from the first post and was super surprised with the last picture. Awesome collection, congrats!

 

[eethan]

why didn't you use one of those extra 3cell bottom on the top and clamp assembly you have? gosh, I have 14 graflexes myself and I'm jealous of your collection...

 

[db94]

why didn't you use one of those extra 3cell bottom on the top and clamp assembly you have? gosh, I have 14 graflexes myself and I'm jealous of your collection...

I asked myself the same question after I'd put everything away and looked at the picture

 

[eethan]

yeah it happens all the time.
last time I put away everything after a photo session, I realised I didn't have the memory card inside the camera...

 

[The Ninja]

Awesome Graflex collection buddy I love seeing all those Graflex lined up, there sure is some history in that photo very cool congrats