ANH Graflex Build Help

[JDunn]

Hi Guys,

First time poster here! I've been a lurker for a few years, and finally got a reason to start a thread. I managed to pick this up for only $40 at an estate sale. The guy I bought it from had no idea what it was.

ANY advice is appreciated. As you can see, the only modification I've made so far is the metal tape to cover the Graflex branding. If anyone can recommend a decent ANH parts kit for this, that would be awesome.

Also, does anyone know of a way to tighten the bunny ears, they are wiggling around alot.

Really sorry if any of my questions have been answered in separate threads.

Thanks guys!

 

[MonkeyHeads]

Welcome! I've heard/seen great things from Roy's work from http://wannawanga.com/
I'm sure he won't disappoint! Good luck in the build, be sure and post pictures.

That estate sale was one heck of a deal BTW!

"For the Jedi it is time to eat as well"

 

[Sym-Cha]

Hi JDunn,

welcome aboard ... wannawanga is your shop to get an ANH kit ... just loose the tape if you're going for screen-accuracy ... it was non apparent. Next is your clamp lever ... it's on the wrong side of the clamp. Mind you this is quite tricky to alter without breaking the lever.

Remove both the top and bottom from the clamp for that you may have to loosen the screw. I'll see if I can find the threads that show you how to put the lever to the other side with pictures. See post #18, #19 and on here : http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=106296

As for the loose bunny ears ... search through the 4 pages from the top it's been discussed recently ... a drop of super glue is the quickest : http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=253366


Chaim

 

[Probe Droid]

Welcome.

Killer score on that unit! Nicely done. There are a few methods for stopping ear wiggle. A few drops of crazy glue on the pin is quick, cheap, and effective.

 

[JDunn]

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

Chaim- Thanks for pointing that out! All set now! In regards to the tape, did you mean use a different type or just lose it all-together?

Thanks

 

[Serenity]

The ANH saber doesn't have any tape on the clamp at all, so you can lose it all together.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Indeed. Loose it altogether ... I've also edited my post ... see the links for lever removal and loose bunny ears This is what you should aim for :



Chaim

 

[mortifactor]

Search for ANH builds and have a look, some awesome stuff on here even within the last year. Don't get it mixed up with ESB and measure three times and cut twice, measure twice cut once, whatever :lol

 

[JDunn]

Anyone have some advice on how to get rid of, or cover up these rust spots? Specifically the large spot over the "F". This is really the only area on the flash that has them. If it will be too much of a hassle, I might just leave it, give it some character.
Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Serenity]

Not much you can really do about it, since it's already gone through the outer plating. Silver paints will never match and replating it probably isn't worth the effort.

Your best bet would be to clean it up a bit and neutralize the rust so it doesn't continue, then embrace the spots as character.

 

[JDunn]

Silver paints will never match and replating it probably isn't worth the effort.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I expected. I really don't mind it all that much. What method would you recommend to neutralize the rust?

 

[JDunn]

Latest Question: Which of these have the correct clamp position for an ANH saber; A or B?

I've seen tons of pics of both positions so I really can't find a definitive answer.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Just disregard the position of the bottom text ... it's stamped on a seperate plate and unique for each G R A F L E X ... hope that helps

Chaim

 

[JDunn]

Just disregard the position of the bottom text ... it's stamped on a seperate plate and unique for each G R A F L E X ... hope that helps

Chaim

Ahhhh, I see, so in a way it's up to me. Thats perfect thank you! I'm going for screen accuracy so I'll have to switch it back!

Joel-

 

[Sym-Cha]

Indeed you must choose ... but choose wisely

Chaim

 

[Welsh Pirate]

As far as I can tell, the on-screen hero prop seems to be Position A, while promotional photos have it in Position B.

 

[Serenity]

As far as I can tell, the on-screen hero prop seems to be Position A, while promotional photos have it in Position B.

Chris (teecrooz) pointed out this production/set image as well:

 

[Jedi Reali]

Depends on which scenes in the movie you're lookin at too. The above image posted by Chaim is correct for the on location Tunisia scenes, but the clamp was in a different position when they filmed on soundstage in England. In particular, in Obi-Wan's Hut, and during remote training on the Falcon, the clamp position is around 7:30 (as viewed from the bottom, with bulb ears being 12:00)... To recreate this just slide the top half of the Graflex onto the clamp and don't twist it at all.

 

[JDunn]

Thanks for the info guys! I'm going with position A from my photo as it seems to be the most commonly used throughout the film, and it feels best in my hand that way.

 

[JDunn]

Latest Update:

Added small strips of friction tape to the overlapping areas under the clamp, and the outside of the top and bottom tubes. Great fix for a slight wiggle.

I also ordered a reproduction glass eye from http://www.graflexshop.com/ does anyone know if these are passable? My G R A F L E X didn't come with the glass portion of the eye.

Joel