Constructing an ANH OWK using original parts

ATL Kenobi

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
With the recent acquisition of a correct vintage Armitage Shanks handwheel, I've disassemble my ANH OWK saber replica, and took some pictures as it was re-assembled. I was thinking that perhaps there might be some interest in what holds my assemblage of parts together.

The parts look like this:
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The sticking point with using a single threaded rod through all the components is that the inner diameter of the No.3 Mk.1 fits well on 3/8" rod (or tube), however the inside diameter of the ANM2 bearing/booster is less than 3/8". Since drilling out a vintage MG part would ruin it, that for me was not an option.

My Derwent interconnector was attached to my No.3 Mk.1 as shown here:
Emitter

This time, before assembling, I tapped the inside of the 3/8" dia lamp tubing to 5/16-18.
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I screwed in a 5/16-18 threaded rod until it was snug and then tightened a jam nut against the tubing to keep the rod from coming loose. Note that a jam nut is narrower than a standard nut and they're available at most hardware stores. Also note that the tubing was later cut so that it would only extended about 3/8" past the end of the No.3. (Lots of trial and error here :) ) Two more nuts were also placed on the threaded rod as can be seen here:
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The nut on the right will position the Graflex clamp. The middle nut will jam against it to hold it in place.

I then took what's known in the lamp making trade as a 1-3/8" turned solid brass check ring or seating ring and, using a file, put two notches in the lip to match the tabs inside the lever end of the clamp.
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I found the 1-3/8" seating ring (which is actually 1.5" OD) at an old hardware store, but they also can be found at a lamp supply house or online:
Seating ring

Next I slid the clamp on (and off several times) and adjusted the "right" nut until the edge of the clamp was at about the 10th groove in of the No.3. Then I jammed the "middle" nut against it to hold it in place.
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The transistors and washers (spacers) were hot melt glued on, and the Exactra calculator bubbles were added to the clamp previously. See:
Removing and modifying an Exactra 20 bubble strip

Next I enlarged the 1/8" hole of a conical nylon bumper to 5/16" using a rat tail file, a reamer, and several drill bits. These bumpers are used as floor protectors on the legs of furniture, or on the bottom of electronic enclosures. I then slid the booster/bearing onto the threaded rod. Actually, at this point, I also screwed on the AS handwheel and marked the threaded rod at about 3/16" past the square hole, removed the handwheel, booster/bearing, and clamp and cut the 5/16" rod to length at the mark. The clamp/seating ring, the booster/bearing, and then the nylon bumper were placed on the rod. Another jam nut was then tighten against the bumper, forcing the "ring of holes" booster against the seating ring inside the clamp, thus holding everything together.
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The AS handwheel then slides onto the 5/16" threaded rod (like it was made for it) :) , one more jam nut is gently snugged against the handwheel, and then the cap is pushed on.
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The D-ring was added as before. See:
Drilling an AS handwheel and adding a D-ring

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I'm partial to the Tunisia saber that's less weathered, with two washers, and IIRC the cubes opposite that of the mechanismo picture.

Since the length of the different saber parts might vary, I'm kind of reluctant to give exact tubing and rod lengths, but the threaded tubing was 6-3/8", and the 5/16" threaded rod extended 4” past the end of the tubing (that’s NOT including what was threaded into the tubing). I also tried a rubber O-ring in place of the rubber washer to hold the emitter, but it didn't work well. Perhaps 3 metal washers and two O-rings might work. I also used a small amount of easily removable rubber cement to hold the cap more securely to the AS handwheel.



A special thanks to my UK friends Marcus, and Howard!

ATL Kenobi
 
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Thanks for posting - that looks superb. Congrats on scoring the Armitage, too. :)

Just out of curiousity, do you have plans to do any more weathering?
 
ATL,

great tutorial - you really have a gift for showing people online how to put a prop together. keep up the great work.

cheers,
Dan
 
ATL you are a credit to the hobby. It is an embarassment to think of how much trouble you had and how long you had to wait to register here and start posting these great threads.. :lol ;)
 
<div class='quotetop'>(Serafino @ Oct 6 2006, 10:56 PM) [snapback]1333572[/snapback]</div>
ATL you are a credit to the hobby. It is an embarassment to think of how much trouble you had and how long you had to wait to register here and start posting these great threads.. :lol ;)
[/b]

True.
 
Excellent Mike.

Now, stop basking in the Obi spotlight whilst resting on your well deserved laurels and find those transistors. :lol

Seriously - the best Obi I've seen.

Howard. ;)
 
looks great..... now it will just a short time...months years etcetera for met to get all original parts. I have some, was about to jump on Howards armitage knob....But now I see how it will look one I am finished....

of course if you want ot trade and start working on mine if you are bored
 
Excellent work. My hat is off.

I recently put together my own vintage parts after having them sit in a drawer together (getting to know each other?) for a while.

I used two 5/16 carriage bolts connected inside the grenade, and a series of washers. Everything pressure fits... although the nylon bumper is a great idea worth appropriating.

Well done.

KD
 
:) Many thanks again for all the kind words. :)

ihs: I'm not planning to weather this saber. From the parts I get from Serafino, I plan to do a "weathered" version. I also want to try to adapt a Hyperdyne blade to an OBI hilt, and maybe even try my hand at a cut-away.

Howard: I'm looking for those transistors as fast as I can. :)
<div class='quotetop'></div>
Seriously - the best Obi I've seen.[/b]
That's ironic - My favorite is your cut-away.

Damon5973: Best of luck finding your parts. I don't know if I trust the mail well enough to accept other people's saber parts :unsure .

KD: Excellent idea, and much simpler than my approach. How do you keep your clamp from spinning?

If anyone else has construction ideas, please feel free to add to this thread. For this build, I used Howard's suggestion of using pliers in reverse to expand the D-ring, and Roman's use of heavy cutters to trim the D-ring.

ATL
 
It is simple... I'll post photos later, since you've graciously opened the thread. :)

The clamp just fits tight on the booster ring of holes, a 1 1/2" washer and the grenade end. The two carriage bolts push (pull?) towards each other, making it all nice and snug fitting.

Here's the side-on view, all secrets hidden:



My grenade has the neck groove on the wrong side as compared to the windvane stopper peg. That is, in the Chronicles pic, you can see both, with the groove facing up. If I orient my stopper towards me, my groove is on the bottom. :confused

KD
 
To think less than 10 years ago, that the sink part was thought of as the emitter, then we had a motocycle handgrip a lawnmower gear.....can't remember the rest....


This is just a sick, SICK replica.... AWESOME :thumbsup
 
To help illustrate how my saber was put together, I generated the following drawing:
SaberConstruct.JPG


This was done in 2D AutoCad, but I'm hoping to learn SolidWorks soon.

I'd like to illustate Killdozer's technique as well.

ATL
 
Superb diagram Mike.
This should be archived IMHO.

KD. Your saber's beautiful - now, which one's the best I've seen.?. :love

Howard.
 
Mike-

Any chance you can relink the photos you have in the thread. id love to see all the goodness.

Thanks.

-Michael
 
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