DIY Graflex 3 Cell Help Needed

Bit of a progress update for anyone who might be interested. I have done some more work on the hilt, making holes etc and have also started work on the insert for the top of the hilt where the blade would go. I have no illusions that this is going to be an inspired build rather than an exact replica at this point but I am happy enough with that. I have also started on the bunny ears, lots of work needed there still but getting there.

If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on what I could be doing better please don't be shy :)
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Well I have searched high and low and I am having a hard time finding the red button or the glass eye in the UK. If I buy from the US, the shipping is far too expensive unfortunately. Not sure what I will do about that but if anyone knows where I can buy them in the UK, I'd really appreciate the info. Things moving slowly at the moment while I wait for a couple of other things to arrive but will be back with an update soon!
 
WhiskyLima said:
Well I have searched high and low and I am having a hard time finding the red button or the glass eye in the UK. If I buy from the US, the shipping is far too expensive unfortunately. Not sure what I will do about that but if anyone knows where I can buy them in the UK, I'd really appreciate the info. Things moving slowly at the moment while I wait for a couple of other things to arrive but will be back with an update soon!
Click to expand...

KR sabers has glass eyes
 
Wow! I mean, the bunny ear ring looks a bit too tall, but I have to compliment the precise job you've done on the ears and accent holes on the tube. You've got talent there, crap I would have snapped those folds
 
Thanks guys, just on the KR Sabers site now. Yes I have since bent the small wings over on the bunny ears to make them the correct height and shape, not an easy job though when all you have to work with is a pair of pliers ha ha. Will try and get some pics up tomorrow if I get time :)
 
Really awesome progress mate, congrats!
I really wonder how you managed to do the "skirt" on curved bulb holder. That seems almost impossible, especially homemade.
Good luck for the rest :)
 
Ha thanks dude! Basically I started by leaving those bits flat as I made the major curve and then I used some flat edged pliers to gently persuade it to the correct shape. I started at one end bending it about 10% of the final amount - tiny changes with each bend - and moved around until I reached the other end. Continued that until it was the right shape and then spent 3 days filing and sanding the scratches, dents and dings out. It wasn't easy and to be honest, this is the second attempt as the first was a real mess.
 
It already looks ten thousand percent better than any of my attempts. But don't polish it up too much. It's supposed to have a brushed finish after all.
 
Gotcha, will keep that in mind.

Need some more information if anyone can help. The small sliding switch on the upper side of the hilt, can someone give me a ide of the length and width of that? I can work out everything else from that.

Cheers guys!
 
Awesome thanks dude! I'm going to make that bit myself, saves me another £10! It won't be perfect but it will be near enough for me :)
 
Well at first I thought I was going to have a go at it, but after some attempts on a scrap piece it quickly became clear it is not as easy as I thought. I would basically need to make some kind of blank to hold the correct shape otherwise the aluminium basically just does what it wants. In short, unless someone has the proper tool they could rent to me, I don't think I will risk it
 
WhiskyLima said:
although if anyone has any suggestions on how else I might achieve it, I'm all ears :)
Click to expand...

There used to be a gizmo back in the day called a "shoulder puller" for just such a purpose. You might find the info helpful:

www.therpf.com

Shoulder puller design and pics request.

Hi guys, I searched about the "shoulder puller" a device that permits to make the base to the buttons and glass eye in a tube for a graflex replica any of you have pics or info about how to make one?? Thanks in advance!! Nevermind...I foundt it!!!
www.therpf.com www.therpf.com
 
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