Drilling Obi ANH Handwheel for D-ring Tutorial
- Thread starter James Kenobi 1138
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- star wars a new hope
Here's an orientation guide I made to make sure you line up all the parts correctly:
I really do wish I'd seen this before I drilled mine. I'm going to have to drill another, this time with a drill press. I wasn't aware that the flangeless notched cube was the cube to drill. I have lined up my other parts though.
James Kenobi 1138, the weld, referring to the booster, is that like an additional part on the booster, or like a piece missing from the booster? I'm asking in a fabrication sort of way. Like would I want to cut/grind off that corner on my Roman's booster, or do I need to add some metal there?
James Kenobi 1138, the weld, referring to the booster, is that like an additional part on the booster, or like a piece missing from the booster? I'm asking in a fabrication sort of way. Like would I want to cut/grind off that corner on my Roman's booster, or do I need to add some metal there?
Sym-Cha
Master Member
Hey mugatu . . . this is what the weld looks like on my vintage ANM2 real booster :
Also I don't recall you asking about a proper tutorial how to attach the D-ring to an OB1 pommel . . . then again
my vintage pommels are still stashed away without any D-ring attached, yet :wacko
Chaim
Also I don't recall you asking about a proper tutorial how to attach the D-ring to an OB1 pommel . . . then again
my vintage pommels are still stashed away without any D-ring attached, yet :wacko
Chaim
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James I got a question for you or anyone else who’s had success drilling these AS Handwheels for a D-ring. I’ve managed to find a few vintage rings but the hole required to fit is a 9/64” which feels very tight and very close to the edge of the cube on the Handwheel. I still haven’t drilled mine yet. I feel like 1/8” hole is a much safer size. Unfortunately I can’t find a vintage d-ring with the right OD. I’m wondering if you remember what your final drill hole size was 1/8” or 9/64” ? I’m confident it’s one of those two sizes.
Yeah I thought about that. I totally can see that being the case. I’m just curious what size people are using.
I used a wannawanga D-ring which measured out to .116" diameter, so I used a #31 drill bit which specs out to .120" Even with careful planning and measuring my hole ended up dangerously close to the outside face of the cube - it could have been carelessness on my part and a bit of a wandering drill bit, but if I had used a 1/8" drill bit it probably would have broken through the face of the cube. 
I still have yet to install the d ring on my handwheel. I dont have the tools or the skill to do it myself and I'm way too nervous to let someone else do it. I've thought about offering up my handwheel for trade with someone who has already installed the d ring.
I have drilled several hand wheels, but it’s been so many years I don’t remember what size the hole was.
I agree it would be close, but if you blow up the reference images of the Chronicles saber it’s pretty close to the edge. In order for a D-ring to fit in a hole smaller than 1/8” it would have to be d ring that to me appears smaller than the one used. I’m having a hard time seeing that the one used is smaller than one that fits tight in an 1/8” hole maybe the metric equivalent. I think 3mm would be just slightly under. I don’t like the idea personally of putting a new d ring on a vintage prop like the Obi.I used a wannawanga D-ring which measured out to .116" diameter, so I used a #31 drill bit which specs out to .120" Even with careful planning and measuring my hole ended up dangerously close to the outside face of the cube - it could have been carelessness on my part and a bit of a wandering drill bit, but if I had used a 1/8" drill bit it probably would have broken through the face of the cube.
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I agree with JoeG. May the force be with anyone that has the courage to attempt drilling a d-ring on these vintage AS handwheels. I had one already drilled that I bought and later sold. I decided (with some good advice) to leave all other AS handwheels alone.
You’ve got skills, Jediseth, so I bet you’ll do a fine job with a correctly size d-ring. Keep us updated!
You’ve got skills, Jediseth, so I bet you’ll do a fine job with a correctly size d-ring. Keep us updated!
Thanks Chris! I don't really have a problem sticking it in my mill getting it leveled out and drilling it, but I'm also smart enough to know I'm not able to drill it smaller once it's too large of a hole. I need to find the right size vintage D- ring and I'm hesitating that I have the right size.
Well, I have faith in Roy and his 3D modelling + calculations. Plus I know that it's the correct shape.
I personally don't understand the slavish insistence that every last little part has to be vintage. I mean where does it end? Are people going to start carbon dating their hardware to make sure that it's of the correct era?
Obviously it's a case of "to each their own." I wish you luck with your endeavor - I'm sure you'll do fine with it.
I personally don't understand the slavish insistence that every last little part has to be vintage. I mean where does it end? Are people going to start carbon dating their hardware to make sure that it's of the correct era?
Obviously it's a case of "to each their own." I wish you luck with your endeavor - I'm sure you'll do fine with it.
Ya I guess I see your point to a degree. But I’m not putting a couple cents or even a 2 dollar box store d ring on a 15k lightsaber that’s all original vintage parts. It just isn’t congruent. That’s just me I guess, thanks!Well, I have faith in Roy and his 3D modelling + calculations. Plus I know that it's the correct shape.
I personally don't understand the slavish insistence that every last little part has to be vintage. I mean where does it end? Are people going to start carbon dating their hardware to make sure that it's of the correct era?
Obviously it's a case of "to each their own." I wish you luck with your endeavor - I'm sure you'll do fine with it.
I'm pretty certain the hole I drilled in mine was 1/8 inch, and I just did it freehand with a hand held drill, but I've found out since then that the taps can be very brittle and that wasn't a great idea, but seemed to be fine! I took my WannaWanga D ring to an antique store that had old military stuff and found a harness or something that had a d ring the right size
Nice work, schrodinger555. Good gosh, freehand? Nerves of steel.
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