Finally a Graflex owner! A few questions..

[hankey01]

I finally got a graflex on ebay ofr not a bad price. Paid $78US. It's not the shiniest one out there but I like the aged look anyways considering it was luke's "fathers light saber".

Looks like I have all the parts I need to convert (I got a kit on ebay with grips, d ring & screw, chrome tape and bubble strip.

I think I just need a button for the top. Any good leads? Also the emitter seems to be quite loose...does it tighten? I can't seem to with a little screwdriver.

Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Wouldn't mind using brasso or something to clean it up a bit too.


THANKS!!

 

[defstartrooper]

If it's a screw holding the ears together it's a repro, or at least that part is, still a repro flash and a conversion kit would set you back more than you paid.
Replacement buttons can be found here http://www.graflexshop.com/graflex.htm i've never purchased from them myself so i can't tell you how good they are or what the service is like.

 

[hankey01]

If it's a screw holding the ears together it's a repro, or at least that part is, still a repro flash and a conversion kit would set you back more than you paid.
Replacement buttons can be found here http://www.graflexshop.com/graflex.htm i've never purchased from them myself so i can't tell you how good they are or what the service is like.

Well it looks to me like a pin (the head has no slot or anything..just smooth) and the other end seems sort of like it has a grrove in it..but maybe not defined or seep enough to tighten as a screw.

The buttons at that site see to be for an insert with a threaded hole. Are there buttons that push onto the 2 pins?

 

[defstartrooper]

Well it looks to me like a pin (the head has no slot or anything..just smooth) and the other end seems sort of like it has a grrove in it..but maybe not defined or seep enough to tighten as a screw.

The buttons at that site see to be for an insert with a threaded hole. Are there buttons that push onto the 2 pins?

Ahh sorry i thought from where mentioned using a screwdriver that it was a screw, don't think so with the buttons they only look to do thumbscrews and switch versions, not sure if anywhere sells the right ones, i thought that place did but it seems not..
Might get lucky if you ask in the JY.

 

[lonepigeon]

The buttons at that site see to be for an insert with a threaded hole. Are there buttons that push onto the 2 pins?

Those buttons won't work.
You need an accurate replica red button (or real). The hole on the Graflex is threaded, but it's a wide thread like for the glass eye.

You can press the upper tabs together a little to tighten a rattling ring/ears.
You can use pliers but be careful to use some padding to protect the finish.

 

[hankey01]

Thanks guys..

Ill see if I get lucky posting the junkyard. The more real parts the better.

I see what you mean lonepigeon about pressing the ears together..but I'd be afraid of bending them in the process. Maybe I'll try to carefully drop some super glue in the pin to hold it all in place. I guess that's one advantage of modifying to fix a blade..the blade will hold that all in place.

I'm thinking of filling it with some old bateries too..to ad some weight to it. D size?

 

[Clutch]

Just don't forget about them. Old batteries leak bad stuff. You could cut some pipe to give it weight. Just make sure you secure the grips well, or the weight could cause them to shift.

 

[hankey01]

Just don't forget about them. Old batteries leak bad stuff. You could cut some pipe to give it weight. Just make sure you secure the grips well, or the weight could cause them to shift.

Man...lots of great comments here! I wouldn't have thought of that but yeah the grips would likely shift it were too heavy.

Maybe I'll leave well enough alone.

I just posted in the junkyard looking for an original red button...I suppose I could make do with the screw one if I did some dremelling, but I want the original one!

Is it strange that I want to NOT cover the 'Graflex' on the clamp with the chrome tape..to show it as a graflex, even thought the prop DID cover the 'Graflex'?!

Still very excited to own this!!

 

[Clutch]

The graflex logo was not covered. I suppose the grips might slip and slide only if you used double-sided tape to secure them. Use glue.

 

[hankey01]

The graflex logo was not covered. I suppose the grips might slip and slide only if you used double-sided tape to secure them. Use glue.

Wasn't covered?! I need to find some better reference pics then!!

Well that's even better for me! Win win!

 

[Sym-Cha]

Hi there,

Here you can find more accurate replica bubbles : http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=67567 :love

-Chaim

 

[hankey01]

I have seen that. I got my grips, bubble strip, and d ring for the same price on ebay. Might not be as good..but saved a fair bit of $$.

 

[hankey01]

I just found this page which says that the patent number of the one used in the movie is #2310165..which is exactly the one I have!! WOOHOO!

Still looking for some kind of reference for location the grips, checking the chrome tape (use or not use) issue, and something to help me locate the D ring in the right spot.

 

[Clutch]

I think the general consensus is that tape was used on the esb luke sabers. It can be seen on-screen. Go here http://www.partsofsw.com/ for the template. It's in the download section. Find Gino's t-track for sale thread if you want some nice looking, accurate t-track for the grips.

Here's a pic of my Dagobah saber. I have a ANH that just needs to be assembled.

 

[hankey01]

Hmmm...I thought I read somewhere that flat chrome tape was used for ANH and a textured tape was for ESB..but my memory could be wrong.

I just got that track template..just need to know the proper orientation (is a track centered at the top and the rest follow suit?

 

[franz bolo]

I believe these buttons will work. What do you think the problem is?

FB

Those buttons won't work.
You need an accurate replica red button (or real). The hole on the Graflex is threaded, but it's a wide thread like for the glass eye.

You can press the upper tabs together a little to tighten a rattling ring/ears.
You can use pliers but be careful to use some padding to protect the finish.

 

[modelcitizen]

The King of Parts on ebay used to have repro red buttons. you might want to ask him.
the good thing about the removeable bottom cap on a graflex is you can adjust it so if you gety the grip orientation wrong, you can fix it easily
(those from the graflex shop were pulled for redesign and haven't been in stock all year from what i understand)
heh, maybe they're waiting on shipment from parks

 

[lonepigeon]

I believe these buttons will work. What do you think the problem is?

FB

Those are right, but out of stock.
The only ones they currently have are the thumbscrew type which won't work on a real Graflex.

One of the ESB sabers had textured tape (at least it does now, can't confirm on film). All the other ESB sabers have the smooth tape. No tape on the ANH.

The patent number info applies to one of the ESB sabers (seen in the Wampa cave), not necessarily the ANH.

 

[hankey01]

Cool...so no tape.

I am gluing the grips as we speak...one at a time...5 minute epoxy.

To bad about the buttons being out of stock.

The custom saber shop version shipping is $19US or $30US for a $15 button! YIKES!!

 

[modelcitizen]

the custom sabershop "version" is parks