Lightsaber Contests of Old (Lots of Pics)
- Thread starter Mercury
- Start date
Has noone listened? In the original contest, which my old site hosted, there was only one rule: the sabers have to looked substantially different from the movie version. You could machine to your heart's content and the machined sabers never won. Whoever runs it can do it how they want, but I think you stifle people's creativity with budgets or dollar store rules.
There different kinds of contest. I like the $ store contests, it levels the playing field, and makes it fun for the expert, and newbe, and the rich, and the poor alike.
I think in many ways the limitations force you to be far more creative. You have to see past what the item is, to what it could be. Where as a rod of aluminum is already a rod of aluminum, pretty much anything you do to it, is going to make it look like an ok lightsaber to someone. Even if the machined ones didn't win in the past, it is far more intimidating for someone who is new, and only has a few bucks to spend, to go tow to tow, with the big dogs, with a lot of tools, skills, and money.
But, hey, you could always host one of your own, like in the old days.
i would like to be in this how/when do we sign up
steveo
Sr Member
qft!!!!
razorsharp192
Sr Member
i think the main thing we have to get sorted before we can start this is the entry fee/prize thing, would everyone want to pay to enter? or donate a small prize as the entry fee? then the winner gets the money/donated prizes. only problem i can see with donating is each person would have to pay to ship to the winner, would could be costly (especially if shipping overseas). so maybe just paying a dollar or 2 to enter would be easiest for everyone?
i wholeheartedly agree with jason about the dollar store contest though, it should ONLY be dollar store (machined sabers would be for a separate contest) as it makes it a level playing field for all
at the mo i've just become pretty busy, so next month is fine with me too, we just need to agree on a start date and start a thread so everyone knows about it and has signed up
i wholeheartedly agree with jason about the dollar store contest though, it should ONLY be dollar store (machined sabers would be for a separate contest) as it makes it a level playing field for all
at the mo i've just become pretty busy, so next month is fine with me too, we just need to agree on a start date and start a thread so everyone knows about it and has signed up
Robbie TPC
Well-Known Member
I would not pay for entry, I would do the contest just for the honor, not for the money.
For me it would be impossible to make a quality lightsaber for only 20 buks, 2C epoxy glue and the paint will cost at least 15 buks, than I need to buy materials for 5 dollars. Not gonna happen, it's a waste of my time.
razorsharp192
Sr Member
the only reason i think an entry fee is a good idea is because it would make people actually make the sabers and hit the deadline, if there was no prize/fee then people would just not bother as there'd be nothing at stake. dont forget we're only talking about $1-2 fee, not big money.
you havent read my previous posts. one of the rules i set out was that the price limit of $20 is to spend just on materials to build the saber. glue, paint etc can be bought on top of that (most of us have glue and paint already anyway)
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Tan Djarka
Master Member
Hmmm... While I agree a dollar store saber contest would be challenging, it is a bit stifling too. And the truth of the matter is, dollar stores don't have the cool parts they used to. With the economy down, dollar stores have become booming business and carry far fewer closeout and generally useless but cool items.
I'm also not in love with the idea of any entry fee. How about the fee being optional? BUT if you win without having met the monetary obligation, you get the title, but not the prize. It goes to the next ranking winner who did pay.
And finally, just make it hardware and found parts only. If machined sabers have never won, why not just disqualify them entirely?
I'm also not in love with the idea of any entry fee. How about the fee being optional? BUT if you win without having met the monetary obligation, you get the title, but not the prize. It goes to the next ranking winner who did pay.
And finally, just make it hardware and found parts only. If machined sabers have never won, why not just disqualify them entirely?
Thats half the fun of it, you have to get creative to make it work. Its more challenging to wander a dollar store thinking hmmm what could make a good lightsaber activiation button or a good body. They don't have the cool off the wall stuff as much now but its still doable.
As far as the entry fee, a dollar or 2 a lightsaber isn't too much, you could end up with a graflex 3 cell and enough prize money to get a good bit of the conversion parts IF your the winner. I know no body likes losing money but a buck? Folks waste a lot more than that on the lotto every day.
Robbie TPC
Well-Known Member
Your right, I didn’t read your previous post, sorry about that.
I’m still not happy about the money contribution, if someone doesn’t make the deadline he lost anyway. So I don’t see a deadline problem.
How about this rule, everyone must start with the same (measurement) pvc (or metal) pipe as a body for the lightsaber. For example, a pipe of 20 cm in length and 40mm in diameter.
razorsharp192
Sr Member
nah because that would just mean most of the sabers would look similar, leaving it up to each persons imagination with what they can buy is the fun of it. i think a prize fund/entry fee is a good idea, afterall, $1-2 is nothing, but of course if the majority dont want a fee then that would have to be the case (otherwise there'd just be me and jason in it
)ok, shall we start a bit of a poll? who thinks a fee is a good idea and who doesnt? would you not enter if there was a fee of say $2?
i for one think its a good idea
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Robbie TPC
Well-Known Member
I don’t think the sabers are gonna look similar if the contest starts with a basic measurement pipe, if the builder is creative enough they are going to look very different.
For me, the fun of all this is building the lightsaber, not buying the parts.
For me, the fun of all this is building the lightsaber, not buying the parts.
Your right they probably wouldn't but thats not the type of contest we're discussing.
Maybe we should get back to our roots and do multiples in a year, kick it off with this dollar store idea, let it run and then once its decided have the next one kick off as possibly this pipe idea.
blownhemi
Well-Known Member
Seconded.
Ok, I typed out a reply last night, but my darn computer crashed. So here it is again. (well, as best as I can remember it, since i lost the first draft, when the computer crashed. )
How's this:
1. I still like the idea of a $1. entree fee, but if that will cause no-one to play, then I am willing to be flexible about that, as long as we decide for sure if we want to do it or not before, I start the thread next month. If we do, do it, I'll cover the paypal fees, it's the least I can do. But, now that we have at least one nice prize offered (the graflex) I really am open to sugestions. about to do, or not to do, and entree fee.
2. All parts must come from a $1. store, (or the over seas equivalent.) And this means $1. STORE, No I got this really cool part on clearance at lowes, for a $1. kind of thing.
3. A limit of $20. max per person.
4. 1 entree per person. (I still think it's al little stifling, and I stand by what I've said about allowing multiple entrees being a good idea. However, after thinking about it, I want this to be about the sabers, and not about who can make the most entrees, or who, has the most money.)
5. The $20. budget applies only to the parts for the saber. You may use your own Glue, Epoxy, paint, tools, fasteners. etc. etc. etc. However, this rule only applies, as long as the parts the your saber is actually constructed from are from the $1. store. For example, if you build a saber out of $1. store part, and use the above items to adhere, fasten, or paint, etc. the saber, your fine. But, if you, say use epoxy, as a casting agent (in place of resin) to make up your saber, then that epoxy would have to come from the $1. store. (same goes for chocolate..... yeah, didn't think of that did you. Also, if you do, do a casting, I think it would be fine to do it off of a saber you already own, especially, if you make the original, but I think you should use items from the $1. store to make the mold. (don't wine, you can get silicon Caulk at the $1. store and most of the rest of what you need to do a poor mans mold, are therer too. ) Sorry if I've said way to much, and have given people ideas that they would have other wise not thought of, but I just want to cover all the basses ahead of time. (though if you make a chocolate saber, I think I as your host, should get to eat it. :lol)
6. This is, as mentioned, a $1. store contest. That means, if you can find something at the $1. store to machine, then fine. (I guess) But I don't want any of this , "I got a piece of aluminum for $20. so that counts" kind of talk." Or "I got a great part at Target for $1." This is one kind of contest, that we are doing first. if it goes well, I'm thinking we could have, down the road, others. Like an all machined, one, and a hardware one. We may even do one of each kind, and then have the winners compete for a grand prize, but that all depends on how well this $1. STORE contest goes.
7. Yo may do a replica, or an original piece from the $1. store parts. However originality is encouraged.
8. The contest would run from November 1rst. (though I may post the thread a day, or two, in advance just to make sure it's ready to go one time..) until December 1rest.
9. All entrees much include a scan of all receipts that pertain to the contest (if there are only a few items used for the contest, and the rest are for you own reason, please circle the items used.), A picture of the parts before construction (preferably in package, but if you have to open them, to show what they are, that fine.) And at least one good pic of your finished saber.
10. You may submit your entree at anytime during the month of November, but all pictures will be held until the contest is over, because we don't want anyone taking your idea, trying to improve on it, and steeling your thunder. (and the contest.)
11. Pictures will be posted as soon as possible after the deadline of December 1rst. (hopefully within a day, or two.) And once there post, voting will run for one week.
12. Voting will be open to all of the RPF, weather they made an entree, or not. (I think this is an ok idea, but I could be talked out of it, if you all think it would be better to limit voting to just those in the contest, as long as you do so, before the contest begins on November 1rst.)
Ok, what do you think? What am I forgetting? What else do you want? Are there any other fine members that would like to donate anything as a prize. It doesn't have to be big, it's mostly about the fun of it, I'm I'd just like to have something to give the winner? Also, does anyone like the idea of a 2nd, and 3rd place prize, or do we just want it all to go to the big 1rst place wiener?
)How's this:
1. I still like the idea of a $1. entree fee, but if that will cause no-one to play, then I am willing to be flexible about that, as long as we decide for sure if we want to do it or not before, I start the thread next month. If we do, do it, I'll cover the paypal fees, it's the least I can do. But, now that we have at least one nice prize offered (the graflex) I really am open to sugestions. about to do, or not to do, and entree fee.
2. All parts must come from a $1. store, (or the over seas equivalent.) And this means $1. STORE, No I got this really cool part on clearance at lowes, for a $1. kind of thing.
3. A limit of $20. max per person.
4. 1 entree per person. (I still think it's al little stifling, and I stand by what I've said about allowing multiple entrees being a good idea. However, after thinking about it, I want this to be about the sabers, and not about who can make the most entrees, or who, has the most money.)
5. The $20. budget applies only to the parts for the saber. You may use your own Glue, Epoxy, paint, tools, fasteners. etc. etc. etc. However, this rule only applies, as long as the parts the your saber is actually constructed from are from the $1. store. For example, if you build a saber out of $1. store part, and use the above items to adhere, fasten, or paint, etc. the saber, your fine. But, if you, say use epoxy, as a casting agent (in place of resin) to make up your saber, then that epoxy would have to come from the $1. store. (same goes for chocolate..... yeah, didn't think of that did you.
Also, if you do, do a casting, I think it would be fine to do it off of a saber you already own, especially, if you make the original, but I think you should use items from the $1. store to make the mold. (don't wine, you can get silicon Caulk at the $1. store and most of the rest of what you need to do a poor mans mold, are therer too. ) Sorry if I've said way to much, and have given people ideas that they would have other wise not thought of, but I just want to cover all the basses ahead of time. (though if you make a chocolate saber, I think I as your host, should get to eat it. :lol)6. This is, as mentioned, a $1. store contest. That means, if you can find something at the $1. store to machine, then fine. (I guess) But I don't want any of this , "I got a piece of aluminum for $20. so that counts" kind of talk." Or "I got a great part at Target for $1." This is one kind of contest, that we are doing first. if it goes well, I'm thinking we could have, down the road, others. Like an all machined, one, and a hardware one. We may even do one of each kind, and then have the winners compete for a grand prize, but that all depends on how well this $1. STORE contest goes.
7. Yo may do a replica, or an original piece from the $1. store parts. However originality is encouraged.
8. The contest would run from November 1rst. (though I may post the thread a day, or two, in advance just to make sure it's ready to go one time..) until December 1rest.
9. All entrees much include a scan of all receipts that pertain to the contest (if there are only a few items used for the contest, and the rest are for you own reason, please circle the items used.), A picture of the parts before construction (preferably in package, but if you have to open them, to show what they are, that fine.) And at least one good pic of your finished saber.
10. You may submit your entree at anytime during the month of November, but all pictures will be held until the contest is over, because we don't want anyone taking your idea, trying to improve on it, and steeling your thunder. (and the contest.)
11. Pictures will be posted as soon as possible after the deadline of December 1rst. (hopefully within a day, or two.) And once there post, voting will run for one week.
12. Voting will be open to all of the RPF, weather they made an entree, or not. (I think this is an ok idea, but I could be talked out of it, if you all think it would be better to limit voting to just those in the contest, as long as you do so, before the contest begins on November 1rst.)
Ok, what do you think? What am I forgetting? What else do you want? Are there any other fine members that would like to donate anything as a prize. It doesn't have to be big, it's mostly about the fun of it, I'm I'd just like to have something to give the winner? Also, does anyone like the idea of a 2nd, and 3rd place prize, or do we just want it all to go to the big 1rst place wiener?
razorsharp192
Sr Member
yeah i think that sounds good, not sure about the casting of a saber you already own though? for example, you could cast an MR saber, and paint it, and it "might" look as good as an MR (doubtful, but maybe), and you wouldnt really have put any effort in (you wouldnt have designed any part of the saber yourself). nothing wrong with casting parts to build the saber, but i think casting a piece not bought from a dollar store would kind of be cheating wouldnt it? eg. you could cast expensive parts and have them on your saber and you could still say it only cost $20 as thats all it cost to cast it. maybe casting shouldnt be allowed?
other than that it all sounds good to me
other than that it all sounds good to me
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