Limited Run Luke ROTJ Hero Lightsaber Kit.( Run closed )

I thought I was done, but I couldn't leave well enough alone.

I had always planned to paint the "windvane" gold, but after I saw it, I hated it.
I stripped off the gold paint and then left the copper part in ammonia fumes until I liked the shade. After that, I polished it a bit with 0000 steel wool and put a coat of Krylon "Matte Finish" to preserve it. MUCH better.

Secondly, I wanted to add some detail to the emitter, so I finished drilling the hole in the "nipple" all the way through with a 9/64 drill bit and then tapped it for a 8/32 set screw. I also drilled the central hole in the emitter all the way down to the threading. Technically, this could hold a blade rod now but I'm not going to try it - I just wanted it to look right.

Lastly, I made a circuit board to go in the control box out of some cellphone bits.

I'm calling it done now:
ND_ROTJ_05_CB.jpg

ND_ROTJ_06_CB2.jpg

ND_ROTJ_07_setscrew.jpg

ND_ROTJ_08_done.jpg
 
Just curious, but what made you hate the more-accurate gold color? I'm planning on either painting that section gold on mine, or having a new wind vane piece turned from brass.

I thought I was done, but I couldn't leave well enough alone.

I had always planned to paint the "windvane" gold, but after I saw it, I hated it.
I stripped off the gold paint and then left the copper part in ammonia fumes until I liked the shade. After that, I polished it a bit with 0000 steel wool and put a coat of Krylon "Matte Finish" to preserve it. MUCH better.

Secondly, I wanted to add some detail to the emitter, so I finished drilling the hole in the "nipple" all the way through with a 9/64 drill bit and then tapped it for a 8/32 set screw. I also drilled the central hole in the emitter all the way down to the threading. Technically, this could hold a blade rod now but I'm not going to try it - I just wanted it to look right.

Lastly, I made a circuit board to go in the control box out of some cellphone bits.

I'm calling it done now:
View attachment 680811

View attachment 680812

View attachment 680813

View attachment 680814
 
Just curious, but what made you hate the more-accurate gold color? I'm planning on either painting that section gold on mine, or having a new wind vane piece turned from brass.

It just didn't look as good as I knew it could. There is just so much more depth in the natural patina of the copper. I know it isn't accurate, but I love the way it looks now.


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Just opened up my parcel for a first look at the saber. Wow! Love the uneven rings. Thank you Nicksdad for providing this run.
 
So when I put the slider over the box, it pretty much just slides off if you move the saber...

Any suggestions out there to keep it in place, tighten it up?
 
NeoRutty, best to do nothing irreversible.If it's really loose try a strip of clear tape on the back of the slider/board to make it thicker, if it's only a little loose apply varnish or thin pva to the slots (let it dry) reducing the tolerance just a little.
 
So when I put the slider over the box, it pretty much just slides off if you move the saber...

Any suggestions out there to keep it in place, tighten it up?

I went a little ghetto. I put painters tape on the bottom of the card. The rails chewed up the edges. It created enough friction so I could get it in and out. Now its nice and secure.
 
Another question for those of you who have already finished theirs, does the brass part come off?I know the emitter screws off but I couldn't seem to screw off the brass stem... it would make it easier to paint if it did but no real biggie if not....

Also, what shade of grey is everyone using for the control box under bar?
 
I was able to disassemble all of mine by hand accept the piece right behind the copper neck.
Used grey primer for the grey strips on the box.
It looks darker in person.
V1-V2-RotJ.jpg
I used Krylon metallic brass on the box edge.

With both the primer and paint build up it has a nice snug fit for the circuit board.
 
Just picked mine up from the Post Office - for other UK peeps, I was charged £16, though most of that is the Royal Mail's rip-off "processing fees".

Anyway - looks great and can't wait to get it painted!

Thanks, Nicksdad, for doing this!
 
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