Magic of Myth ( MoM ) Luke RotJ Hero ( cave build ) lightsaber research, images, reference, & collaborative model builder's discussion.

[Dann]

Well, it's not in the shape it was during filming, that's for sure.

Those rails have probably come off and been RE-glued a hundred times, and I think it's pretty safe to say, they're not in the same position they were in when it was in "working", sliding plate, condition.

Nowadays, the philosophy is more likely "Let's not have these rails fall off EVER AGAIN, this thing needs to be tough to handle all the touring it's got ahead of it! But, heh, let's not sit down with it for awhile and actually attempt to clean it, restore it to its original state. Just add more glue!"

 

[BRRogers]

this is kind of what i'm seeing.... i've been trying to interpret this for ages. Kind of seemed like something the modelmakers probably just used scraps of their smallest structural stock for

 

[DaveP]

I've certainly not been able to find any available profiles that match without being modified. I did wonder if it was a single T section, with the centre bar sanded/filed back to just give enough lip to attach whilst not obscuring the innards. None of the 5mm T profile I've found has the correct wall thickness, but the rounded look could be the result of a fair few layers of paint/primer?

 

[Halliwax]

This poor control box needs some
Love

 

[Mouse Vader]

Just to clarify
Mouse we were saying the same thing on that subject.
#387 where I had originally posted the picture as a thumbnail I reposted full size in #389
Only because I assumed you mightve not noticed/seen going into #388 not trying to ignore or rebut.
Like I said if you just didn’t see it or it wasn’t clear; that’s on me and my fat phone fingers.

Regarding the flat. It’s certainly a viable technique, and I think we’re all at the same page on it.
If I may recap

It *could’ve been* what they did if they chose to.
But TheRPF (doing as we do here) want to eliminate all the possible options to ensure that the collectively assumed one *has* to without a shadow of doubt be true.

If the flat bottom box is in consideration, a loosened/sliding box proves that’s not the case (hence under my suspicion an attempt to prove that visually)

Or assuming the radiused bottom; proving the geometry is flattened along the back groove edge would eliminate that possibility.

Unfortunately we just need to examine the prop again in person, or find a HD set of clear photos of that back seam specifically to put this line item fully to bed.

BRR I agree with all you've said & likewise I apologise if I caused any offense. Wouldn't be the first time would if? I'll try harder.

At no point did I not get your point that if the box can & has move fore/aft it settles the matter against the flat bottom. But as we could both draw (pun intended) diferent interptations from the same photo it's clear we need a better photo. On this point I'd just like to make sure you don't/haven't overlooked that if the rear of box looks to have moved back into the groove the front will have moved back, away from the rings, by the same amount & ideally both distances would be visible in the same shot. Not a big ask...?

 

[BRRogers]

BRR I agree with all you've said & likewise I apologise if I caused any offense. Wouldn't be the first time would if? I'll try harder.

At no point did I not get your point that if the box can & has move fore/aft it settles the matter against the flat bottom. But as we could both draw (pun intended) diferent interptations from the same photo it's clear we need a better photo. On this point I'd just like to make sure you don't/haven't overlooked that if the rear of box looks to have moved back into the groove the front will have moved back, away from the rings, by the same amount & ideally both distances would be visible in the same shot. Not a big ask...?

Correct, not a big ask: there just doesn’t seem to be any photos that confirm one and the other for sure, in high fidelity.
Basically would need two separate shots of
The back of the box in iso view showing one position or the other “clearly”.


Regarding rails: I’ve ordered some scale ABS to play with. I have a very good idea now and will try it out show/and/tell

 

[Halliwax]

Could always 3d print rail as well

 

[BRRogers]

Could always 3d print rail as well

True, but finding the solution for scratch builders is fun and can inform a 3D printed option

 

[Halliwax]

True, but finding the solution for scratch builders is fun and can inform a 3D printed option

Totally agree

 

[Dann]

I've got a bunch of different ABS shapes here, too. I'd be happy to share pics and product codes or whatever. Also have some styrene, because it almost looks like there's a white scratch on the rail on the LED side, creating a slim possibility that it's white styrene painted grey.

 

[The 48th Ronin]

Also have some styrene, because it almost looks like there's a white scratch on the rail on the LED side, creating a slim possibility that it's white styrene painted grey.

Indeed! And I think the vertical white line above the buttons is actually a crack (perhaps the cause/a symptom of the rail being pulled away from the box at the front)

 

[thd9791]

My interpretation was that they used two pieces of scrap because they ran out of bits long enough. looks like a seam line!

 

[Dann]

Hmm, I dunno man. I feel like if they were painted grey, the paint would cover a seam. I think it's just another scratch (or a crack, like D48th said), that happens to look pretty straight and vertical.

But I shore ain't know for certain-sure!!

 

[Halliwax]

Love the attention, I never thought that line was a crack until now..

 

[thd9791]

Hmmm you're right. Now I'm paying more attention to that side of the box, especially how chewed up it is around the black buttons. Could very well be a butt crack. Vertical crack I mean

 

[BRRogers]

There appears to be a very distinct second , diagonal white marking just to the right of the crack that seems to have been exacerbated over time.

 

[DaveP]

It's definitely looking like white material, that's been painted then scratched to me. Just a thought, the amount of glue present on the rails would suggest to me that the brass rail has come off entirely at some point, possibly in transit? Maybe that is what caused the scratches in the paintwork?

 

[Halliwax]

Sure this isn’t paint scratched off?

 

[BRRogers]

No idea there!

 

[DaveP]

Looks like something added rather than taken off to me. Hard to tell though (like everything else! ) to me it looks like someone's been a bit careless gluing the rail back on. Would explain how the vertical scratch appears to continue behind/underneath the rail too. Just a hypothesis