My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber - Tutorial

[azheat]

***EDIT*** Updated pictures in Post #7.

Since I was asked for a parts list, here it is. Everything except the crystal and figure stand came from Lowe's.

PARTS LIST

- 1 x 1-1/4" washer with a 3/8" center opening
- 1 X 3-3/4" plastic figure stand
- 3 x 8/32", 6" threaded rods
- 2 x 3/16", 6" brass tubes
- 1 x Frog Legs small light up flashlight (usually found near checkout)
- 12 x #8 nuts (for the threaded rods)
- 2 x 3/8" copper caps
- 3 x brass flat washers
- 1 x #6 nickel acorn nut
- 1 x Moen faucet cartridge
- 1 x 7/8" E-clip
- 1 x 1/4" - 1-1/4" bolt
- 2 x 1/4" nuts


A quick project in between all my others, I wanted to try this while I put feelers out for a proper chamber. I didn't want to buy a 3D printed one; I wanted this to be mostly metal. Goal was to spend no more than $25. A quick trip to Lowe's and here's what I came up with using some sink parts, threaded rods, nuts, brass tube, a brass pipe cap, washers, a bolt, a blue plastic crystal, a few other miscellaneous pieces, and a $3.80 mini light that caught my eye at the checkout. Never tried anything like this but I think it looks OK. Couple things I want to change are the washer piece in the center since it blocks the light from coming up, going to add a slightly longer bolt in between the top and bottom sections, and some other small greeblies.

I wanted something to put in Korbanth's awesome hilt for the time being. I think it's off to a good start.

 

[JaxAndTheMoon]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

Looks good for 25 bucks! I was thinking about doing the same thing when I was at home depot checking out the miniature brass fittings

 

[Panaflex]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

Can't beat it for the price! Very cool build! Tutorial in the future?

 

[Collectorchris]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

If you have a complete parts list with size and thread, that would be great. I really like this and would like to mock one up myself.

 

[azheat]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

Thanks all, I didn't think to post any progress shots because it's a real simple build. I built this in about two hours (plus another hour walking around the store looking for ideas). I'll post a parts list of what I used shortly.............I've already got ideas to change a few things.

 

[Halliwax]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

very creative!

 

[azheat]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

very creative!

Thank you!

Trying to finish up a few things so I spent some time redoing this today. I disassembled the whole thing and made a few changes. I'm also going to edit the first post and add a parts list.

I took a 1-1/4" washer and drilled 3 holes in it.



I took the threaded rods, added a nut about a 1/4" or so from the ends, placed them through the holes in the washer, then secured the ends with another nut. Then I slid the brass tubing over the threaded rods. For the flashlight, I lightly sanded the bottom of the cap, then lightly sanded around the center of the washer, and used superglue to secure it. The great thing about the light is even though it's glued to the washer, I can still twist it open if I need to replace the batteries.



Like I mentioned before I wanted a clear disc in the middle to let some of the light shine through. I had a hard time finding the right material. I tried a coin protective capsule but it was too small. I found some clear plastic discs online but didn't want to spend any more money. So, I took a spare 3 3/4" action figure stand and cut it to the size of the washer. I drilled some holes in the clear disc, secured the threaded rods the same way as I did on the bottom, and used the longer bolt for the top half and and secured it with a nut.



I sheared off the excess threaded rod and added a little pipe thread tape to the bolt to secure the top half.



I bought another copper pipe cap, drilled a hole in the top, and slid it over the connecting bolt. I also sanded down the excess threaded rod that was left after shearing them off. I bought some little brass washers and epoxied those to the top of the nuts. I also had to sand the sides of the nuts to remove a tiny bit of material to ensure a proper fit.



By using the longer center bolt the top of the chamber is closer to the saber opening.



You can see the copper cap a little here.



I had to add something to be able to activate the push button on the bottom of the flashlight because you can't get your finger through the washer hole. I used an acorn nut and epoxied it to the button. For the heck of it I also epoxied an e-clip to the nuts on the bottom. This whole unit sits perfectly in the saber and does not interfere when the bottom cap is screwed on.





The great thing about using the clear washer in the center is you can see some light when looking into the saber.



I'm still not done with it, want to add a few more things. I'm a little over the original $25 budget, but that's OK, still very economical. By no means a comparison to some of the excellent professional chambers out there, but I'm real happy considering what I spent......and it was a fun process completely building it from scratch.

 

[Halliwax]

Re: My $25 Scratch Built Light Saber Crystal Chamber

came out real good!

 

[Collectorchris]

Very nice, Thank you for posting your parts list, I am going to have to give this a go, for a static hilt.