Newb with a Graflex 2.0 kit

[ODog4523]

Hey all, I'm brand new to the forum, and mostly new to prop enthusiasm. I have an Icons ANH Skywalker Lightsaber (bought brand new in '95/'96ish), and more recently a few SaberForge hilts that caught my eye.

The most recent thing to catch my interest was the Graflex 2.0 kit by Parks. I just grabbed one off ebay and got it home today. Don't know a thing about electronics installation (maybe a project down the road) so right now I just have it to be a nice display piece. I just have some questions about the kit after tinkering for a few minutes:

This particular kit is missing one of the screws for the ESB style grips. Are those somewhat easy to match up at a hardware store or something, or will I need to find them custom?

Should I just use glue to secure the grips to the body, or is there some better way?

The circuit card doesn't sit snug in the clamp, even when closed. What's a good way to secure it?

With no live switches or electronics, I don't immediately see a way to secure the red buttons in their housings on either side of the saber. Any solutions for that?

What kind of mods might I need to make if I wanted to fit it with a proper graflex blade plug?

I know careful application of some glue seems like the obvious move for much of this, but I'm all ears for any 'cleaner' solutions, particularly if I want to take the hilt apart (or hire a sabersmith) someday for an electronics install.

Pardon my rookieness and thanks for any guidance!

 

[division 6]

There are a few threads already addressing most of your questions.
This one covering the electronics. link

The grips didn't come with the (red) high bond tape on the back?
Red buttons use 2 sided tape for temporary holding or glue for permanent.
2 sided tape on the back of the circuit board.

 

[ODog4523]

Ah they do have adhesive on the grips. Of course, it looks like I got screwed up a bit. The kit I got came with 6 ANH grips, and 7 ESB. I slammed on the esb grips not thinking that there should only be 6. That's why there are only 6 screws! Lol damnit. Now how do I get the grips unstuck??

 

[tomm1999]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (in best Vader at end of ROTS voice). Sorry to hear, a few people have done that. First, congrats on an awesome purchase and welcome to the boards. We were just talking about this in the other thread. Do you mind if I ask why you bought from eBay instead of here? Maybe you didnt know of here until after you got it.

Anyway, be very, very careful trying to remove them. maybe a little heat and fishing wire? Im sure someone will come along who has had to remove them.

Also, all may not be lost, you may be able to replace the bottom piece, look around the boards, maybe someone is doing a run where they may sell just bottoms.

Congrats, I hope you get the grips off without damaging the finish. Last piece of advice that someone gave me when I joined here 2 months ago: "Leave your wallet at the door!"

In two short months I made my house and office look like a Hollywood prop house

 

[ODog4523]

LOL I was able to gently work them off without hurting the finish. Yes, I got it on eBay not knowing any different, wanting instant satisfaction, as is my way I'm a bit annoyed with the seller though, since the kit he sold had the incorrect number of components... Short one ANH grip and extra one ESB grip. If I were wanting to do the ANH version of the hilt I'd be much more up a creek. I questioned him on it, but he's gone silent. Big shocker.

 

[division 6]

Worst comes to worst you could probably get replacements from someone on the forum doing the ANH version and has the extra ESB parts.

 

[tomm1999]

I agree, I've seen more then a few people willing to trade/ sell for a nice price. How accurate do you want this? If you look in the run threads someone is selling replacement buttons for $3 that are a closer match to the original. Not that Im bashing the Korbanth kit, his buttons are very nice and made of metal. The original ones are actually plastic

Best of luck! Glad you got the grips off. Im sure alot of people would be excited to hear how you did it

Worst comes to worst you could probably get replacements from someone on the forum doing the ANH version and has the extra ESB parts.

 

[ODog4523]

I really just used slow and steady pressure to get them off (that's what she said). I think I got lucky since they were only on the body a couple minutes and didn't fully set.

I need to find a mylar strip next and it'll probably a curate enough to satisfy me for now. The thing that's bugging me the most is getting the d-ring to line up so the bunny ears aren't pointing into the wearer's leg. Seems no matter how I start seating the body into the clamp section, or the pommel into the body, the ring ends up pointing the same way. I'm no machinist. Is that just the way the threads were cut? Ideally I'd like the saber to hand with the control box facing more or less straight out and the bunny ears at a 90 degree angle to that. What's the screen accurate spec for that?