psybertech
New Member
Greetings.
I've lurked around therpf for a while (yeah, a long while), but haven't made or contributed anything meaningful unfortunately. Heck, I just joined today after many, many years...
I started an R2 via astromech, but, again, unfortunately, I have little to nothing to show or contribute. I had to stop for medical and financial reasons [hand-in-hand] (but do hope to pick it up again). :`(
OK, that said......
I've had 2 Graflex and 1 Heiland (King Sol) flash units since the early 90's when I was working in a photo lab and picked them up when I saw them and knew what they were.
I added some basic parts to them to make them look like the lightsabers a very long time ago.
I couldn't find the exact original bubble calcs or the wiper blades, etc. but I found what worked well and I am VERYYYY happy with my sabers and have been for over a decade moving in on two decades now!
They are static, beautiful, but static.
That said.....
I WANT SOUND... AND MAYBE LIGHTING TOO. Yeah, I'd love a blade on one at least but not that important for this phase.
So..................
I am hoping someone might be able to point me to some solution that I can use inside my original Graflex 3 cell that will allow a biscotti v4, or other recommended board, to add the full sound experience without removing the inside top section of my Graflex.
As far as the switches.... I do not mind having to open the hilt to trigger the on/off for now. I don't need the original button or slider to actuate anything now. I can just trim the wires and tuck them inside or something. I can figure it out. I just want something to add a nice sound system with speaker that I can put in there that I can at least turn my back to the crowd, turn on, re-assemble, turn back around and wow the younglings. That's all. But I do want the best sound and tech available inside! ... and lighting to come????
I just don't want to alter the original flash tube right now.
And, why don't I want to gut the top section of my Graflex(s)? Honestly... For now I want something that can fit in where those honking D-cells live without doing much more and messing with the original!
I've had them forever static and am worried, so I want to take baby steps for now.
Make me smile with the sounds and I am sure I will be driven for lights on one or both. As long as I don't have to alter the original tube. But maybe later? Not sure...
I have a 3d printer I haven't used in a couple years, but I can get it up and running again if needed. I can't create my own models from scratch, but can 'tweak' them if needed as well. STL? ETSY? EBAY? there are TONS out there. I am lost.
My soldering skills once were pretty good, but now, well they stink. But I just got glasses, so maybe better now? (part of the reason I stopped my R2 :/ ) I'm bringing it up since I'd love a pre-made solution on the board/electronics or final product, but I am willing to try anything that can fit my budget.. yes, I have one and it is small now.
I don't mind burning cheap LED PCBs testing my soldering skills, but don't want to try my 'skills' on something expensive. Yes... I know I can test and play with other things, but so far, this post and research has consumed WAAAY more time than I really had to spend... so.............
QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
YES.. I have searched and searched and searched all over the place. Yes... I am SURE I MISSED the one(s) I am looking for! :/ Please don't "search the forums bash me!"...
I've looked at STL files, pre-built chassis kits, standalone boards, forum posts and a bunch over the past month and change (recently looking but there are so many posts about Graflex sabers, boards, sounds, chassis, lights, sounds, etc, etc) that the results are diluted on Google, Bing, DDG, and forums. I just can't find a solution easily.
I'm not looking for easy, just a bunch of guidance to help me find something for my use case.
I've even looked at buying full blown replicas, but, man, I love my originals. If I could find a fully functional (or at least blade-less) Graflex replica under $300, maybe I'd consider it, but it have'to be ESB or TFA since I don't want to replace or make my ANH Graflex fall into the background with all the modern coolness! Wow.... that was weird to type. OK............. and I'd probably try to gut it to work in my Graflex... ugghhhh
BUDGET:
well.... free is awesome for the chassis if I can 3D print them, but I know that may not be a reality. I don't need a detailed inner chassis with lighted crystal.
I am more than willing to pay for the PCBs and whatever (prefer pre-soldered, but will take whatever works!).
I just want a `blob-o-tape` or a nice part that can securely hold the electronics inside so I can wave around casually and smile and awe the kids (and me most importantly! haha!!! ). That's all. Small order, right?
CONCLUSION? (haha)
What can I jam up inside the lower part of my Graflex 3 cell to make me smile?
If you read this far, MTFBY! WOW! thank you!!!
And thank you all for the forums here! AWESOME!
j
I've lurked around therpf for a while (yeah, a long while), but haven't made or contributed anything meaningful unfortunately. Heck, I just joined today after many, many years...
I started an R2 via astromech, but, again, unfortunately, I have little to nothing to show or contribute. I had to stop for medical and financial reasons [hand-in-hand] (but do hope to pick it up again). :`(
OK, that said......
I've had 2 Graflex and 1 Heiland (King Sol) flash units since the early 90's when I was working in a photo lab and picked them up when I saw them and knew what they were.
I added some basic parts to them to make them look like the lightsabers a very long time ago.
I couldn't find the exact original bubble calcs or the wiper blades, etc. but I found what worked well and I am VERYYYY happy with my sabers and have been for over a decade moving in on two decades now!
They are static, beautiful, but static.
That said.....
I WANT SOUND... AND MAYBE LIGHTING TOO. Yeah, I'd love a blade on one at least but not that important for this phase.
So..................
I am hoping someone might be able to point me to some solution that I can use inside my original Graflex 3 cell that will allow a biscotti v4, or other recommended board, to add the full sound experience without removing the inside top section of my Graflex.
As far as the switches.... I do not mind having to open the hilt to trigger the on/off for now. I don't need the original button or slider to actuate anything now. I can just trim the wires and tuck them inside or something. I can figure it out. I just want something to add a nice sound system with speaker that I can put in there that I can at least turn my back to the crowd, turn on, re-assemble, turn back around and wow the younglings. That's all. But I do want the best sound and tech available inside! ... and lighting to come????
I just don't want to alter the original flash tube right now.
And, why don't I want to gut the top section of my Graflex(s)? Honestly... For now I want something that can fit in where those honking D-cells live without doing much more and messing with the original!
I've had them forever static and am worried, so I want to take baby steps for now.
Make me smile with the sounds and I am sure I will be driven for lights on one or both.
As long as I don't have to alter the original tube. But maybe later? Not sure...I have a 3d printer I haven't used in a couple years, but I can get it up and running again if needed. I can't create my own models from scratch, but can 'tweak' them if needed as well. STL? ETSY? EBAY? there are TONS out there. I am lost.
My soldering skills once were pretty good, but now, well they stink. But I just got glasses, so maybe better now? (part of the reason I stopped my R2 :/ ) I'm bringing it up since I'd love a pre-made solution on the board/electronics or final product, but I am willing to try anything that can fit my budget.. yes, I have one and it is small now.
I don't mind burning cheap LED PCBs testing my soldering skills, but don't want to try my 'skills' on something expensive. Yes... I know I can test and play with other things, but so far, this post and research has consumed WAAAY more time than I really had to spend... so.............
QUESTIONS ANSWERED:
YES.. I have searched and searched and searched all over the place. Yes... I am SURE I MISSED the one(s) I am looking for! :/ Please don't "search the forums bash me!"...
I've looked at STL files, pre-built chassis kits, standalone boards, forum posts and a bunch over the past month and change (recently looking but there are so many posts about Graflex sabers, boards, sounds, chassis, lights, sounds, etc, etc) that the results are diluted on Google, Bing, DDG, and forums. I just can't find a solution easily.
I'm not looking for easy, just a bunch of guidance to help me find something for my use case.
I've even looked at buying full blown replicas, but, man, I love my originals. If I could find a fully functional (or at least blade-less) Graflex replica under $300, maybe I'd consider it, but it have'to be ESB or TFA since I don't want to replace or make my ANH Graflex fall into the background with all the modern coolness! Wow.... that was weird to type. OK............. and I'd probably try to gut it to work in my Graflex... ugghhhh
BUDGET:
well.... free is awesome for the chassis if I can 3D print them, but I know that may not be a reality. I don't need a detailed inner chassis with lighted crystal.
I am more than willing to pay for the PCBs and whatever (prefer pre-soldered, but will take whatever works!).
I just want a `blob-o-tape` or a nice part that can securely hold the electronics inside so I can wave around casually and smile and awe the kids (and me most importantly! haha!!!
). That's all. Small order, right?CONCLUSION? (haha)
What can I jam up inside the lower part of my Graflex 3 cell to make me smile?
If you read this far, MTFBY! WOW! thank you!!!
And thank you all for the forums here! AWESOME!
j
