Ten years ago, I acquired my very first lightsabers--two Graflex replicas from Larbel. Both were dressed up with Blast-Tech parts; one Luke ANH, one ESB.
I was highly inexperienced back then, and the builds were rather sloppy. Eventually, I acquired a few MR sabers, and my Larbels were tucked away and mostly forgotten in a storage bin.
In the years since, I've mainly focused on STAR TREK props, and have gained a lot of valuable experience--to the point of successfully building a John Long hand phaser kit, which is a challenge even for an experienced amateur.
Recently, I dug out my old Larbels, and was suddenly inspired to recondition them. I'm looking for something that's less worrisome to play around with and show off than my expensive MR props.
However, these were made back in the days when people thought the ANH had six grips and a two-rivet D-ring.
While I'm not looking for the ultimate in accuracy (although I hope to do a true Graflex build someday), I would like to make these more presentable. I've already dropped Blast-Tech a line, and await a response. Any other suggestions for new parts?
My goals are:
* To strip and clean/polish the Graflex replicas. I'll then add new Mylar tape to the ESB clamp, and probably leave the ANH clamp tape-free.
* To install new grips and D-rings (and a new circuit board for the ESB), with more accurate placement, and the more screen-accurate black screws for the ESB grips.
The problem here is that the ANH has two D-ring screw holes, and so an accurate, one-rivet/screw D-ring would leave one hole exposed. Also, Larbel's predrilled ESB's grip screw-holes are not correctly aligned with the D-ring assembly.
The easiest solution would probably be to get new replica Graflex bottoms, but I'm not sure how easy that would be.
I had the crazy idea of switching bottoms--in theory, the ESB d-ring assembly would cover both ANH holes, and the seven ANH grips would cover the ESB grip holes. I could then drill new ESB grip holes in the ANH bottom, and align them more correctly. Preliminary studies with printed grip templates indicate that this might actually work. Any suggestions?
I could also use some suggestions on a good adhesive remover and cleaner/polish for the Graflex replicas.
Here's what we're starting with:
I was highly inexperienced back then, and the builds were rather sloppy. Eventually, I acquired a few MR sabers, and my Larbels were tucked away and mostly forgotten in a storage bin.
In the years since, I've mainly focused on STAR TREK props, and have gained a lot of valuable experience--to the point of successfully building a John Long hand phaser kit, which is a challenge even for an experienced amateur.
Recently, I dug out my old Larbels, and was suddenly inspired to recondition them. I'm looking for something that's less worrisome to play around with and show off than my expensive MR props.
However, these were made back in the days when people thought the ANH had six grips and a two-rivet D-ring.
While I'm not looking for the ultimate in accuracy (although I hope to do a true Graflex build someday), I would like to make these more presentable. I've already dropped Blast-Tech a line, and await a response. Any other suggestions for new parts?
My goals are:
* To strip and clean/polish the Graflex replicas. I'll then add new Mylar tape to the ESB clamp, and probably leave the ANH clamp tape-free.
* To install new grips and D-rings (and a new circuit board for the ESB), with more accurate placement, and the more screen-accurate black screws for the ESB grips.
The problem here is that the ANH has two D-ring screw holes, and so an accurate, one-rivet/screw D-ring would leave one hole exposed. Also, Larbel's predrilled ESB's grip screw-holes are not correctly aligned with the D-ring assembly.
The easiest solution would probably be to get new replica Graflex bottoms, but I'm not sure how easy that would be.
I had the crazy idea of switching bottoms--in theory, the ESB d-ring assembly would cover both ANH holes, and the seven ANH grips would cover the ESB grip holes. I could then drill new ESB grip holes in the ANH bottom, and align them more correctly. Preliminary studies with printed grip templates indicate that this might actually work. Any suggestions?
I could also use some suggestions on a good adhesive remover and cleaner/polish for the Graflex replicas.
Here's what we're starting with:
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