Skywalker Lightsaber (Scratch Build)

[13doctorwho]

I just finished two versions of the ESB Anakin/Luke Lightsaber. The majority of it was scratch built with parts from Ace Hardware, Lowe's and Hobby Lobby. The Graflex clamp and clamp card were bought, everything else was made by me. The Graflex buttons and t-tracks were modeled in Fusion 360 and printed in resin. Everything else was done with a Dremel tool, dill press, and files.

I know it would have been easier and more accurate to buy a Graflex reproduction and all the parts, but I really wanted to build it from scratch.

Overall, I think they look pretty good. Great for a belt hanger or desk bling. 95% of Star Wars fans will not notice the numerous compromises and missing details.

Take a look and let me know what you think!!!

Battle Damaged Version (from an oopsie during machining)
My stories is this was the one recovered by Vader in Bespin after the battle. It was latter given to a clone of Luke by the Emperor (in the Expanded Universe Book, The Last Command). Then it was given to Mara Jade...

 

[Darth Lars]

I haven't seen a sink tube lightsaber in a long time, a long time.

 

[thd9791]

Holy crap nice work! It certainly passes the 5 foot test, this legit looked like a Master Replicas for a second.

Is this sink tube? How was your experience cutting it and softening the edges?

 

[13doctorwho]

Thank you for the comments.

Darth Lars. Yeah, I haven't done one in forever so it was a nice easy project. It's so much better than the one I did 20 years ago!!!

thd9791 It's pretty easy to cut. It's brass that's chrome plated. The straight cuts are done with a tubing cutter, and the curved cut was done with a Dremel tool. It's also very easy to file. For square holes I drilled a round hole (or holes) and filed it square/rectangular.

 

[danvader]

It's one of the best DIY graflex saber I've have ever seen !

 

[13doctorwho]

Thank you danvader!!!

 

[Mark P]

Wow, that's awesome. Great job!

 

[woodywaverider]

Looks better than some of the stunt sabers they used on set, great job

 

[13doctorwho]

Mark P Thank you!!

woodywaverider, Wow!! High praise... Thank you.

 

[Tan Djarka]

Cool job. But that's why I started using aluminum tubes. If the Dremel tool gets away from you, you only reveal more aluminum.

I do have one or two sink tubes in the works though. If I manage to avoid any major mishaps, I'll knock down the chrome with a Scotch Brite pad. It does create a credible brushed finish.

 

[13doctorwho]

Tan Djarka After this I may go that route too. By some aluminum tubing from McMaster-Carr. It would be great for Prequel lightsabers because they are smaller than 1.5 inches. They are in the 1.4ish range to make them more comfortable for the actors. 1.375 inches is definitely readily available.

 

[mhope43]

Looks really good! I used the same pipe for my Darth Vader saber I'm still working on,

 

[13doctorwho]

mhope43 Yeah, these are an old standby in the Saber building community. Don't forget to start a thread for yours!

 

[mhope43]

mhope43 Yeah, these are an old standby in the Saber building community. Don't forget to start a thread for yours!

I posted by build, i need to get better at posting more pictures of my progress!