Taking apart the MR Qui-Gon saber?

[Darth Lars]

Has anyone taken apart the MR Qui-Gon saber? CE or LE?

I am unhappy with the shroud on my LE and want to replace it with one that has a correct finish. That would be a simple project. I am afraid that just sanding off the anodization off the shroud will make it too thin. The two prongs next to the button are also a mm or two too short.

 

[Darth Lars]

"Foe_Hammer" on Rebelscum's msgboard posted this pic, from a MR newsletter:

I have only been able to remove the covertec knob and a black plug underneath the knob that hides that there is a gap. All other parts seem to be glued in place.

As the black parts look like they are powder-coated or painted, I dare not use heat to loosen the glue.

 

[Ripcode]

Got a CE today, so I am bumping this as I am curious!

 

[Ripcode]

I love the design of the Qui-Gon saber. It is simple and elegant.

However the CE is freaking heavy!

Does it weigh more than the LE?

Is the LE more accurate looking than the CE??

If I could figure out how to take it apart, I'd love to get the black portion molded and cast in resin like the actual prop.

 

[Darth Lars]

As I recall from old threads, the CE is heavier than the LE and they look almost exactly the same.

 

[cayman shen]

I've had both, and the CE is WAY heavier, and they look all but identical, except the CE has a duller finish and the grips are a smidge softer looking do to casting as opposed to machining.

 

[Ripcode]

Ta-da!

The tools:

The result:

 

[Ripcode]

I nicked the black paint in a couple of spots (no biggie) but otherwise got it apart safely! :thumbsup

 

[Darth Lars]

I've had both, and the CE is WAY heavier, and they look all but identical, except the CE has a duller finish and the grips are a smidge softer looking do to casting as opposed to machining.

Well.. I was a little bit disappointed with my supposed LE. The grips were quite soft enough for my taste. I suspected that it was cast anyway. I don't see that Ripcode's is any softer..

I nicked the black paint in a couple of spots (no biggie) but otherwise got it apart safely! :thumbsup

Please tell us how you did it. Did you just unscrew the pommel?
What role does the rectangular piece have?

 

[Ripcode]

1. Remove the fake Covertech clip. That came off with an allen wrench. There is a bushing underneath the Covertech. That was a little tricky getting out, but it will come out.

2. Remove the red knob. I clamped that in my vice and unscrewed it. You don't have to remove it for disassembly, but I didn't know that until after I got the whole thing apart.

3. Clamp the base of the hilt in the vice and unscrew it. Once you break the glue bond (easy), you are good to go. At this point, you can slide the black piece out of the shroud. Look at the pic. On the inside of the shroud are (2) spots of doublesided tape. That is what is keeps the shroud attached to the saber body.

4. Clamp the emitter head in the vice and unscrew.

Once you get that point, you will see how the rest comes apart.

The rectangular piece is attached with (2) screws to the backside of the large black portion with the serrations.

I was hoping, I could drill out areas to lighten this thing, but it's pretty much hollow already! If this was solid it would have weighed a ton!

Anyone want to cast the black pieces in resin? :love

 

[cayman shen]

Big kudos for having the stones to attack a collectible this way-I'm impressed. I have to say, I'm a little dismayed to see that TAPE plays a role in such an expensive item!

 

[Ripcode]

Big kudos for having the stones to attack a collectible this way-I'm impressed. I have to say, I'm a little dismayed to see that TAPE plays a role in such an expensive item!

It's probably really expensive tape! :lol

 

[cayman shen]

The EE version will use authentic 3M brand, no doubt.

 

[Ripcode]

I started sanding the shroud. It appears to have a bead blasted finish. It's going to be some work just to get it smooth. Blah! :unsure

 

[Darth Lars]

Thanks Ripcode! It is not only bead-blaster. It is anodized aluminum. That can be very tough.

 

[Ripcode]

Thanks Ripcode! It is not only bead-blaster. It is anodized aluminum. That can be very tough.

I'm thankful I did not pay a fortune for this one.

 

[scottjua]

Necro post

I really want to get thing apart and can only get the pommel off.

Anyone done it lately and have tips?