Propdude113
Active Member
Gotta be a fiberglass/ fiber reinforced type material of some sort
The OT stunt lightsaber blades research thread
- Thread starter vadermania
- Start date
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
Found 'em. Thin one is 3/8" ; thick one is .45". Both 4' long. Black one is a fiber glass tent pole. This stuff gets made somewhere.
Very bendy, if you've the strength. This is the 45.
How they sound.
Very bendy, if you've the strength. This is the 45.
How they sound.
Propdude113
Active Member
Way to go Mouse Vader! Sound and look just like some of the ones we have seen especially the color, reminds me of the blades we see in the archive video.What are the thick ones made for ? We need to find one near 16-18mm thick and partially hollow (Tom do they need to be hollow?)
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
Bought as ram rods for Muzzle loading rifles. I'm thinking retailer buys them in as plain stock. Not tapered but gives us info as how fiberglass rod behaves.
Propdude113
Active Member
Yes and given all the photos, material theories, sounds we hear, and given the fact that carbon fiber was super expensive back then and doesn't have that much flex fiberglass is the logical conclusion. I wonder since solid rods have more flex like we have seen in BTS footage that its possible that the holes could have been drilled and tapped into the rods/blades to adapt for the inner collar. Fiberglass is still pretty sturdy even when drilled / cut. But then my experience with hollow tubes has been limited
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
Getting closer. this one's 7/16" x 36" long.
These guys do 5/8" diam solid.
www.mcmaster.com
more... just search fiberglass rod stock.
mgs4u.com
RP0622 .54 Caliber Heavy Duty Super Rod
A combination loading and cleaning rod 7/16” in diameter, this rod is stiffer than the standard Super-Rod . 36” long, complete with 8 X 32 jag and ball puller with opposite end brass tipped, threaded for 10X32 accessories.
www.dixiegunworks.com
These guys do 5/8" diam solid.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
more... just search fiberglass rod stock.
Telescoping Fiberglass Tube and Rod - Max-Gain Systems, Inc.
Fiberglass Tube and Rod, Retail and Wholesale quantities available. Shortest lead times and lowest minimums in the industry for wholesale quantity orders.
mgs4u.com
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Propdude113
Active Member
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
Those sites I linked have 3/4 & 1" too & look like they'd make anything you want. I'd quit looking at ram rods & move to stock GRP rod. I remeber on one site it said their tubes were sanded to final spec but can't remember which it was. If I can find a cheap peice of solid I might give that a try (for tapered).
This site also do 18mm : RBJ Plastics – Glass fibre solid unidirectional GRP rods
Note, & this escaped me at first, their listed 5/8" diam is actually 16.2mm & not the usual 5/8 of 15.875mm. In scaling ANH blades I frequently get app. 16.1-16.2mm. My 16mm beech dowel is actually 16.2mm.
Some years ago I learned that nominal wood dimensions generally aren't their actual dimensions but can't remember why they do this. Looks like it may carry over to GRP rod.
This site also do 18mm : RBJ Plastics – Glass fibre solid unidirectional GRP rods
Note, & this escaped me at first, their listed 5/8" diam is actually 16.2mm & not the usual 5/8 of 15.875mm. In scaling ANH blades I frequently get app. 16.1-16.2mm. My 16mm beech dowel is actually 16.2mm.
Some years ago I learned that nominal wood dimensions generally aren't their actual dimensions but can't remember why they do this. Looks like it may carry over to GRP rod.
Propdude113
Active Member
So we have proof that the blades were hollow correct? I experimented with a fiberglass fishing rod. Hollow and tapered it broke the first strike!
Really.. crud. Can you describe the strike a bit? I'm curious if you found it's max already or if they're fragile
Also, I noticed the obi and luke leftover stints were bladed with a dark tapered material early after anh. Almost sounds like wood in the garage rehearsal footage. Seems on set those kept their blades and the graflex/mpp stunts had something wobbly and tough installed.
Also, I noticed the obi and luke leftover stints were bladed with a dark tapered material early after anh. Almost sounds like wood in the garage rehearsal footage. Seems on set those kept their blades and the graflex/mpp stunts had something wobbly and tough installed.
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
If I recall correctly I used to see, on holiday in the '70's, cheap one peice seafishing rods made of solid & tapered GRP, usually for sale on piers & the seafront shops. We steared clear they were so cheap. I'll see if I can find any now.
For hollow we're going to need decent wall thickness. 4mm is the best I can find on the 16-18mm diams. What was it on your test rod?
Anyone have experience with 'sanding' GRP?
For hollow we're going to need decent wall thickness. 4mm is the best I can find on the 16-18mm diams. What was it on your test rod?
Anyone have experience with 'sanding' GRP?
Propdude113
Active Member
It was one of those 10 dollar collapsible telescopic fiberglass fly rods. The thickest tube prone in one strike the others 2 or 3 all were very light strokes against each other completely a waste of money but I'm reminded that it's in the name of research!! Hahaha!
As we can tell in this photos looking at the bottom of the tubes is that they were very thick walled and not very hollow even antennas seem to have a thinner wall thickness..I haven't seen anything this thick I'm my research yet..one possible theory in my mind is that they could be stock solid rods that were drilled out at the bottom to take the inner collar. Just one theory based off the fact that I have drilled in solid rods and they don't appear to loose much tensile strength
As we can tell in this photos looking at the bottom of the tubes is that they were very thick walled and not very hollow even antennas seem to have a thinner wall thickness..I haven't seen anything this thick I'm my research yet..one possible theory in my mind is that they could be stock solid rods that were drilled out at the bottom to take the inner collar. Just one theory based off the fact that I have drilled in solid rods and they don't appear to loose much tensile strength
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Propdude113
Active Member
Got this from 360tuna.com a fishing forum this topic is about solid vs hollow rods
" fiberglass poles are stronger than graphite or carbon fiber. But you get much better sensitivity with a graphite blank.Graphite rods are also stiffer.Glass being more "rubbery" (for lack of a better term)Although I don't know a lot about the construction of blanks. The ultimate rod may very well be a combination of several materials including carbon fiber and glass"
This definitely sells me on the actual stunt blades in filming being fiberglass.
" fiberglass poles are stronger than graphite or carbon fiber. But you get much better sensitivity with a graphite blank.Graphite rods are also stiffer.Glass being more "rubbery" (for lack of a better term)Although I don't know a lot about the construction of blanks. The ultimate rod may very well be a combination of several materials including carbon fiber and glass"
This definitely sells me on the actual stunt blades in filming being fiberglass.
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Mouse Vader
Sr Member
You have to be prepared to shell out time & money for experiments which is why they so seldom happen. People who do have my respect even if it's just 10 bucks. Nice to see the research too as that also eats time.
Fiberglass is at the top of my probables list too as nothing else looks robust enough. Time permitting I'll get some to try but I've other irons in the fire at the moment.
Fiberglass is at the top of my probables list too as nothing else looks robust enough. Time permitting I'll get some to try but I've other irons in the fire at the moment.
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
This sort of thing:
2 Fladen 1pc Celtic 120 4ft Solid Boat Rods for Kayak Sea Fishing Trolling Lures for sale online | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2 Fladen 1pc Celtic 120 4ft Solid Boat Rods for Kayak Sea Fishing Trolling Lures at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!
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Remember they put collars inside and outside the blades because the walls weren't thick enough for grub screws! From BAlinger15
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
How sure are you those are blades from ESB combat sabers?
The left one does have a resemblance to the one that takes flying lessons but looks longer below the collar. Compare with my GIF post# 175, pg 9.
The left one does have a resemblance to the one that takes flying lessons but looks longer below the collar. Compare with my GIF post# 175, pg 9.
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