Sorry guys, I rarely post here on the RPF, well, I haven't in a LONG time!
So, the kits are being assembled now. The common misconception people keep having is that they think this kit is just a clamp. It's not. If I am to list all the parts of the conversion kit, here it is below:
1 x Steel Powder coated Black Belt Clip (Yes, Steel!)
5 x Injection Moulded ACCURATE Grips with 3M Self Adhesive Double Side Tape
8 x Machined Aluminium Dummy Clamp Rivets (So no trimming required)
6 x Machined Aluminium Dummy Grip Rivets (So no trimming required)
1 x Inner Machined Clamp Sleeve With Tabs For Graflex Compatibility
1 x Outer Machine Clamp Sleeve
1 x Machined Control Box (Kobold Style)
2 x 3mmx3mm Neodymium Magnets
2 x 3mmx0.5m Neodymium Magnets
1 x Accurate Clamp Card
1 x Pre-Cut Accurate Genuine Cow Hide Leather
1 x Graflex Bottom Pre-Vented and Pre-Drilled/Tapped For the Belt Clip Screws
1 x Blank Bottom Cap
1 x Bottom Cap Shaped To Reveal The Discrete Sound Vents
1 x Accurate Weathering Stencil Set (Pretty Cool!)
So, as you can see above, this kit is VERY extensive. It's not just a clamp and grips. I'm hoping that people can put things together in understanding how I made this kit so accurate. (I live about 45 mins from the studio and I have assisted certain prop builders in their 'projects') WINK WINK.
The issue with the 3 Cell Flashguns I made is separate. But, because of the issue with the uppers, I can't just keep 500 upper Graflex assemblies and do nothing with them. This is why I was including them with the kit so at least it's complete and can look the part. The design of the kit is SO simple. Literally, if you want to change the upper assembly, you loosen the grub screw hidden under the clamp card and remove just like a Graflex 3 Cell lower assembly. Twist and pull. DONE!
What I plan to do also, is make a short video showing how you, yourself can resolve the button issue with the uppers. It's actually quite simple. whether you keep it for another build and use a Romans upper is up to you.
It's a shame that it had to change because of the issue with the uppers, but it was never meant to be part of the kit anyway. If all of these kits sell, which I hope they do, then I will do another run of the kits as KITS ONLY!
Making a 3 Cell by yourself is hard. Especially when I funded it myself! But as I said, the kits are FINE! Nothing wrong with the conversion kits. Please may I just request that people stop referring to it as a 'clamp'. It really isn't and as you can see from the list above, it is a very detailed, well thought out kit.
I can assure you all, I am being as transparent as possible when these go for sale. There will be more videos, more content etc. But you will all be very happy, I promise. I personally think the price is also very fair considering what you get. I didn’t want to take any shortcuts with how accurate the kit was.
Just to put things into perspective, Romans for a converted bottom (Bottom tube with grips on and belt clip) is $110 USD. Now consider that my TROS EP9 hilt is $199.00. So, its $89.00 for all of those other parts in my list. It’s A LOT!
I do feel really bad about changing last minute that the kits will include an upper, but it was the only solution to stop myself from keeping hundreds of the uppers sitting doing nothing. Because I can use the clamps for my V2’s and the lowers for converted bottoms over time. I’ll invest in tooling for ANH/ESB/TLJ grips etc.
Anyway, hopefully this clarifies a few things. I am assembling them all now in my spare time and I am confident everyone will be happy. No surprises, full transparency on everything…the KR Sabers way!
Any other queries guys, just reply to my response, I’ll happily answer them and try to be more involved on the RPF