Turning a graflex into the Last Jedi Lighsaber

[Kylo1]

I know! Crazy... I couldn't believe it when I saw it on the shelf. I think the lady didn't know what it was. I bought two SW movies with it so that should've been enough of a hint, lol. Mine is not the "Folmer" flash, but it's still an original. Here's some pics.

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Yours is a beautiful replica... so shiny!

Amazing find….congrats!!

 

[Lightsaberman]

Hello All

OK, so I have received the excellent Graflex TFA/TLJ set | WannaWanga kit with the resin grips. However, they are not long enough for my Graflex. I have checked and it is put together correctly and tightly but I can't see what I am doing wrong. Completely confused!!

 

[Lightsaberman]

 

[Dr Jones Sr]

There are YouTube tutorials about using the rivet tool, very helpful for me, a newbie to all this stuff.

I got the Arrow rivet tool to install the WannaWanga lightsaber belt hook on my ANH style belt.

 

[Lightsaberman]

Thank you for the tip. However, these grips are not long enough for my Graflex. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[eethan]

the grips on the TFA lightsaber are a bit shorter, they don't touch the clamp. you can check the lightsaber guide pdf at the top of the starwars section of the forum.
there should be around 3.5mm pf gap between your grips and the clamp. Now, some graflex are a bit longer than other, you could have found a particularly long bottom tube. But I think you are ok if you follow the references for that TFA lightsaber.

 

[Halliwax]

Got any pictures of the bottom tube out of the clamp?

Curious to see the track the clamp slides in

 

[Lightsaberman]

 

[Lightsaberman]

Hello All

Thank you for the really useful replies. Eethan, good point; the gap is at the top of the grips not the bottom. I have repositioned and taken a photo. Unfortunately, the gap is 6mm! Also a picture of the bottom tube out of the clamp, Halliwax. The bottom tube measures 116mm.
Do you think I could cut 2.5mm off the top of this to make it the correct length. Or should I look for longer T-Track (if they make it)?

 

[eethan]

I'll check my tubes later today to compare with the length you are saying.
I have two solutions for you in the meantime. Go for the maz box version, it has a space at the top and the bottom of the grips.
Buy normal T tracks from Roy instead of the TFA T tracks, they are a lot longer and you have to cut them to the shape you want.
good luck

 

[Halliwax]

Cutting the tube will not help you since the clamp is locked into that position with the tabs in the clamp..

Before you do anything the following options are permanent so think about it

You can always sand the tabs off the lower section of the clamp, this will allow the clamp to move up

You could always get it clocked the way you want and e6000 the clamp to the tube

That really isn’t necessary though, you can tighten the clamp down hard enough to hold it in place

E6000 will ensure it not falling apart when hanging off your belt though if you go trooping with it

 

[Lightsaberman]

Golly, you guys are good! Thank you for all the useful suggestions. Interesting idea sanding the clamp tabs and then gluing……...that might even be easier than cutting and shaping longer T Track.
I think the maz box version is a little sloppy to imitate! I shall look forward to hearing what length you have on yours eethan.
Many thanks again.

 

[eethan]

oh sorry, I forgot to take measurements today, we where on the roof all afternoon to clean it and we just came home to take a hot shower. I'll try tomorrow if no one does it before.
sanding the clamp tabs can be an idea ideed and you might not even have to glue as the clamp force might be enough to hold the bottom.

 

[BTTUK]

I wouldn't get too bogged down over a few mm. Vintages aren't all the same, and whether you pull the bottom down once you lock it into the clamp, can make a difference. Try pushing the bottom up

 

[Lightsaberman]

I know what you mean, but it just doesn't look right with such a gap. Oh, yes I have tried pushing up and pushing down but no luck :-(

 

[Lightsaberman]

Hello All

What are you using to glue the T Track in place? E6000? Or some other glue?

 

[eethan]

hey, lots of us are using E6000. some are using two parts 5 minutes epoxy glue which will allow you to work faster. Some will not use the epoxy as it can be britle and some will say the E6000 will not hold as well as the epoxy... It will be difficult to give you a definitive answer. Both are a good solution. Just make sure you sand the bottom of your tracks first and clean/degrease properly your bottom tube.
good luck

 

[BTTUK]

I used tape like Roy did for his personal build.

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[Lightsaberman]

Thank you for more invaluable information!
Much appreciated.

 

[Halliwax]

I swear by the e6000. It’s also much easier to clean up