Interest Visual Dictionary Graflex Cutaway Innards

Hey guys, it's been a while but I am still planning on making this happen :)

I'm actually looking into getting a CNC lathe to machine the metal parts myself, going to check one out this weekend.

If I end up getting one this project could move pretty fast :)
 
Great news, I am still interested subject to the final design & price and I may know 2 or 3 others who would be interested, keep us up to date with your progress :)
 
Ok guys, I'm narrowing down my ideas for the final product and I'd like to take a vote between two options. Whichever way this goes I have decided on these features:

The brass pieces will be CNC machined brass, the 'power cell' will be CNC machined aluminium, the copper part will be CNC machined copper.
The main black part will be 3d printed in black ABS.
I will use Molex pins and oval clear LEDs found parts as in the original (as far as I can tell)
If I can make a space for a NB3 behind the copper part without affecting the finished look at all I will, it won't raise the cost as that part is 3d printed.
If a real sound board doesn't end up looking practical I will try to have the two clear crystal chamber LEDs and an LED behind the 'primary crystal' light up with a small battery. If I can make both of these an option I will, again as long as it doesn't affect the price for those who don't want electronics.

Ok so down to the two options I am considering:

1. A simple insert, like in the 3d render in my first post. This will fit inside a vintage or accurate replica Graflex flash allowing you to display it in the 'open' position. It will not be the entire inside shown in the Visual Dictionary, stopping just past the 'Cycling Field Energisers' as in the 3d render and printed prototype shown by manooga. A variation of this could extend the printed 'chassis' to the end and include a CNC brass bulb pin piece for those wanting to cut up a replica Graflex.

2. A complete Visual Dictionary cutaway saber, including tube, red button, bunny ears etc. This would be an aluminium tube cut to resemble a Graflex, with grips and all, everything seen in the Visual Dictionary. It would be a complete, finished item rather than an insert to put into a Graflex you have. Obviously it would be way more complicated and expensive than the insert option and take a lot longer to produce :)

Please comment on which version you would seriously be interested in, 1 or 2 :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mate this run will be awesome!

Option 1: I would be interested in the insert + the variation to include the CNC Brass Bulb Pin, I would prefer the NB option if possible, but would take the LED Kit if that works.

If it is possible to including a NB would it also be possible to have the "power cell" hollow to maybe use a 14500mAh battery?

Option 2: I would consider this depending on the final price
 
Last edited:
Option 2. I'm only interested in this as a display piece and would like for it to be as accurate to the VD saber as possible. I would, however, chop some type of Graflex replica--a blemished 2.0 kit, or one of the new Graflex Shop replicas, for example, to ensure that the outside is accurate as well. Perhaps you could consider just offering the necessary machined and 3D-printed parts for a DIYer like myself--this would lower the cost from not having to provide a cut tube etc. that I wouldn't use anyway because I want the outside to look like a regular Graflex. Perhaps you could still give the option of the cut tube to those who don't have the ability to chop a real Graflex.

To recap, I'd need:
-black 3d printed chassis
-copper power field conductor
-aluminum power cell
-brass primary crystal mount
-brass cycling field energizers
-brass blade arc tip

Personally, I can source or make everything else needed for this build, so those are the only parts that I'd really need.
 
If it's still possible I would definitely be glad to Join!

Option 2 but like Kurtyboy said.

Regards,

Alberto
 
Last edited:
Hey guys, I'm still planning on making this happen, the CNC lathe I'm looking into had an issue which required a replacement part which is taking forever to arrive :)
 
Hi mate how's the project progressing, just wondering if you had a win with the lathe parts and have any updates on the progress or possible build options, thanks :)
 
Hi mate how's the project progressing, just wondering if you had a win with the lathe parts and have any updates on the progress or possible build options, thanks :)

I have acquired a CNC lathe and will be machining a prototype of the parts once I have got to grips with it :)

Then the final form of this run will be decided, along with the cost, and I'll start taking names and chewing bubblegum :D
 
My vote would be Version #1 with the extended full hilt option. I think it would be cool to have a permanent cutaway for display. Gotta be able to find a damaged replica or something worthy of using for something like this. Love lights. You can always turn them off. And the more machined parts, the better. EVERYTHING in the known universe will be 3-D printed in a couple years. Machined will look, feel more real, and be more representative of something that was crafted - not just popped out a factory assembly line.

Any estimates of how many kidneys we are talking about here? :)

Oh, and thanks in advance for all of the hard work that is required before things even get started!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Back
Top