'Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough...'

[schrodinger555]

I first began making sabers when I was 7, with help from my mother. I had watched Star Wars on VHS over and over again. When I started using a computer I naturally began doing what research I could on lightsabers and came across Parks. I tried and failed to get $150.00 from my parents for a replica Graflex, and so I found the plans online for modifying a sink tube to resemble one. I've since lost that saber, and it fell out of memory when I found Master Replicas. I pooled my money and bought an Episode III Anakin saber, and an ESB Vader. After a few more years I broke the Vader trying to take it apart and convert it to a single LED saber, having found FXsabers and eventually the RPF. I left it in my closet for years and eventually bought a Graflex flash on eBay for $120.00 (less than a Parks!) which is when I began this journey for real.

I began to craft a crystal chamber and eventually created the saber at this link: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=256361

It sat around for a few years and eventually I decided I could do better. I was very attached to the chassis of this Graflex, the first I had ever seen in person. I've had it in my possession for about six years now and decided I didn't want to use a different Graflex though I have others now. Instead I began to machine a new crystal chamber and redo the wiring. That can all be seen here: http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=271049

Anyway, this saber is finally done 100% and I'm very happy with it. I've been playing with sound fonts and editing them and some of the settings, but all of the physical aspects are done. I really hope you guys enjoy!

A sneak peak at the next evolution!

I eventually found the slide switch and the button that goes in it, but by that time I had asked a friend to machine me a replacement part. It is modeled after other vintage camera parts from the time, and is a little more complex than the original pin. This one is screwed in place and is a detail that sets my saber apart from all other Graflexes now!

Last but not least, a quick video showing the saber in motion. You can't really see the blade plug, but it is also made with original parts from this flash, made with the spring inside so it can be pushed like when it was an original flash.

Let me know what you guys think!

 

[subaru]

FANTASTIC!

 

[Super Serg]

Oh man! Beautiful!

Tell us more about the slide switch! =)

 

[matty matt]

Looks great.

 

[CT1138]

All of my good freakin yes!

 

[Halliwax]

out standing work there buddy! i love the story too behind it. i remember the "sink tube jedi" days! :thumbsup very nice work!

 

[daggins]

This is beautiful!

 

[chubsANDdoggers]

Wow. Heavenly!


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[CT1138]

out standing work there buddy! i love the story too behind it. i remember the "sink tube jedi" days! :thumbsup very nice work!

Yep, same! Also painted broomhandle days! :lol Man, when I was a kid, I remember looking for the straightest strongest sticks I could to turn into lightsabers.

 

[Mechanized]

Amazing! Have to love a true ANH vintage conversion :thumbsup

Love the set of the photos also, very cool.

 

[Tumbler]

Very nice work.I really like the side access charge port. Cool!

 

[ShaqinOff]

Wow! Truly amazing work! I'm new to all this, and I think it's just crazy to see this made from all original parts, and the story behind it all is just as wonderful! Absolutely beautiful!

 

[schrodinger555]

Thank you all so much for the kind words! I'm very happy you all like the work I did!

Oh man! Beautiful!

Tell us more about the slide switch! =)

The slide switch is based off an old 50's Camera that I can't remember the name of, but I loved the way it looks. It's essentially the same switch that is on a Graflex but more complex! He turned it for me while I was working on other stuff and then threaded it to match the hole on my Graflex Shop adapter and it was done! I'm considering making some more soon but I'm not 100% decided yet!

out standing work there buddy! i love the story too behind it. i remember the "sink tube jedi" days! :thumbsup very nice work!

Thanks so much man Seems like just yesterday huh? I remember telling my mom I was *certain* that the grips were windshield wipers because what else could they have found easily that wouldn't hurt your hands?

Yep, same! Also painted broomhandle days! :lol Man, when I was a kid, I remember looking for the straightest strongest sticks I could to turn into lightsabers.

I always had those plastic telescoping ones Hasbro (?) made back in the day, super simple design but the hilts looked good and the blades held up! Those things got a hell of a beating!

Amazing! Have to love a true ANH vintage conversion :thumbsup

Love the set of the photos also, very cool.

Thank you! It's a pretty wonderful feeling to have this thing all finished now, after all its been a few years in the making! I'm sure I'll keep tinkering, but for now I am truly content. The vintage parts just make it that much cooler for me though, I love seeing it all together!

Very nice work.I really like the side access charge port. Cool!

Thank you! It's charging right now actually! It's pretty awesome to look over and see the inside looking all pretty while its charging with the rest of the saber sitting just a few inches away.

Wow! Truly amazing work! I'm new to all this, and I think it's just crazy to see this made from all original parts, and the story behind it all is just as wonderful! Absolutely beautiful!

It's a pretty big world! Things have changed a lot since I first started messing with this stuff, and for the better! The community is tighter and people work with each other a lot more. I've seen people selling Graflexes here on the forum for low prices before taking them to eBay to keep the good stuff in the community. That's just one example, but people have really pulled together around here! It's taken a while to gather the right parts, and I feel like some people must about their all real part Obi ANH's: really proud! It's a game of patience, and what you're looking for always comes up, it may just take a while. Thank you!

 

[CT1138]

I always had those plastic telescoping ones Hasbro (?) made back in the day, super simple design but the hilts looked good and the blades held up! Those things got a hell of a beating!

Haha, yep, same! I still have many of mine too. I cut the blades off to display the hilts.

 

[schrodinger555]

Haha, yep, same! I still have many of mine too. I cut the blades off to display the hilts.

Now thats a good idea! I should have done that, but I think most of them are gone by now!

 

[Sym-Cha]

Great story, excellent pictures and photo set-up to present your lovely work of lightsaber art

Chaïm

 

[TAKAYUKI FUSHIM]

mmm


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