Yoda Saber - real praco build - DONE!

spoudastis

Sr Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
This has been a bit of a take two for me. I started a yoda saber based off a bolsey a couple of years ago and after a particularly busy time with a move and a new baby the build was put on hold just as i was nearly finished. Three things spurred me back into action with the desire to finish this bad boy up; 1. Life settled down a bit 2. @sjanish happened to have the original molds for the unidentified activator switch and the grips which he made available here on the RPF 3. @mugatu ,the saint that he is, offered me a real praco that he somehow managed to find. At first i turned him down because i was 90% done with my bolsey based build but after sleeping on it a night i had to accept his offer, i could not resist. The second time around it is a pretty quick build so here are some in progress pics.

here are the parts i am using:

1. praco flash
2. Real and correct lambo wheel (FUJIMI 1/16 Lamborghini countach LP500S)
3. PEM nut CLA-440-2
4. Activator switch cast from original
5. Grips cast from originals


The praco as i received it, even had the praco badge on it. One of the most difficult parts of this build is taking the black sleeve off which is then flipped upside down and used for the "clamp". One of the two pins unscrews but the other has to be drilled out, same for that circular button, as it is riveted in. The praco badge came right off without leaving behind any residue.

IMG_4690.JPGIMG_4691.JPG

Here is an exploded view once it is taken apart and all the parts are layed out. now its just a matter of putting it all together again.
IMG_4712.JPG


Below is where i am at right now, all that is left is to add the "oil pan" activator and the grips. Here are a couple of notes as to how i got here:

-Lambo wheel along with mounting screw was painted with tamiya black semi gloss which is really satin.
-the metal shrowd was bent back to match reference images of the original
-there is an existing hole where the PEM nut goes but it is two high for the PEM to sit correctly so i drilled a hole slightly lower so that the placement matches reference. This part was tricky because i had to get a 4-40 machine screw, cut it down to the proper length, and attach it from the inside by threading on the PEM.
-the clamp required a little surgery as a notch had to be cut to accept the brass nut riveted to the side. I used my dremel the finished it carefully with files.
IMG_4714.JPGIMG_4713.JPG

The "oil pan" will be epoxied onto the clamp then it will be painted with the same tamyia semi-gloss black as the lambo wheel. the grips were cast in the correct shore black rubber and only need to be fixed with double stick tape as on the original.

I have to say that the design of this saber is fantastic and all of the details from the found objects really echo the spirit and low tech simplicity of the original OT sabers. Its a small but really impressive thing to handle in person. More to come soon, i hope, as i finish it up and complete this journey.
 
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Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

That's looking great, man! You've almost got this whole thing knocked out already!
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Could anyone link me to a thread with all the info on the Yoda saber? I'm a little confused when you say lambo wheel. Off of a model correct? That's probably a stupid question.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

There are no stupid questions. here is the one to look for, there are five wheels in the kit, two are correct:

image.jpg



Could anyone link me to a thread with all the info on the Yoda saber? I'm a little confused when you say lambo wheel. Off of a model correct? That's probably a stupid question.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

I have a praco I got off a member that I believe is correct I every way but for the end cap being black.... Gotta figure how to remove it without damaging anything... Then I can join ya.

one of the only things I like from the prequels.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Ill have to check on that. two are thick, and i thought that the spare was a little different than the two correct ones.

Actually I think three are correct. There are two thick wheels and three thin ones, which were used on the original.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Thanks Mugatu! Attached the oil pan today but will have to wait awhile to paint as it has been raining non stop for the last week or so and will continue for the rest of the week.

That's looking great, man! You've almost got this whole thing knocked out already!
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Do you think the black is anodized or painted? If anodized I have used greased lightning to a decent degree of success. I agree with you, in a weird way I almost don’t even consider this from the prequels because onscreen it was all cg. Splitting hairs yes, but I hate to associate anything good with that prequel garbage.


I have a praco I got off a member that I believe is correct I every way but for the end cap being black.... Gotta figure how to remove it without damaging anything... Then I can join ya.

one of the only things I like from the prequels.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Looking good. Nice build indeed.
Yep, you gotta' tip your hat to Mugatu, he's a great guy.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Build is looking great. I am about 90% done with my Bosley based version. I look forward to seeing yours complete!
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

Looking good. Nice build indeed.
Yep, you gotta' tip your hat to Mugatu, he's a great guy.

thank you. Just attached the activation switch. Just need to add a little filler and paint it up.

Build is looking great. I am about 90% done with my Bosley based version. I look forward to seeing yours complete!

thank you. I really enjoyed building up the bolsey, what do you have left to do? Mine will be headed to the JY soon.
 
Re: Yoda Saber WIP - real praco build

thank you. I really enjoyed building up the bolsey said:
I literally just have to finish assembling it. Everything is on except the emitter, PEM Nut, and Mini-jet screw. And I have to clean up some excess epoxy that ran out from the grips...
 
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