Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Okay, I've started my lightsaber. It won't light up or anything, just a really nice looking hilt, I hope, unique to my personal tastes, abilities, and the materials available to me. First pic is a collection of parts to be used. Within one day of construction a few of these ended up being discarded or replaced as better ideas and needs arose. Steel piping and fittings are electrical conduit. Black strips are the grips. Those of you who have played brass instruments in school or even later may recognize the brass pieces as valve caps and ends from a tuba and a baritone, plus the small silver-colored knob is the valve cap from a trumpet. Makes sense that since I'm a musician and music teacher that my lightsaber would include such parts, even though my own musical "voice" is actually the flute and as a composer.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 5, 2005 Author Share Posted June 5, 2005 Made the mount for the on/off button by carving a bit of a cheap garden sprinkler system elbow joint. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 5, 2005 Author Share Posted June 5, 2005 And as of today (sunday) the center bit of the unit, namely the hand grip, is completed, with switch and grips installed. Monday I get access to a lathe to shape the steel extensions and brass bits that will go on either end of it....man, I have to say this thing feels great in the palm, especially with the switch! New approach to modelmaking for sure! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simon L Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 That is so cool, post more pics. Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ckalina Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Looks good... but how do you plan to generate a glowing blade of plasma that can be used to slice off limbs? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Felinoid Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 For what it's worth, looks good to me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 Okay, I've started my lightsaber. It won't light up or anything, just a really nice looking hilt, I hope, unique to my personal tastes, abilities, and the materials available to me.First pic is a collection of parts to be used. Within one day of construction a few of these ended up being discarded or replaced as better ideas and needs arose. Steel piping and fittings are electrical conduit. Black strips are the grips. Those of you who have played brass instruments in school or even later may recognize the brass pieces as valve caps and ends from a tuba and a baritone, plus the small silver-colored knob is the valve cap from a trumpet. Makes sense that since I'm a musician and music teacher that my lightsaber would include such parts, even though my own musical "voice" is actually the flute and as a composer.... Andrew...looks like it's going to turn into a really nice lightsabre. I like the idea. I've often thought about making one of my own too. Mine, I'd like to turn into a double bladed lightsabre a la Darth Maul, mainly because of my interest in the "bo" as a martial arts fighting weapon. :blink: Would love to see your lightsabre once completed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Wise Posted June 5, 2005 Share Posted June 5, 2005 "You've made a new light sabre. You have become powerful as Obi-Wan had predicted". Randy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matt_S Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 "The Force is strong with this one." :( Matt :huh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Damian Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 :( COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!! -Damian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 http://www.padawansguide.com/lightsabers.shtml is an interesting site to visit for lightsaber construction and all that. :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RedHeadKevin Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 here's a link to a forum post, and in it, I put a bunch of sites to lightsaber construction sites. hope to help ARC forum link Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Okay, next update...did some more work today, and the end is in sight! First shot: One of the tuba valve bottom caps has been machined into a ring, and is next to the other one which is about to meet the same fate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Next, a test fit of the bottom end of the saber, although the stell cylinder has not been cut and polished yet. Nearest the grip is one of the newly machined rings, with an intact valve cap making the saber bottom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 (edited) Now HERE'S some work that exceeded my expectations, to make the "nozzle" end. On the left you see the electrical conduit fittings I used as a starting point, and on the right you can see the identical pieces after being machined on a lathe. Amazing what you can do with the right tools. Actually kudos to my friend Sean who did the lathing, just so I don't get credited with that bit of mastery. Edited June 6, 2005 by Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 I love this one...my mouth was watering when I did this...test fitting the newly machined nozzle onto the grip and ring along with the baritone valve top cap fitted into the nozzle as the laser emitter. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Last one for today. Here, all steel parts have now been machined and polished and are test fitted onto the grip with all parts except the belt clip. Only thing left now is to re-lacquer the brass parts with golden finish used on brass musical instruments. It will REALLY look sharp with that done. Oh, and then to rivet the belt clip I made today onto it. I can't wait!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mkimages Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 That's looking really cool. Working with custom metal parts is a feeling unto itself, huh? Wouuld that I had a metal shop to play around in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 That's looking really cool. Working with custom metal parts is a feeling unto itself, huh? Wouuld that I had a metal shop to play around in. Yeah, I'm lucky...been allowed to use the machines and expertise of the guy in charge of musical instrument repair for my school district. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Not that I'm good enough to make this thing light up, but for imagination's sake, I wonder if this looks more like a blue-blade or a purple-blade saber? (sorry, not a green or red fan for this one....) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The_Animal Posted June 6, 2005 Share Posted June 6, 2005 (edited) Last one for today. Here, all steel parts have now been machined and polished and are test fitted onto the grip with all parts except the belt clip.Only thing left now is to re-lacquer the brass parts with golden finish used on brass musical instruments. It will REALLY look sharp with that done. Oh, and then to rivet the belt clip I made today onto it. I can't wait!!!! Now put a pic up where you're holding one in a attack stance... Then I'll Photoshop a lightsabre blade to it. What color you want? Me, I prefer red according to my nature. Y'know... But of course if you have a preference for blue or purple, I can do either or both... Edited June 6, 2005 by The_Animal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 6, 2005 Author Share Posted June 6, 2005 Last one for today. Here, all steel parts have now been machined and polished and are test fitted onto the grip with all parts except the belt clip.Only thing left now is to re-lacquer the brass parts with golden finish used on brass musical instruments. It will REALLY look sharp with that done. Oh, and then to rivet the belt clip I made today onto it. I can't wait!!!! Now put a pic up where you're holding one in a attack stance... Then I'll Photoshop a lightsabre blade to it. What color you want? Me, I prefer red according to my nature. Y'know... But of course if you have a preference for blue or purple, I can do either or both... YES!!! Think I'll take you up on that when it's finished!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 Hey Andy, it's looking somewhat like Mace Windu's sabre Yeah, that thought occurred to me as well as it progressed....it's funny, no matter how much you plan it out it ends up taking a life of its own as it accepts, rejects, and modifies the original ideas....until you get something uniquely yours. I have to say I think Mace's LS is my favorite, but I didn't want a replica of anyone's in particular. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew D. the Jolly Rogers guy Posted June 7, 2005 Author Share Posted June 7, 2005 hehe...kewl! I wonder if my personality and my saber hilt design are more blue blade or purple blade, then.....I keep coming back to that.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Now you have to meditate and use the Force to bind all together!! The crystal must be of the right type and using the force will harmonise it into the sabres design. Get a hold of I, Jedi by Mike Stackpole and read how Corran Horn gets his light sabre up and running. He used a speeder bike handle for his sabre :) :D MikeJ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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