First Lightsaber

[Cozmo]

So, I've been pondering lightsabers for the last couple of days, probably because it has the potential to be the cheapest for me to make. I've really enjoyed looking through this topic and seeing all the great ideas that people have come up with as far as designs and construction. Too bad the older posts don't have many images or working links, but I get the idea from the dialogue within them.

So for my design, I'm going to make something very simple. As impressed as I am with some of the ornate designs I've seen, it's not me (or at least, it wouldn't be my Jedi character). Were I a real Jedi, I'd probably construct something that is simple, therefore easy to maintain, rugged, and looks unique to me. So I'm thinking I'll use a chrome sink drainpipe, cut the end off at an angle...

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190171587513&ssPageName=STRK:

and wrap leather cord around the grip, like this:

www.armart.antiquanova.com/images/Hornsaxes_hilts.jpg

Then I'm going to find some pipe-end buttons for the bottom, and put some low-profile buttons near the emitter. Since it's not going to be functional, I figure I won't need to mess with electronics for now (besides, that's what Photoshop was made for....wasn't it?).

One other idea I had. In ROTS, it looks like Obi-Wan's lightsaber attaches to his belt via a magnet. So before I wrap the handle with the leather cord (or perhaps I'll wire-wrap it like some of the medieval swords you can find out there), I'll paint the hilt with magnetic paint (there is such an animal). Then I'll work a really strong magnet into the belt whenever I get around to that.

So here's where I need some help. I really like the look of brushed chrome. I think it's really classy, but it's also probably more expensive. Does anyone know of a way I could get a regular chrome pipe and create that brushed look myself? I've Googled for methods with little success.

Any ideas?

[acalsohei]

My experience with magnets on another prop were less than reliable, so I'd suggest you use a covertec knob/holder like they used in the movies. It's been trouble-free for me so far!

Remember that a strong magnet is going to attract more than just your saber. Sitting in a metal chair, standing next to a metal table, etc. might be a challenge.

For brushed chrome, could you mount a fine metal brush in a power drill and do it yourself? Haven't tried it, but might work.

I like the leather wrap idea. It's more organic than rubber grips.

[Cozmo]

Exactly. Organic is what I'm going for (I like the idea of a "living force," which sounds pretty organic to me).

My other idea, if the magnet idea didn't work, was to put a D-ring on the end. I'd probably bolt a strip to the body of the saber before I wrap the handle, and then have the ring on the end of that.

You're the other, uh...Hoth...resident...aren't you?

[acalsohei]

Yep! It just corn snowed here in outer Northfield for the first time since Mar. The taun-tauns are restless.

The D ring would work and its easy to get a clip for your belt. You'll be a bit bruised, but not too bad if the saber isn't very heavy.

[JediKai]

Actually, Obi-Wan's light saber attached with a Covertech clip. The company even advirtised their product with an image of Obi-Wan on their website for a while.

A strong magnet could wipe any credit cards that happened to be in a pouch near it, too!

I was going to suggest adding O-rings instead of leather, but then you said you wanted a more organic look.

[torlin]

any pics yet?

[Hasid Lafre]

Kai, mythbusters proved that it would take an extreamly large magnet to kill a credit card.

[JediKai]

I'll go with what Mythbusters does anytime! Thanks. Have dozens of episodes recorded but haven't seen that one.

I did once killed a computer disk with a very weak magnet. Forgot and threw a piece of swag with a magnet in my briefcase with the disc. All my notes from the meetings GONE! I knew better, just didn't think about it when I tossed in the bit of swag.

[Cozmo]

Not yet, Torlin. I've got some of the parts, but I still need to get some of the screws and bits like that. This isn't going to be functional at all. But I've got a 12" chrome tube, 1 1/2" hole plug, and a cord to wrap around the handle. I still am working out how I want to build the "business end," and I think I'll add another chrome hole plug as the ignition button, and maybe one of those red screws they used on Qui-Gon's and Obi-Wan's Ep 1 sabers. (By the way, Joruth Kayle is a character I made up.)



Also, I was drawing some sabers the other night, and I remembered a Scottish sgian dubh that had a really cool stag horn grip, and I designed a lightsaber with one. It has a trigger-style ignition like Dooku's, plus it also has that natural curve that lends itself well to Form II combat. But I looked into just a couple of knife maker's supply stores, and found that the actual bone grips aren't quite big enough for what I wanted to do. But I can also get some wooden grips carved to look like stag horn, so I might do something like that.



I also thought of this cool idea of a Jedi from Tatooine making a saber out of a gaffi stick. Wouldn't necessarily have to be a Tusken like Hett. The bicycle brake thing would be like the ignition switch. You could then have one end as a saber for the cutting and all that, but for the times where you want to have a back-end without the slashing action, the gaffi-saber would come in handy.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Nice sketches.

I'd wrapped my saber in leatehr strips so I could actually hang onto it while sparing. I'd considering using a strong magnetto keep it on the belt, but sicne I couldn't find one, I stuck to the covertec clip.

Ekk Kai, ouch, that stinks. Sorry about your dead drive.

[Cozmo]

Thanks, Jauhzmynn.

Here's another one:



I imagined this one to have brass on the too, the pommel, and the swirly thing on the hilt. The dark background on the hilt I pictured to be either red or blue velvet wrapped around the metal.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Your welcome.

I've a saber design in my head but haven't had time to put it to paper or digital format. It'd be organic looking, with some fractle inspired curves.

I always found the the mathmaticle generaited designs of a fractle to be calming, soothing to the eyes. Weird.

The trick would for me to actually attempt it on a lathe.

[Hasid Lafre]

www.Thecustomsabershop.com is a good place to get help when it comes to the crafting of the lightsaber, its a store and a forums. thers a link to the forums on the main page on the left hand bar at the bottem.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Thanks.:-)