DavicFopor
Message Board Member
Padawan Learner
Posts: 17
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Post by DavicFopor on Dec 10, 2005 17:53:31 GMT -5
Hey, I'm new...
I've read the Mace Windu inspired saber tutorial and the Yoda/Padawan one is cool.
Currently I make my lightsabers out of PVC I get from Home Depot and I like the way they turn out, but they clearly aren't the quality of some of the relatively cheap designs I've seen on these boards. I'll have pictures of them up later. So my question is...
Can people share, if they feel like it, some cheap ways to build good looking (not just decent) lightsabers? Like how they constructed their own?
You know maybe a general parts breakdown and quick understanding of how they put it together?
Please and thank you.
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Dec 10, 2005 21:34:12 GMT -5
there are threads in the sabers section with the kind of info you mention.
Also a visit to the Big Yellow Box is a great way toget inspired and gain insight on how to look for parts and build one of your own.
I've seen some Really Nice looking PVC sabers posted here too.
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Post by Seda Navilli on Dec 10, 2005 22:25:33 GMT -5
My advice to you would be to modify an existing object. That way you dont have to cut and use any metal pipes (which can look dodgy if not done properly). Remember that the original props were flashguns - thats 90% of the prop in one found object. I'd say to go on a hunt and look for things like metal torches (flashlights), canisters or non-graflex flashguns etc and simply modify them. This would be the cheapest way to make a very high quality prop if you dont have a machine workshop at your fingertips.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
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Post by Tobbok Nassias on Dec 11, 2005 0:26:39 GMT -5
I agree that using found objects is a good way to make lightsabers...I have made one out of a flashlight in the past that looked very nice; however, it is often cheaper for me to use a plain metal plumbing tube and cut the end using a dremel. I also like to make mine so that they can hold a blade. To do that, simply get a coper, iron, steel, etc. pipe with an inner diameter of 3/4" and place it in the center of the large tube, and secure it. I use liquid acrylic (from the florest) to secure mine. The acrylic also makes a nice anchoring matterial for LEDs and other decorative items that will need to be secured to the hilt.
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Post by Tobbok Nassias on Dec 11, 2005 0:29:15 GMT -5
Oh, also, in my picture. Notice the blade, it is a 3/4" wooden dowel covered in relective tape (auto parts)...no post picture modification needed to give it a glowing effect if you use a flash. The tape is avialable in white (pictured), Red, yellow, green, and blue (in some states).
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DavicFopor
Message Board Member
Padawan Learner
Posts: 17
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Post by DavicFopor on Dec 15, 2005 16:18:08 GMT -5
Thanks to you all. I've found some really nice inexpensive saber tutorials. You guys are great! May the Force be with you!
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 29, 2006 13:40:19 GMT -5
It also depends on what your looking for. To make on of buy them. Ive made two..but I lik buying them as well
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Post by tanzanlinnear on Jan 29, 2006 14:36:21 GMT -5
I think people've already covered the basics, but here's a list of a few simple parts that can be used quite effectively: 1 1/4 inch diaphram washers (not flat, but shaped) they look great stacked together, and can make part of a grip or emitter. Small drawer handles. (Stick the 'screw section' into the base of the tube, and it'll sit flush leaving you with a nice minimal end cap. Small faucet handles. Can be used for more intricate end caps. Windscreen wiper blades. Can be used as grip fins. Hope that's of help to you  |
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Post by obiwanron on Jan 29, 2006 14:50:27 GMT -5
I think people've already covered the basics, but here's a list of a few simple parts that can be used quite effectively: 1 1/4 inch diaphram washers (not flat, but shaped) they look great stacked together, and can make part of a grip or emitter. Small drawer handles. (Stick the 'screw section' into the base of the tube, and it'll sit flush leaving you with a nice minimal end cap. Small faucet handles. Can be used for more intricate end caps. Windscreen wiper blades. Can be used as grip fins. Hope that's of help to you These are all great suggestions that I have used in making my 3 home made sabers. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up to finish my third. I have found the push buttons for door bells make great activation switches. I prefer push buttons to flip switches for my activators. I even found one that had a curved bottom so it fit perfectly on the body of the saber. |
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Post by tanzanlinnear on Jan 29, 2006 14:54:39 GMT -5
These are all great suggestions that I have used in making my 3 home made sabers. I'm waiting for the weather to warm up to finish my third. I have found the push buttons for door bells make great activation switches. I prefer push buttons to flip switches for my activators. I even found one that had a curved bottom so it fit perfectly on the body of the saber. By choice, I use LED lenses for my activators (they're purely decotative, not functional) but for the ones I'm working on at the moment, I'm going to be using a 13 trace circuit board and one of the new brass-colored circuit boards. |
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 29, 2006 15:00:55 GMT -5
All I used to make just stay at home props was PVC pipe, glue and some small things I thought would look good as switches. Other then that I don't know what to do
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Jan 29, 2006 16:31:56 GMT -5
the forums at the custom saber shop ( www.customsabershop.com ) arer another good resource. Between the TJA and there just about anything you'd need to know is covered. |
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Post by himiko sabbrawrra on Jan 29, 2006 19:14:03 GMT -5
Yeah I know..but its a matter of having the skills to do them
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Post by tanzanlinnear on Jan 30, 2006 4:43:47 GMT -5
Yeah I know..but its a matter of having the skills to do them The skills are easy to aquire, with practice ;D |
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Post by KaiRhann on Jan 30, 2006 9:24:28 GMT -5
I hadn't done this before, but decided to make a quick and easy saber from PVC pipe and fittings. The saber below is made entirely of PVC with the exceptions of the emitter (which is turned out of solid nylon) and the belt attatchment which is steel (a cap nut, used in furnature making...which fits cell phone belt clips perfectly). The switch is made from PVC pipe as well, so it has a curved back that fits perfectly against the handle. Usually I do sabers entirely of metal (stainless, chromed brass, etc.) So this is really my first "cheap" saber. Didn't take long at all. I used grey Electrical Conduit PVC pipe as well as electrical fittings such as the cap and couplers...  ~Kai Rhann |
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