Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Just cut off one side at full height.
Tan's Hardware Graflexes
- Thread starter Tan Djarka
- Start date
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Thanks. Unfortunately there's no simple solution to the clamp. I'd say get pack of step flashing, a pair of needle nose pliers with a long straight edge, and start bending!
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
The clamp I acquired didn't have the bars or a lever, so I had to supply my own.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Here's the aluminum sheet you want. It's thin enough to bend easily, and cheap enough to make a few mistakes. I haven't bought it in a while, but it should still be available at Home Depot.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Changed my mind again! I'm going back to the original plan of making the flashgun replica with the chrome tube and replica parts. I've also picked up some casting materials (resin and casting silicone from Hobby Lobby), so I'll probably try knocking off a few resin copies of the red button assembly for all the purely hardware versions of the venerable Graflex. Unfortunately the forum seems to have updated beyond my old iPhone 4's ability to post, so it'll have to wait until I upgrade to post pics again. Til then...
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
I've seen those at hardware stores, but I've never been lucky enough to find one in a thrift shop or for that price! They do look pretty good, but at the momemt I've got a backlog of aluminum tubes I got for a perfect price (free!), and they're a better match to the clamps I fabricate, which are also aluminum. The chrome tube pictured above should be a better match to the replica clamp once I hit it with a Scotchbrite pad, which will give it a credible brushed finish. But thanks for the heads up.
woodywaverider
Sr Member
Don’t mean to highjack your thread, but it helped me when I needed to make some replacement clamp bars
So I thought it would belong here.
A while ago I acquired some graflex parts, mainly a top, bottom and a few clamps, but there were quite a fair bit that was missing, the main part was the bulb socket, though I did get the brass connector.
My solution was to make my own, I found these 38mm clamp cups, or adjustable feet that looked a close match with a little modification, I was also able to add a sping aswell
So I thought it would belong here.
A while ago I acquired some graflex parts, mainly a top, bottom and a few clamps, but there were quite a fair bit that was missing, the main part was the bulb socket, though I did get the brass connector.
My solution was to make my own, I found these 38mm clamp cups, or adjustable feet that looked a close match with a little modification, I was also able to add a sping aswell
Very creative solution!
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Sometimes you're lucky and find exactly the right part. Cool job!
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
I managed to pick one up for the perfect price...Free! It's 1.5 inches and is a good match, in size and finish, to the replica clamp I acquired. I'll be using that for the flash gun replica (w/ vintage reflector). The chrome sink pipe originally sourced for the project is going to a "retro-style" version which calls back to the Parks and hardware versions of the 90's that featured the close enough hardware like those spring clip for ears.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
I had my doubts, but having put the repro clamp on the grab bar tube, it's a near perfect match. Now I just have to resist the temptation to make it a saber instead of a flash.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
A reworked version of my first attempt at a Graflex style saber. Too short, too thin, and apart from the chrome tape to simulate metal, not very good.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Thanks. By the way, the prismatic tape I used in place of the embossed tape like on the Ranch Saber finally got on my nerves to the point that I just took it off. It's better without it.
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
Okay, I've decided to cheat a little. I've acquired some 3-D printed red buttons (thanks Astyanax), which I plan on using to upgrade my previous aluminum builds and use for future builds.
On a semi related note: I'm also in the process of building an Anakin ROTS. How does the red (copper) button compare in size to the Graflex version?
On a semi related note: I'm also in the process of building an Anakin ROTS. How does the red (copper) button compare in size to the Graflex version?
Tan Djarka
Sr Member
I finally got ahold of the last piece in the DIY Graflex puzzle... A shoulder puller! (Thanks Corranhornjje) I did a test on some scrap aluminum tube, and the result is promising.
