TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal *Video Update* [Pic Heavy]

[newbanZo]

I've never really made a replica prop before but I'm not completely inept at making things so I decided to go for it. I know there are a few discrepancies with the screen used prop but most of the changes were made to facilitate the electronics and core so I feel somewhat justified in them haha.

Thanks to Roy for his great graflex kits and a huge thanks to slothfurnace for sending me some extra parts from his crystal chamber builds and providing a great deal of inspiration to get this thing going!

On to the pics!

I'll update with a video at some point, there are a couple of cool features I managed to get in there that I'm pretty happy with. Thanks for checking out the pics!

*UPDATE*
Here's a video!

 

[Halliwax]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

beautiful build!! i absolutely love that chassis!

 

[gabe3666]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

I have been putting off this build for years but this has re inspired me!! Can you post some of the resources you used for your build? Especially the chamber!

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

I have been putting off this build for years but this has re inspired me!! Can you post some of the resources you used for your build? Especially the chamber!

Thanks! I'd start by checking out slothfurnace's site. He has some of the better build logs I've seen for his sabers as far as quality pictures and step by step walk throughs are concerned. Definitely poke around and look at other people's designs for inspiration as well. Some that come to mind are yoda, harp, and goth3d but there are lots out there.

As for parts it was probaby 6-8 months of just collecting random junk that would fit inside the graflex and figuring out how to attach it all together. Go in with a really rough idea of what you'd like to see and be prepaired to shelf really cool parts if you can't make them work.

Hope that helps! Would love to see what you come up!

 

[gabe3666]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Perfect! Thanks!! I'll start doing some research. Do you happen to know if the reveal chamber can be done on both the parks saber or the Roman saber?

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

As far as I know they are both replicas of vintage so I don't see why not. I've never had one though so I can't confirm directly.

 

[Ridire Firean]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Hi newbanZo, I like your 'slothfurnace-esque' use of the black leather chair!

Is the hole in the brass section between the mesh screen a recharge port? What battery setup did you choose?

Do you have a picture of the other end of your 7-pin plug? I'm curious to know if you hard mounted it or if you have a coiled wire plug that just tucks up inside below the pointer light?

That blade plug is one of my favorites! Good job on completing your first replica prop! The Rey/Luke TFA is a great choice.

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Yeah that's the recharge port. At one point I had a tunable kill key in there but it broke almost immediately so I haven't replaced that yet. It's a single 18500 so not a huge battery life but it's all that would fit.

Here are some pics of the blade holder end while I was putting it together

 

[Dann]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

So, is this not an LED string saber?

Does the 7-pin plug just act as a replacement for running all the wires down the chassis?

Really nice work!!

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Nope it's a tri cree. It was originally going to be permenanatly attached to the blade holder but I wanted to make it easier to make repairs if I ever needed to. I also wanted the crystal to be in a specific spot and visible when the bottom half was removed so I think my design plans sort of dictated the removable aspect while I was putting it all together. Probably could have made it work as a solid piece but I liked the idea of being able to pop it out and show it off a little haha

 

[ajhix]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

@ newbanZo

Wow... that gives me inspiration to pull out mine and get to work! That is awesome!

 

[Dann]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Nope it's a tri cree. It was originally going to be permenanatly attached to the blade holder but I wanted to make it easier to make repairs if I ever needed to. I also wanted the crystal to be in a specific spot and visible when the bottom half was removed so I think my design plans sort of dictated the removable aspect while I was putting it all together. Probably could have made it work as a solid piece but I liked the idea of being able to pop it out and show it off a little haha

That's some fancypants work, my friend!

I love it!

 

[Lisaisanut]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

I'm getting a replica Graflex for Christmas (because having parents that understand my weird esoteric hobbies is awesome) and am planning on turning it into a TFA hilt, I've been debating trying my hand at a crystal chamber FX build, and I think you just pushed my over the edge. Time to learn electronics!

Astoundingly beautiful work on this, especially for your first project, I can't quite believe it. I'd love to see that video whenever you post it.

 

[Halliwax]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

out of curiosity what kind of camera was used to take the pictures in the first post, those pictures are so clear

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Just a Nikon D40. Honestly I was a bit surprised they turned out as well as they did. Lighting really makes all the difference!

 

[Dann]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Wow! Such a nice and fancy setup, compared to my wooden stump and indirect sunlight and cellphone camera!

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Its actually my dad's set up I think he got the lights for $50 at Walmart and the tripod at a thrift store. If it works it works though!

 

[Dann]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

I still love it! And the work you did on that chassis!

One day I'll rebuild my ESB Graflex. I tore it down and ripped out the chassis I made in '07, been planning out a new chassis with updated electronics.

Got too many projects going at the moment, but I'll get there eventually!

 

[newbanZo]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Here's the video! Quality isn't super great because it was on my phone but oh well!

 

[Halliwax]

Re: TFA Graflex Saber w/ Reveal [Pic Heavy]

Here's the video! Quality isn't super great because it was on my phone but oh well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn7peukJEsw&feature=youtu.be

i love the focusing controls with the crystal! very cool!

very nice camera setup too! i need to seriously invest in a nice camera to take finish photos of my props. i dont have a photo back ground so i was curious to what setup you used. those are some seriously clear photos!

thanks for sharing