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How To Make Authentic Lightsabers
IQpierce writes "My good friend Bradley W. Lewis has set up a site for his hobby: building replica lightsabers at home. These aren't your average cheap pieces of plastic, in fact they're more authentic than the Master Replica sabers: Brad tracks down the pieces of equipment actually used to build the original props — or, when they're unavailable, very close replicas, that he further customizes with a metal lathe in his garage — and puts them together with loving attention. My favorite part is the embellishments he does add, on the inside of the saber — his replica of Luke's saber from ANH can be opened to see authentic-looking internals such as a glowing crystal (as well as another surprise — an autograph from Luke himself, Mark Hamill). Each project is documented step-by-step with hundreds of photos — whether you're a hobbyist, or just a big Star Wars geek like me, you'll find it interesting."
Truly, news for nerds.
-- I ignore anonymous replies to my comments and postings.
If this "light saber" is incapable of amputating Jedis or other humanoids then it is just an expensive toy.
Why is this on slashdot? /. is serious business.
They're not authentic until I can cut my neighbor's car in half with it.
A sonic screwdriver, on the other hand, is pretty easy to make if you have access to a ceramic resonator and a quantum power source.
What does this article mean when it says "original props"?
Just be careful, those things are dangerous around kids. Look what one of the little rugrats did to me this weekend! http://john.keimel.com/images/saber-1.jpg
-- There is no sig line, only Zuul.
I was expecting fancy lasers, but this is just a neon light tube attached to a metal cylinder.
Cease and Desist in 3...2...1...
I know it's good to have a hobby. I guess I'm just more inclined to hobbies with real world applications like building cars or furniture.
Of course this is beyond cool!
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
There are a lot of expensive tools at work in those articles. A lathe, drill press, a gas torch for soldering, plus a lot of junk for spare parts. I think the equipment list would put this safely outside the hobbyist category.
Now if someone came up with a kit that you could use to convert an old flash gun, that would put in the hobbyist realm.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
I saw some of the original props at the Children's Muesum in Indianapolis several months ago, and close up, to be honest, they look like crap. You might not want to use the original movie props as your standard to aim for.
authentic - 2: not counterfeit or copied
Maybe I'm just splitting hairs, but unless Lucas has given some sort of formal approval, building your own lightsaber is the opposite of authentic.
If I build a Porsche 911 in my garage out of parts from other cars and parts I made myself, it wouldn't be considered an authentic Porsche. Even if I (miraculously) made it faster, lighter, or otherwise better than the real one.
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
The price of Graflex synchronizers has gone through the roof because of Star Wars nerds who want their own authentic-looking light sabers. This is a real nightmare for those of us who love flash bulb photography, since new Graflexes aren't being made anymore (except replicas without the electronics, specifically for building light sabers). Please, if you want to make a light saber, buy a Graflex replica instead of an original. They're cheaper, in better condition, and don't deprive anyone of a now-rare useful tool.
Scratched Emulsion
or, when they're unavailable, very close replicas
Yo dawg, I put a replica in your replica so you can almost-authentic while you almost-authentic.
The force is strong with this one
"In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change" --Thich Nhat Hanh
to get hold of a Speed Graphic/MPP flashgun nowadays thanks to these damn buffoons who need an "authentic" lightsabre. They're almost as criminally culpable as hotrod builders who take increasingly rare classic vehicles and prostitute them into something only a deranged magpie would love.
Once the Chilean miners have been rescued, I would like to post lightsabre makers and their customers DOWN the rescue shaft.
Bah!
I do not think it means what you think it means.
Alexander Peter Kristopeit bought his basement from his mommy for one dollar.
A TRUE Jedi builds his own lightsaber.
Big deal. Until someone makes one that actually has a useful blade, it's just a handle.
Those lightsaber guys never fought very well. See Hit Girl's first fight, in "Kick-Ass" for someone who can handle a double-ended weapon. Chloe Grace-Moretz spent a few months at the Toronto Circus School, plus martial arts training, to prepare for that fight, and it shows.
I should be able to cut through blast-doors, and deflect shots from droid-decals.
Slow down, cowboy! It has been 4 hours since you last posted. You must wait another few hours.
Hokey religions and ancient relics are no match for a good blaster at your side.
Wake me when he builds one of these.
"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein
Even Rachel Maddow knows how to make a lightsaber. All you need is two highlighters. Look: http://www.mediaite.com/online/this-exists-rachel-maddow-reveals-her-secret-lightsaber/
sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
We're going to make a functioning Hellraiser's Puzzle Box, a TRON light cycle out of real light, and with this box of dehydrated air I'm going to make a bucket of water.
Python: 'And then suddenly you have a language which says "we're all stuck with whatever the whiniest coder wants".'
Ain't a real lightsaber until you can take off an arm with it.
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
Disclaimer: No sex was had during the making of these replicas!
Sorry I just had to make pun of it. Neat pics but oh god it loads slower than a slothund in a bantha's stomach.
www.Migrainesoft.com - Computer giving you a headache? We can fix that!
As someone who was recently doing large-format photography with vintage Graflex photographic equipment, I was wondering why the eBay prices for vintage Graflex flash accessories seemed so high! Arghh....Star Wars Nerds!!
Anybody with money can do whatever they want with stuff they purchase. Picasso's 1959 Trois Femmes was purchased with intent to cut it up into 500 one-inch squares and sold as individual Picasso paintings. I was unable to verify if this actually happened, but you get the point.
As someone who was recently doing light saber prop replica building with vintage Graflex photographic equipment, I was wondering why the eBay prices for vintage Graflex flash accessories seemed so high! Arghh....Camera Nerds!!
It's not authentic unless you can slice an enemy in half with it. Bzzzzzzzt!
When I saw the title I read the summary hoping to get tips on building a humongously strong laser that fits into a cylinder the size of a sword handle.
To my disappointment, I found that the article should be named "How To Make Authentic Lightsaber props"
Could you cite the section and paragraph that makes your claim legitimate? Or is this just your emotional response to Lucas taking a huge shit all over his own art?
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
This has nothing to do with your love for flash bulb photography. I made my own flashbulb circuit for a 1980's SLR. You could do the same with your Graflex. It won't be authentic Graflex kit, but you shouldn't let that get in the way of your love for flash bulb photography.
This does influence the Graflex collector market, but you should be able to make an equivalent circuit from off the shelf components. You can probably even find Graflex reflectors, because the light saber people don't use the reflector.
Dear slashdot, some insensitive clod has purchased the flashgun from the guy I bought a Graflex from. Now I need an equivalent circuit to use to synchronize my flashbulb (which are getting hard to find) with my shutter in my Graflex. Is there any way I could make one from off the shelf components and circuits?
You forgot "YOU INSENSITIVE CLOD!" to match the original meme mixing.
__
Men with no respect for life must never be allowed to control the ultimate instruments of death.
GW Bu
So... when is somebody going to make a _working_ lightsaber..... :)
Cool, I'm from Rochester, so that makes a mention of Graflex a local story.
Also, those who insist upon old cameras seem as stuck in the past as those who insist upon old music-recording media. :P
I listen to both RIAA and non-RIAA stuff if I like the music, tangential business/politics nonwithstanding.
In 3... 2... 1.