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This Pic shows the Original (1979) Graflex 3-Cell Lightsabers in it's custom case. I made the case from a cassette tape case. I took out the plastic and put in Styrofoam wrapped in brown cloth. The Graflex has rubber handgrips and diffraction grating on the clip.
This is one he made for his wife, out of a Graflex 2-Cell
This pic shows the 1999 upgrade adding the laser to the center. The button on the top activates it.
These pics were taken on 4/11/99. The first (174) shows (r. to l.) the finished Saber with the laser built in. The next is the 1-1/2" Extension tube for a kitchen sink that has the grip installed on it. The third in this frame is the 1/2'" conduit that the laser goes inside. The last item is the 1-1/2" tube with the end cut for the Tip of the Saber.
Pic 2 (175) shows side views of the finished Saber, the conduit and the tube with grips installed.
The way they are put together is: Parts: A- 1-1/2" ext tube, B - 1/2" Conduit, C- Laser, D- Electrical tape, E- Duct tape, F- Plug for bottom, G- #8x1/2" Machine Screw, H-2 nuts for screw, I- Some sort of loop for belt clip, J- 8x1/2" self tapping screw....
First cut the Flanged end off of the Ext. Tube, Then mark a line on it to follow the curve of the tip of a saber using a picture of one. The end must be cut or grinded down. The very end (tip - not grinded) is referred to as the tip, the grinded part (lower edge) will be referred to as the grinded arch. Drill a hole just big enough for the machine screw about 2" from the "tip" of the saber, making sure it will be below the grinded arch. put the plug in the bottom.
I used plastic 1-1/2" plastic plugs from Graingers, They needed a wrap of elec. tape to make them snug. Screw the loop ( I used small loops with a screw hole in them from Hechinger's in the picture hanger section).
Put the 1/2" conduit in the tube now. Measure 1/2" from the end (grinded arch) and mark it. Cut it there, make sure the conduit is seated in the center of the plug. After you take the conduit and cut it to fit, put it back in and then using the drill you used for the screw hole, put it through the hole and make a mark on the conduit. Drill a 3/8 hole in the conduit for the button on the laser to stick through when you put it in the conduit. Now ream out the end of the conduit from when you cut it and slide the laser into it. Wrap elect. tape around both ends of the laser to make it fit snug. If you want to, remove the DANGER sticker from the laser and save it for the outside of the saber.
Aligning the red button of the laser, slide the laser into the end of the conduit until the button pops out of the 3/8" hole. Take the conduit and wrap it in Duct tape so it will fit snug in the 1-1/2" tube. If you use the Graingers plugs you only have to wrap the end just below the button hole. When you finish wrapping the tape, slide the conduit into the 1-1/2 tube. It should be fairly tight and it must be centered so the laser button aligns with the original hole for the machine screw.
Now, put the screw in and using a needle nose pliers, put the 2 nuts on the screw. Align the screw so you can light the laser by pressing it. tighten the two washers against the 1-1/2 tube. The laser should stay lighted. Loosen the screw until the laser shuts off. That's all except decorating it.
I used 3/8 x 1/4 weather-stripping for the handle. 2" reflective tape from Pep Boys to decorate it. Also don't forget to put the Danger sticker on it, if you choose. If you think I need to take more pics let me know....
Thanks, Morgan Zuhl, Jedi Council Member
