Art Project: Wood + Graflex SE :)

[sllikskills]

RevanReborn, Corwyn VonBeck, Lord Sidius! Thanks for all the props! It keeps me going!

Latest Update:

I've brushed on 2 coats of high grade epoxy and it's almost been 15 hours. Waiting for it to cure to a full solid, then I'm going to spray about 3 or 4 coats of poly and then the hilt will be ready for electronics!!!!!

I've already found the soundfonts that I want to use. Since it's the Graflex from A New Hope, so many options!

More updates to come soon guys


A real MacGuvyer solution to suspend the pieces to make sure the epoxy wont touch anything lol


Here you can see that nice reflective protection layer that epoxy provides. Cant wait to hold it after fully drying. It should be rock solid

[sllikskills]

More updates!


The epoxy dried and it is silky smooth. I scratched it up and hung it upside down in the opposite direction it was held when it was brushed with epoxy to even out the coating vertically. Right now it's on its 3rd coat of polyurethane spray.


Ended up putting 5 coats of polyurethane on top of the 2 coats of epoxy. This hilt is really freaking strong now. I think it will stand the test of time easily. In this gif, it's fully cured and feels so smooth to the touch. Almost ready for electronics!! My soundboard and LED should be arriving tomorrow.


Now that the hilt is finally finished, I'm adding in the copper bladeholder and and epoxying it to the inside of the tube. I put in a wooden blade to make sure that the blade is coming out directly straight from the hilt, and not skewed or off center (that would SUCK!) I'm just waiting for the epoxy to fully dry now, which should be sometime soon!

Will have more updates once it dries!

[sllikskills]

ALRIGHT GUYS!

The blade holder has dried up, and I've proceeded to add the electrical pins and finish the hilt by tap threading the screws for the set screw and the thumb screws! She's ready for electronics!!!!

Here are some final pics before I leave for vacation. I'll be back sooner than later and should have all the parts ready to finish this project. Of course I still need the Graflex clamp and bunny ears to complete the saber, but they are currently being made!

Enjoy the pics guys, I'm so glad I got this done before leaving




Check out that nice sheen from all the protective layers - this hilt will hold up to some serious beating


With the thumb screw and electrical pins installed, the iconic look of the Graflex is starting to peak through!! Can't wait for the bunny ears, grips, and clamp


Comparison pic next to the Master Replica Darth Vader, and my personal fav Ultrasabers Prophecy v3 

Can't wait to receive my Graflex SE from Ultrasabers this week!

WHO WANTS TO SEE THIS BABY GLOW BLUE?!?!

[sllikskills]

One more 

[Taegin Roan]

That looks awesome. Is it going to be duel worthy or just for show? Either way, great job.

Point to you

[Greywolf]

One more 

Awesome!

I hope that saber is drool-proof, too. Otherwise I would recommend to never let anyone else touch it

[Niels]

My compliments to your very original, unique and well crafted saber  

[Corwyn VonBeck]

That has turned out wonderfully! great work man!

[Hansrad]

That is coming along so awesome. The wood looks great and with all those coats it should last a very long time.

[MavRick]

Man that looks AWESOME!!  Point to you good sir for your mad skills!  Keep up the good work! I can't wait to see the final product! 

[sllikskills]

Thank you Niels, Corwyn, Hansrad, and MavRick!!! This project has been on my mind night and day since I have been overseas on my business trip. I'm so glad to have seen these comments on the rare occasion that I can check up on the forum. I cannot wait to get back and finish this project up. It's turned out so well so far, I'm quite excited as well to see if I gots what it takes to complete this beauty

[sllikskills]

I'm back from the trip!!!

Still suffering from some mild jetlag, however that couldn't stop my enthusiasm to get more progress done. Especially since I came back home to some key parts to complete the project. I've put in a few more hours, and boy do I have some pictures to show yall!!

EXTERNAL IS COMPLETE!!!! Take a look at these awesome pics below.


With the second thumb screw, the bunny ears, the clamp, and grips arriving, this saber morphed into the iconic A New Hope Graflex right before my very eye. Looks even better in person than what I had imagined in my mind before even getting started. Who's cutting the damn onions?!! 


I've finally received more Graflex models to use as a comparison. Of course you can see the absolutely stunning Ultrasabers Graflex SE right next to my creation. The order from left to right in movie models are : A New Hope (wood), Return of the Sith (Ultrasabers), Empire Strikes Back (Other Brand Replica).


Another angle. Obv the Replica ESB version needs the most work. I just can't believe how awesome the wood came out. And the hilt is so sturdy. Cannot wait to fully install the electronics in it!!




So excited to complete this. I have all the chassis parts here, just need to work on putting them together. And still stuck on some resistor questions. But I think it should all be downhill from here!

Will keep you guys updated

[Greywolf]

Simply gorgeous, congratulations !

[Taegin Roan]

I can't wait to see the finished product. It has been cool to watch wood become a piece of work.

[MavRick]

That is truly a work of art my friend!!    ( As a wood worker my self I commend You)
Honestly some of the best custom work I have seen on the forums!!   
Your hard work and patience have paid off  BIG TIME!!
+1 light side point to you good sir.