Saber Forum

So I’ve started recently attempting the build my own light whip and so far it’s coming along pretty well :D

I’m well aware that some of the”other guys” offer lightwhip plugs, but they’re really expensive and seemed relatively easy and much cheaper to make... plus I’m hoping to make it more durable and closer to the functionality of a real whip.

It's still in progress, but this is my start.

(http://i.imgur.com/jabyj84.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/b3qaDqw.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/VH9wchZ.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/1ElV7d1.jpg)

A lightwhip?!  UGH!
:P

Very inventive LR. :)

Lookin' good (even if I don't like the concept). :P

-1

What do you have against light whips? :P

Really cool, is that Fiber Optic?  I have some glow fiber optic ones that I'm playing around with

It is, but most fiber optic options don't function well as a whip, so I'm working on how to bring back functionality as well.

The problem with them is that the light travels up to about 10ft at best since there isn't any type of material to aide the light travel any.  Plus, the FO isn't thick enough to add anything unless one was made like the UE blades

That's not the problem at all, really.... 10 feet is too long for a practical whip (most are between 5 and 8 feet) and the cable you see there is 20 feet and the light is just fine by the end. Problem is getting the tapering correct and strengthening the cable so it doesn't break down with use. It's possible your fiber optic cable is just a poor quality. There's also the problem with the ones the "other guys" sell (is you check video stress test reviews) that they end up cracking and breaking down near the base and you have to gradually shorten them over time if you want to continue using them.

You could try cutting lengths of transparent heat shrink tubing and layering them so they form a stress relief at the blade plug (a bit like the stress relief spring found on electrical appliance plugs/cables) Apply the longest tube first, then gradually layer the shorter lengths to form a tapered sleeve, then threading the cable AND tubing through the hole in the blade plug and secure it.

Well - being a science nerd makes actual lightsabers a bit tough to imagine, so I guess expecting light to act in that way, while still retaining a solid form, is just too much.

Plus, you could never "let it rest".  It could never touch the floor, or there'd be a hole...

I know, I know - stop sciencing everything...lol

To each his/her own.  Many people like them, and they do look cool.

I wasn't saying that it was mine but in general from working with them.  I have a 10 footer than I cut down to 5.5 and it works great for me.  Was just saying the most common issues with them is all

Looks like a very interesting project, LR

Afraid I have no advice on making it work, though

Best option I've seen so far involves "Gorilla Tape" which I'm currently hunting. I'm still trying to figure out an extension to taper the very end though without damaging the cable


The beam of a light whip is much weaker than that of a light saber, so while charring and melting might occur, a hole in the ground at rest is unlikely. To each their own though :P


5.5 plus hilt is much more reasonable in terms of whip length. I'm still baffled with your lighting issue comment though. Again, my cable is at 20 feet right now and that was just with me holding it over with my hand and not using anything to focus the light to the cable yet. Never seen/heard that issue personally.

It's alright, Therion! ^_^ I think I've mostly figured it out. Only thing still eluding me is the tip of the whip.

Again, I'm not commenting on the length of yours, I was speaking in general. Most of the other guys use 10ft as a default length anyways. It may not be your length but that's what others use currently. To each his own though :)

some book I read a while back said that the beams weren't light at all, but instead are electrified metal cables. (that's why they didn't cut Anakin's arms off in that Zygerria arc.

I think there were 2 versions.  One that was the cables (like Lumiya's ) and on that was a flexible lightsaber (like Githany's)..may be mistaken

That's actually a different weapon altogether. They are similar though

Sorry... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RutjdRw_g1A#)

Very informative there, LR

What kind of Satist uses a whip?!

Usually Sith Ladies :P dat range though

Hole drilled in the plug and cable woven through! Working on the tapering now

Looking forward to seeing how it turns out, Lady R

Thanks! Made a lot of progress today. Hoping to finish by next weekend for one of my friends to try out.

DUN, DUN, DUN...


:P
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Lol back at you, Rapine!

Very interesting project LR ... have a point ...

Considering the EU-Legend, I saw such a weapon only in the Darth Bane Trilogy (in the hands of Githany) and Lumiya in some comics ...

I do not know if there are other users ...

Video I posted mentions Obi-Wan using one at some point, but I've not seen that, so IDK how true it is. Seems pretty much a Sith Lady exclusive from the other wielders lol.

Thanks! Have a point back!

I do not pretend I read everything about Starwars ... but Obi-Wan with such a weapon, I never saw that ... if any one can help ... Darth Tepes is our living encyclopedia ... maybe he knows ;)

And Thanks

My pleasure! Perhaps we should summon Darth Tepes lol

He made an answer top of this page ... I am sure he will be back in this topic soon  :P

Very cool. I kinda like the faded light effect near the tip end though for some reason :P Different If one is near you maybe ace, home depot, or lowe's would have the gorilla tape or harbor freight even

Found some gorilla tape at Ace Hardware, so that's what I'm using. It's working.... it's just going to take a while to get the layering correct with the taper

I thought I would share what I did.
(http://i.imgur.com/2PTdx85.jpg)
i used a 1 inch extruded acrylic round rod. Cut it to size. Drilled a hole for the fiber optic cable 8mm.  Then drilled a hole for a blade retention screw.
It works great and is very bright.  This method is also much stronger than using a regular blade plug. We have had no breaks yet .(http://i.imgur.com/j8GDCDY.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6znKScV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0ejP6rE.jpg)

I have been Remiss.... My meditations on the Aspects of the Dark Side have blinded me to thirst for my Lore Knowledge. :)

Obi-Wan fashioned a Lightwhip while he and Kit Fisto were on a mission during the clone wars.  He  used it as secondary weapon in tandem with his lightsaber.  Due to the hasty construction the power cells quickly burned out apparently. Unfortunately there is no image as it is from a Novel.  

https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/The_Cestus_Deception

Where did you pick up the round acrylic rod?

I sent you a p.m. with the info.

The answer is...OnlineMetals.com
In case anyone else is curious.

Sorry to bring up old stuff. This has been driving me crazy and bouncing around in my head since I read it.
 
I just figured out where I heard it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uZ_M0w8xKs# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uZ_M0w8xKs#)

Yup XD

I guess this is a project I need to get back on once I finish the Star Forge Robes...

I have been thinking about the DIY unstable blade posts. They have been using silicone on the blades to get the effect and the blade remains usable for sparring.  It is honestly a great idea. The silicone is a little rubbery and has a little stretch to it.  Silicone might be pretty good for thickening up the base of your whip Lady R.  Just an idea.

The same thing I have against them.

(Got your back Rap. ;))

I still need one though, for Operation:AWESOME

Maybe. I have enough materials for 3 prototypes so I’ll attempt silicone on maybe the second. First is using gorilla tape.

I have a length of fiber optic left and a bunch of tubes of Silicone.  I was thinking about doing a couple feet and checking the flexibility  before I did a whole whip. I'll let you know how it goes.

Please do!

Much appreciated that you shared the knowledge and your completed whip with everyone. Very, very cool. Also props to Lady Revan for starting this topic.
Sharing the link to the pictures/video of KaiserSosay's completed light whip, since I didn't see them here and it saves him the trouble of having to twice.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=40926.15 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=40926.15)

I thought you might like a little more info. Here is a better look at the acrylic plug.


(http://i.imgur.com/EZKIxQu.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/WFTiG0q.jpg)

For a 12 inch acrylic rod it cost under $15. A 20 foot piece of 8mm fiber optic cable cost around $50.  So for under $70 I was able to make three whips. It ends up being cheaper to make them yourself and you get better quality.
 Also the saber I use has a Diamond board. So the whip cracking sound is from a sound font not the actual fiber optic cable. Just to be clear.  I used the sound font called "Flaming torch". It was made by Darth Vigorous and here is a like to it...
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=32748.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=32748.0)

And here is a link to the whip sounds I added to make my flaming whip diamond save...
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/137l3U4cJBpgQEWR1GeHHG8tIOazXEv8f?usp=sharing (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/137l3U4cJBpgQEWR1GeHHG8tIOazXEv8f?usp=sharing)

With the sound files you could make a fire whip font for any of Ultra Saber's sound boards. For a whip, the diamond board has no advantages over the other boards.  You don't really do stabs or spins with a whip. I mean you could but... for a whip, an obsidian board is just as good as a diamond.