Just ordered a Graflex SE!

[Seano]

Like the title says, I've just ordered a Graflex SE in Guardian Blue, with Obsidian v3 (don't need too many soundfonts on it, as it's basically Jedi specific being GB!), can't wait for it to arrive! I've downloaded the Force Awakens Graflex soundfont from one of the other forum members (Aldar_Beedo), and tried it out on my Overlord with Obsidian v4, and it sounds awesome! Nice and bassy, and the impacts sound, well, impactful! Here's the thread link -
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=t7tnlovlbgirj4eiibj7jst8u7&topic=29490.0 , and the link to the soundfont download -
https://www.dropbox.com/s/499r2s8he13rddy/The%20Force%20Awakens%20Graflex%20Sound%20Font.rar?dl=0

I've already started working on the customisations I want to do to it, by getting in touch with Sedstiskyfaller, re: low profile grips similar to the ones he's he worked on with JediXIX, the difference being they'll be more like the ESB/TFA grips (rivets near the back of the grip).
Tomorrow I'll be heading to the hardware store to buy a Dremel, as I want to add an emitter window to it as well, and lastly, I'll get some red buttons and glass eye, so it looks more like the ESB/TFA Graflex.

Looking forward to putting up pics!

[Lord Japarco]

Congratulations on your purchase. -1 point for you. The default obsidian sound is the best, so no big deal not getting v4 sound... Hope to see some pics when it gets to you...

[Seano]

It finally arrived.....and it looks F**KING AMAZEBALLS!!!!! (pardon my French!)
I can't believe how heavy it is too (not in a bad way!), feels how I expect an actual real-life, honest to God, fully functioning lightsaber would feel.










As you can see in the 6th pic, I've removed the Covertec Wheel (not a big fan) and plugged the hole with a small blade retention screw, and instead installed a D-Ring into the pommel.

I've ordered some low profile grips from Sedsti Skyfaller, they're shaped similar to the ESB & TFA grips (small section cutout with holes for rivets), but they're only a couple of millimetres high -





I've also bought a Graflex replica Red Button and Glass Eye Button from somewhere else (not "the other guys", these were cheaper to buy and ship to Australia!), will replace them on the saber once they arrive -




Also planning on doing the same as JediXIX, and cutting a window in the emitter, I love the way it looks!

[scifidude79]

This is so the one I want, but I have to save up some $$ first because 1) it's expensive and 2) I plan to get the CE with all the bells and whistles.

Yours looks truly fantastic with the D-ring on it.  It fits the original look of the weapon much better than the covertec wheel, in my humble opinion.  Did you have to drill a new hole for the D-ring or did you just put the screw through one of the existing speaker holes?  I hope you'll continue to post images as you modify it, I really love seeing this kind of stuff. 

[LightsaberFreak627]

I too am planning to get a Graflex in the near future. I'm debating if I just wanna get a tri-guardian blue LED, and then get sound, or if I want to go all out and get it in Emerald as well as with an Obsidian V3 (V4 is cool, but unnecessary for me). It will actually be a replacement saber for my Force FX Anakin Skywalker lightsaber replica, which I plan to sell sometime soon.

[Seano]

Yours looks truly fantastic with the D-ring on it.  It fits the original look of the weapon much better than the covertec wheel, in my humble opinion.  Did you have to drill a new hole for the D-ring or did you just put the screw through one of the existing speaker holes?  I hope you'll continue to post images as you modify it, I really love seeing this kind of stuff. 

Thanks scifidude79! Thankfully no, I didn't have to drill any holes into the pommel, I just used a stainless steel M5 x 12mm size bolt and nut which fits perfectly through the hole in the D-Ring clip and the speaker hole. Because the nut is hexagonal, it sits pretty much flush against the inside of the pommel, so no fiddling about with pliers and a screwdriver!

[Seano]

Congratulations on your purchase. -1 point for you. The default obsidian sound is the best, so no big deal not getting v4 sound

Thanks Lord Japarco! I actually changed the soundfont to Aldar_Beedo's The Force Awakens Graflex one, it sounds beefier when turning on, and the clashes sound like proper forceful clashes! Forum thread here -

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=t7tnlovlbgirj4eiibj7jst8u7&topic=29490.0

Soundfont here -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/499r2s8he13rddy/The%20Force%20Awakens%20Graflex%20Sound%20Font.rar?dl=0

[JediXIX]

Really looking forward to you putting this all together man . . . . . +1 

[scifidude79]

Thanks scifidude79! Thankfully no, I didn't have to drill any holes into the pommel, I just used a stainless steel M5 x 12mm size bolt and nut which fits perfectly through the hole in the D-Ring clip and the speaker hole. Because the nut is hexagonal, it sits pretty much flush against the inside of the pommel, so no fiddling about with pliers and a screwdriver!

That's very cool and thanks for not only explaining it, but also showing a picture of it.  Very informative. 

[Seano]

Just finished the emitter window on the Graflex using the Dremel cutting blade (couldn't remove the brass pins, as they're glued in), so a few scratches and scrapes, but overall a good outcome I think. I'll be blacking out the edges of the emitter window and the end of the emitter with Aluminium Black when I get some at the end of the week, to cover up those scratches, and to give it that well used look.

[Seano]

Now a couple of pics of me wielding the bad boy - can't get over how bright just the single LED is!

[scifidude79]

Nice work.  It looks really sweetn with that window.

[Seano]

Whilst I'm waiting for my new grips from Sedsti and Red & Glass Eye buttons to arrive, I've got myself some Aluminium Black from a local gun shop, and applied it around the emitter window and the end of the emitter. Took a few applications to get it dark enough, and looks better in real life than in the photos.





On a side note, whilst at the gun shop yesterday, I signed on for a Come And Try Target Shooting (CATTS!) day this morning (haven't fired a rifle since I left the Army 13 years ago), and realised something....I'd never be any good as a Stormtrooper, I kept hitting the target!
First picture is with a .308 calibre bolt action single shot rifle at 300 yards (275 metres) with a 0.5 times optical sight, second is again with a .308 calibre rifle at 300 yards with a scope attached (unsure of magnification) -

[scifidude79]

"And these blast points, too accurate for Sandpeople.  Only Imperial Stormtroopers are so precise."  (Unless they're shooting at rebels, particularly our heroes)

I haven't fired a rifle since I was in the Army either, over 10 years ago.  I wonder if I'd be that good with one now. 

The saber is looking good.  How are the front buttons attached?  Are they easy to remove?  Also, do you plan to eventually get a Graflex clamp for it or leave the US activator box on there?  Personally, I like the US box, even though it's not screen accurate.  It seems like it would be more comfortable for dueling.

[Gamble]

Congrats looks great can't wait until I get mine good luck with it