Saber Forum

Hello everyone!

So I have had my US Graflex for a little over a year now. I as well have a screen accurate Graflex so when comparing the two, unfortunately I always seem to favor my other one than the one made by US. This has NOTHING to do with quality. The quality of my US Graflex is top notch as anyone here knows. However the fact that I just was not playing with it as much as my others told me it was time to spice it up. So, I stripped its guts and took it apart. BTW this thing was never really meant to be taken apart at home. Caution to those who try, only do it if you really really mean it.

I took it apart and began to toy with the idea of what I really wanted out of this saber. Well first, I want it to look old, beat up, been through hell and possibly rebuilt at least once. I wanted it to look like its seen more miles than a 90's civic. I didn't just want another Graflex clone or one that looks like some one else's, I wanted a saber that had a story to tell. I weathered it down and took the finish off, subjected it to my grinder and sandpaper without mercy. This is how I know the aluminum US uses is strong stuff. It made me really work and wearing it down.

I replaced the stock buttons and plan to add more authentic graflex buttons when I get them in, as well as a new latching switch with a higher profile activation button. Perhaps even an antique one. This is by no means the finished product, but certainly it is on it's way.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/qqbeoz.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/w9a845.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/n6f1hk.jpg)
(http://i57.tinypic.com/dey51s.jpg)

Seeing as how I hold that saber in a special place in my heart, considering its pedigree and all, and the fact that I want one badly, your decision to demolish it I consider to be a sacrilegious act.  That being said, it's yours, not mine and I can dig it, haha.

Interested to see where you go with this.

LOL I totally understand. I would not had I already owned a screen accurate one to begin with. However, this experience has if anything, strengthened my resolve for US. I really have to work to beat it up. That says something about the integrity of these products.

That is some awesome battle weathering. The emmiter kinda looks like your dog got a hold of it. But, it looks good. How did you do the gouge out of the body of the saber? I really like it. I'm curious to see how it turns out when its done.

I literally took it to my bench grinder and had at it. Of course I was making sure not to actually damage the integrity of the body but yeah thats really it for now. I plan on perhaps doing a minor acid treatment to the whole body as well as adding some simulated electronics just to keep with the junkyard feel of it that I am going for!

I like where you are going with this!

And having taken my US Graflex apart (in order to swap some internals) I know just how much of an effort it can be!

I'd tell everyone this lightsaber is a prime example of why you don't go to Cloud City looking for trouble.

LMAO Yes, sir this saber looks like it lost a fight, or 5 haha. But I guess that's what happens when you think you can stand toe to toe with the baddest in the galaxy :D    Thanks for the responses guys, I will have more pics up as soon as I get the rest of my parts on order in!

I wouldn't want to mess with THAT kind of dog ;D

And so here we are. I am finished, now I just need to start on the electronics. New blade color, sound.. yep this is going to be fun.. but at least the hard part is out of the way...
(http://i59.tinypic.com/2uo401d.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/okbble.jpg)
(http://i60.tinypic.com/e0j42g.jpg)
(http://i58.tinypic.com/309k9hs.jpg)

That's cool. I like it. Have a point. What color blade are you going to do?

still on the fence. If I go red, it may be a more orange color, like PO. Other colors catching my eye would be DVA, or Artic Blue. The color is the most important thing. It will take some time for me to decide. Or hell I will prolly just get an emerald driver and play around with it lol