Graflex conversion questions... and plenty of em [Archive]

veers

07-21-2006, 10:46 AM

I had intended to get an UltraFX, but I found I had just a tiny bit more money than I believed, and I'd like to build one myself, so...

With the conversion kit here, what else will I need? A blade, a blade holder (graflex led adapter, I assume), an LED, a saber driver, and a switch... And that's it? It seems Graflexshop has two seperate parts instead of one, a blade holder and a LED holder, which will cost twice as much. Why is that?

Can I add a MR soundboard to a converted Graflex? If so, where will the chip go, and where will I fit the speaker?

Can I drill a hole in the side of a graflex for a new switch's wires to come out (mount the switch where the calculator bubbles go) without upsetting the battery functions? Can I put the speaker under that, or..?

Sorry for all the questions, please help me out!

Do-Clo

07-21-2006, 11:00 AM

Ok where to start

You will need a replica graflex or an orignal graflex flash handle

The graflex kit sold here has the blade holder and led holder / heatsink in one unit saves space

You will need a 3 watt led, a on/off switch, a battery holder, and a led driver of choice
resisitor to limit current, corbin's driver or a MR sound board see tutorials for more info

a 1 inch diameter polycarbonate blade see tutorials and thred index for info on building your blade

Check with corbins componets as he has a on/off switch that would replace the red top button on the graflex flash

You mount the sound and batteries in what ever manor will fit inside the hilt.

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

james3

07-21-2006, 11:25 AM

Tim's piece is a bit different then Corbin/Graflex piece but they do the same job. I am doing a replica Graflex due to the high cost of the originals. One other thing to add to Do-Clo's fine list is you will need the "bling" meaning the grip strips and belt ring http://thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/Scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=20 and then what ever strip to do the clamp. I actually have two Graflexs that are on the list, one will be an EL that I am going to go custom on and the other will be a LED replica of either EP4 or EP5. Good luck and check with corbin on the button I still need to order mine.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

Do-Clo

07-21-2006, 11:35 AM

Darn forgot the grips and belt clip, [:(]

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

james3

07-21-2006, 11:37 AM

Don't worry Master, I got your back[;)]

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

veers

07-21-2006, 11:50 AM

Thanks for the quick responses.

I plan on using Corbin's red button. Don't worry about the flash unit or any of the related parts (grips, D ring, LED bubbles), I got those covered.

So, if I use TCSS's graflex mount, get a 3-watt Lux, Corbin's button, a blade, and a driver, what else do I need?

Will the original flash itself function as a battery compartment, or do I need one that goes inside that?

Where do I put the sound module? Is the MR module a chip and a speaker? Where might I place those?

I also plan to drill and tap a small hole under where the flash attachment ring goes, and replace the calculator bubble with one of Corbin's power indicators, and run the wire for it into that hole and up. Could I put the speaker/sound module under that?

james3

07-21-2006, 11:57 AM

Hey are you on TFN Props board too? I just posted something there as well. if so I will just continue from here.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

veers

07-21-2006, 12:22 PM

Thanks. I just posted my remaining questions there.

james3

07-21-2006, 12:34 PM

Saw it, here there anywhere[:p]

This is my main hangout, I peek in the TFN every now and then since that is where my local board is on.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

veers

07-22-2006, 04:37 AM

One more question over at TFN. Then, I think I'll go on and order the stuff I need.

james3

07-22-2006, 07:34 AM

Done.

Now don't forget to go to the Misc. topic here and post some Snitz[:p]

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

veers

07-27-2006, 02:23 PM

I got my graflex in the mail today and put it together. Instantly in love.

Now I'm considering just converting a MR. How badly will I have to cut up and gut my new baby?

Do-Clo

07-27-2006, 02:45 PM

A mr conversion is not bad just follow the tutorial. If you are thinging of transplanting a mr fx into your new graflex then I would build a couple of other projects first so you are comfortable tackling it. I did a Heiland vintage flash and turned it into a mr Vader saber it is very cool indeed. The pictures of it are here just scroll down to it: http://thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=703&whichpage=2

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

xwingband

07-27-2006, 02:54 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by veers

I got my graflex in the mail today and put it together. Instantly in love.

Now I'm considering just converting a MR. How badly will I have to cut up and gut my new baby?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Not at all. The blade holder replaces the old guts and slides in. All of the existing stuff can stay on. The only possible thing I can think of that may require any physical changes may be the PLI. You may have to a hole for the wires, but even that would be covered if you snake the wires through the back of the clamp.

Fake edit: Ooo... the speakers. You'll have to drill holes for that. Overall it'd be fairly minor changes.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
Before posting did you check the Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577)?.

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veers

08-03-2006, 08:18 PM

So, how does the blade holder and such mount in place of the old guts? I think I may have a repro Graflex, intended for props. The guts currently inside appear to only have 4 tiny screws anywhere, the inside where the bulb would go is a little push-down metal button type thing, and the two red buttons don't actually do anything as far as I can tell. I also can't see where a bulb would sit inside this. Maybe I'm wrong, though.

As long as I don't have to drill or anything for the holder, and it'll hold stabily (I can't see those 4 tiny screws holding a blade and it's holder in while dueling), then I'm fine. It'll only cost me an extra 45 bucks for the driver, maybe 15 for a functioning button, 2.50 for a battery case, and 45 for a sound module... And a used FFX would cost me 50 or so anyway, so it's only about an extra 50 bucks than what I'd need with a FFX, since it would need all the same stuff except a new button, driver, and sound module.

I could also try to put the sound module inside without drilling and see how it sounds until I can find an extra bottom half.

LAN-ED-TUL

08-03-2006, 10:30 PM

to get an idea, go to the saber pics area, and look up my REAL graflex i put a blue 3 watt lux led and a hasbro sound board in.

depending on which style you want, you can get either a glass eye or red button thumbscrew that will go right where the glass eye is on the graflex, and it screws right in the hole in the holder tim has.

<center>http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/LANSIG.jpg</center>

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

veers

08-04-2006, 05:56 AM

Well, looking at the pictures, I don't see any noticable differences between my Graflex and the rest. The only things that made me consider the idea that it may be were that:

- the glass eye came with a 2nd red button, instead
- neither red button appear to push anything, and I took them out and inspected to verify this
- if you look down into the... barrel?.. There's just a little metal bar sticking out and smooth black platic around it, you can push the metal piece down most of the way into the plastic, like a button, and when you let go it returns, but not far enough to screw in a bulb
- the piece that does around the bulb/blade at the top is wobbly

I got it as a kit on ebay, for Luke's ESB saber, so it came with all the parts, two red buttons already, and even screwholes for the grips and D-ring.

I'm just wondering how to get the current guts out, how the new ones will stay in, and if everything will function the same if it's a non-functioning repro.

Do-Clo

08-04-2006, 06:40 AM

If you remove the screws holding the stock parts in then you can push down on the bulb holder and press it out the the bottom of the top section. If you order Tim's graflex kit then the new holder will slide right in place of the stock one. Also before removing the stock holder unscrew the brass pins in the sides of the flash unit.

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

veers

08-06-2006, 05:19 PM

Now, I suppose it's down to TCSS and Graflexshop.com.

I can either go with TCSS's mount, which costs less and has lower shipping (plus, they have the sound module, which I need either way), but the blade set screws are less convenient, and I don't know if I can put the button inside my existing red button or not. Or, I can go with graflexshop's kit, which is more expensive, and they bend you over the TABLE for shipping, but the blade set screw is very convenient and the red button IS the functioning button. But, they don't have the sound module, which I still need.

Hmm...

macross73

08-06-2006, 07:08 PM

Pros vs Cons ?
I think you've got your answer. = TCSS

Lord Maul

08-06-2006, 07:16 PM

i agree with macross. tcss is the best

At last we will reveal ourselves to the jedi, at last we will have revenge.

Do-Clo

08-06-2006, 09:46 PM

Here is one for you the graflex shop holder is longer when you and the led holder on the end, taking up more room inside your hilt and you want to put a sound board in it so problem solved go TCSS

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

Strydur

08-06-2006, 10:53 PM

You could buy my parts that you have listed and then buy the glass eye blade screw and the working button switch from Corbin when he gets back.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

LAN-ED-TUL

08-07-2006, 09:36 PM

thats exactly what i was goin to say, tim beat me to it.

<center>http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/LANSIG.jpg</center>

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

GFORCE13

08-07-2006, 09:59 PM

Yes I now use 2 of Corbins, the first one I bought off E-bay and then tried to do it myself but ended up just letting him do it and the second one I just went ahead and bought from him, works great and a lot less aggravation and money.[:D]

<center>
" I am a Jedi like my Father before me"
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c237/G-FORCE13/th_DCP_1240.jpg
</center>

ztrox93

08-21-2006, 07:24 PM

[quote]Originally posted by veers
- the glass eye came with a 2nd red button, instead
- neither red button appear to push anything, and I took them out and inspected to verify this
- if you look down into the... barrel?.. There's just a little metal bar sticking out and smooth black platic around it, you can push the metal piece down most of the way into the plastic, like a button, and when you let go it returns, but not far enough to screw in a bulb
- the piece that does around the bulb/blade at the top is wobbly

I got it as a kit on ebay, for Luke's ESB saber, so it came with all the parts, two red buttons already, and even screwholes for the grips and D-ring.

ha ha I bought the same thing same guy >how did you get the buttons off and did you dammage them?

Zach Watkins

james3

08-21-2006, 07:30 PM

ztrox, I am not sure what your question is. Can you repeat with out the quote?

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

Lord Maul

08-21-2006, 07:42 PM

hey james, i think ztrox is asking how to get the two buttons off without damaging them [;)]

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Firebird21

08-21-2006, 07:43 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lord Maul

hey james, i think ztrox is asking how to get the two buttons off without damaging them [;)]<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Did you find that on ebay?

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sabre.gif http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/auto/car-smiley-032.gif Official Designated TCSS Jester! http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrinjackbox.gif

ztrox93

08-22-2006, 05:53 AM

yeah I gought it from ebay what I am asking is how he got the 1st and 2nd buttons off I could really know.

Zach Watkins

ztrox93

08-24-2006, 04:44 PM

so how did you

Zach Watkins

james3

08-24-2006, 04:51 PM

Are you talking about the flashbutton and the eye? They just unscrew. From there you can just screw on the active button and the bladeholder button.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

ztrox93

08-25-2006, 03:18 PM

I have the same thing he does it came with a second red button

Zach Watkins

james3

08-25-2006, 04:51 PM

Yep ESB style, I am guessing the one has a switch mounted in it either with or w/o leads for behind the ears. That is your switch. The other should have a set screw in the bottom of it and that will be your blade holder.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

ztrox93

08-25-2006, 08:04 PM

yeah I was going to buy a red button thumb set scer from corbin.

Zach Watkins

ztrox93

08-26-2006, 08:05 AM

I tried unscrewing them last night all I gought was a red hand.

Zach Watkins

Do-Clo

08-26-2006, 08:11 AM

You can try carefully taking a small pair of pliers to loosen the button and glass eye. Don't over do it just a firm twist should loosen it.

<center>http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DoCloSig.jpg</center>
<center>Darth Technous Sith Lord</center>
<center>Give yourself to the Dark Side</center>

james3

08-26-2006, 08:17 AM

Do you have an original Graflex? There may be a touch of corrosion in the threads, use just a touch of WD-40 and let it sit for thirty minutes. If you still can not get it by hand then you could use "aggressive negoiations" by using a pipe wrench, pliers, or similar with teeth. Just make sure to tape or use cloth around the switches There are also those rubber inserts made just for this kind of thing but I have yet to buy a pair.

I can't say I have had a problem with the replicas. I have two and I can take the buttons and eyes off and on all the time. Hope you get it ok.

EDIT- Beaten again by the master[;)]

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

ztrox93

08-26-2006, 08:19 AM

will it disconfigure the buttons

Zach Watkins

james3

08-26-2006, 08:22 AM

That is why you use the tape, t-shirt, towel, whatever. You want to grip and twist but you DON'T want metal on metal as that will tear up the original buttons.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

ztrox93

08-26-2006, 08:25 AM

sorry james I posted that post before I refreshed the page

Zach Watkins

james3

08-26-2006, 08:40 AM

NP

Tim has the pin tool in the store now if you don't have something to take the pins out. I think I am going to get a set of the short pins for my Luxeon deal when I get started on that, they look pretty awesome.

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/kotor2.jpg</center>

LAN-ED-TUL

09-19-2006, 03:36 PM

i had got a larbel saber one time, and no buttons on it functioned. i had to remove the lower red butoon, and use a red button thumbscrew and used the graflex shops el socket. the top switch was removed and a replica working button in its place. i then used a micro switch mounted underneath it so when pressed it operated the micro switch.

tims lux holder has the same type slot for mounting a switch underneath or use corbins with swicth inside the red button.