clamp questions...

[xl97]

Im not really a fan of clamps myself.. but for a gift.. I have put together an MHS based OBI-WAN'ish saber...

for those who HAVE worked with clamps before.. what one(s) do you recommend using...

Im guessing this clamp will need to have the switch mounted/located in it..so keep that in mind please.

also do both the MPP and Graflex clamps need a sinktube shim?

Thanks

[Lord Maul]

The MPP and Graflex clamps, along with Park's laser cut ones all need shims to fit on the MHS.

I used one of Park's laser cut clamps on a saber. It was very well made, and the switch setup worked very well. Yoda from FX Sabers cut blocks with his laser. This is probably infeasible for you, unless you've got a laser. I know Jay Gon has mounted switches in the clamps. Maybe he will chime in. ;)

[xl97]

ah..they all do.. ok..thanks..

I wasnt quite sure.

How did you mount you switch? on the top? ot try to use the 'bubble' strip somehow?

I suppose I'll go through te gallery frum to see what i can see as far as clamps being used.

I'll be under the gun on this one.. so I'll need to order the clamp ASAP..


Thanks.

[Jasten Skywalker]

I used a Graflex clamp on my V2 that Madcow made for me last year. He installed two momentary switches in the clamp. It works great. Here are a few pics.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/devvinband/2009-07-06144352.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/devvinband/2009-07-06144406.jpg
The activation switch is under the circuit card.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/devvinband/2009-07-06144424.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e139/devvinband/2009-07-06144456.jpg
The auxillary switch for the CF is behind the lever.

Hope that helps.

[xl97]

thanks for the pics....havng never owned a clamp..its hard for me to visualize how/where I can mount switches too..

[Lord Maul]

This is how the clamp I had was set up. Credits to Yoda at FX Sabers for the pics and work on it

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/cmac_the_great/clampfinal.jpg

[xl97]

The graflex clamps seems to be out of the shop...and I cant really see a way to mount a switch in there (on the top)...only possibly under the card/slot..


how long does it take for Parks to ship out one of their clamps??

Im thinking the MPP clamps would work nice..but Im not sure I want one in black I guess...

(for an MHS Obi-Wan 'ish build...??)


is that an MHS section in your Parks clamp Maul?

thanks

[pipster79]

your better off waiting for tim to get some in, i ordered one from parks before, spent extra for express shipping ended up costing me like 70 bucks in the end, and took a lil over 10 weeks, thats right 10...if u can find one somewhere else, do it!!!

[TimeRender]

Pip, it sounds like you ordered a part from Parks when it wasn't in stock. I ordered a Parks laser cut clamp on Ebay and it was delivered in just a few days.

[Lord Maul]

If you order from eBay it has to be in stock. He generally only has the laser cut ones on eBay. The real graflex and MPP ones are only from his site, SaberKit. That site takes forever to ship.

[Jay-gon Jinn]

The saber Iu sed one of those clamps on was my secon Brass saber...it's in here somewhere:
http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=4422

[xl97]

Thanks Jay-

I think in the end..that is really the only way I'll be able to mount a switch (through the circuit board)

Id like a top mount switch to keep things a little 'cleaner'..

but cant think of a way to do so.

Abotu now much room (wide/height) is the area on the top of the clamp? (under the circuit board to the top of the box?)

what size slider switch would fit best you think?

(crap..I need a momentary I'll be using a corbin momentray someone gave me and a left over Hasbro Board (Qui-Gon)

do they make momentary slider switched?

(off to ebay to find a clamp..anyone know what key words to use?)

thanks guys

[Jay-gon Jinn]

Mini-tactiles fit under there just fine, and will work for you in that set-up....I have two of them in there now, to run the CF that is in that saber.

[Lord Dottore Matto]

Dude! I know you have seen the Obi saber that Judge and I did for soundw@ve (It's that nagging little feeling in the back of your mind that you've seen it before). Check the build pix (at JSSDC) and it shows exactly how to do what you want.;)

[xl97]

Thanks...
and Im off to JSSDC to take a peek..

[JamoUp]

I know you are using a momentary switch but here a few pics of my Obi inspired saber with MPP clamp and toggle switch.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/jamothegr8/0710090850.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/jamothegr8/0710090851.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/jamothegr8/0710090852.jpg

[Obi-Ben]

The MPP and Graflex clamps, along with Park's laser cut ones all need shims to fit on the MHS.

I used one of Park's laser cut clamps on a saber. It was very well made, and the switch setup worked very well. Yoda from FX Sabers cut blocks with his laser. This is probably infeasible for you, unless you've got a laser. I know Jay Gon has mounted switches in the clamps. Maybe he will chime in. ;)

What kind of shims should be used? A very thin section of sinktube? A layer of aluminum tape?

[Lord Maul]

Just use the sink tube that Tim sells in the store ;)

[xl97]

LDM- I looked up the build.. so how do you turn it on with the button under the strip? do you just slide it up? press on the bubble strip?

I didnt know the graflex clamps had any room in them down the strip like that.. in the store pic..it looks fully closed.. I guess Im open to a graflex clamp as well as a parks..

seeing the pics above.. I think Im convicned I do not want blank though..

now I just gotta find either a graflex or parks in silver somewhere..LOL

oh and a DPDT small momentary switch somewhere.. (running a Hasbro Cheapie with a Mom. Corbin board.)