Tips to Adding Sound to Your PVC Saber Hilt

[Lonewind]

Hi All,

I would like to share a few tips on how to add sound to your PVC saber.


Tips to Adding Sound to Your PVC Saber Hilt

Here is a technique I used to add a Master Replicas sound board and speaker to a PVC saber - with this method, you can have an inexpensive hilt with great sound.

The key here is to use 2 different kinds of PVC:
1. Blade Holder : I use the gray electrical conduit PVC for the blade holder since it has a tighter inside diameter to better hold the blade.
2. Saber Body : since the gray conduit PVC s too tight to hold the MR sound board and a 4 AAA battery pack - this is where I use the white plumbing PVC for the main body.

Where does the speaker go? I house the speaker in the end cap.

For the speaker, I just cut it off the Master Replicas battery pack assembly with a dremel tool.


Here is a snapshot:
http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/Lonewind2009/Parts/Sound_in_PVC.jpg

Make sure you use a screw to secure the end cap to your saber body and drill some sound holes.

I used a sink strainer as a stencil for the sound hole layout.
http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/Lonewind2009/PVC_Saber4_with_Sound/Building_PVC_Saber4_with_Sound--004.jpg


Note: this method works in the same way for an "economy" sound board/hasbro toy saber sound board.

I use 1" schedule 40 PVC tubing.

Here is a photo that shows the differences in the inner diameter:
http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu348/Lonewind2009/Parts/PVCPipeCrossSectionSamples.jpg

Have fun!

[cardcollector]

What size plumbing PVC do you use?

The electrical conduit is 1" right? schedule 40?

That's a great tip!;)

[Lonewind]

What size plumbing PVC do you use?

The electrical conduit is 1" right? schedule 40?

That's a great tip!;)

Yes, I just use the standard schedule 40 - I prefer the end electrical conduit caps due to their less rounded shape. :D

[cardcollector]

Sorry I didn't specify more... What size is the white plumbing PVC? Is it 1 " too? If so, Why does it have a larger ID?

[Lonewind]

Sorry I didn't specify more... What size is the white plumbing PVC? Is it 1 " too? If so, Why does it have a larger ID?

Correct, I use 1" schedule 40 PVC tubing.

I edited my OP to include a new pic that may help.

[Ingchao]

X-cellent tip, Lonewind! Do you also use the sink strainer to find the center of the end cap? I've been having a hard time finding the centers to add the pommel decorations I've been adding.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25222641@N03/3495600742/in/photostream/


Sorry I didn't specify more... What size is the white plumbing PVC? Is it 1 " too? If so, Why does it have a larger ID?

There are 2 different types of pvc. "Thin" walled and regular "thick" walled. The thin wall is kinda hard to find, I get mine at Lowe's. It's also great to accommodate the 4AAA battery packs.

[Lonewind]

X-cellent tip, Lonewind! Do you also use the sink strainer to find the center of the end cap? I've been having a hard time finding the centers to add the pommel decorations I've been adding.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25222641@N03/3495600742/in/photostream/


There are 2 different types of pvc. "Thin" walled and regular "thick" walled. The thin wall is kinda hard to find, I get mine at Lowe's. It's also great to accommodate the 4AAA battery packs.


Yes, I use the strainer to find the center. Nice pommel decorations, may I ask what you use?

[Ingchao]

Yes, I use the strainer to find the center. Nice pommel decorations, may I ask what you use?

Drawer knobs!

[Lonewind]

Drawer knobs!

NICE! Good idea. :p

[Steli Demar]

Does the Grey electric Sch. 40 fit inside of the White Sch. 40 pipe

[Steli Demar]

Does the Grey electric Sch. 40 fit inside of the White Sch. 40 pipe
also do you remember the PSI rating on it was it like 200psi?

[Jedi-Loreen]

Please try to remember to edit your posts to avoid double posting.

Thanks.