Tonfa Revival

[Marquis]

Interest in Tonfas seems to have died down somewhat, but I have a Cathar Character in Saga Edition that shoots a heavy blaster with her left hand and uses a lightsaber defensively with her right. Mostly relies on force powers on the jedi side of things, but will mix it up with the saber when its the best solution - i.e. bypass damage reduction.

So I came up with a tonfa design... sorry to see that the tonfa adapter seems perpetually out of stock.
Tonfa_Render_v3.jpg

I've faked the tonfa handle. I'm also considering using some a pipe tee to strengthen the tonfa grip and some sleeves to give the long portion of the handle some sense of lightsaber resistant components.

The dimensions seem accurate for a tonfa, both 'handles' roughly the same length and the long end coming to a few inches shy of my elbow. A medium length blade would still produce a formidable offensive weapon while allowing considerable maneuverability and spinning.

Other than a strong resemblance to a STTOS Starship Nacelle, I'd be happy to get some feedback.

[Bcom976]

I would really love to be able to make an actual Guard Shoto lightsaber. It'd be a rare thing to see especially at conventions.

[Bcom976]

I just don't know how I would actually put together the tonfa..

[Marquis]

Design update Tonfa_Pistol_grip.jpg Tonfa_internal.jpg

Before anyone freaks out over the pistol grip, my Jedi plays during an era where there is a lot of hunting and killing of Jedi going on. I figured it might be possible to disguise the tonfa with a pistol grip. I'm hoping my brother can 3D print some pieces so that it slips over the tonfa handle and clips onto the main assembly like a microphone.

Chassis Internals:
I'm planning on using the Crystal Focus 7.5, which can use the PC disks with some slight modification. Plenty of space in this for batteries, but placement could be tricky.

Do I need 2 18650 batteries for the CF 7.5?

• Is there enough room below the switch and recharge port for the 5.25 2 battery pack?
• If I use 2 seperate 18650 batteries, do I have to wire in a protection circuit?
• Is the inside diameter of the Tonfa handle the same as the MHS V1 items (Can I put 1 battery in the shaft and one in the grip)?

What is missing?
Chassis components: Batteries, Cree-Tri-XP-E2, TRSL Lens, Recharge port, 2 Switches, RICE Port (Internal), MHS V3 Heat Sink, premium speaker

Chassis Structure: 2x 4-40 thread, matching nuts, 2 chassis discs per battery (or pack), assorted spacers, speaker mount v5 (2 batteries?), tons of wiring stuff.

Also if someone could recommend a short blade. I'm leaning towards Amber in color.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Cire Yeldarb]

I like how the saber looks in those proportions with the pistol grip... however with that main barrel area being 18-19" long (much longer than any normal pistol) I think you'll find that with the grip scaled as big as it is it will be incredibly uncomfortable to hold, especially in one hand...

I would shorten the barrel by taking out at least that fluted extension, and then scale the pistol grip down to the proportions you have after that, and I think you'll find it slightly easier to hold...

[Brent]

If you also plan to keep it in a holster, you might want to change to a different blade holder. The one you have on there will constantly get caught when pulling it out.

[Marquis]

Thanks for the feedback Brent and Cire. The barrel size is only slightly longer than a 9mm beretta with a 5 inch silencer and another 5 inches behind the grip - not unusual for a sci-fi gun. It is also about the size of a trooper's blaster. The point isn't to actually use it as a gun (though my gm was surprised to learn I was making this and he may give me a stun shot for it). The point is to make imperials think it is a gun and not a lightsaber, even with relatively close inspection. Excellent point on the blade holder/holster drawing issue. I've changed back to a tapered slotted blade holder.

If anyone has feedback on the electronics and chassis stuff, I'd love to hear it.

[Cire Yeldarb]

I get the barrel length, my comment was more about the largeness of the proposed pistol grip in the hand being slightly uncomfortable. Anyways sorry, I had completely forgotten about your questions:

Design update Tonfa_Pistol_grip.jpg Tonfa_internal.jpg

Do I need 2 18650 batteries for the CF 7.5?
They can be 18650's or they could be the 14500 or 14650 packs. as long as they are 7.4V packs that is the important part. (unless you want to try the 3.7V hack)

• Is there enough room below the switch and recharge port for the 5.25 2 battery pack?
  Probably not. Which is why personally I would just go with side-by-side 14*** 7.4V pack if I were going to be making a CF build, because the 18650 7.4V packs are just so loong!
• If I use 2 seperate 18650 batteries, do I have to wire in a protection circuit?
  If you are saying if you put one 18650 in one place (say under the CF) and the other wired to it, but in somewhere else (like the handle), that could work, but yes, you would need the right protection circuit for your homemade pack.
• Is the inside diameter of the Tonfa handle the same as the MHS V1 items (Can I put 1 battery in the shaft and one in the grip)?
  That I do not know, sorry. Might be a question to email Tim about.

What is missing?
Chassis components: Batteries, Cree-Tri-XP-E2, TRSL Lens, Recharge port, 2 Switches, RICE Port (Internal), MHS V3 Heat Sink, premium speaker, CF (obviously), resistors for your switch LEDs if applicable

Chassis Structure: 2x 4-40 thread, matching nuts, 2 chassis discs per battery (or pack), assorted spacers, speaker mount v5 (2 batteries?), tons of wiring stuff. That all depends on what you plan to do for the battery question

Also if someone could recommend a short blade. I'm leaning towards Amber in color.
You can get blade material cut to almost any length needed in the store and then add the diffuser tube or wraps yourself.

[Marquis]

Some pictures as I've worked out most of my design and I'm starting to proceed with building.

IMG_0268.jpgIMG_0272.jpgIMG_0274.jpgIMG_0275.jpg

Currently using some red acrylic discs for spacing. The white printed plastic pieces will hold the speaker, the circuit boards and battery, and the RICE port. You can see the kill plug and switch opposite the tonfa grip, and the other switch in the tonfa cap. By unscrewing the ribbed section I'll have access to the RICE port, which is held in place using the speaker holder and double threaded adapter. That worked out quite nice.

I'm thinking of putting a 12AX7 tube and an LED near the RICE Port for some special "crystal chamber" stuff.

[Cire Yeldarb]

Nice! looking forward to seeing this completed