I tried this. Green EL tape, 1/4 inch wooden dowel, 3/4 inch polycarb tube, and a fiber diffuser.

I spiraled the EL tape around the dowel and put it in the blade. It was totally lame. The dark line that runs down the center of the tape totally shows through the diffuser. I tried using heavier diffuser but by the time the line did not show the blade was very dim. I scrapped the whole thing and used wire.

If you get it to work, could you take pictures and explain how?
Thanks

"I'm no Jedi, I'm just a guy with a lightsaber and a few questions."