Make a prop lightsaber

by nbear1

Arts & Crafts In Progress

Arts & Crafts Journey Overview

Follow this step-by-step arts & crafts journey to see real progress updates, challenges overcome, and practical experience.

Progress Updates (5 total)

Update #1: Make a prop lightsaber

10% complete
I found this cool looking hose fitting at homedepot and thought it looked like the emitter end of a lightsaber. so now ill build one.

Update #2: Got some more parts

25% complete
got some PVC pipes and wooden dowels to glue together to make the general shape of the lightsaber. the pvc connectors make good details.

Update #3: made a radial "heatsink"

35% complete
glued together two sizes of washers to make a heatsink looking section to add to the top of the saber. also cut a 3/4" dowels and drilled a 1/4" hole in it to fit the smaller dowels in the center, this allows it all to line up.
Challenges Overcome: Cut the dowels to the right length.
Looking Back: gluing up the washers could have been straighter, but it was okay, next time I should put it on a jig to help keep them flatish.

Update #4: finished mocking up the main body pieces

45% complete
finished cutting the dowels and pvc piping to the lengths needed and got it all mocked up together. it looks real neat, but still very pupe-y if that makes sense. I will solve this later with more greebles and dohickys to make it look sci-fi.
Challenges Overcome: Ignored some obviously flaws and pushed forward. Progress instead of perfection.
Obstacles Faced: I had a heck of a time trying to drill out mounting holes in the center of the dowels. idk how I could improve this for next time, maybe try on my drill press?
Next Steps: Final dimensions and prep for some painting. I got some cool ideas for how to pain the prop.
Looking Back: Doing is the best learning. next time I make one of these I think I will scale up to a larger pipe diameter. 3/4" feels a little slim.

Update #5: Final Size and Glued up

55% complete
First I trimmed off excess threads on the top of the emitter section and some extra threads on the transition piece that goes between the emitter and the handle. I plan to keep the two halves separate so I can design and interchange pieces later on.
Next Steps: I think I'm at the point where I can spray and paint the thing. Im not looking for perfection in this, I'm plan to just hang it up as a cool decoration. Actually before I paint it i need to add some greebles and sci-fi tech looking bits and bobs.

Related Goals