Another lightsaber prop made from home improvement store parts
For the past few months, I’ve really taken an interest in trying to make inexpensive Star Wars props. It has turned into a fun quest! First was the pop-up sink drain saber, next was the PVC Saberstaff. Both of these were relatively easy builds. For my 3rd saber, I tried to come up with a design for a more realistic hilt AND bump up the challenge level a little. If you are looking to build your own saber out of home improvement parts, check out the tutorial below!
Before I sucker you into the video, I will tell you up front that the saber does not light up or produce sounds. Star Wars actors used similar props in the films. The Lucas special effects team came in afterwards and added the glowing blades and sounds. Using props like this, and some effects software, you can get pretty close to duplicating lightsaber effects on your own. When making Star Wars photos, I use a prop like this with Adobe Photoshop. Within Photoshop, I overlay a rectangle on top of the prop blade, and then add a glow effect. For videos, I use Apple Motion 5 with the mSaber plugin.
Click here to download the grip template featured in the video
Lightsaber parts list:
– 12” x 1 & ½ inch sink tailpiece pipe ~$10
– 2 feet of 1 & ½ inch PVC pipe ~$3
– 1 inch knock out seal ~40cents
– 24 inch cable ties ~$7
– 1 x small D-ring ~$3
– 1 x #10-24 1 & ½ inch Oval Phillips Machine Screw ~$2
– 1 x #10 finishing washer ~$2
– 1 x #10-24 rubber well nut ~$2
– box of 3mm rivets ~$5
– 10 feet of 1/2 inc PVC pipe ~$2
– Adaptec 39160 SCSI card (optional) used for “control board”
Building materials used:
– epoxy putty
– bondo filler or Squadron modeling putty (optional)
– gray primer spray paint
– various grades of sandpaper ranging from 100 to 2000 grit (finer grits can be found at auto parts stores)
– emery paper (optional)
– clear gloss coat (spray or brush on acrylic)
– any color “metallic” spray paint of your choice
Tools used:
– cordless drill
– miter box with backsaw
– hacksaw with 24TPI blade
– various drill bits ranging from 5/64” through 3/8″
– riveter
– airbrush (optional)
Hey I’m wondering if you can sell this on amazon ! Because I’m looking for this lightsaber to be in my prop museum and I really want to show this to people in u.s.! This is a museum located in Georgia and I’m looking for this as my personal favorite and put this on public! Don’t worry about you credit I’ll put your effort on this build in the museum! So if you can send me this link to sell your the best! I have punished prop, geek squad,parker tutorials and a lot more! So you’ll be the next one to be in my museum so bye!
Awesome job on the replicas and instructions! One mod on this one that you might appreciate. Rather than zip ties for the grip, try black, flat Ethernet cables…about the same width but a little more grippier and comfortable to hold. I’m sure you could melt off the ends, but I just threw a ring of e tape around the top and bottom of the strips.