TOPIC: Roman's Props Graflex - ESB - Crystal Reveal

This is a Graflex I just finished up for a client, and like every Graflex I build, I fall in love with it....

Roman Props Replica Flashgun
Gutted and setup in ESB config (stamped clamp for this one no mylar tape)


-- RGrB Tri-Cree LED with matching Crystal
-- Prizm 5.1 Sound board
-- Goth-3Designs Knight Chassis (hand painted and weathered)
-- Solos Hold Blade holder
-- 18650 3500mah 10amp Li-Ion battery
-- Saber Essentials 2w 4ohm speaker
-- Slothfurnance clamp card
-- Under card switches
-- Accent LEDs
-- Hidden sound vents
-- Weathering
-- Blade plug from bulb assembly with spring action















Chassis video:

Another beauty of a build, dude. I love the ESB Graflex. Interesting that the client didn’t want tape over the GRAFLEX stamped lettering, since that was covered up in every movie.

Another awesome custom inside and out. You distress sabers wonderfully. Thanks for the share.

scifidude79 wrote:
Not 100% screen accurate, but nothing says Graflex like a stamped clamp that says Graflex .....

Heh, that’s true. I just find it amusing that the prop makers on the films took the time to cover that up on every prop, yet some fans like it on there.

As shiny as mine is, I am also a fan of that "old/used" look that Lucas brought to life so effectively in Episode: IV. You can captured it perfectly here, and that crystal chamber is fantastic!

Just wow!

Brax wrote:
This ones just gorgeous. It just reminds me I need to put an ESB flex back into my collection. I was holding out to get a Vintage flashgun for that though......

Solid build mate.. screws for the grips are interesting

Master Graflex!

OvrcAHst wrote:
Pan head screws are what was used on the movie prop for ESB. Mostly black screws, although in some scenes on Hoth they are silver. Going with the "Bespin" scenes, the screws are all black.There's a mix of pristine looking and slightly weathered versions of the ESB hero too. Two of the most obvious shots of the two are the Wampa Cave scene which clearly shows a weathered version of the hilt, and the "R2 Bump" scene on Bespin in which the hilt looks very pristine. I personally prefer the slightly weathered look since this Saber saw action on a frozen planet and then immediately after in a swamp.

This version is not 100% accurate, beer tab is still in place, and the clamp hasn't been covered with tape. More of an "Ideal" look rather than 100% true to one of the prop images in ESB. Technically the beertab is in place on a couple shots, as well as the clamp being uncovered.

Yeah, there were multiple props used, including two heroes and many stunts. At least one stunt has the beer tab, and some of the props have plain tape instead of textured tape over the Graflex lettering.

Only the ESB saber on display at Skywalker Ranch has the 1" textured mylar tape but it wasn't a screen used saber. All the screen used props had the 0.5" chrome tape. Some of the stunt versions have the top button missing as well.

here's some good reference material

The Lightsaber Bible as some call it.

http://wannawanga.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SW_Lightsaber_Guide.pdf

Video of the chassis prior to final assembly of the hilt.

For the spring blade plug...
I have the 2 base pieces from my SoHo socket. Would I only require the spring and cap from TGS to complete it?

You mean the silver "cup" piece and the black piece that goes over it?

If so, then all you do is take the bulb assembly apart, take the brass contact pin and spring out, fit the spring over the knob in the silver cup, brass contact pin over the spring, dab of glue in the lip of the black piece then insert over the tip and press together.

Then you just need to insert that into a piece of 7/8" thin walled blade stock. You will need to sand the living hell out of the blade stock though, it's already a seriously tight fit in the blade holder as is.

yup. I have the 2 cup pieces.
I don't have a bulb assembly to disassemble and take the parts from but TGS sells the contact pin and spring now. Was just wanting to confirm if that's all I needed... I suppose I can post my inquiry on the addicts page.

Yeah, that should be all you need. That and glue and blade stock, and lots of sand paper lol.

cool. Just wasn't sure as the cup has a small channel, like a keyway between the black and silver pieces. So didn't know if there was a fifth piece to set the contact pin and spring.

Nope, it's just made to replicate the look of the bulb assembly, there's a little brass tab piece that you can put in there too, but it's barely even visible and not worth the effort (falls inside pretty easily).