Jas-Ot wrote:
I'm all for folks trying things on their own, it's very satisfying to build something yourself. Feel free to reach out for any advice or help.
Thanks everyone for the detailed responses. It occurred to me this afternoon that what I'm trying to do here is take something beautiful and ask artists for advice on how to do a half ass job with amateur hackery. Not cool, EJT. Thanks for humoring me!
Eddlyss64 wrote:
If you are thinking of any dueling with a Graflex whatsoever, then the Double Reveal shouldn't even be a consideration. The thing is not warranted for dueling, period.
Is this true? On the main site, in the description for all the crystal sabers, it says "our gorgeous spring loaded reveal sabers are also fully functional dueling sabers." So I was assuming that, when closed, they are closed solid enough for dueling. Did I assume wrong?
That said, I don't duel. I stand in the living room and swing it around in the air like a poser.
But I do have three young kids that I enjoy "tapping" sabers with, and I won't want them to be able to break daddy's $600 saber with a $30 lightsaber from Toys R Us.
Eddlyss64 wrote:
If you don't care about those, then I would honestly recommend seeking a different Flex, at least until SF develops and releases their eventual Elite-tier Graflex/MPP, which there has been some talk of (and which I yearn for....
Ruh roh. I agree that an Elite-tier Graflex would be EXACTLY what I'm looking for, but sadly, I think in the main Double Reveal Graflex thread, Brax relayed a FB post where Phil said that there are no plans for a non-crystal version of the Graflex. Sad news.
Eddlyss64 wrote:
As someone who is just starting their own first saber build but now has knowledge of necessity for this hobby, like soldering (you WILL need to solder) and electronic balancing, that would be a hell and a half to install as your first saber project.
This would actually be my second saber project. The first was an US Graflex with SF plug and play electronics, where I drilled holes in the body for an LED retention screw and the sabercore 3.0 recharge port. It's fully functional and everything, but it's a cosmetic mess. It's best that we speak no more of it.
Here's the thing. I actually have an electrical engineering degree and a decent soldering station / lab setup at home. So I have the capability to do this. And when it comes to my job or my kids, I have meticulous attention to detail and supreme patience. But when it comes to my hobbies, like building my Jeep or modding a saber, I have the patience and attention span of an 8 year old boy OD'd on caffeinated ice cream at Disneyland.
(Legal Note: I am neither suggesting nor implying that Disney parks and/or resorts have ever engaged in selling caffeinated ice cream to minors). My point is, I rush through stuff and make a mess of it.
So in trying to be realistic with myself, it's better if I pick a project with no drilling or cosmetic work, where all my hackery can be hidden on the inside.
Even so, maybe this particular hilt isn't a good candidate.
Okay, I'll give the plan more thought. Thanks again for all the advice!