EL Lightsabers

CUSTOM-MADE EL-POWERED

LIGHTSABERS

I HAVE DESIGNED AND BUILT

The first three I ever constructed, made their first public appearance at the opening midnight showing for Star Wars: Episode III, at the Famous Players Silver City Country Hills, in Calgary, Alberta, at 1201am, May 19, 2005. When I finally arrived, after my friends, and after several phone calls from Greg telling me to get my butt there ASAP, I was already quite the celebrity. I spent the next three hours talking, answering numerously-repeated questions, and posing for many pictures. Many people asked first, which was really cool, but many more just flashed away, which was cool too. Our Jedi costumes were excellent also, but my lightsabers truly "stole the light".

Many people asked where I (we) had bought them, but when they were told that I had built them, their jaws dropped. One guy was very excitedly talking on his cell phone with a friend, taking pics with the same cell phone and sending them, and talking with us, all at the same time!!

I was approached by one guy who insisted on getting my phone number, in order to place an order later the next week. He never did call. Another person, asked for an email address, which I provided. And when I returned home, I had an email already waiting!

Dear Sir (Jedi Master),

We meet briefly today at Episode III, and you kindly provided me with this

e-mail. I am writing you with regards to the lightsabers you had with you at

the film. I was wondering if you had any for sale? And if not, would you be

making any to sell in the near future? Many thanks for your help and I hope

you enjoyed Revenge of the Sith!!!

Best Regards,

Tyler

At that point, I still had not completely decided as to whether I would take commissions, but reading that first email (posted above), and composing a response, I decided to go for it.

After several emails, and a meeting in person at Crowfoot Crossing Boston Pizza, three new lightsabers were commissioned by Tyler and his two friends.

Most of the individual lightsaber hilt pictures were taken in daylight with the blades turned OFF. Ambient sunlight really drowns out the light when they are activated. But then again, the technology used was never meant for daytime use.

The original prototype in it's first photoshoot:

Note #1: The second d-ring near the switch/emitter end - this was originally intended to have a webbing strap between the two d-rings which would go over the hand while the hilt was held. I later had to scavenge the upper d-ring for Evan's lightsaber.

Note #2: Sadly, I only bought the one 'pommel' (of this style) a year ago while shopping for parts for my prototype, and now I can only find the exact same part in an $80 shower fixture set. So for now, it is pretty much a one-of-a-kind, although I can transfer it to any of my other hilts, if I want.

VERSION 1.0

VERSION 2.0

This lightsaber was given (with a blue blade) as a gift to my brother for Christmas 2005. I made a few touch-ups after this picture was taken. It has a Hasbro sound board installed. This one was the 7th one constructed:

VERSION 1.0

My second personal lightsaber; also the 8th one constructed. Currently undergoing some modifications. A 4khz EL invertor has been installed (sadly, it seems to actually be dimmer than the regular invertors I use. I am also trying to figure out a more solid way to mount the emitter 'prongs' - it doesn't take much for them to break off. The switch/LED grip has now been riveted on, and the zip-ties removed...finally.

The second one constructed, commissioned by Greg Wimmer (as it is now):

*Four months old in this pic, and looking "broken in".

*Greg cut and placed the grip pattern himself.

The third one constructed, commissioned by Evan:

*Four months old in this pic, and looking "broken in".

*Evan cut and placed the grip pattern himself.

Numbers 4, 5, & 6, commissioned by Tyler. Their owner's names are posted above each picture:

Owner: Tyler

Blade colour chosen: Aqua (aka blue-green) - left blade in above picture

VERSION 1.0

VERSION 2.0

Version 2.0 is a set of upgrades commissioned after Tyler saw my gold hilt

(moved the blade thumb screw up and over about 1cm; still need a picture) -v.2.1

Owner: Jishan Habib

Blade colour chosen: Purple - middle blade in above picture

VERSION 1.0

VERSION 2.0

Version 2.0 is a set of upgrades commissioned after Jishan saw my gold hilt

Owner: Peter Harrington

Blade colour chosen: Lime-Green - right blade in above picture

This one is my 9th one built. I used a couple machined aluminum parts (emitter and pommel) bought online from TCSS. I also did the drilling and tapping of 4 screw holes, in the machined parts.

Build dates: February 8-9, 2006.