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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Dec 15, 2019 16:11:26 GMT
I want to build my own custom lightsaber out of things like PVC and Polycarbonate, but have no idea what I would be getting into or how to do it (I've never been very 'technically minded' and I don't have great fine-motor control) so I'm hesitant to start something so daunting and then get discouraged and not finish it. I also don't know how much it would cost, or what I would do with it when I was finished. Would it be a waste of money? Fun to do as I'm doing it, yes. But worth it....?
Has anyone here ever done this or attempted to do it? Would you say it was difficult to do? What do you do with the finished product (aside from the obvious of taking it to Conventions and the like)? For teh amount of time you do anything with it when it is finished, is the project worth the time and money? I am caught between two thoughts: "It looks really cool and could be a fun project to undertake. And I would like to be able to say 'I made this'......It would also be fun to go out on Halloween, just for kicks and to have people/kids ask questions about it......" etc...... VS "The reality of the amount time or the situations in which I would actually do anything with it make the amount of work that would go into such a thing not worth the time, effort or money and thus make the whole endeavor silly."
Yet it is something I have always wanted to try, and I do have access to machinery at my work necessary for manufacturing so it would be simply a matter of the cost of materials.
Any thoughts, advice, comments, suggestions....???
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nopersdeviv
Where's the coffee?
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nopersdeviv
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Post by nopersdeviv on Dec 16, 2019 8:31:37 GMT
Honestly...I'd start off with getting a flashlight like this, or close to it and figure out a way to tape/attach some kind of plastic tubing onto it.  |
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Spirit talker
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Giant Ambush Beetle
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Post by Giant Ambush Beetle on Dec 16, 2019 14:51:59 GMT
Buy a rapier and paint it with a fluorescent color. Done.
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Unicephalon 40-D
An unknown possibly hostile flotilla detected at eight hundred astronomical units from the sun!
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Jun 29, 2017 12:57:11 GMT
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legendcncd
Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
LegendCNCD / AsariLoverFI
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Post by Unicephalon 40-D on Dec 16, 2019 16:43:18 GMT
What I did with my friend after watching SW4 New Hope in 1985 from TV, was to go out and buy blue and red colored tape. We went and sawed broom handle into two parts, other taped with blue, other with red. That worked, but I was 9 years old  |
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Dec 16, 2019 21:33:11 GMT
Love the humourous comments and such.....But I was asking in all seriousness.  THough I do like Noper's (aka Lady Trevelyan) idea about the flashlight....That would be more than half the work (the really hard part of it) done. Yet that does take away from the satisfaction of building it with your hands, part of the fun would be in the building of it. |
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Evil
N3
Lurkin' since 24/02/2011
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
XBL Gamertag: Evil Mastered
PSN: Evil_Rurouni
Prime Posts: 2400
Prime Likes: 298
Posts: 459 Likes: 1,039
inherit
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0
1,039
Evil
Lurkin' since 24/02/2011
459
August 2016
evil
Mass Effect Trilogy, KOTOR, Mass Effect Andromeda
Evil Mastered
Evil_Rurouni
2400
298
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Post by Evil on Dec 18, 2019 1:22:42 GMT
Serious reply?
I'd suggest making a non-functional hilt instead, no blade for now.
That'll let you ignore a LOT of complicated stuff such as electronics.
Just the hilt alone will require plenty of work if you're serious about it, no need to overcomplicate things on a first attempt.
Furthermore, it'll also lower costs dramatically, letting you adopt a trial and error approach.
Your first attempt WILL have issues, but if binning it and starting afresh only sets you back a few dollars and a few hours work then its just a learning experience.
Perhaps do the whole "lightsabre made from whatever was lying about at the time" routine, that's a canon thing.
Doubt I'd be able to do much more than hammer out a metal tube into a suitable shape and wrap some cord around it for a grip TBH.
Only practical tip I could offer would be to apply the glue thinly to the hilt then pull the cord around it TIGHT to get them to bind nice and solid, and I only know that because its a thing for normal hilt binding.
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6,525
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
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Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Dec 18, 2019 22:35:06 GMT
Serious reply? I'd suggest making a non-functional hilt instead, no blade for now. That'll let you ignore a LOT of complicated stuff such as electronics. Just the hilt alone will require plenty of work if you're serious about it, no need to overcomplicate things on a first attempt. Furthermore, it'll also lower costs dramatically, letting you adopt a trial and error approach. Your first attempt WILL have issues, but if binning it and starting afresh only sets you back a few dollars and a few hours work then its just a learning experience. Perhaps do the whole "lightsabre made from whatever was lying about at the time" routine, that's a canon thing. Doubt I'd be able to do much more than hammer out a metal tube into a suitable shape and wrap some cord around it for a grip TBH. Only practical tip I could offer would be to apply the glue thinly to the hilt then pull the cord around it TIGHT to get them to bind nice and solid, and I only know that because its a thing for normal hilt binding. Thanks for the advice, Evil. I'll definitely give it some serious thought.....Right now it's just something I'm toying with the idea of, not sure if I'd ever have the courage to follow through, but following your advice would be a good start. Thanks again.
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Pounce de León
Praise the Justicat!
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August 2016
catastrophy
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Post by Pounce de León on Dec 20, 2019 8:04:24 GMT
You need to figure out how to limit the beam to about 1m reach. And how to make it solid. It's not rocket science I guess.
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nanotm
a tidy workspace is the sign of a deranged mind
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nanotm
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, Mass Effect Andromeda
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nanotm
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Post by nanotm on Dec 20, 2019 12:00:05 GMT
the tooling for making something out of polycarbonate for the blade would be exorbitant, unless you planning on making more stuff it really wouldn't be cost efficient to make such a thing yourself, much better to go to someone who makes them to order (there are several websites and specialists that do) I know building with your own hands is fun but realistically your going to need several fixed machines and multiple 3d printers as well as a laser cutter... and thats before you start on the electronics and such.
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Beerfish
N7
Little Pumpkin
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Origin: Beerfish
XBL Gamertag: Beerfish77
Posts: 15,015 Likes: 35,800
inherit
Little Pumpkin
314
0
35,800
Beerfish
15,015
August 2016
beerfish
https://bsn.boards.net/user/314/personal
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Beerfish
Beerfish77
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Post by Beerfish on Dec 20, 2019 19:03:29 GMT
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skekSil
1,145
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skeksil
Mass Effect Trilogy, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by skekSil on Dec 20, 2019 19:45:59 GMT
You can always do what these guys did:
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Dark Helmet
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mybudgee
Fear is your only God
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Sept 2, 2016 20:20:11 GMT
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Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR, Jade Empire
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Post by mybudgee on Dec 21, 2019 3:17:29 GMT
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Dec 21, 2019 13:44:41 GMT
Beautiful work.....But ridiculous price range! 600 to 3000.00 USD Dollars (try converting that to CAD, you're looking at 1000 to 4000, easy).....That's insane. Beautiful craftsmanship, don't get me wrong, but the price range is WAY out of my league
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Dark Helmet
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mybudgee
Fear is your only God
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Sept 2, 2016 20:20:11 GMT
September 2016
mybudgee
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR, Jade Empire
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Post by mybudgee on Dec 25, 2019 17:38:31 GMT
*clears throat* Talk to Rob. He's a great guy, trust me  Beautiful work.....But ridiculous price range! 600 to 3000.00 USD Dollars (try converting that to CAD, you're looking at 1000 to 4000, easy).....That's insane. Beautiful craftsmanship, don't get me wrong, but the price range is WAY out of my league Here ya go, some of my sabers I used to or currently own    
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Dec 26, 2019 14:36:48 GMT
Beautiful work.....But ridiculous price range! 600 to 3000.00 USD Dollars (try converting that to CAD, you're looking at 1000 to 4000, easy).....That's insane. Beautiful craftsmanship, don't get me wrong, but the price range is WAY out of my league Here ya go, some of my sabers I used to or currently own Lucky bastard,  Seriously though, I do want to attempt to build my own. I have access to the presses, drills and lathes at work.....And I have co-workers who are willing to help me if needed. I would just need to buy the materials. I've been given free access to the Shop and offers of assistance stand.....so I'd really like to try this while I have opportunity.
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Dark Helmet
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mybudgee
Fear is your only God
5,900
Sept 2, 2016 20:20:11 GMT
September 2016
mybudgee
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR, Jade Empire
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Post by mybudgee on Jan 29, 2020 2:27:56 GMT
Lemme guess, the excitement about the movie has died down & so has your interest in a duel-worthy saber?  |
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
2824
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6,525
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Feb 1, 2020 16:33:49 GMT
Lemme guess, the excitement about the movie has died down & so has your interest in a duel-worthy saber? No, not at all. I've been talking to some co-workers and they are more than willing to help me if needs be, and they've given me full access to their shops to use whatever machines I need. It would just be up to me to decide on how far I want to take the build/design, because I know it is quite easy to spend several thousand on a super-complex build. I also need to go out and buy the parts. I'm not very artistic or 'technically' minded-- can bare draw stick people, so even the designing of a saber on paper would be a challenge for me. I have some very detailed pictures in my head, things I wuold love to bring to life, to make real....But my luck, they wouldn't turn out the same. And recently, I have toyed with the idea of foregoing the polycarbonate blade and stinting it with a plug in order to save some cost; though I know the biggest expense would be the soundboard and I am not entirely sure where to get one. Plus, if it is possible I would like my lightsaber hilt to have either a gold LED or, if one even exists.....a silver (not clear, not white) but SILVER LED.
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Feb 2, 2020 12:54:09 GMT
I spent a considerable amount of time yesterday on youtube, looking up all the different ways you could make a custom lightsaber....SOme of the methods are inexpensive and appear relatively easy (ie buying pvc plumbing parts from Home Depot), but other looks quite complex (machining aluminum or steel tubes with lathes.....And that is what I would prefer to go with, to give it a beautiful appearance and quality), but I have never been one for operating tools or Shop machinery....My luck I would injure myself and/or really screw up the build. Then I would have wasted my money.
It looks really fun and I would honestly love to try it. The sheer satisfaction alone of working with your hands and seeing the end product, "I did that. This is something I made," is killing me with indecision. I have standing offers of assistance from colleagues who will help me as much as needed, but i have never attempted anything like this, so I am nervous and-- I'll be honest, I lack the confidence.
It would be something I would love to try out, and I honestly think it would be a lot of fun.....But my lack of confidence and skill in this area is holding me back.
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,622 Likes: 13,868
inherit
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13,868
seven
All the things.
5,622
March 2019
seven
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by seven on Feb 2, 2020 23:24:58 GMT
Everyone has to start with somewhere, you won't be amazing at it the first attempt.
You could try practicing out on wood which is probably cheaper if you have access to a lathe to get a feel for the movement and try out some ideas.
As always, the hardest part is starting, once you get into it, the creativity will come out.
Or are you able to get one of your co-workers to give you a you a run down on the machinery aspect?
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✜ The Bunny Chaser
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6,525
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Feb 3, 2020 20:54:37 GMT
Everyone has to start with somewhere, you won't be amazing at it the first attempt. You could try practicing out on wood which is probably cheaper if you have access to a lathe to get a feel for the movement and try out some ideas. As always, the hardest part is starting, once you get into it, the creativity will come out. Or are you able to get one of your co-workers to give you a you a run down on the machinery aspect? Hey Seven.....I like the idea of practicing using other materials, and yes I have standing offers of assistance "as much as needed". And I appreciate the encouragement. Cheers. The Bunny Chaser
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Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Feb 8, 2020 16:25:44 GMT
So I've found four or five youtube videos that I am going to try and combine the construction and artistic design elements of to try and build my own. And rather than soldering an LED chip, I have decided to use an LED based flashlight and just cover the lens with a coloured filter, then cap it with a plug.
I don't really want anything fancy in terms of installing a combat-ready blade and fully featured soundboard....That would get too expensive. I have decided to just make the hilt with a plug for show.
Not sure whether I want to make it out of PVC or aluminum tubing though. PVC looks easier and less expensive over all, but I like the shiny, weighty appearance of the aluminum.
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Dark Helmet
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mybudgee
Fear is your only God
5,900
Sept 2, 2016 20:20:11 GMT
September 2016
mybudgee
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, KOTOR, Jade Empire
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Post by mybudgee on Apr 12, 2020 2:48:16 GMT
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6,525
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Apr 12, 2020 3:03:53 GMT
Don't look....Don't look, resist the temptation *(puts on dark sunglasses and covers even those with my long ears, refusing to look)*.......Nope, can't do it. Won't do it......
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seven
N6
All the things.
Games: Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
Posts: 5,622 Likes: 13,868
inherit
11126
0
13,868
seven
All the things.
5,622
March 2019
seven
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Neverwinter Nights, Mass Effect Andromeda, SWTOR, Anthem, Mass Effect Legendary Edition
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Post by seven on Apr 12, 2020 11:35:04 GMT
Came here looking for lightsaber updates...
Not the update I wanted 😂
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6,525
Energizer Bunny 211
So far 2024 is the same as the previous three years...
5,852
Jan 15, 2017 18:43:23 GMT
January 2017
energizerbunny211
Mass Effect Trilogy, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, Dragon Age Inquisition, KOTOR, Baldur's Gate, Mass Effect Andromeda, Anthem
Rumbler1138
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Post by Energizer Bunny 211 on Apr 12, 2020 12:36:35 GMT
These aren't the updates you're looking for.....
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THough I do like Noper's (aka Lady Trevelyan) idea about the flashlight....That would be more than half the work (the really hard part of it) done. Yet that does take away from the satisfaction of building it with your hands, part of the fun would be in the building of it.
Seriously though, I do want to attempt to build my own. I have access to the presses, drills and lathes at work.....And I have co-workers who are willing to help me if needed. I would just need to buy the materials. I've been given free access to the Shop and offers of assistance stand.....so I'd really like to try this while I have opportunity.
