Steam punk light saber

This an ongoing project to build a laser light saber with a retractable blade,

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Step 1: Starting point

A battery powered tape measure! :) If you extend a tape measure, fold it back on itself, it can be pushed in and out and remain stiff....

freeza36 says: Apr 8, 2012. 7:02 PM

"Light Sabre" is spelled Light Saber.

rog8811 (author) in reply to freeza36Apr 11, 2012. 8:18 AM

Thanks for letting me know....life changing moments like this are so rare.....

freeza36 in reply to rog8811Apr 11, 2012. 4:03 PM

they truly are.

RJ_Cyberboy says: Jul 30, 2011. 7:31 PM

Awesome! Now.....it just needs to be finished and 'punk'd'.

sypher says: May 7, 2011. 8:01 PM

that is awesome, did you machine all of it?

rog8811 (author) in reply to sypherMay 8, 2011. 1:25 AM

Yes, all done from raw materials machined to my own design. I am in the fortunate position of having full workshop facilities at home.

I could not survive without a workshop :)

glitchus says: May 6, 2011. 7:46 PM

If you've ever read any Larry Niven, He had a far more workable solution (and even before George Lucas's "Star Wars Ep. IV") to the "lightsabre TM" although not quite as pretty. It basically involved a mono-molecular chain that was extended by a magnetically suspended ball (which I believe was accented in 'safety orange' or some other way so that you knew where your 'blade' was located. It was also sharper than nearly anything. Larry also had adjustable 'flashlight lasers' that are probably closer to modern reality than any other "weapon" in sci-fi. But the best tool/weapon he had envisioned had to be his "digging" tool, which resembled a shotgun and tore apart the molecular bonds of nearly any material, making rather nice big holes in, well, nearly anything.

chicopluma says: Apr 10, 2011. 9:55 AM

awsome, it's much better than the lithsabers toys at sale, it's a shame that companies don't look for durable toys

mcmonte says: Apr 8, 2011. 10:03 PM

It's a great approach to a "realistic" lightsabre. I'm aware it's a work in progress, but have some questions and suggestions.

Rather than install a larger and heavier motor for rotation, have you tried increasing the voltage to it so the rotation speed is increased? Perhaps LiPo batteries (smaller, lighter, more power). I ask this because there's a noticeable black "stripe" or strobe effect happening.

Also same question/comment/critique for the tape measure extension speed. To my eyes it looks a little slow to extend.

Last question: after you folded back the tape measure for increased rigidity, did you test its resistance to G loading by whipping it about? Like jab, parry slice moves etc? I wonder if it might fold briefly before straightening again.

I'll be following with interest!

rog8811 (author) in reply to mcmonteApr 9, 2011. 12:58 AM

Rather than install a larger and heavier motor for rotation, have you tried increasing the voltage to it so the rotation speed is increased? Perhaps LiPo batteries (smaller, lighter, more power). I ask this because there's a noticeable black "stripe" or strobe effect happening.

The rotation speed of the lasers is quite high, the camera struggles with filming it, to the eye it looks much better due to persistance of vision. Speed of rotation is not a problem.

Also same question/comment/critique for the tape measure extension speed. To my eyes it looks a little slow to extend.

The tape measure is extended and retracted using a friction drive with a rubber wheel against the tape, I tried increasing the speed but I just got drive slip. I have yet to look to see if I can increase the friction pressure.

Last question: after you folded back the tape measure for increased rigidity, did you test its resistance to G loading by whipping it about? Like jab, parry slice moves etc? I wonder if it might fold briefly before straightening again

No, This was never going to be a fighting device, the only thing I knew was that if you extend a tape measure and double it back on itself it is quite rigid. I had seen a motorised version and thought " I wonder if I could make a light sabre out of that :)

electfire says: Apr 4, 2011. 12:55 AM

He he - I will stick to my steampunk laser blaster myself thank you! Cool project though!

165

Kiteman says: Mar 27, 2011. 6:14 AM

Oooooooo.......

I am so looking forward to the finished product!

Are you going to polish the markings off the tape?

Oh! Does it stay rigid when you wave it around and say "zhuum, zhuum"?

rog8811 (author) in reply to KitemanMar 27, 2011. 6:25 AM

I am looking at painting the number side black as it is inside the loop and hardly seen.

As to the Zhuum Zhuum.... It is not stiff enough for serious waving about but it is sturdy enough that you don't need to treat it with kid gloves.

dnbarsic in reply to rog8811Apr 1, 2011. 11:41 AM

Instead of painting it black, what would happen if you used reflective paint?

http://store.newlevelmotorsports.com/nilirepa.html

thejunkmonger in reply to rog8811Apr 1, 2011. 10:05 AM

cool and as usual Rog you make some cool stuff I'm still around too and still playing with my lasers just no time for LPF lately.

rog8811 (author) in reply to thejunkmongerApr 1, 2011. 10:23 AM

Nice to hear from you TJM, I enjoyed being a part of the laser community at a very exciting time and still enjoy building laser related stuff, I just find I need to steer clear of the forums as they took up too much valuable time.

Regards rog8811

SenKat in reply to rog8811Mar 31, 2011. 9:08 AM

Rog ! Good to see you are still into lasers after all this time - long time no see, bud ! AWESOME instructible - simply amazing what you do with your mind - I am perpetually impressed with your projects, I had no idea you are on here !! I do so hope you win the contest, this is the most unique lightsabre I htink I have ever seen !

rog8811 (author) in reply to SenKatMar 31, 2011. 11:55 PM

Hi Greg, nice to see that you are still around also! :)
I am no longer active on the forums but yes, the ideas keep coming and, if the idea is there, it has to be tried!

Thanks for the possitive comments

Regards rog8811

vader406 says: Mar 31, 2011. 8:26 PM

GENIUS!!!!!!!

codongolev says: Mar 31, 2011. 1:03 PM

I was thinking about making a lightsaber using a laser, a beam expander, and a small smoke machine. the only problem piece would be the small smoke machine, but one could easily be built with a battery (or butane for more heat) powered soldering iron, an aquarium pump, and some copper tubing.