Cheap and Easy Light Up Lightsaber With Interchangeable Blade

It was a boring Tuesday afternoon. My son wanted to build something. He didn't have any idea what he wanted and we didn't have a lot of craft supplies at home. So we did what all cool kids do when they have nothing else to do: we blew bubbles! Then it dawned on us, we could build lightsabers! Or better yet, the smaller lightsabers the cops in Futurama use to stop people who resist arrest. We were going to be as smooth as URL and as witty as Smitty!

Step 1: Intro

Our first attempts just used things we already had at home. Subsequent builds required the purchasing of additional $1 flashlights and $1 bubble wands. Here is what we used.

Flashlight
Bubble Wand
2-part Epoxy
Hot Glue
Cutting utensil
Sandpaper
Various paints
Drill (optional)

Step 2: Step 1

Blow some freaking bubbles!* Or you could pour the bubbles into another container to use later but where is the fun in that?

*he knows this is not the preferred method for blowing bubbles with a bubble wand but he does it like this anyway because he's a rebel!

Step 3: Step 2

With the bubbles gone it's time to prepare the blade holder which I guess would be the blade emitter shroud and magnetic stabilizing ring if we were referring to a real lightsaber. To do this you are going to remove the bubble ring, cut the top of the wand handle off below the screw top, and drill a hole (or cut a hole - thin plastic) through the screw on part. It sounds like a lot but it is actually pretty. The bubble part pops out and the plastic is actually really thin which makes cutting it a breeze.

Step 4: Step 3

If you want to paint these it actually starts now. I know it's a little counter intuitive to paint in the middle of the build but if done right it makes the final painting much easier.

So sand off any unwanted "made in China" markings and generally rough it up. It doesn't need to be perfect we just want to get it to a point where the paint will stick.

I covered the inside and outside with with a layer of black spray paint.

*I didn't actually take pictures while building any sabers I painted in the middle of the build process so prepare yourself for continuity issues!

Step 5: Step 4

Time to sturdify the blade holder. I did this by filling the hollow portion below the screw cap with hot glue. Be sure to leave a hole to allow light to pass through.

Step 6: Step 5

Time to put the lightsaber together! Mix up your epoxy and liberally apply it to the bottom of the blade holder then put the blade holder on to the flashlight. Allow time to cure. I also applies a bead of hot glue around the connection point for additional bonding power.

Step 7: Step 6

Decorate it any sort of way that makes you happy. If you buy multiple bubble wands in various colors you can replace the blade color whenever the mode suits you.

Boom! Goes the Death Star. You're done.