Obi-Steve's Workshop :: Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Are you going to post instructions for making your sabers? How did you make your sabers? Are you selling lightsaber plans?
There are many sites on the web that already have information on building sabers. Check the links page for more info. Our sabers were created using precision industrial equipment - you would not be able to use our techniques in your garage. No, we are not selling or posting lightsaber plans or blueprints, since they are already available for FREE on the web!

2. Are you selling your sabers? How much are they?
We do not stock lightsabers. The lightsabers on our webpages are from our personal collections. We do not sell lightsabers.

3. Can you make me a custom lightsaber?
It's possible, but custom work is NOT cheap. Our shop specializes in prototype work and we charge by the hour. The price of your saber would depend on the complexity of the design and material cost, from $250 and up. [Note: our shop cannot accept orders at this time]

4. How accurate are your lightsabers when compared to the ones in the film?
We spend many hours looking through magazines, books, and other merchandise to get our designs as accurate as possible. But there are slight variations in the actual prop sabers used in the movies, so there is no such thing as the "perfect replica".
Our lightsabers are not copies of the toy designs; we find the scaling to be inaccurate. The toys are generally wider to accommodate the electronic components inside.

5. What do you think about (this other seller's) lightsabers?
This is a difficult question because of the great variations in design from one saber maker to the next. My advice: be your own judge. Look carefully at their buttons to see if they line up properly. Ask for pictures showing several views. See if the saber is bent due to improper cutting techniques. We are NOT affiliated with any saber sellers out there, so be cautious if someone says they are endorsed by us.
If you're worried about saber authenticity to the movie designs, then compare the replica saber to pictures in the magazines, books, posters, and computer programs.

oval_r2.jpg (5642 bytes) 6. What do you guys really do?
Our Jedi Workshop is located on Coruscant, near the Jedi Temple, and we supply exquisite lightsaber parts and tools to Padawan learners...
Well, actually, we're a small shop specializing in prototype development. Some items we've built include complex valves and robot parts! Everyone on our staff has over 20 years of experience. Our shop can handle orders involving rare materials and difficult procedures. Making lightsaber buttons and parts is just a hobby, something to do when things are slow in the shop.

Ordering Questions

1. What methods do you use for shipping? How much is shipping?
UPS for items weighing more than a pound and USPS for items less than a pound. Shipping costs depend on the weight of your order and the destination. If you're located in the continental US, a button costs $1.50 to ship, while enough components to make an entire saber costs $10.00. Blades and larger components requiring special packaging cost a little bit more to ship.

2. When can I expect my order to be shipped?
If your item is in stock, we can usually ship your order on the same day we receive your payment. We will notify you through e-mail when we receive your payment.

3. What payment methods are available?
We prefer money orders and cashier's checks, so we can ship your order on the same day we receive the payment. Sorry, we do not accept credit cards or Republic credits.

Plasma Blade Questions

1. Does it really cut through things? Do lightsabers really work?
Unfortunately, replica lightsabers do not work like the ones in the movies. "Plasma blades" are basically neon lighting tubes surrounded by an acrylic casing. They are used to simulate a lightsaber blade. They do not cut through anything. You don't need to worry about slicing off your hand.

2. How close are they to the ones in the movies? What do they look like?
A plasma saber is a neon tube encased in a clear acrylic tube. They're nifty toys and the light moves up and down just like real sabers, but they do not have that fuzzy glow like the ones in the movies.

3. How durable are the plasma blades?
They are not intended for lightsaber dueling, although they're not heavy and you can swing them around. But they will shatter if you accidentally whack them against something.

4. Are you going to post information on how to build your own plasma blade? I'm a poor Jedi from a poor family and I can't afford to pay over $100 for one.
Sorry, we buy ours assembled, so I can't really tell you how to make one from scratch. We're modifying one to fit into our Obi-Wan saber right now. I'm not sure how long this is going to take, since I can only work on it in my free time. The info on the Light Sky Project is just going to have general information on the modifications.

Miscellaneous Questions

1. What is anodizing and how durable is it?
Anodizing is a special process that bonds a protective layer to an aluminum surface. We send our parts to a shop that specializes in metal treatments for anodizing. It's not something that is easily done, so it's best to leave it up to the pros.
Anodized color is brilliant and has a wonderful depth to it. Since it's integrated into the surface, the color will not rub or chip off. However, the color can still be scratched with a sharp point, so care must be taken in handling the part.

There is no finish that can protect aluminum from a direct hit with another saber. Remember, aluminum is considered a softer metal, and it will become scratched if you are not careful. We suggest displaying your metal sabers and using the plastic toy ones for saber fighting.

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Disclaimer: We're just a bunch of crazy Star Wars fans making replica props for our own use. Obi-Steve's Workshop is not affiliated with Lucasfilm, Ltd. , although we wish we were : )