Do you want a lightsaber? As you’re reading Tindie’s blog, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Unfortunately, these elegant weapons are not currently available in this galaxy, so you’ll have to make do with a prop device. You could buy one online or from a local retailer, but a true Jedi would need to construct one for his or her own use.
These props are normally made out of translucent tubing, with programmable LEDs arranged so as to allow the light-blade to extend properly. Many also feature an inertial measurement unit (IMU), allowing the device to hum when not in action, audibly slash through the air, and crash into objects as needed. Here’s a solution that ticks all those boxes:
To give you a head start in construction, you’ll want to check out this prop shield, meant to be used with a Teensy 3.5. It includes programmable LED outputs, an audio amplifier, USB battery charger, and an IMU. While there are other solutions available for this type of prop, the one featured here is open-source, and notably features a USB battery charger.
If you need prop-making inspiration, here’s a few YouTube lightsaber builds that should pique your interest. I especially enjoyed the demonstration just after 4:30 in the first video:
Finally, if you’re somehow wondering what a lightsaber actually is, here’s the original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aRtupiY9Dw
