How to Make a Light Saber Using Everyday Items

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Last Updated: March 3, 2021

It's possible to make a simple light saber using everyday materials. The end result is perfectly presentable, looks great in the dark and will be the ideal addition to your Star Wars costume. All that and it'll only take you a few minutes!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cellophane covered flashlight light saber

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1
Find a torch (flashlight) that emits a white light. The brighter, the better. If it's too weak, it may not do the trick. Most flashlights you find in your bottom kitchen drawer will do the job just fine.
- If you find a flashlight/torch that's too dim, try replacing the batteries -- they may just be old.
2
Decide what color you want your light saber to be and get cellophane of that color. Cut out a piece to cover the front of the torch, adhering with transparent tape.
- Cover just the lens of the flashlight. You don't want the cellophane to show through to the base.
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3
Get a few pieces of clean, white paper. Steal some from your dad's printer tray if need be -- doubt he'll miss three pieces of paper in the long run.
- A4 or A3 paper both work. As long as it's clean and white, the force will be with you.
4
Wrap one piece of paper around the top or the torch or flashlight. On the underside of the paper, double over tape (or use the double-sided kind) all along the edges of the flashlight's base -- you don't want the tape to be visible.
- If there is overlap, you may want to cut the paper to size. You want the light to emit evenly on all sides.
5
Wrap another piece of paper into a roll. Attach it to the end of the first piece of paper, overlapping minimally. Use the same taping method, adhering the tape on the inside of the second piece. Continue this process until you think your light saber is long enough.
- If it gets too long, it may start drooping. Two or three pieces may be your limit.
6
Check that it's sitting straight and is firmly taped together. Then, turn on the torch or flashlight, turn off the lights, and have fun!
- This paper version won't stand up to actual lightsaber duels. It's more for show and bragging rights than anything.
- If you've time on your hands, make a light saber hilt out of a paper towel tube and insert your flashlight/torch into it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Painted flashlight light saber

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1
Spray paint the flashlight silver. You obviously won’t be using this flashlight for anything other than the light saber, so make sure its not an expensive flashlight that you may need later.
- Lay out newspaper outside (preferably on the driveway or a table) before spraying the flashlight and cover the top with duct or masking tape. You don’t want to spray the top of the flashlight with paint otherwise you won’t be able to “see the light force” when it’s turned on.
- Spray the entire body a silver color. You may want to take a few passes with the spray paint. In fact, you don’t have to spray your saber silver either. Ask your young Jedi--he/she may desire a different color such as sparkly pink or purple. Making a homemade light saber allows you to fully customize the toy to your child’s liking.
2
Cover the flashlight head with a piece of colored acetone paper. If you could only pick up a regular flashlight, have no fear. Your light saber can have the color of your choosing using special colored paper.
- Place the flashlight, light side downward on your paper. Trace the outside of the flashlight opening so that the paper circle is slightly larger than the flashlight opening.
- Cut out the paper and place over top of the flashlight. You can secure it using glue, silver duct tape or even (if large enough) a rubber band.
3
Create the sword. Make sure the sword tubing is the desired size. Also, before you purchase it, compare the width to the size of your flashlight to ensure it can easily slip over the flashlight mouth.
- Use an exacto knife to size and cut the tube to fit. However, depending upon the girth of tubing you may need to use a hacksaw to do the job. If your Jedi is especially little, you may not want him/her to play with an extremely long saber so determine what he/she can handle and cut accordingly.
- Use excess tubing to “top” your saber. You will want the tube to have a top to it, so use residual plastic to create a topper. Use the top of your saber as the guide, however make the circle approximately ½ inch larger so you can completely cover the top of your tube. Use clear glue such as liquid nails or a hot glue gun to adhere the top to the sword.
4
Join the sword to the handle. Duct tape and a little elbow grease can help this light saber show you that the force will be with you.
- Slide the tubing over the top of the flashlight until the tubing covers approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the flashlight top. You will want the tubing to cover enough flashlight real estate so that it stays in place and doesn’t fall off during battle.
- Glue the tube to the flashlight using liquid nails or Super Glue. Your first step to adhering the tube to the flashlight is to glue it together. Use small dabs of glue around the top of the flashlight and then slide the tube over it. Hold in place for several minutes to ensure it sticks.
- Secure the tube and flashlight using silver duct tape. You can also use other colors, however if you spray painted the flashlight silver, the silver duct tape will match best. Wind the tape around the tube and flashlight several times taping the tube both above and below the flashlight mouth area for full coverage.

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Question

Can I use transparent tubes instead of paper for the blade?

Community Answer

Yes it's a possible replacement. Try using different colored blades.

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Where can I find a lightsaber crystal?

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There are several lightsaber crystals on Etsy and Amazon.

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Don't kyber crystals come from Ilum?

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Yes, they do come from Ilum. They are also known as a kyber or lightsaber crystal.

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Tips

It is best to use sticky tape for sticking the paper together in Method 1; glue is messier and takes longer to dry.

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In Method 2, consider using a colored acrylic or polycarbonate tube. In the event you want to skip the acetone paper over the flashlight mouth, colored tubes are available and will allow you to achieve the same effect.

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Customize your light saber by adding Star Wars stickers or even small plastic pieces that could resemble gauges.

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Warnings

Always supervise children when using the light saber as the hard plastic flashlight could be harmful if thrown in another person’s direction.

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Things You'll Need

Method 1:
- Torch (UK) or flashlight (US)
- Cellophane in color of choice
- Sticky tape
- Paper
- Scissors

Method 2:
- Flashlight (if you can find one with multiple colored settings, even better)
- Colored acetone paper (blue or red if your flashlight does not come with multi colors).
- Silver spray paint
- Acrylic tube, approximately 3 feet (0.9 m), width slightly larger than the mouth of your flashlight
- Silver duct tape
- Liquid cement