One of my favourite things about Star Wars has always been how lived-in the galaxy feels. The original trilogy didn’t rely on sleek, futuristic technology; instead, the props looked worn, practical and built from real machinery. In fact, many of the original lightsaber hilts were created using everyday industrial components, camera parts and plumbing fittings, assembled into something now iconic.
I saw a couple of videos online of people building a lightsaber hilt using materials from hardware stores in America, and I wanted to create a version for my son, Ezra (middle name Bridger!).
We explored the plumbing and fixings aisles of our local hardware store, discovering couplers, adaptors, washers and fittings that looked like they belonged in a galaxy far, far away. Before long, we had everything we needed to assemble a unique lightsaber hilt—without expensive prop-making equipment or specialist tools.
Every Jedi constructs a lightsaber that reflects their own journey, so with my company, Group Technik, we decided to create a Jedi Temple Archives activity poster that turns those usually boring school holiday trips to the builders’ merchants, wholesalers or DIY stores into a scavenger hunt!
We’d love to see what you create, so don’t forget to share your finished lightsaber with us.
Article by Jared ‘Thared’ Peppard