INTEREST MPP Tube Copys

You can buy almost the exact tube in the plumbing section of the hardware stores /lowes/home depot.

Same exact diameter at least to the highland.

if he can machine them without nocking off the finish, youd be golden. Thats what i was planning to do.

They are $7 a piece. They are pre-threaded. Which for me was good. I was going to make thread in stand to use in the cnc machine. That way the magnet could lock it down, line it up and wham wham wham cnc'd in about 10 seconds.

I hope that helps
m2

only issue with that is even if he would be able to cut the holes without knocking off the chrome the brass would be visible in the holes them selves. in order to get a true replica they would need to be chromed after cutting, like the real deal was. another problem is the engraved letters B,E,S,E. they are deep in the tube. these would also need re-chroming but that all depends on how accurate you guys want these.
again this project hinges on the amount of interest it gets and how you guys prefer these are done, so it is up to you guys

I'm certain that I will get beat down by most of the members here for saying this, but I would be happy with one of the tubes that has the brass showing thru a little. I know that would not be uber-accurate but I am on a budget.....................sorry ya'll but that's my vote/2 cents. Mark me down as interested please.

im with fluke! I just want one that looks "good enough" I got a budgetfett kit ordered so I need something passable for it so mark me down for the cheaper one!

I'm interested. I would want it to be as accurate as possible. Not with unlimited cost of course but there doesn't seem like much point upgrading from the standard stand-in Heiland 2 cell if it isn't going to be an accurate MPP replica, at least as far as is seen exposed on the blaster.

I'm in.

Chrome or nickle it doesnt matter since I'm weathering the heck out of it.

I'd be in if these would be a "very close" replica to the original... that being

1. Correct Diameter & Length
2. Letters stamped into surface
3. Correct Hole Pattern
4. Chrome Finish

Even if it's weathered, there's still areas where the chrome surface is revealed! Also, there are plenty of "kinda' close or somewhat close" alternatives already out there, if another interest or run thread is started, let's shoot for the moon guys!

THX

Also interested. And I'll cast my vote for "exact duplicate", as well. Let us know when you begin to have a ballpark on how much they'll be.

--Jonah

Count me interested.

Hopefully, the copy is close to the original.

-Joe

I'm interested, but only for accurate tube. I like my heiland as a "good enough" tube, so my vote would be for as accurate as possible. Maybe do two runs: an accurate tube that cost isn't a factor, and a budget tube?

Count me on being intrested depending price.

1. Correct Diameter & Length
2. Letters stamped into surface
3. Correct Hole Pattern
4. Chrome Finish

1 is easy
3 easy
4 easy

but 2, is gonna be rough

You cant cnc it in, because of the chrome. So it would have to be stamped or cnc'd pre chrome which will add a lot of cost.

I would be interested depending on price.

P.S BFS1, whatever happen to the metal Webley interest thing???

oh and if done correctly I would be down for a Replica MPP.

Very interested! I'm trying to track down a real one, but I doubt that will pan out.

-Ryan

Interested depending on price and a few other things...

Originally Posted by Spideyfett

Hey Mike, I think you're thinking of the Heiland stamped letters, which is a "close" cousin to the MPP tube and what most people use because the MPP is very hard to find and Not cheap... the MPP has no stamped lettering, only markings were the "MicroFlash" plate logo has been removed. ...

I have a really good reproduction that I can get my hands on and take some pics, done by Park Sabers I think.

Admittedly I havent seen one. I was commenting on GBH's post saying hed be interested if it had the stamped letters. I honestly have never seen one, so yah, i dont know what im talking about

I was just stating of the 4 things he listed, 3 were easy

Im surprised really there arent more copies. it doesnt seem like a difficult thing to replicate.

Originally Posted by Stormrider

Im surprised really there arent more copies. it doesnt seem like a difficult thing to replicate.

Yeah I think the Park Sabers one came out fairly well, keep in mind it was done as a Vader Saber so most of it was covered with addtional pieces..

Aren't there single letters engraved below the holes? That's what BFS1 was referring to with the B,E,S,E. I'm with Stormrider though I've never had the pleasure to see a real MPP myself.

I have an MPP and there are indeed letters between the 3 sets of 2 holes E.S.E and a B above left of those holes

Originally Posted by HeadlessHunter

I have an MPP and there are indeed letters between the 3 sets of 2 holes E.S.E and a B above left of those holes

was that the one that was on ebay last week or so? i was gunna bid on it aswell but lost track of the date. did it turn out to be a vintage one? if so yougot that for a great price!

oh. i forgot to ask. for you people who are wanting copys as close as possible. are you also wanting the threaded ends or just want the front half of the tube done as good as possible?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you can't see the threads anyway right? I don't think they are necessary if you cant really see them. Do you have to cut an original MPP, or is it the correct length?

For me personally, it's going in the gun anyway...

and glad to see you're okay from the accident.

Originally Posted by BobaFettSlave_1

no you cant see the threads. the threads go down inside the barrel so you don't need them at all. you only need to cut it if you don't have a hollow barrel webley. im just asking if you guys want as close accuracy to the tube/part used it self or as close accuracy to what you need for an accurate ESB tube (the front) i ask cause some of you are asking for correct length on the tube, does that includes the threads?

For me, I don't need the threads, I mainly concerned about the appearance where it's sticking out the end. Correct length won't hurt but I'll be shoving it in a barrel.

Yes, absolutely no "Need or Desire" for treads here!

But, maybe just one additional thought. How about adding a slight score-line that would still be evident after the chrome plating process, that could serve as a guide to know exactly how far in the flash tube should be installed.

the option for the threads "could" open up the possibility of selling more (if you need a quantity of them sold). If people want to use them for sabers, the threaded end and the "cap" would be a must.

If the run is to be small and for blaster use only... I would suggest keep the cost as low as possible and no threads.

Yeah it was the one that was on eBay last week, it was a **** good price, it even came with a load of parts to complete it into a Darth Vader lightsaber but we all know what I'm using it for

I'm interested too depending on final product and price.

im intereted. please add me to the list.

Im have to talk to Tom again Tonight so we should have more info on this project around 8:00
maybe even a pre-chroming price quote

Interested depending on price.

Im going to machine a chromed sink pipe this week, ill let you know how that turns out for your run.

ok well i talked to Tom, he looked at the Tube & it actually brought up some thing interesting. the tube might actually be nickle plated & not chrome. hes not 100% on it but he has a friend who does plating and hes going to check it out to see if these tubes were chromed or nickle plated. hes also taken my tube to get measurements & is going to be working on a prototype over the next few weeks. no price quote yet. he has to make sure hes got the proper letter stamps etc..

Possibly nickle?
Interesting.
Thanks again for all the research and time you are putting into this.

well here is how it was explained to me. a layer nickle plating is actually required for chroming. there's a layer of nickle plating underneath chrome. the issue is. on the mpp i have where the plating is starting to come off there should be two different visible layers before the brass tubing is visible as chrome & nickle have a different color shine to it. chrome on top then nickle underneath then brass tubing. chrome is spose to have a kind of yellowish hue to it. while nickle has more of a blueish hue.. you would have to see the two side by side to really tell the difference. on the tube i have it looks to only be one layer before the brass. & if that is the case it should be nickle.

Originally Posted by BobaFettSlave_1

well here is how it was explained to me. a layer nickle plating is actually required for chroming. there's a layer of nickle plating underneath chrome. the issue is. on the mpp i have where the plating is starting to come off there should be two different visible layers before the brass tubing is visible as chrome & nickle have a different color shine to it. chrome on top then nickle underneath then brass tubing. chrome is spose to have a kind of yellowish hue to it. while nickle has more of a blueish hue.. you would have to see the two side by side to really tell the difference. on the tube i have it looks to only be one layer before the brass. & if that is the case it should be nickle.

So if that is indeed the case, the reproduction cost might be a little less with only the 1 step plating process, no?

Is your MPP the correct version?
Not all MPP's are the same.
The correct one has a larger "B" porthole (14mm) - that goes for the Vader sabers too.

Originally Posted by BobaFettSlave_1

the B port hole on mine measures 12mm. so i might have the wrong one then? it also had a red filled S

Yeah, that's the smaller one.
Correct one is 14mm x 7.6mm, easy to fix on replicas.

All the S's are red as far as I know.

Originally Posted by lonepigeon

Yeah, that's the smaller one.
Correct one is 14mm x 7.6mm, easy to fix on replicas.

All the S's are red as far as I know.

is that the only difference between the two flash's? cause i can just make those adjustments to the one toms going to be making

Originally Posted by BobaFettSlave_1

is that the only difference between the two flash's? cause i can just make those adjustments to the one toms going to be making

That's the only one that affects the tube.
There are lots of clamp and endcap variations.

Been two months now. Not rushing you in any way. Just was curious to know what -- if anything -- has been happening with this.

--Jonah

Yes, it's would be a shame after all the interest and input givin' to this thread to have it just fall by the wayside, It be nice it this would come to fruition!

i still plan on doing all the projects i had going but with the state of the economy & the fact that im currently unemployed i cant say this project will reopen until the end of the summer. on top of that with Paul taking off with my cash im in a real bind right now

*nod* Understand perfectly on all counts. I'd rather you take your time and tend to your life and needs and -- in the end -- see this project come to its fullest fruitiion... than see anyone overextend and risk themselves or anyone else or (heaven forfend) the flash tube repro project itself.

Don't worry. I wan't pushing. Just wanted to know what was up, even if what was up was nothing. I feel bad for everyone who got burned on the Jango boots thing, and I hope you get some resolution there. I also know all too well the current economic pinch, even though we're starting to recover at my end... Good luck and don't lose heart.

--Jonah

Me, again. Got a six-month update for us? *chuckle* Just bumping this back onto people's radar.

And an alteration to my original "exact replica" stance -- I can live without the engraved/stamped letters, for the sake of cost.

I'm also willing to scrounge a forcefx saber to cannibalize the tube from, if necessary. The piece I'm most hoping won't go by the wayside is your Webley repro project, and I'm willing to sacrifice the flash tube repro to see that come to fruition...

Hope all is well -- or at least better.

--Jonah

Any updates on this?

I was able to just get the pipe from the hardware store and do this all myself with a drill press, dremel, and stamping tools. Since I had everything else, it basically got $7. I suggest anyone with moderate tooling skills just do that. The chrome dispute isn't very valid. you barely notice a lack of chrome anywhere. Plus when I weather the end of the barrel it makes it even less noticeable.

Me Too, Interested depending on price.

Is there anyone else who can pick this ball up and run with it? Serenity, Russ Rep, Mojo-Fett? Hey Combat Baby, let's see a pic of your work, maybe there's a potential run there? I know there's quite a few of us than would like to get as close as possible to an MPP.

THX

Originally Posted by Galactic Bounty Hunter

Is there anyone else who can pick this ball up and run with it? Serenity, Russ Rep, Mojo-Fett? Hey Combat Baby, let's see a pic of your work, maybe there's a potential run there? I know there's quite a few of us than would like to get as close as possible to an MPP.

THX

What he said.

I have a friend who is a machinist and a Star Wars nut. He might be able to pull it off. Can someone direct me to high quality pics and maybe blue prints of one? I guess specifically the the tube, I can find pics of the whole set up.

Cue the TECH SPECS / CAD FILE... Anyone? Anyone?

I thnk Wizard of Flight had drawn them up once. They use to be here on the gallery seciton, but is no longer there.

I've got some PDF's and a CAD file... to which I could make a more accurate version if anyone with a real copy is willing to send me info?

I have made some initial enquires about making these, and have an original to work from. I am able to get everything replicated down to the lettering, some of which is created after the plating process. Also, they would be the same materials, brass and then plated from memory. I did also want to put the thread on the bottom too, which was possible. I am sure they came out at a pretty decent price too. It came to a stand still as I was working on the replica harness project. Will see what's what and report back to see if you guys are interested.

Rob.

THX

Originally Posted by Bobby Fett UK

I have made some initial enquires about making these, and have an original to work from. I am able to get everything replicated down to the lettering, some of which is created after the plating process. Also, they would be the same materials, brass and then plated from memory. I did also want to put the thread on the bottom too, which was possible. I am sure they came out at a pretty decent price too. It came to a stand still as I was working on the replica harness project. Will see what's what and report back to see if you guys are interested.

Rob.

Very cool. Let's get this rolling guys. I need one.

We should also start a new thread with the new folks working on this.

Looks like Rob's got this covered...

Great that works, I want one.

If you're really hard pressed for one the custom saber shop sells a beautiful replica of them for a cool $150.00. WOW! That's the entire flash tube with all the parts you would then take off and just put in a drawer... not cheap!

Originally Posted by woodman

If you're really hard pressed for one the custom saber shop sells a beautiful replica of them for a cool $150.00. WOW! That's the entire flash tube with all the parts you would then take off and just put in a drawer... not cheap!

Just sell the extra parts. There are plenty of saber builders.
IMO it's not worth replicating again unless they're under $100.

Any quick updates on this? Chalk this up to just me speaking out loud, but I can probably speak for the moral majority in saying that this could be more valuable in order of project priority as it's a hard part to find and quite a visible one at that on the the ESB rifle.

The ball is in Robs court at the mo?

I'm probably off this list. I'm getting good results from WOF's template and a 1½" sink drain tailpipe. *heh* Got impatient and decided I'd try that route.
]
--Jonah