Newbie attempt, how does it compare?

[bryman]

Hello everyone, I just built my 1st direct drive saber with out really reading much or anything. I also did not order anything online, and built it for less than 20 bucks.

But i want to know, and heres the question part, how does it compare to all of yours? heres a pic:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/XmardenX/saber.jpg



I know the hilt isnt very good, but i was just focusing on the electronics. I have never done any, ever. But the blade is what im wondering about. It is really bright with the lights off, kinda bright with the lights on, but in direct sunlight you cant see the light at all. Can anyone help me with this? Is it the film on the inside (clear gift wrap), is it the blade it's self (halogen light tube protector), is the the LED (Radioshack ultrabright 3.2V if im not mistaken)? any and all help would be much appreciated.

And what do you think about the price? it only cost around 20 bucks for everything.

[Sidd]

That is actually a pretty nice looking saber , clean and simple. I like it.

though i would get a LED from the store here, much brighter than anything radio shack sells

[bryman]

Thanks, i think im going to. someone is paying me 30 to build thm one just like that, so ill have a little extra cash :)

[Count Malik]

cool hardware saber! more pics could help... but we use luxeon, seoul p4, etc... (look in store) technology.... VERY Bright.... if you want to compare go look within the gallery, there are MANY pictures and videos there, as for blades go we use polycarbonite blades that are usually 1" think or thin walled (If you have read ALOT on these here forums, you know what those are and what the difference is between them. ;)) AND btw Radio Shack LED... are you talking about the LED that lights up the blade or the accent led on the hilt?:confused:

[bryman]

there is a radioshack led for the blade, and the light on the hilt is on off switch. The LED for the blade is 3.2V, but isnt a lux III 3V? thats where im really unsure of what the difference is.

[Rhyen Skytracker]

The ones we use are high power LEDs that use up to 1500 mA at around 3.3 volts. They produce a very bright blade. To get the blade even you need either a mirror or super reflective tape at the top of the blade to reflect the light back town the blade. TCSS has spent years developing the best and most efficient ways to make sabers with bright even blades. You can use one of the TCSS sink tube blade holders and be able to use the the high power LEDs with a TCSS blade with the saber you have now. That is what most people do with hardware sabers.

[Count Malik]

READ, READ, and then once you think you have read enough... read some more! lol :D anyways look here- http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/wiringbuilder/wiring.aspx

[bryman]

I have foil tape on the tip of the blade.

And ive been reading, and reading.... and more reading lol
A few days ago i didnt even know what a resistor was, and Working fast food i was intrested to see how cheap i could make one, seeing how i am more broke than a tauntaun herder on tattooine.

And buying TCSS parts the cheapest i could go was $57.
And like i said this was under 20, but, When i get paid, I'll probably order the TCSS stuff and compare the 2 and show you guys how different.

I already know mine wont be 1/2 as good, but for less than 1/2 the price ill leave it to you, and if you want ill even make a tutorial :)

[Lord Dottore Matto]

With what you used, that is as good as you can get. Once you have made a properly driven ~3W saber with the appropriate optics and the massive increase in lumens, you will never go back.:mrgreen:

[Count Malik]

With what you used, that is as good as you can get. Once you have made a properly driven ~3W saber with the appropriate optics and the massive increase in lumens, you will never go back.:mrgreen:

that is 110% correct haha:grin:

[Damin Kestler]

Prepare to be Overwhelmed!

My fist Saber build will be Wednesday when my parts arrive :)

Good luck and have fun!

Dave
AKA: Damin Kestler

[Count Malik]

and welcome to the best addiction ever!!!!:rolleyes::cool:

[bryman]

addiction? you can say that again, I was 2 seconds away from just soldering some wires together for no reason last night. But i just filed my taxes, and it looks like after i book my room and buy my tickets for celebration V I will be buying stuff to make a better saber :)

[Tradeliphine]

yea LDM already touched on it, but your saber has no optics to collect the light from the LED and focus it up in a beam, that is why you have the problem. For your first attempt and budget its a nice start!

[bryman]

Sorry for being sure a noob, but what are optics exactly? I have a flashlight reflector my LED's sitting in. I also have clear gift wrap in the blade, if that's what your talking about. But like i said i don't know what optics are exactly.

[Jedi-Loreen]

This is what optics are:

A lens:

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Luxeon-Collimator-Lens-10-deg-viewing-angle-P5.aspx

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Assets/lens.jpg

And a lens holder that seats over the LED star and holds the lens at the right orientation and distance from the LED

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Luxeon-IIIV-Lens-Holder--P7.aspx

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Assets/ProductImages/154.jpg


High powered LEDs look like this:

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Assets/lux3.jpg

The domed part in the center is the actual LED, it's mounted on a star that has solder pads that you solder your wires onto.


Now, go do some more reading.

Lots and lots of reading, so you don't ask anymore totally noobish questions like this. Ok?

[bryman]

I was asking if i was right
I have read
I have that
and im out, last post.

Thanks for you helpful ppl