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View Full Version : GreaSyde's "Dark Leia" (Red P4/2010 Eco Obi SB Hasbro)



GreaSyde
04-08-2010, 01:26 PM
I got one of the original EU Leia sabers of of eBay recently and I plan on turning it into a sith style saber.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/DarkLeia1.jpg
Once all my parts arrive, I will do a test fit (the obi sb fits perfectly) and do the necessary drilling for the AV switch. Then its off to powder coat it black. I'm still torn between wrinkle, gloss or matte. (any suggestions would help)
Here is a pic of her all broken down.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/SaberParts.jpg

Jedi-Loreen
04-08-2010, 01:42 PM
This looks like one of the SaberForge hilts.

If it is, did you have to clean up any of the parts of oil, shavings or burrs? Need to shim loose areas or fix anything? How well does the pommel ring fit?

I think the gloss black powder coat would look nice, but I hear the glossy black colors show scratches easily. Maybe not, if you get it clear coated afterward.

Hasid Lafre
04-08-2010, 01:50 PM
You shouldent need an AV switch, IIRC the control box was setup for a tactile.

GreaSyde
04-08-2010, 02:55 PM
You shouldent need an AV switch, IIRC the control box was setup for a tactile.

I wish. The control box is a solid piece. This is one of the first EU Leia sabers made by saberforge. I have a coa saying that it's #23 of 50.

Yes it needed to be cleaned thoroughly inside. The previous owner never took it apart (I had it broken down fully within minutes of it arriving :D)

Jedi-Loreen
04-08-2010, 04:00 PM
Ok, some you bought it from someone who resold it. It probably came in a box, then, unlike the envelopes that SF used with a single piece of bubble wrap floating around insided the envelope, not even wrapped around the saber. :roll:

Was the COA folded in half?

What a joke making up COAs for that, what are they "authentic" of? SF's interpretation of Leia's saber? I thought only official licensees could make COAs, at least ones that mean anything. His is pretty much worthless. :rolleyes:

I'll look forward to seeing what you do with the saber though. :)

Rhyen Skytracker
04-08-2010, 04:27 PM
Tell us how you really feel J-LO. LOL

I think since it is a Dark Leia saber the wrinkle black PC would look good. To me there is nothing shiny about being on the darkside. lol

Shadar Al'Niende
04-08-2010, 04:54 PM
Tell us how you really feel J-LO. LOL

I think since it is a Dark Leia saber the wrinkle black PC would look good. To me there is nothing shiny about being on the darkside. lol

My thoughts exactly.... Wrinkle all the way

Crystal Chambers
04-08-2010, 05:51 PM
As much bad stuff as I've heard I like the look of this saber. Personally I think a more weathered look like the starkiller would accent the grip lines and look much better. I understand that the 2010 obiwon is slim and would fit in the choke section but I'd go for a better board for this, or maybe upgrade it later.

Zook
04-08-2010, 08:17 PM
ah another dark leia. I did mine a while back and then did the PC and polish for another to look similar so I say go with the wrinkle black to be different.

here is my old one to show what it looks like with high polish and gloss black PC.

http://mandysbabies.com/saber/leia/USleia1.jpg

here is where I hid my switch (just a little tactile)
http://mandysbabies.com/saber/leia/USleia4.jpg

and here is a pic showing the accent LEDs
http://mandysbabies.com/saber/leia/USleia7.jpg

using the small tactile switch I was able to fit 4AA Li-Ion batteries (series/parallel circuit at 7.4V) for a long run time, US 2.1 and a couple accent LEDs.

I know this saber pretty well so if you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email or PM.

good luck with it. I really like the design of the saber.

Lord Dottore Matto
04-08-2010, 09:52 PM
Uh yeah, here is another one...by MH and I:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Leia/Krigs%20Saberforge%20Leia%20w%20US2pt1/102_5164.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Leia/Krigs%20Saberforge%20Leia%20w%20US2pt1/102_5168.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Leia/Krigs%20Saberforge%20Leia%20w%20US2pt1/102_5169.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Leia/Krigs%20Saberforge%20Leia%20w%20US2pt1/102_5177.jpg

So, in answer to your color question, that all depends on if you want it to look like those who came before, or to look original. These are beautiful, but I would like to see it done in black wrinkle.


BTW, I have #2 sitting on my shelf all full of metal shavings and awaiting an hour of my time...:lol:

Caine Drathul
04-08-2010, 10:59 PM
This looks like one of the SaberForge hilts.

If it is, did you have to clean up any of the parts of oil, shavings or burrs? Need to shim loose areas or fix anything? How well does the pommel ring fit?

I think the gloss black powder coat would look nice, but I hear the glossy black colors show scratches easily. Maybe not, if you get it clear coated afterward.

Haha, QFT.....or maybe some bent parts of the saber when it was originally shipped in a plain envelope with no bubble strip wrap?

Whatever the case, it's nice to see one of these sabers "saved" be someone who is going to properly install electronics, etc.

Jedi-Loreen
04-09-2010, 01:48 AM
Indeed.

Crystal Chambers
04-09-2010, 04:19 AM
Interesting how similar those two are...at least you can get advice from others who've done them. You guys make me want one more now. I thought the switch plate actually had a switch in it..lol. Would've been better IMO. If it were possible I'm sure one of you two would've done it.

Zook
04-09-2010, 06:31 AM
Interesting how similar those two are...at least you can get advice from others who've done them. You guys make me want one more now. I thought the switch plate actually had a switch in it..lol. Would've been better IMO. If it were possible I'm sure one of you two would've done it.

Well actually it is possible but I held the saber high and I hate accidentally hitting the button all the time (made that mistake on another saber I made) so I hid it in that little spot between the covertec wheel and pommel ring. Its slightly recessed and works perfectly. Never accidentally hit it.

They are similar because the guy that commissioned it from LDM wanted it modeled after mine. I didn't want it to be exact so there are a few things different (the accent LEDs, switch, pommel, and LED ports in the emitter Jango style etc.).

I will say the grooves on this saber are a real pain. They have chatter marks and you have to file them smooth. Then tape them off for powdering and touch up the edges again with the file so its nice and smooth. I spent hours on both of those sabers just doing the grooves.

Crystal Chambers
04-09-2010, 06:42 AM
I noticed the differences for sure...smart placement on the switch.

That's why I suggested weathering so the grooves would be darker and it would be relatively easy and look good.

mihunai
04-09-2010, 06:49 AM
Here's an idea:

http://i689.photobucket.com/albums/vv256/Mihunai/Saber%20Concepts/th_DarthLeiaSaber1.jpg (http://s689.photobucket.com/albums/vv256/Mihunai/Saber%20Concepts/?action=view&current=DarthLeiaSaber1.jpg)

Matte finish on the aluminum, Black Wrinkle PC, and some copper tape/PC accents.

mTm

Crystal Chambers
04-09-2010, 06:57 AM
Not bad at all...quick on the render. Can't say I would be able to drop what I'm doing and whip something up like that for someone. Easy enough to demo some different schemes now isn't it?

GreaSyde
04-09-2010, 10:35 AM
While those two are great looking sabers (to be honest my jaw dropped when I saw the first one, the second one made me jealous), they don't have that truly "dark" feel to them. As Rhyen mentioned before wet and shiny doesn't feel evil enough. So wrinkle black PC it is. I had never planned on milling out the grooves so, it's good to know that I'm saving myself a lot of hassle.

Zook: I will take you up on that offer (like how you set up the pommel w/RC port)

Lord Matto: I am assuming that the lights in the emitter are pass-thru not lit leds (PM me if you want to tell me how you did it)

Thanks for the great feedback. It really makes a long time lurker like myself feel welcomed.

Jedi-Loreen
04-09-2010, 10:48 AM
assuming that the lights in the emitter are pass-thru not lit leds (PM me if you want to tell me how you did it)

It looks to me like he replaced the button head screws on the emitter with small LED bezels.

Lord Dottore Matto
04-09-2010, 01:48 PM
It looks to me like he replaced the button head screws on the emitter with small LED bezels.

Bingo J-Lo.

Yeah, let Zook or I know if you need any help or have any questions. I also put the recharge in a different spot (Jay-gon style) so when you get down to brass tacks ask away. Also, if I was not completely clear, Zook did the PC work on both of these sabers (and it is A+ work) and because of it, the Leia that I posted is now nice enough to be the CENTERPIECE of a VERY expensive saber collection of an "acquaintance" of mine.;) So, these like many other SF hilts can be made into great sabers with a ton of elbow grease. ;)

Zook
04-09-2010, 01:51 PM
While those two are great looking sabers (to be honest my jaw dropped when I saw the first one, the second one made me jealous), they don't have that truly "dark" feel to them. As Rhyen mentioned before wet and shiny doesn't feel evil enough. So wrinkle black PC it is. I had never planned on milling out the grooves so, it's good to know that I'm saving myself a lot of hassle.

Zook: I will take you up on that offer (like how you set up the pommel w/RC port)

Lord Matto: I am assuming that the lights in the emitter are pass-thru not lit leds (PM me if you want to tell me how you did it)

Thanks for the great feedback. It really makes a long time lurker like myself feel welcomed.

It is an MHS pommel that I sanded the threading off of to make it fit (I think I did the inside of the saber a little as well). I got the idea from Jango (Roys blues on here) as well.

The pieces on the emitter are as J-Lo said. They are 5mm LED bezels glued into place. The holes had to be drilled in the emitter big enough for the bezels but thats really all there is to it.

I don't know, if I were a sith I would want a shiny saber. Just because I am bad doesn't mean I don't like shiny stuff lol.

Shadar Al'Niende
04-09-2010, 02:11 PM
I personally think that shiny black gives a "deadly" or "slick" look to it, the kind of feeling you might get from a poisonous snake or an assassins blade.... I have always associated shiny black with deadly. But i still think that the wrinkle black would be best (as i stated earlier) :D:D:D

DJMoonbass
04-10-2010, 05:54 PM
are those LED bezels puch in or are they bolt on/screw on? because i love the puch in type but those only come in black. do they have those in chrome?

Marius423
04-18-2010, 09:30 PM
Just wanted to stop in and say Freaking Fantasic Leia sabers... Still waiting on the one I ordered for the wife to come in. They said it shipped this week, but we shall see.

My vote is for a nice weathering. I always felt weathering gave the sabers a more powerful look.

Darth Midian
04-24-2010, 12:58 PM
I would go with the flat black myself. Either way it'll look awesome. I just checked out the wrinkle finish. Definately the black wrinkle finish.

GreaSyde
05-05-2010, 02:04 PM
Just got her back from PC. As soon as I get out of work I'll wire her up and take some pictures and video with my camera.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia%20Powder%20Coat/Image3.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia%20Powder%20Coat/Image4.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia%20Powder%20Coat/Image1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia%20Powder%20Coat/Image2.jpg

Marius423
05-05-2010, 02:58 PM
My god that looks sweet! Damn fine powdercoating, looks crazy badass. To bad saberforge screwed me or I would have one of those bad boys sitting on my desk insted of being short 170......

GreaSyde
05-05-2010, 03:52 PM
Oops, I totally forgot to post this video of my wiring test. Forgive the mess, it was an impromptu work bench (dinning table ;))
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/th_Leiared.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/?action=view&current=Leiared.flv)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/redseoulp4.jpg

Darth Midian
05-10-2010, 07:39 AM
That's flipping awesome! It looks real sisnster.

Skottsaber
05-10-2010, 07:53 AM
How does it grip? It looks like the c/t wheel and switch are in the way of your bottom hand, but of course I don't have it in hand.
Also, by switch location, you could use it starkiller style.

Great saber, dude.

Rafalema
05-10-2010, 08:48 AM
Aww come on..

You give that awesome saber an ECONOMY Board?!?!!

Shame on you!




Awesome saber dude. If you can, you could at least get an MR/Hfx soundboard, they are about 60 $ on feebay.

cardcollector
05-10-2010, 04:14 PM
Aww come on..

You give that awesome saber an ECONOMY Board?!?!!

Shame on you!




Awesome saber dude. If you can, you could at least get an MR/Hfx soundboard, they are about 60 $ on feebay.

I concur, put some decent guts in that awesome saber!

Skottsaber
05-11-2010, 10:10 AM
I think he used that board because it would fit in the long choke section.



I may be wrong.

Darth Gius
05-13-2010, 09:27 AM
Looking pretty good. I like a shiny black a bit more myself. My Leia saber from the run that saberforge did is exactly as JLO mentioned. Full of oil and burrs, what a freaking mess that thing was. I haven't done much with mine, but good to see a lot of fine examples that can be made from the hilt.

Crystal Chambers
05-13-2010, 09:31 AM
I gotta admit I thought it sounded kinda plain it does looks nice. To upgrade the sound card couldn't you put one of the larger li-ions in the choke to free up board space near the pommel?

GreaSyde
05-24-2010, 05:43 PM
Only a few thing left until I will call her finished:
Switch out blade retention screw with a black one
Replace covertec screw with black one
Put in new clash & swing sensors (cheapy ones suck)

Here are the pics:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0565.jpg
wired up
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0580.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0575.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0577.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0579.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0574.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0571.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/IMG_0572.jpg
And the obligatory Video:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/th_MVI_0581.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b152/greasyde/Dark%20Leia/?action=view&current=MVI_0581.flv)

Crystal Chambers
05-24-2010, 06:00 PM
Very cool. The retention screw doesn't blend in so well but otherwise very nice. I'd be tempted to use a black thumb screw, at least until you get one that blends in better.

Lord Dottore Matto
05-24-2010, 09:25 PM
Yeah, came out nice. the board is fine (it is a cheap saber after all). You had a really nice vision with this project. Well done ;)

Skottsaber
05-25-2010, 11:46 AM
This is definatley a saber i'd like to own! Well done!