"Avdeux" a Petit Crouton Saber by LDM

[Lord Dottore Matto]

"Avdeux" inspired by Auretus

This saber has been on the drawing board for a very long time. It all started with a FUBAR'd MHS grip section. I hate to waste, so I decided to build a saber around it. I really enjoyed doing the custom pommel and hand-cut Chevrons on the original Auretus, so I thought I would refine the design somewhat. Nary an MHS piece on this saber is untouched my machine-fu (except for the hand-cut shroud). It ended up as quite a departure from the original so I decided to call this an inspired by or evolutionary saber instead of a V2 (there will also be one of those, but it will have a CF V5). With the delivery of the first tester Petit Crouton's I fast forwarded this project. The gold wrinkle is a 10 layer 5-bake enamel. It was the most difficult finish that I have ever tried and although I am still not 100% happy with it, I decided to call it good. Since the PC uses an Aux switch, I also decided to try something completely new (a custom machined brass plungered tactile switch set in a delrin assembly) so the aux switch is kinda trick. It is also in the perfect place for 'stealth use' since it sits right under my index finger. The grip section slides off to reveal the electronics for easy servicing and is held in place by the CT wheel.

I am proud to present Avdeux.

The Particulars:
Petit Crouton V1.1 w/Lightmeat font
TruPurple LED
(2) 5mm Violet LED Crystal Pommel
TCSS HO SPeaker
7.4V Li-ion w/2.1mm recharge/kill in pommel
Custom machined MHS and brass accents
10-layer gold textured enamel (5-bake)
UV-ring antivandal
Custom Brass Aux switch
Custom Brass Kill key

The BMT:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Videos/th_BMTAvdeux.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Videos/?action=view&current=BMTAvdeux.mp4)

The Glams:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0429.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0429.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0432.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0432.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0433.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0433.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0435.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0435.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0436.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0436.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0440.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0440.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0442.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0442.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0445.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0445.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0447.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0447.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0452.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0452.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/th_102_0454.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Glams/?action=view&current=102_0454.jpg)

Selected Build Pix:

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0316.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0316.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0317.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0317.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0322.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0322.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0326.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0326.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0329.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0329.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0330.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0330.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0350.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0350.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0352.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0352.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0357.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0357.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0397.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0397.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0400.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0400.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0402.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0402.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0403.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0403.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0404.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0404.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0411.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0411.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0416.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0416.jpg)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0420.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0420.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0426.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0426.jpg)http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/th_102_0428.jpg (http://s291.photobucket.com/albums/ll317/drdicarlo/Auretus%20V2%20aka%20Avdeux/Build/?action=view&current=102_0428.jpg)

[Darth Xusia]

I will have to "borrow" your switch trick. ;)
Nice build LDM.

[Lord Dottore Matto]

I will have to "borrow" your switch trick. ;)
Nice build LDM.


please do ;)

[ARKM]

I'm not 100% diggin' the blade holder shroud, but I like the rest. Pretty cool overall.

[FenderBender]

Total crap. I think you should send it to me for proper "disposal" :D

Very cool man, welcome back to customs:D Looks great and I see we are having fun with the new lathe. Very Kegger'ish, actually more than inspired by Auretus. Still, looks great!

[Lord Dottore Matto]

Total crap. I think you should send it to me for proper "disposal" :D

Very cool man, welcome back to customs:D Looks great and I see we are having fun with the new lathe. Very Kegger'ish, actually more than inspired by Auretus. Still, looks great!

LOL, many influences it has (life experience I guess ;)) She is definitely K3GR1-Aqua-ish too. I'll send it right over for proper disposal. :lol: Thanks Fender.:D


I'm not 100% diggin' the blade holder shroud, but I like the rest. Pretty cool overall.

I knew it would be a love or hate type of shroud. Thanks man ;)

[Darth Midian]

I'm liking the shroud, it's a great looking saber. I really like the true purple led, that's a perfect purple.

[Jedi-Loreen]

Great saber. LDM. I love the aux switch set up, among other things.

The wrinkle gold PC looks spectacular, reminds me of ancient gold artifacts. But it sure sounds like a pain in the butt to achieve!

[jin starkiller]

very cool saber LDM ....wouldn't expect anything less....:)

[HepatitvsJ]

looks great as always LDM. I like the emitter but I'm with J-lo on the wrinkled gold PC...I would love to hear how you did that.

[Lord Dottore Matto]

I'm liking the shroud, it's a great looking saber. I really like the true purple led, that's a perfect purple.

I think I have the color mix nailed at this point. Thanks man ;)


Great saber. LDM. I love the aux switch set up, among other things.

The wrinkle gold PC looks spectacular, reminds me of ancient gold artifacts. But it sure sounds like a pain in the butt to achieve!

It is. I know I said 12 layers, but it may actually be more (I literally lost track). You have ot bake the gold for half hour incrememnts, then add the next coat and repeat. It also takes 3 types of gold to get this effect. The first coat was hammered copper followed by hammered gold then 3-4 layers antique gold and 4+ layers of bright gold.


very cool saber LDM ....wouldn't expect anything less....:)

Thanks man!


looks great as always LDM. I like the emitter but I'm with J-lo on the wrinkled gold PC...I would love to hear how you did that.

See above :lol:. and thank you ;)

[bk_renesis]

Very innovative I like the switch trick and the "bonnet" trick!!! Pop her open and give her a service and tune anytime w/o ripping it into pieces. Nice!

[Lord Dottore Matto]

Very innovative I like the switch trick and the "bonnet" trick!!! Pop her open and give her a service and tune anytime w/o ripping it into pieces. Nice!

The sliding grip "bonnet" trick is an Obi-Dar technique. At least he is the first place that I saw it used. Forgot to give him props! :mrgreen:

[Crystal Chambers]

Very cool. As much as I think this saber has a nice look with the paint, it looked so nice in all aluminum as well. Nice to see it at that stage. The blade holder overlay threw me off at first but once I saw all angles I really do like it. While the PC soundboard is a great addition to the boards we have to work with it's funny/disappointing to see the sensor going of when there's no movement...unless you're having some tremors out there! I feel the same about MR swing sensors.

Of course it's obviously much better then an MR

[Jedi_Knight_Zekk]

Awesome saber LDM!

[PhoenixReborn]

What is a petit crouton?

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

This should tell you all you need to know.

http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=23894.0