PDA

View Full Version : My first saber build ever!



Revathor
07-29-2011, 11:52 PM
Hi guys and girls, after several careful orders and months of reading over the forums, finding many helpful tips and guidelines posted by the masters of this fantastic site, I can finally begin to show my progress on my very first ever build in my life.
I have a handful of rough photos to show the idea of what I intend. My plans are all sketched out on graph paper which I have avoided spamming pics of for now.
I will just show off what I have constructed so far. I am taking my time to design my perfect saber, but for my first attempt at wiring (many thanks must go to the MHS LED kit tutorial found on this site).

I have a long way to go, but I was quite excited and wanted to share with everyone my rather simple, first attempt. Thank you to all of you for this totally awesome experience, which allows me to express my creativity in a wonderful hobby that I can enjoy in my free time from University.

Pic 1 is clearly obvious.
Pic 2 should be with blade attached, lights off.
Pic 3 should be no blade attached, lights off.
Bad photos, but I hope you get the idea. Thanks.

I would also like to apologise in advance if anything I have done in making this post was wrong, I tried to follow all instructions before making it and double checked. Thanks again.

KuroChou
07-30-2011, 12:00 AM
Looks like you're off to a pretty good start. I feel bad that you're so afraid of making mistakes.
In light of other recent threads, I think we've all come off as being pretty unforgiving and abrasive.
This is your thread. Feel free to post whatever, whenever, as long as you feel it is relevant.
Follow the basic forum rules, and you'll be okay.

As you read more, and have more advanced questions, I'd recommend utilizing the chat box to resolve as much as you can.
Once this thread gets some more traffic you can afford to post some more direct questions here, and if you have problems that still aren't resolved, feel free to post a new thread.
If no one else has a clear answer, reiteration or confirmation never hurt anyone.

Welcome to your new addiction.

whenbearsreign
07-30-2011, 12:07 AM
Looks great! I'm doing an article about TCSS for AskaJedi.com (http://www.askajedi.com) and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me.
How did you feel the build was?
Do you have previous experience in electronics?
What did you find to be the most useful source of information?
How long did you spend with the assembly of all the components (electronics, hilt and blade)?
What was the most difficult part?
If you don't mind sharing, roughly how much did you spend?
Was it worth the money and effort put into it?
What would you recommend to someone making their first saber?

Thanks in advance!

Revathor
07-30-2011, 12:11 AM
Thank you KuroChou for your encouragement there. I was more just nervous because I have seen so many posts where the person did something a bit silly, rushed it and it made work for someone else. I just got excited at my progress so far and wanted to contribute to this great site, not overly afraid really. :)
I truly love reading other's posts and seeing their builds, but now that I have everything ready here I can begin my own. As things proceed I will keep this thread updated with new pics on my project. :) Thanks again for your comments.


Whenbearsreign: I would be happy to answer your questions.
* As my build is unfinished at this point, all I can say is I have been excited for a long time to do this, the pieces fit very nicely together, the wiring was far easier than I had thought, eventhough this build has no sound it is light only. I felt comfortable and happy doing it.
* I have no previous electronics experience at all.
* I had reviewed several sites on the net and found that this one, with it's many tutorials and posts of other members builds provided me all I needed to know.
* I have been toying with this build for about a month, the wiring of the LED and battery pack took only 30 mins as I used the tutorial on LED wiring from this site that had fantastic pictures with step by step guides on building a basic lightsaber.
* Most difficult part was assembling the hilt with the electronics all soldered up (had some trouble with wires twisting as I screwed the pieces back together - but I sorted that out).
* For this build I spent about $150.00aus. Plus the cost of the tools as this is my first ever time constructing anything at all (dremel, soldering iron, safety goggles, screwdriver set, and more cost over $200.00aus). I have invested a lot into this venture, and have been pleased with results so far, easily a total of $400.00.
* I believe that now that I have all the essential equipment that my costs will reduce for my next build (when I complete this one). I am very pleased to have spent what I have so far, having the ability to custom design and build by my own hands, my own Lightsaber is well worth it. My imagination is my only real limit (I have purchased all the MR FX series collectibles, now I want to make my own).
* I would recommend to anyone wishing to build their own saber to READ as much as you possibly can on this website. Play with the MHS builder tool and try different things don't be afraid to give it a go. Look at what other people have built, and read, read, read. Everything you could need to know is actually here. I can not thank the people before me enough for posting the tips and guides.

I hope this helps your article.

thejedilestat
07-30-2011, 12:24 AM
Revathor the saber looks good congrats

Revathor
07-30-2011, 11:51 PM
Thanks to 'thejedilestat' for the kind comments. :)
Thanks again to those who ahve viewed this thread as well.
I have made a photobucket account now with a range of pics showing my progress up to the current point, for those interested in checking it out.

http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa338/Revathor69/Sith%20saber%20design/

I remind people this is the first time I have made any kind of electronic device, not just my first lightsaber, so wiring might be messy, but it works and it is all part of the learning curve. I am thinking of trying to add sound to the saber, ignition, swing, clash the typical stuff you get from the Master Replica Force FX / Hasbro ones. If anyone has any tips on doing this, feel free to hit me up. I do have a spare Master Replica self build kit, with working sound card, but unsure as yet how to use it in a custom build.

Keep an eye out for futher updates on this saber in the future. I am still thinking of a name for it. Thanks for reading. May the Force be with you.

Ji'Ra Ailsa
08-03-2011, 12:13 PM
Looks really good. What color LED are you using? Red? Amber?

Revathor
08-03-2011, 05:08 PM
Thanks Ji'Ra Ailsa. The LED is just a Soul P4 red. I was thrilled when I wired it up for testing and found it gave the shade that it does. I do like the MR FFX Vader red, but it was nice to see a different one, suits my evil plans well. :) So far very happy with the parts I have been getting.

Revathor
08-24-2011, 04:29 AM
Just an update the pics are sorted now into folders, still a bit messy. Short on time with University and part-time job. I have named this project the "Blood Reaver" it just sounds cool, for a Sith / dark Jedi weapon. It will have a cut out sheath with blood runes engraved on the cover, which I hope to have finished in the next few weeks when I am on break from study. Slowly getting there with this project, no soundboard as yet but it is in the plans to add it later probably the Darth Vader type sounds off a MR kit I have been toying with.
For this project, see sub folder Blood Reaver. 3 new pics added today 24/8/11
http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa338/Revathor69/

Revathor
08-28-2011, 11:21 PM
Ok, I have added 5 new pics to the photobucket site. http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa338/Revathor69/Blood%20Reaver/

I have just finished cutting out a sheath to slide over the lightsaber, with runes engraved. The sheath still needs sanding and smoothing off, and the engraved runes need to colored either a deep or dark red, or possibly black to match the black on the grip.
The position is still undecided as well, I may slide the solid part above the activation switch, pics added for when I finished smoothing back the rough edges.

I am also in process of changing from the original switch, the basic one that came with the starter kit, to a SPST Latching Guarded switch with red button. I think this adds a slightly more stylish tone to the design. I also removed the dark red leather strips I had attached, until the sheath has been finished and secured, I am uncertain if they will suit the look anymore. I think that's all I have had time to do for now.
More updates soon, time permitting. If anyone has any suggestions, or questions feel free to drop them by me. So far I am very happy with progress, but I might have over-looked something in my excitement.
Thanks for following my progress.
May the force be with you all.
Revathor.

Revathor
08-31-2011, 05:59 AM
Trying to keep busy on this build, I think however, after this post that I shall make this the last one on "Blood Vengeance". I will leave this project as it is, call it complete for a prototype. Not bad for a first build. Need more practise clearly, a little more attention to detail, planning and saving up cash for the parts so I don't keep placing a steady stream of orders hahaha. All this one is missing is a sound card, aside from a few minor details but overall, a very happy result for a first build. Thanks for following, hope you enjoyed. Later and May the Force be with you.
http://s1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa338/Revathor69/Blood%20Reaver/