My own little anakin epi 3 mod. [Archive] - The Custom Saber Shop Forums

darkjedilord

08-30-2006, 12:59 PM

After some small trauma to my MR FFX anakin ROTS lightsaber (the blade is crushed from blocking a strong attack) i found out you can change/ replace the blades, i looked into it which led me here, so i've decieded to convert it with the led converter. i've gone though the forums trying to cobble together the right way of doing it and just wanted to clarify a few things. i've got some soldering and rewiring experience (i rewired one of my guitars) so that is no big deal.

Taking apart the lightsaber is no problem, its the led plate and lens that have me a bit confused. This is the wiring method as i understand it; from the white connector to the LE line all the wires are cut apart from the gray one which connects to the shock sensor. the light blue wire from the shock sensor and the purple wire from the white connector are attatched to the positive terminal on the LED plate. all the other wires are connected to the negative terminal. does that sound about right?

fixing the led plate to the conversion part is simple enough my next problem is what lens do i need; the 10 degree or the 5 degree lens? or does it make no difference?

then as i understand it the white connector is reattached and tested then fully connected and the hilt is reassembled.

my only other questions are can the ring which the switch is attatched to come off by jiggling it off the end?
will a luke switch fit instead of the anakin one?
can i use the stock blade diffuser or do i need a new one?

thanks for any help!

may the force be with you etc.

Firebird21

08-30-2006, 01:55 PM

Yes.

But I don't know about the Switch thing...

And I as long as the wiring looks like this when you're done...
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/scripts/05vader/18.jpg

Edit: And this...
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by darkjedilord

...from the white connector to the LE line all the wires are cut apart from the gray one which connects to the shock sensor. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is this supposed to say...

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...from the white connector to the LED line all the wires are cut apart except the gray one which connects to the shock sensor. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sabre.gif http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/auto/car-smiley-032.gif Official Designated TCSS Jester! http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrinjackbox.gif

Lord Maul

08-30-2006, 02:06 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">what lens do i need; the 10 degree or the 5 degree lens? or does it make no difference?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

you need a lens holder and a lens, there are two lenses which are darn near teh same, it really doesn't matter what one you get as long as you get the lens holder with it

Welcome to the forum [:D]

<center>http://film.onet.pl/_i/news/duze/d/darth_maul_1.jpg

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</center>

darkjedilord

08-31-2006, 08:01 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Firebird21

Yes.

But I don't know about the Switch thing...

And I as long as the wiring looks like this when you're done...
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/scripts/05vader/18.jpg

Edit: And this...
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by darkjedilord

...from the white connector to the LE line all the wires are cut apart from the gray one which connects to the shock sensor. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is this supposed to say...

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...from the white connector to the LED line all the wires are cut apart except the gray one which connects to the shock sensor. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

yes that is what it should say. i was trying to describe that picture really to make sure i'd learnt it right as well as copied it down correctly. the LED strip is the other reason i want to convert; a few of the leds are smashed inside so i have some lovely dark spots. thanks for your help.

Firebird21

08-31-2006, 07:38 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by darkjedilord

... a few of the leds are smashed inside so i have some lovely dark spots. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

When I took my Vader appart It looked like the LED exploded! [:0]

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sabre.gif http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/auto/car-smiley-032.gif Official Designated TCSS Jester! http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrinjackbox.gif

fadeout

10-26-2006, 08:04 AM

i've had to change my name from darkjedilord to fadeout due to logging in problems. plus the old name was real crappy)

well a quick update.

i've found a way to get the double prong off the end of the sabre - i took my drill to the rivets and they came off nice and easy. although i'll never be able to re-attatch it (without welding equipment anyway) i'm not too bothered as i've cut my finger on its sharp corners too many times just holding it! never mind the inch long cut down the back of my middle finger from the switch housing (i lost my grip sparring in the rain)

after that the ring just slid right off and i re-attatched the switch. i've taken this thing apart so many times now i could probably do it blind-folded full metal jacket style :twisted:

oh i also drilled holes in the emmitter so the blades light shines through the holes from the prong thing.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture003.jpg oh the screw on the big copper button will no longer hold as its been taken out too many times, so it won't get put back in until my conversion kit comes - which should be any day now since i ordered it 13 days ago (wisconsin to west yorks, england).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture004.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture005.jpg oh the other copper button needs re-gluing - i think i might drill a hole in the side and put a thumbscrew into it or something.

fadeout

10-26-2006, 08:16 AM

oh and does anyone know a way i can cleanly cut off the upwards part of the T grips to make it more comfortable? so they look like the flat yoda grips. is it just a matter of sawing them off then carefully cutting them level with a craft knife?

theres so many things i don't like about the anikin lol. i seem to be either cutting them off or replacing them!

Strydur

10-26-2006, 08:59 AM

so it won't get put back in until my conversion kit comes - which should be any day now since i ordered it 13 days ago (wisconsin to west yorks, england).

Who is in wisconsin?

orgymeyer

10-26-2006, 05:21 PM

i've had to change my name from darkjedilord to fadeout due to logging in problems. plus the old name was real crappy)

well a quick update.

i've found a way to get the double prong off the end of the sabre - i took my drill to the rivets and they came off nice and easy. although i'll never be able to re-attatch it (without welding equipment anyway) i'm not too bothered as i've cut my finger on its sharp corners too many times just holding it! never mind the inch long cut down the back of my middle finger from the switch housing (i lost my grip sparring in the rain)

after that the ring just slid right off and i re-attatched the switch. i've taken this thing apart so many times now i could probably do it blind-folded full metal jacket style :twisted:

oh i also drilled holes in the emmitter so the blades light shines through the holes from the prong thing.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture003.jpg oh the screw on the big copper button will no longer hold as its been taken out too many times, so it won't get put back in until my conversion kit comes - which should be any day now since i ordered it 13 days ago (wisconsin to west yorks, england).

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture004.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/Picture005.jpg oh the other copper button needs re-gluing - i think i might drill a hole in the side and put a thumbscrew into it or something.
Hehe same thing with my Anakin, although I didn't drill the rivets out, the bunny ears took one to many hits in sparring, and it came right off.

Yeah the Anakin used to cut me up, but some chrome tape seems to soften the edges. Or be like me and always wear gloves when sparring or doing saber spins.

Good Luck with your anakin mods, post pics up when you are done, I'm still fixing mine from the last time I dropped it... Might put a Anakin Ep2 shroud on mine, looks kinda naked without the bunny ears!

Lord Maul

10-26-2006, 05:24 PM

if you slice the top of the T Grip then you will lose the semi shiny black finish. not to mention the fact that the grip would just rub away on th ecut line since the protective coating is gone

fadeout

10-26-2006, 11:49 PM

so it won't get put back in until my conversion kit comes - which should be any day now since i ordered it 13 days ago (wisconsin to west yorks, england).

Who is in wisconsin?

i thought you were. i was in a rush when i typed that so didn't bother checking. my give up!! [oh god some one stab me i just quoted jaja binks :( ] i was gonna be late for work (again) if i didn't leave about two minutes before i posted that.

oh and lord maul most of the protective coating is already gone as i keep scratching it off with my fnigernails! and the grip has little 'crush points' where i've dropped it on tarmac a few times *mass cringe* so i'm not too bothered about it. it cut em all strait out of it if it didn't leave holes in the hilt and glue stains.

Lord Maul

10-27-2006, 02:35 PM

well if you don't care about the dangers i mentioned then go ahead. use a X Acto knife and put the hilt in a vise or clamp so it doesn't move when you slice :wink:

james3

10-27-2006, 03:29 PM

Dangers? WTH? Is he going to die or something?

Bottom line, there are those that make wall hangers and there are those that truly custom it up. Dude, go for it. Those grips are not accurate anyway.

Lord Maul

10-27-2006, 03:57 PM

Dangers? WTH? Is he going to die or something?

i meant the dangers of destroying the grip

fadeout

10-28-2006, 10:09 AM

well i got the kit yesterday and got my friend (who made his own pc) to do the soldering for me as he does a much neater job.

he's also the one i spar with as he is actually trained in a two handed sword art; so he generally trounces me. but he has a vader so he can't get a good enough grip on it to go full out on me which is pretty lucky! he's still taken a few cracks from me though :twisted: he fights very much ataru with vapaad overtones wheras i seem to be steadily turning more vapaad with each time we duel rather than the soresu i orignally thought myself to be.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0594.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0595.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0596.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0597.jpg this is the way i hold the hilt when duelling - no panhandling here!

you should be able to see the old blade in the background. thats mostly my friends handiwork. although some were me trying to see if a bamboo cane was strong enough to stand up to the lightsaber - cleary it was lol. the welts from it on me have gone down though.

i'll put some night pics up in about an hour when its properly dark.

tomorrow i think i'll start a'cutting off those bloody grips.

second edit. i've replaced the original clip button with the machined one and i plan to change the switch to a on off switch set into a metal plate over where the existing switch housing is now. you can't see in any of the picked the inch long cut down my middle figer the corner of the housing gave me when it slipped out of my hand whilst duelling! that one was quite a bleeder! still i kept duelling whilst it was blleding lol.

fadeout

10-30-2006, 12:48 PM

Another update.

After trying to carefully cut – and failing utterly – the tops of the T-grips off I found that they are not connected as one long strip as I originally thought, but by a line of male>female push in connectors through holes in the hilt (with a load of that horrible glue MR insists on using). Once I found this out I ripped out all of the T-grips and scraped of the glue remnants and now I’m even more happy with the results :D :D. Its so much more comfortable to hold than with any sort of grip on and I think the holes look rather snazzy.

To all Anakin owners: RIP THOSE GRIPS OUT NOW!!

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0607.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0608.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/Funstick5000/100D0610.jpg

ryanlb

10-30-2006, 01:58 PM

Personally, I think the Anakin is perfectly comfortable to hold with the grips. It looks pretty cool with the holes though.

Lord Maul

10-30-2006, 03:33 PM

that would looks sick with a smaller bat pack and a blue led shining through the holes. fadeout, why didn't ya post pics of the grips you cut? with what you said about the system, it makes me want to see it for myself

james3

10-30-2006, 04:18 PM

Looks great Fadeout.