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DarthAlice
09-11-2012, 07:17 PM
Time for a new project! The last one took alot of time and thought (Raxxis prime Starkiller-w/R2Igniter) and I really enjoyed the whole process of detailed metal work and using old style materials such as brass and copper, I have 2 other hilts getting ready for sound-boards and rail set-ups. I have been giving this particular project much thought after stumbling across it in Wookipedia one day:
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber1.jpghttp://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/Protosaber_EGTW-1.jpg
It got me thinking, #1 has any-one built anything like this?(yes I found a thread from 2010 here Naigon turned me onto) and also what would I use for a sound-board? What about the main belt pack? Materials??? Going along an engineering train of thought...Wow! Lots of room for batteries...LaRgE speaker....a few blinkies...
After much looking around online and in local antique stores, Army surplus stores, and many of the other odd places to find stuff that I know of, I came up with the idea of making the belt pack out of an old brass extinguisher that was used in autos around 1910- 1950's or so. I scored a nice one with the dimensions needed on ebay for 20 bucks with shipping. from there I did some measuring and this concept drawing;
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/retro1.jpg

jmPlagueis
09-11-2012, 08:13 PM
You have me excited again, Darth! you and your awesome projects....

As always, I will anxiously be awaiting its completion!

shmoetech
09-12-2012, 04:29 AM
Man I can't wait! Please keep us posted.

DarthAlice
09-12-2012, 09:59 AM
a couple of progress shots!
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber3.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber4.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber5.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber6.jpg

madmaxx
09-12-2012, 03:18 PM
Nice! Man you could jamm a butt load of battery power in that!! I cant wait to see the final product

Lord Dottore Matto
09-12-2012, 03:53 PM
Arkai Halon was the first to build one. His is very nice. this is also a nice take on the project.

Xene
09-12-2012, 04:40 PM
*emits low wistle* I remember stumbling across those on wookiepedia~building one never even crosed my mind~but this looks like its gonna be seriously awesome :D

Crystal Chambers
09-12-2012, 05:56 PM
Nice find! Is the first shot the unaltered unit?

DarthAlice
09-12-2012, 06:43 PM
these are the early pix from last week, I like to get a bit deep into a project before starting a thread, right now I'm considering building a very thin hilt from billet that will house just a sound-card , a micro-switch or 2 , some blinkies and the main led, the rest will all be in the pack with 4 wires running the board and speaker.As far as batteries , I have a set of 2400 ma 18650's that are already part of the design. After stopping by a friends earlier, he mentioned having a spare lipo charger he'd give me from his airplane hobby (lipo= big a#=$d runtime!) as it stands now I'm waiting for the Nano (c'mon Erv) due to having a hilt I designed with a 1" outer diamter that I would like to use with this base.
here is a near finished machining pic, and a component test ( the luminglas can run off of a sound sensor or constant on)
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber8.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber9.jpg
@ Crystal Chambers, this is what I started with...a 1917 fire extinguisher, and after lots of cutting (and using a couple of techniques learned from watching a buddy solder some copper pipes at my house) I came up with this, the edges are all rounded and smooth ( used the rounded parts on the bench vise to round them with a brass mallet)
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber2.jpg

Zahc Zi Phan
09-12-2012, 07:07 PM
That's really sweet Darth! What a trip!
On a related note, how small do they make those little lumiglass pieces? I'd love to stick one say, the size of a quarter, inside a crystal chamber.... :D

Crystal Chambers
09-13-2012, 04:51 AM
Sweet! I can't wait to see this in action. The lumiglass looks like pure awesomeness. I'm guessing it WOULD look killer on either end of a crystal chamber if possible.

brett
09-13-2012, 07:01 AM
A sincerely beautiful job so far. Surprised more of these types are not constructed. When you look at how Starkillers have taken off, and old republic models,all of the different varieties that are not from the movies, it just seems the logical choice, especially for those whose cram-fu is not strong (like me)or even just the battery options it would provide. Especially for those who tend to just display their sabers.
Well, regardless of that, I am looking forward to more build logs and cant wait to see the finished saber.
Kudos!

Forgetful Jedi Knight
09-13-2012, 01:30 PM
Funny you bring that picture up. It's also the "basis" for a saber I have been doing, though it won't be a protosaber. Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

DarthAlice
09-18-2012, 06:12 AM
Here is a couple of more progress shots, I decided on a production saber, that I'll heavily machine/modify to get the look I want. As mentioned on another thread I am using dean's micro plugs, and have quit using the standard quick disconnects due to superiority in design, ease of soldering and a very tight connection, if you'll notice in the pix a difference between the 25mm high bass speaker and a 40mm with the bass resonance tube behind them. The box is wired the same way I would an electrical panel for a home or a custom remote box, or under-dash harness wiring in a car. The whole thing ends up being totally modular, and the face plate can completely seperate from the unit if a different one is built, there is also lots of room on the power strips for any future additions. (the next one will be a bit "nicer") The last pic shows the drop holster and thigh straps that I made from 10 guage leather and a reclaimed belt.
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber10.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber14.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber12.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber13.jpg

DarthAlice
09-19-2012, 10:39 AM
Here is a test with a PC1.6 connected to the main power line, I ordered a saber from Saberforge (a Venom) that wont even look the same when I'm done (can you say "warranty void in under 5 minutes!!!) Hope you guys enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Srl43Yxe974

shmoetech
09-19-2012, 11:32 AM
dude that is crazy....way nice!

DarthAlice
10-19-2012, 08:33 AM
Ok folks here it is finally finished, and tested,Particulars: US Prophecy hilt heavily modded, custom 1/4" tall x 1/2" wide control box with 2 micro switches, custom polycarb inner rail with brass crystal base encasing a 3 watt red laser,aged brass parts for accent
Igniter R3 with 8 fonts including Electrum and Links Zombies
7.4V Li-ion w/Re-charge/kill in the Belt-pack section
3W 40mm 8 Ohm full range bass speaker with bass tube and bafflespeaker
Custom optics module with tri-rebel RRW
Very bright red blade w/white FoC
Aged and clear coated
(yes it is very loud and bassy!
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber27.jpg
http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z433/DarthAlice88/protosaber28.jpg

Ty_Bomber
10-19-2012, 10:11 AM
Wow. That is something else. I LOVE the electric faceplate. That looks like something taken right off the pages of tales of the Jedi. Job well done my friend. Any chance of a finished video?

DarthAlice
10-19-2012, 10:29 AM
Wow. That is something else. I LOVE the electric faceplate. That looks like something taken right off the pages of tales of the Jedi. Job well done my friend. Any chance of a finished video? Very soon, very soon!

IvPalmer
10-19-2012, 11:11 AM
Awesome! very very nice! Congratulations

amwolf
10-19-2012, 11:26 AM
Wickedly cool!

Darth Ryo
10-22-2012, 01:10 AM
Definitely awesome :D

DarthAlice
10-25-2012, 01:44 AM
Ok folks here is the finished video with saber completed, I'll make another come Halloween with full costume
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaQZAr5dBi8