VENGEANCE Saber w/ Spark soundboard

[Defcon4]

Hello, guys

I'm still a newbie, but trying to improve and gain knowledge with each build.

This was my first build with the spark soundboard. The wiring seemed pretty straight forward and I didn't run into too much difficulty.
(Thanks to what I have been taught by you guys here at the forums)

This was also my first attempt to build a Hilt sleeve and Emitter shield. I found out very quickly that the Dremel wheel can grab and take off very quickly with Aluminum. I had to slow down and be very patient.
After lots of filing, sanding and polishing I went from jagged to something presentable.

I had a lot of fun with this build.. and after attempting some custom components, I gained even more respect(if possible) for the talent on these boards. I can only imagine what it takes to design and create some of these high end sabers.

Anyhoo, here's is the Vengeance. Input and or advice appreciated.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON3_zps657b3b64.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON8_zpsfad7c222.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON9_zpsda144c9b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON4_zps26960ee8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON11_zps4fd5abc9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON2_zps03101ae1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/CYLON1_zps7ad83633.jpg

video below

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/th_VENG-2014-03-03-21-18-18_zps6598628c.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/VENG-2014-03-03-21-18-18_zps6598628c.mp4)

[amwolf]

Nice saber! Clean lines, simple design with a LOT of visual complexity and detail in the shroud work. A bit of an organic feel to the shrouds, too. I really like how the lines flare where I would have expected them to be straight, like on the blade shroud where they arc back up before diving down around the holder. Very nice.

[Silver Serpent]

A fine looking saber, to be sure. Congrats!

If it were mine, I'd probably add a splash of color. Maybe some paint in the recessed areas. Some people prefer the all-aluminum look, and that's fine too.

Shroud work can be tedious and nerve-wracking. Grab yourself one of the flex-shafts for your Dremel. It's the absolute best attachment you'll ever get. It adds +50 to your Dremel-fu score instantly!

[Ty_Bomber]

The shroud came out very well. I don't see any other specs for the saber besides the Spark though. Care to give us more details?

[Defcon4]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input very much.

Serpent, you are right ..and I did consider adding color and also had a pattern layout to do some etching(saltwater and root killer) In the end I got whipped and a little worried that I might mess the shroud up. I could still add color, but will save any etching for when I have little more under my belt.

Bomber,

Sorry I forgot the details.

Powered by a 3.7 volt 18650(protected) .

The switch plate includes The nickel plated momentary switch from the store as the main switch ..a small black aux switch and the 2.1mm recharge port.

The saber is wired for 2 blade colors. I went with a Dark and light side theme. I used the X2 10w cree led. Blue Blue/Red Red. Its very bright..and looks really nice with the blade pulse effect.

I believe the pommel is style 3. I drilled the holes out a bit to allow for greater sound.

Also' I made the blade plug from the bulb housing of a dollar tree flashlight and a Hotwheels rim.lol

Trans white blade with about 4 ft. of cello

Below are the scrolls that I designed for the shroud and shield but was afraid to implement after a failed attempt on a scrap piece. (maybe next time.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/scroll1_zpsbf8997ad.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/scroll2_zps8e47b871.jpg

[cannibal869]

Very nice job! you get points for ingenuity and resourcefulness with the blade plug.

Those scrolls look like they would be difficult with a hand dremel to get right the way you want..... too much room for error. Maybe think about acid etching instead?

-C

[Starwinder]

It's a really nice design and something to be proud of for sure! I really like what you did with the shroud work and the exposed fluted area and pommel.

[Forgetful Jedi Knight]

That build came out great!

[Askew Wai]

No longer just lurking, I had to 'come out' to comment on this saber. The photos are brilliant, clear and shot on textured vinyl. The monochrome saber feels very richly textured, perhaps specifically because it has no colour. The tail (pommel) is beautiful. It has lots of milling, yet always looks sleek. It has me doubting my own design ethic (okay, inspired me to open my mind again at least).

I can see the shroud was designed from the beginning to have those Renaissance art-science patterns. I imagine (easily wrong) the lines being as beautiful as they are on paper, but I wonder whether the saber will still be as sleek. Deep etched with wrinkled black, or shallow etched with black matte Tuscan? I'd go with the Italian references but that might be too cliche. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this.

[Batosai]

really nice and clean shourd work and overall a cool saber. congratz!

[Yoshi-Taka]

I thought I recognized this saber. I saw it elsewhere a couple days ago. The shroud work is incredible! From what is the shroud made?

[Defcon4]

I thought I recognized this saber. I saw it elsewhere a couple days ago. The shroud work is incredible! From what is the shroud made?

Thanks again to everyone for the positive feedback and advice.

Yoshi,

The shroud is a standard aluminum sleeve from the TCSS store.

After some file work, I used my dremel with a little sanding drum on the edges of the Shroud. I'm guessing the little drum was originally about 220 grit. But I purposely used and old one that had some wear (so it wouldn't be quite so abrasive)

from there 400 grit...then 600...then 1200...and #0000 steel wool.

But the final wipe down/buffing was with a product my brother introduce me to. (He's a gun guy)

Its called 'Lead-Clean Gun Cloth' you can buy it at gun shops or ebay. You saber guys may already be familiar with this or something like it.
Just incase I thought I'd pass it on.

Its made to remove lead and residue from stainless and Nickel plated firearms, but it work like magic for removing small fine scratches from aluminum and also polishing the surface.

The cloth is impregnated with polishes and probably other chemicals and maybe even very fine abrasives.

I was surprised at how well it worked.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/leadcleancloth_zps5c357ab6.jpg

[Yoshi-Taka]

That's what I thought. Just had to be sure. I like the polishing technique. Might have to try that in the future.

[Defcon4]

Thought I would add a quick walk through on my cheapy blade plug.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/bladeplug1_zps9dc0d84d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/bladeplug2_zps92dc5a1a.jpg

As you can see in this block of pictures below, I added a cheap hot wheels rim I picked up at the thrift store, just to add a mechanical look. I first had the idea for a Norelco rotary shaver blade and the screen. Its looks like a mini turbine ..and may have been really cool. But I couldn't find any at the Thrift store. lol The led component from the flash light just acts as a diffuser and sits down in the blade plug with very little sanding required. I guess gears or anything could be added on top of that.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v153/DEFCON4/bladeplug3_zps339c581a.jpg

[dgdve]

This thread is full of win! Great saber btw!