Build Log : Padawan Hilt

[richmbailey]

Starting the beginning stages of a new Padawan Hilt for my son Quinn. It's called "Quinn's Blade". :)

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/Quinn-Padawan-Saber1_zpsitpcemmb.jpg

Used a green pad to start prepping the parts for color. Removed the standard finish into a more rough texture.

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/Quinn_Padawan_Saber-Prep_zpstcteufsh.jpg

[jedimastergarcia87]

Very cool. Never thought to use a choke piece as a piece in the middle of the body. I like the idea. I also kinda like the rough finish. And the design is nice too

[richmbailey]

Some more updates. Textured the sanded parts with Aluminum Black staining and rubbing with a layer of clear coat to give it a grungy texture. Also added a few mock ups of blade colors to decide on.

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt1_zpsxshg7ki5.jpg

Possible blade colors:
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-Blue_zps8sv5odmk.jpg
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-Yellow_zpsj5goznxe.jpg
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-Green_zpshnghaurw.jpg
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-Purple_zps3xummok7.jpg

[AckAck]

I am loving this saber. It is a wonderful design. Reminds me a lot of an Old Republic saber. And just as a side not, I personally like the looks of the green blade with this hilt. :)

[richmbailey]

I am loving this saber. It is a wonderful design. Reminds me a lot of an Old Republic saber. And just as a side not, I personally like the looks of the green blade with this hilt. :)

I was leaning toward green or blue. ;)

Probably have yellow or white FoC as well with a PC3.5 soundcard.

[MedicineMan]

Like the weathering job, but why didn't the rest of the pieces get weathered with it? Looks kind of outta place with very nice shinies and then weathered "main bodies/extensions"

[amwolf]

I'll counterpoint MM; I like the visual texture the weathering brings. It stops being "weathering" and becomes "finish". If possible, try and clean the "gunk" off the bronze area of the choke as IMO it spoils the effect.

[richmbailey]

And the tweaking continues. I've added an MPP clamp and some rings to define the base more. I know allot of folks do not like box clamps but to me, it gives it the feel of the Original Trilogy. It is not permanent just playing with the look and feel.

To AmWolf > I plan on cleaning up the bronze section. The dirty FX didn't turn out as planned. Trial and error. :)

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-MCC1_zpsudiqxyhx.jpg
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-MCC2_zpsgv655fxb.jpg

[richmbailey]

Like the weathering job, but why didn't the rest of the pieces get weathered with it? Looks kind of outta place with very nice shinies and then weathered "main bodies/extensions"

My strange reason behind only some parts being textured, is that I was going for a Padawan hilt that had several diffent parts used to construct it. Some parts were old and grundy but some parts were newer.

At least that what I was going for. :)

[richmbailey]

I'll counterpoint MM; I like the visual texture the weathering brings. It stops being "weathering" and becomes "finish". If possible, try and clean the "gunk" off the bronze area of the choke as IMO it spoils the effect.

Cleaned up the bronze/gold section a bit. :)

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/PQB-Hilt-MPP3_zps0letcll9.jpg

[jedimastergarcia87]

Cool. The bottom trim ring above the pommel gives kind of a cone shape rather than just being plain looking in that section. I like it and gives me ideas too =]

[darth_chasm]

Textured the sanded parts with Aluminum Black staining and rubbing with a layer of clear coat to give it a grungy texture. A

I'm planning on using aluminum black on my hilt. How did you like working with it and how long did it take the metal to begin reacting with it?

Edit: nice looking hilt by the way. I dig your reasoning for the mixed finishes.

[richmbailey]

I'm planning on using aluminum black on my hilt. How did you like working with it and how long did it take the metal to begin reacting with it?

Edit: nice looking hilt by the way. I dig your reasoning for the mixed finishes.

It's very toxic stuff, so use in a well ventilated area, double glove (I used surgical gloves).

1. First light sand the oxidation layer off the aluminum. Depending on how textured you want you can use high grit for light sanding, or a lower grit to really texture the aluminum.
2. Clean with a good de-greaser or solution like Acetone.
3. Use clean, lint free rags and put some of the Aluminum Black solution on the rag.
4. Dab around the parts you want colored. It starts to turn black almost immediately.
5. When you have the desired darkness, rinse with cold water, and dry with fresh cloth.
6. On mine, i wanted to create some texture, so I used a dry paper towel and rubbed long ways to remove some of the color.
7. After 24 hours, I painted a thin coat of clear coat to protect it.

Hope that helps.

[darth_chasm]

Hope that helps.

Definitely, thanks for the tips.

[richmbailey]

After all the feedback on the forums, the MPP clamp must go! :)

Back to being a more slick, low profile hilt. My plan is to use two recessed tactile switches side by side (similar to Madcow's designs), on the 2 inch section at the top. I did find a place for the MPP clamp. As you can see below I added it to my Resolute project. Looks very cool on that hilt, gives it a Vader/Anakin feel.

http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah261/richmbailey71/PQB-Orig_zpsxxyed2d3.jpg

[richmbailey]

Definitely, thanks for the tips.

I see allot of sabersmiths and hobbyists using etching with acid. Well, i don't have the place to do that stuff so I had the idea to use the aluminum black since it oxidizes "burns" the aluminum. I took a spare pommel piece and cut out a stencil with tape of the letter Q in Aurebesh. Used a rag to dab the black aluminum on the exposed area. Below is the results. Not bad on a first try. Something to think about.

http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah261/richmbailey71/AlumBlkEtchTest_zpsknhubzxm.jpg

[darth_chasm]

Great idea. Very cool.

[richmbailey]

Well I went ahead and etched my son's name in Aurebesh onto the saber. Created stencils then used Aluminum Black to stain the metal. Then a light sanding to blend it in. I'll add a layer of clear coat to protect it.

http://i1382.photobucket.com/albums/ah261/richmbailey71/PQB-Hilt-Etched2_zpsl6dfsho9.jpg

[obi2kenobi14]

cool.:cool:

[richmbailey]

After all the great feedback, both negative and positive, I went back to the drawing board slightly. I wanted a Yoda inspired hilt with a smaller size that would allow room for electronics. Ultimately I used influences from Yoda, Vader, and Old Republic.

This is the final pieces I came up with and I am happy with. Hilt is just about 8.85 inches long. I will do some more cosmetic work later.

http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/QuinnBladeFinalMock_zpsbwuxkdp0.jpg

Note: I did use the other parts I had to create another saber, it's about 9.5 inches and will be project later. You can see it in the background below:
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/s528/richmbailey/QB_and_Padawan2_zpsuyti9anz.jpg

[richmbailey]

Cosmetics finished. On tap for electronics.

http://img09.deviantart.net/ca3c/i/2015/220/d/7/padawan_saber___quinn_blade___final_version_by_ric hmbailey-d94utku.jpg