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Noyl Wendor
11-03-2015, 06:20 PM
So I've been at this awhile, building hilts. Recently however I've decided to challenge my self and do some better work. Not just better but somethings I've not done before. I found lately that perhaps a crystal chamber would be an adequate challenge. Rather than buying one (too easy), I decided to build one myself. Now I don't have a lot of really good tools (lathe, mill, that sort). But I do have a pretty crafty brain. Knowing this I did a bit (I really mean tons) of research. Seeing what other people built, to get some ideas. I didn't want to go really complex for my first chamber. So I decided to stick with "simple gets it done".
I started with some TCSS discs, and a trip to the hard ware store. Here's where I started
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2104_zpsdukd5js5.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2104_zpsdukd5js5.jpg.html)
Eventually I ended up here
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2107_zpsoc6slipb.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2107_zpsoc6slipb.jpg.html)http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2110_zpsnst6xrpq.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2110_zpsnst6xrpq.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2111_zpswz0wcmjp.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2111_zpswz0wcmjp.jpg.html)
A little closer look
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2106_zpshxhsjinz.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2106_zpshxhsjinz.jpg.html)
A test piece to fit it in. Just to see what it may look like through a cutout in a hilt
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2108_zpsilhqys0o.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2108_zpsilhqys0o.jpg.html)
I forgot what the lights do.......
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2113_zpsyvombvj8.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2113_zpsyvombvj8.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2112_zpswjpx573t.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2112_zpswjpx573t.jpg.html)
This one is ready to be wired up and put in a hilt. I've left a little of the threaded rod so it can be attached to another disc when the rest of the parts come up. The crystal in the center is quartz and looks pretty good with light moving through it. So I'm hoping a brilliant blue will make it look really good in the chamber. This is my second crystal chamber ever, so I'm pretty okay with this one :D

Forgetful Jedi Knight
11-03-2015, 06:29 PM
Nice work! I really like the hollow brass rods. You got those at a hardware store?

Noyl Wendor
11-03-2015, 07:01 PM
Nice work! I really like the hollow brass rods. You got those at a hardware store?
Yes. They are 3/16HB barbed connectors, place them in two opposite ends of hose. Of course the hard ware store now knows they have another application, so I'll probably never find them again :D

Forgetful Jedi Knight
11-03-2015, 07:26 PM
Yes. They are 3/16HB barbed connectors, place them in two opposite ends of hose. Of course the hard ware store now knows they have another application, so I'll probably never find them again :D

Well, it's not like you really needed them for anything, right? LOL

Ty_Bomber
11-03-2015, 08:10 PM
That is a really nice chamber! Way to much yourself, bud. I always really like your work, you have an eye for creating for that in universe look.

Rabbitdragon
11-03-2015, 09:48 PM
That does look great. Really like the brass under the black.

Generic Jedi
11-04-2015, 02:18 AM
That looks really good. Great job fitting it all together!

AckAck
11-04-2015, 05:04 AM
I love this chamber! The fittings you used as the spacers are just great looking. :)

rlobrecht
11-04-2015, 06:08 AM
That is a great looking crystal chamber.

darth_chasm
11-04-2015, 07:22 AM
Awesome

Starwinder
11-04-2015, 07:25 AM
Stellar work!

JD8a27
11-04-2015, 08:41 AM
Excellent work! Crafty brain indeed!

MikeC13
11-04-2015, 02:28 PM
The barbed fittings almost look like they were made for the purpose.

And using a hex head bolt with nuts sandwiching the disk must've made it easy to adjust for the crystal. Good thinking there...

Noyl Wendor
11-10-2015, 12:49 AM
So I got some more work in on the crystal chamber. I'm thinking this will finish it off nicely. I managed to leave one hole to pass the switch wires and LED wires through. However I may end up putting one more hole in, so I can pass 8 wires through the chamber with out getting too bunched up. I decided not to cover the wires. I don't mind the idea of having the wires show at the back of the chamber.
Any how here's some updated pictures
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2131_zps41oampui.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2131_zps41oampui.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2130_zpspqr34hij.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2130_zpspqr34hij.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2124_zpsrnh7uypm.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2124_zpsrnh7uypm.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2123_zps7wmn3xei.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2123_zps7wmn3xei.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2122_zpssqsc56kv.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2122_zpssqsc56kv.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2126_zpsunamjhgj.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2126_zpsunamjhgj.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2125_zpsdzcdzgte.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2125_zpsdzcdzgte.jpg.html)
Mainly a few more washers, some turned down brass nuts, and a few bits and bobs (mostly really tiny camera parts) to finish out the chamber. Then I'll go about connecting the rest of the chassis, and start the wiring. Thanks for looking ;)

Noyl Wendor
11-10-2015, 05:47 PM
A little more progress. I did some minor changes to the crystal chamber, and set it up for the chassis. http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2136_zpsfnpfqcqk.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2136_zpsfnpfqcqk.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2137_zpsli0nep9j.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2137_zpsli0nep9j.jpg.html)
I finished fitting the MHS parts to where I want them to go. http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2140_zpsbjhr4ilh.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2140_zpsbjhr4ilh.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2142_zpsbtlq14xf.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2142_zpsbtlq14xf.jpg.html)
http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2141_zps9g1djdr5.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2141_zps9g1djdr5.jpg.html)
Now I have an idea what I'll be looking at when assembledhttp://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/noylwendor/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2139_zpsgwxzrmkt.jpg (http://s1032.photobucket.com/user/noylwendor/media/waypointsabers/crystal%20chamber%20hilt/100_2139_zpsgwxzrmkt.jpg.html)
Other than a mishap with a sound board today. I'd say this little project of mine is coming along:D. Time to take a break for a day or so, I hit this pretty hard for my days off:).

CET
11-10-2015, 05:48 PM
Wow, I like where this is going. :D

Leatherneck
11-10-2015, 06:35 PM
Really like the chamber!! I am curious about the black plastic chassis parts you are using beneath the chamber.. Did you make those or did you source them. I am very new to this but I don't think I have seen that before.

Rabbitdragon
11-10-2015, 07:27 PM
Looking really good. Cannot wait to see it lit up in the saber.

JD8a27
11-10-2015, 08:01 PM
3d printed chassis??

Noyl Wendor
11-10-2015, 08:29 PM
3d printed chassis??
Yes. Figured I was trying new stuff...so why not :D

firedog179
01-13-2016, 10:49 AM
Awesome work! I'm in the process of building a crystal chamber myself, and I'm doing what you did by finding random things at the hardware store. My question is wiring, how did you get all this together? I get ohms law and have no probem figuring out the calculations, but where I struggle is figuring out what boards to use and the connections. Are the LEDs, just accent LEDs? Do you use a Buckpuck? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Miraluka
01-13-2016, 05:44 PM
Any board in the store can work. Even the NB supports 1 accent LED which is all you really need for a CC. If you wanted to use more, you can run them parallel to the blade or use a board that supports more accents. People typically use high brightness 5mm or 3mm LEDs. Easy to find on google. And you use resistors (as necessary) the buckpucks sold in the store push far too much current for accent LEDs.

hapki
01-13-2016, 06:18 PM
I like it! Quick question. How do you keep the nuts from coming loose on the 4-40 thread holding it together? Any tricks? Or do you just use multiple nuts?

Silver Serpent
01-13-2016, 06:32 PM
Blue Loctite threadlocker is a valid solution. It's not permanent, so you can still dismantle it for repairs.

Noyl Wendor
01-13-2016, 11:38 PM
I may be running this set up with a Nano myself. The accent led is no issue with that board, or the battery really. However I've really not done much to the chamber since my last update. I've changed what its going in. When more parts are in stock that I need for this build, I'll do an update.
But yeah a nano is a good option for this one :D

firedog179
01-14-2016, 09:37 PM
Thanks for the help, the only problem I have now is finding a board. It seems everyone is out and I've even checked the boards creators website. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer to finish the project until I can get a proper board.

CET
01-14-2016, 10:55 PM
Thanks for the help, the only problem I have now is finding a board. It seems everyone is out and I've even checked the boards creators website. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer to finish the project until I can get a proper board.

The struggle is real.