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Kreyhn
02-07-2016, 09:30 PM
Concept:
The concept for this saber is to have a snake wrapping around the hilt in the fashion of the rod of Asclepius, the Greek healer.

Design:
The snake will be wrapped tightly around the hilt closer to the pommel, and will have a more lengthened wrap up the main section of the hilt. Finally, the head will be on the front of the blade holder to be the most prominent aspect while wielding the saber. I've gotten a good deal of work done so far, and I'll get some pictures of my sketches and drafts up.

CET
02-07-2016, 11:35 PM
I look forward to seeing some concept art.

Kreyhn
02-09-2016, 08:31 PM
And here they are! Please pardon the autoenhancement, although I do feel like it came out easier to see than a plain photo of my pencil sketch.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/40350b70-973e-416c-b8f9-1c5c55d64353_zpsxhgfhkfl.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/40350b70-973e-416c-b8f9-1c5c55d64353_zpsxhgfhkfl.jpg.html)

Also, here is the scale rough model I'm working with for size and position.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/0d808787-8b83-4ee9-8ae4-c34c4eb2012c_zpss6hoewio.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/0d808787-8b83-4ee9-8ae4-c34c4eb2012c_zpss6hoewio.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/98113fbf-f88e-4d63-bf91-142fe3634690_zpsjjvmupzz.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/98113fbf-f88e-4d63-bf91-142fe3634690_zpsjjvmupzz.jpg.html)

sks1138
02-09-2016, 09:18 PM
Very cool design. I like it!

daaguilar
02-09-2016, 10:06 PM
(I just watched that video of the snake climbing the tree on facebook today!)
Gotta say, I was really unsure of how an idea like this would turn out but wow I am in love with that sketch. Very excited to see how this one turns out!

Kreyhn
02-14-2016, 02:09 PM
Today I've been working on getting the grip (hehehe) just right. The coiled portions and the neck should be easy to design, but the straighter body running vertical is a different story. I want to have that portion fit in the gap of my hand as I grip the saber, but I still want the body to have a somewhat organic shape to look like a snake. To get it just right, I used some sculpey wrapped around my test-pipe in the basic shape I wanted it to take, but a little wider. From there, I cut down the edges of what I had molded on in order to get that shape just right.
_______________ (vvv thumbs up! vvv) _______http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_0998_zpsbmilvgxc.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_0998_zpsbmilvgxc.jpg.html)
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_0999_zpsbutgsjoc.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_0999_zpsbutgsjoc.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1002_zpswq9scvpm.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1002_zpswq9scvpm.jpg.html)

With extra to trim off, of course the areas where the snake switches to a coiling form didn't come out, but that will be the next step. Back to the paper!

Kreyhn
02-20-2016, 01:59 AM
In my research of snake form, I had come across another way that snakes wrapped around branches and climbed trees. This pattern is similar to an s-form around the object in question. A while ago, I had thought of making the snake take this form around the saber, since it did seem more natural. It didn't fit the classic rod of Asclepius with a coiling wrapped snake, though. I remembered this idea a few nights ago as I was falling asleep, and in my dream, I envisioned a way to have both, to make the grip more comfortable, and to have the entire thing look more "organic" or more naturally snake-like. So I headed back to the drawing board to make my changes. The long vertical grip section in the U shape now also resembles the original wooden rough-draft I had partially completed earlier this year (no pictures of that one yet, maybe I'll get a few up). Playing with Illustrator (I haven't used it before, and after watching some basic guides, I really like it as a computer drawing tool!), as well as drawing on a PVC tube, I came up with a new design for the snake-shroud:
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/Saber%20Dream%20Sleeve%20Vector_zps8tbjunw9.png

Kreyhn
03-05-2016, 07:55 PM
The shroud design! This one is a PVC rough draft. My lightsaber design is primarily based around the shroud, and it's been fun designing it just right. It fits perfectly in my hand with the way the snake, well, snakes around the hilt. I'm thinking I'll mess with the blade holder to do my own design there as well, but that's further down the road.

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1049_zpsvo6imzjf.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1049_zpsvo6imzjf.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1048_zpsprvdpdrd.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1048_zpsprvdpdrd.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1047_zpsixv9bdcc.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1047_zpsixv9bdcc.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1046_zpsz6ew3faa.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1046_zpsz6ew3faa.jpg.html)

My next step was to use paper and a crayon to trace the snake design so I can put together a digital, 2D image that I can manipulate to make the curves flow, as well as make it editable and give it other design elements for the acid etch process later. Learning to use illustrator is fun, but I'm not too good at it yet.

Kreyhn
04-24-2016, 03:59 PM
I've been silent for a while, mainly lurking on the forum and putting together designs in illustrator for the parts of the saber I'm customizing. I have a render for what the shape of my snake wrap will be, and I'll be getting that design cut from vinyl. I've also finished my design for my blade holder! I bought the cylindrical blade holder mainly to see what it felt like, but being that it's the right height for what I'm looking for and it's basically a blank, I'm planning to do some cutting on it. Here is the tentative design for that piece:

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1509_zpscpbih8s8.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_1509_zpscpbih8s8.jpg.html)

The plastic piece is a 3D printed version of the same blade holder to practice my dremel fu when the time comes. My university's library has a cheap printing service available that I utilized.

I've also been planning the chassis, and I realized that the way my MHS parts are all lined together, I have room in my saber to to a crystal chamber. Further, the mechanism to reveal it will be (I think) fairly spectacular. More on that later, I think!

FenixFire
04-24-2016, 07:20 PM
What type of printer is it? From the photo it looks like a photopolymer printer, this material quickly becomes brittle and you may be disappointed with the durability of the material. I recently did a chamber part for a build using NEXT material (one of the most durable photopolymer RP material), yet even with the piece only being used for my sons science fair and never being dueled with...it's has started to warp and crack as it absorbs atmospheric humidity.
I have only been dealing with rapid prototyping since 2000 and currently have a fortus 500 and a Projet 5500 in my design studio, so take my opinion as you want. You'll definitely want the chassis either sls printed in vinyl or fdm printed in ABS.

Kreyhn
04-25-2016, 10:02 PM
I'm not sure what the printer is, but it uses some sort of plastic filament (you can't see all the filaments with the picture resolution).

Thanks for the advice; those are all important things to know, and I'll keep them in mind, especially if I do end up printing out chassis parts. I personally am not planning to do any/much more 3D printing for this saber, other than for prototyping/shaping. My plan for that little piece will basically be to carve it out with a dremel, evaluate the shape before going ahead with work on the metal blade holder, and putting it in the box of scraps I've built up over the course of planning the design for this lightsaber.

FenixFire
04-26-2016, 10:52 AM
Ok, then it should be fine. That type is FDM or Fused Deposition Modeling. It most likely prints in PLA, ABS would be a better option. Though, usually only the mid to high end or higher end home built machines will have nozzles complaint with ABS

Kreyhn
05-12-2016, 07:35 PM
Cheers. I'll keep that in mind if I do need to go the route of further 3D printing.

On the other hand, I am doing some vinyl printing! Or, I found someone here in Omaha who could do that for me. I'm starting off with the snake's general shape before I start adding detail to the resist:
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1578_zpsvekul4zy.jpg

Next step is to seek out some copper sulfate or ferric chloride to practice acid etching and make this thing happen. The brass sink tubes shall fall victim first.

I'm also still planning out my crystal chassis, with a bit of inspiration from the most famous slothfurnace and the incredible Darth Chasm. I'll share some of my ideas once they're a bit more hashed out, I think. This is where the art and the cram fu get really hard!

FenixFire
05-12-2016, 08:22 PM
Cheers. I'll keep that in mind if I do need to go the route of further 3D printing.

On the other hand, I am doing some vinyl printing! Or, I found someone here in Omaha who could do that for me. I'm starting off with the snake's general shape before I start adding detail to the resist:
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1578_zpsvekul4zy.jpg

Next step is to seek out some copper sulfate or ferric chloride to practice acid etching and make this thing happen. The brass sink tubes shall fall victim first.

I'm also still planning out my crystal chassis, with a bit of inspiration from the most famous slothfurnace and the incredible Darth Chasm. I'll share some of my ideas once they're a bit more hashed out, I think. This is where the art and the cram fu get really hard!

Why not use the salt water and electric method? It cheaper and safer? Look up Arkims Salt water Etching tutorial.

Silver Serpent
05-13-2016, 05:02 AM
If you have the chrome plated brass sink tubes, you may have some difficulty etching them. Chrome is rather a pain to work with (and can be quite toxic as well).

FenixFire
05-13-2016, 06:33 AM
If you have the chrome plated brass sink tubes, you may have some difficulty etching them. Chrome is rather a pain to work with (and can be quite toxic as well).

I put mine on the lathe and sanded off all of the chrome first, took about 5 minutes with 100, 320, and 400 grit paper.

Edit: Forgot to mention hook up a shop vac and wear an appropriate respirator, preferably one for automotive paining.

Kreyhn
05-14-2016, 08:05 AM
The tubes I'm using aren't chrome-plated, but I'm still planning on sanding them to get a decent finish. I've got parts on the wayt to build a drill-to-MHS adapter to get it spinning without a lathe.

Thanks for the safety tips; I have a few medical respirators for airborne pathogens that I think will do the trick.

As for etching method, I'm planning to try out the saltwater as well, but I wanted to start things off with the root kill method. If I don't like the lack of control or the results I end up with, then I'll go about figuring out the clips and such for some saltwater etching. I've read about other saber-builder's experience with either method, but do you have any insight into why one may be better than the other?

RevanReborn
05-14-2016, 07:19 PM
Very cool design! I'm also really interested in these etching techniques- look forward to seeing this develop :).

Kreyhn
06-01-2016, 07:18 PM
Progress! I bought a 1.5" hole cutter for my drill and sanded down the outside until it fit the inside of a sink tube snugly. Then I sanded down my sinktube, progressing to a 400 grit and finally a 600 grit wet sand. Absolutely gorgeous shine on it! As I started sanding the tube, it got far shinier than I anticipated, from the dull yellowish color. Then I remembered, "Oh yeah, trumpets!" Anywho, once I got it sanded down, I applied the vinyl sticker. That didn't go well. Even with a mask on top of the vinyl to hold its shape, it didn't really keep the precise shape I expected. It was also a pain to get the angle decent so that the spaces between each wrapping of the tail were equal. After getting them as equal as possible, I realized I would have to redesign the end of the tail - simple to lengthen it. It needed to fit the diameter of the tube precisely with each descending curve. I also tested another sticker resist used more for chemicals and painting as I did the etch. And it worked! I ended up liking the blue sticker stuff (Oramask Stencil Film 813) more. It was rigid, held shape, and gave what seemed like better edges in most parts than the vinyl.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1669_zps3ltxspqz.jpghttp://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1673_zpsrxfvd3d8.jpghttp://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1674_zpsvoke8bcr.jpg

Then it was on to carving it out with my dremel. The cutting wheel worked beautifully, even though I snapped a bunch learning how to use it. It started out great until I had cut an entire curve out of the metal. Then it popped out at me. So that's it for sink tubes. I hoped to use them for designing the shape and testing it out without eating through bunches of precious sleeve material. However, I have found that sink tube will only work as a sleeve if left in an intact ring.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1676_zpsklleboe2.jpghttp://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_1677_zps2yh0dp78.jpg

Finally, the acid I went with was RadioShack's PCB ferric chloride etchant solution. It was the easiest to get my hands on, and it did the trick well. I think I'll go with it in the future; I'm also building a PVC chamber to bathe my 12" parts in completely. I used an old french press, but the glass wasn't tall enough for full submersion. Also, the duct tape definitely let a few drops of acid in, which corroded the inside of the tube. Next time, I'll do the duct tape to cover the end, then dip the whole end in wax to seal it, I think.

That's all for now!

Silver Serpent
06-02-2016, 07:04 AM
That's one of the downsides to using sinktubes. They will expand if you cut "open-style" shrouds out of them. The TCSS sleeve material doesn't have that behavior.

FenixFire
06-03-2016, 11:25 AM
That's one of the downsides to using sinktubes. They will expand if you cut "open-style" shrouds out of them. The TCSS sleeve material doesn't have that behavior.

SS,

How much will they open? I was going to use them for my newest hilt. I actually need them to open slightly because it has an OD of exactly 1.5". I was initially going to use 1.5". I was going to anneal it, stretch it over the aluminum, then reheat and quench it. But if it naturally opens up I may not have to do that, and might want to go with the 1.25" instead.

Silver Serpent
06-03-2016, 12:09 PM
Depends on the exact sinktube and the shape you're cutting into it. Some open more than others. I'd say that it's unlikely you'd need to open it further, and you may need to reduce it a bit (design depending).

Sinktube is inexpensive (relatively speaking), so it's a good material to experiment with.

FenixFire
06-03-2016, 02:34 PM
Thanks, really only need it to open up a couple thousands of an inch so great information. I just assumed it was extruded tube like Aluminum, but since it has spring back it must be drawn and soldered.

Kreyhn
06-03-2016, 07:41 PM
Thanks, really only need it to open up a couple thousands of an inch so great information. I just assumed it was extruded tube like Aluminum, but since it has spring back it must be drawn and soldered.

That's my thinking too. Opening up this sink tube made it way too big; I can fit the sleeve material through the snake without issue. It opens far more than a few thousandths of an inch.

Kreyhn
06-07-2016, 07:36 PM
The artistic process, as it does, insists on an alteration in the course of this saber. I have actually been working on it for a few years now as a concept, in my free time. I began this project 3 years ago when I first found TCSS, but I was working on a wooden rough draft at the time and decided to leave TCSS where it was for the time being. My original idea was to have what truly appeared to be a snake wrapping the saber. After getting far more into what TCSS had to offer, I thought to switch my idea to the shroud; it would fit nicely and I could make a snake-sequel design from it with this acid etching everyone seems to be into. This course is being abandoned. As much as I enjoy learning Adobe, I am a very tactile person and I don't feel I have the control I want over it. I have the snake's shape ready, but I the have been dreading adding artistic details like scales. Now, I am moving on.

The path I am going to explore now is more complicated, but I have more control over it and it will give me a satisfying look to my saber—the one I'm truly after. Watching other artists like Mynock make armor and helmets, I am going to go with the route of sculpture and cold casting! This project is going to take me much longer now, I think, but it will lead me to a final product I will be truly proud of and pleased with aesthetically. Wish me luck!

P.S. I'll get some photos of the wooden saber I originally had worked on and scrapped when I came back to The Custom Saber Shop (I wasn't ready the first time; it all seemed too over my head).

Cire Yeldarb
06-09-2016, 01:50 PM
Good luck! I look forward to seeing what yuou end up doing; take lots of pictures of your progress!

Kreyhn
10-02-2016, 03:37 PM
Hello again! Sorry it's been a while; I've been waiting on parts and working on figuring out my chassis. The snake is a pain in the butt since I have zero sculpting experience, but that is a-ok. It's in its infancy. However, I have made a lot of progress on the chassis! My saber has a thinner ID due to the grenade section, so finding the right chassis parts to allow for a crystal reveal has been tough. I had some incredible 3D printed chassis parts made (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention the designer here), and they've allowed me to do what I wished to. Without further ado, some pictures:

Here are the three pieces I began with. I went with purple for the speaker holder because not so many people will see it, and I love royal purple. I thought it would be nifty to have in my saber and a treat for those who will get to see it.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_2235_zps9vwwpxab.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_2235_zps9vwwpxab.jpg.html)

Rather than glue my 4-40 rods into the speaker holder though, I wanted mechanical forces at work! Thus, I dremeled slots in them for 4-40 hex nuts.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/48d209ff-16a1-4514-967c-3aa4eff1856a_zpsebfgemqu.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/48d209ff-16a1-4514-967c-3aa4eff1856a_zpsebfgemqu.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/67b1caac-fb43-420d-8576-1e249aa6029a_zpslgn4ysqn.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/67b1caac-fb43-420d-8576-1e249aa6029a_zpslgn4ysqn.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/8112d3e2-cc1e-4de8-9c2c-4b70f54caab9_zpspef0anmf.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/8112d3e2-cc1e-4de8-9c2c-4b70f54caab9_zpspef0anmf.jpg.html)
(the right-most picture is of a speaker holder designed for the premium speaker, and I did my work on the bass speaker holder, in case you noticed the difference)

Since the underlying plastic was white, I turned it black with a sharpie for better effect.
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/649f86e2-b89c-4f2f-bc45-73650f900029_zpslso15uew.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/649f86e2-b89c-4f2f-bc45-73650f900029_zpslso15uew.jpg.html)

And here is the half of my chassis that will house the electronics!
http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_2275_zpsvuykdx4m.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_2275_zpsvuykdx4m.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_2278_zps0u1ifjkq.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_2278_zps0u1ifjkq.jpg.html)http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y306/nathandewey32/IMG_2279_zpsuidicbto.jpg (http://s1024.photobucket.com/user/nathandewey32/media/IMG_2279_zpsuidicbto.jpg.html)

PhoenixHawk
10-03-2016, 12:35 AM
Looking good bro. Sculpting is something that isn't just there....it takes practice. Just keep making mock-ups(with clay)till you get the hang of it.

And i like the chassis an speaker holder....they look really cool.