Crann Bethadh - Celtic Tree of Life Stunt Saber

[Cha-Li Obedi]

When I first discovered the wonderful world of combat capable lightsabers, I knew I had to learn to build one like a true Jedi. Thanks to TCSS, Madcow, and all of you I now know how. This completes the first saber I ever designed, acid etched, and wired (I had never done any of that 3 months ago).

I present "Crann Bethadh" the Celtic Tree of Life. It's a short shoto saber for my 3 year old youngling (soon to be Padawan). From the day I unboxed my first unnamed saber, she's always said that she wants a blue lightsaber like daddy's.

Thanks for your views.

Internal Parts List:

16mm AV latching switch
20mA DynaOhm resistor
2 x 3.7v 900mAh 14500 Trustfire li-ion batteries
BuckPuck 1000mA 4-wire
Rebel Star LED
2 x AA battery holder

[ARKM]

I'm diggin' that etching.

[darth_chasm]

^^ Agreed. That is some fine work. Congrats.

[Forgetful Jedi Knight]

Nice work on that etching!!

[Arkanjel]

Love that theme :-D

[Derro Kuspin]

Congratulations on your first! :)
Another example of 'parenting at its best'! :D
The etching turned out great.
So I guess, the next one is Daddy's own and will have sound? ;)

[Cha-Li Obedi]

You know it Derro Kuspin. Already planning mine.:D

[Derro Kuspin]

Thought so... ;)
My first finished saber was for my son. Now I'm about to finish mine - which I started first, but last Christmas came so suddenly and unexpectedly (as usual :D), that I had to set my priorities right.
Your little one will definitely appreciate and cherish Daddy's special present more and more, the older she'll become... :)

[Generic Jedi]

Great job on your first! That etching looks really good.

[Greenie]

Great job. Love that etching dude :)

[Starwinder]

Agree with everyone else - that etching is amazing!

[rlobrecht]

Very nice etching.

[Sloda Foade]

Beautiful etching. Did you use vinyl or press & peel blue?

[Cha-Li Obedi]

I used the press and peel blue paper

[Sloda Foade]

I used the press and peel blue paper

Hmm, How did you manage to etch it so deep, my P&P starts to peel off after 25 minutes in solution. On brass I barely managed to get a tiny lip in the layers, but it was enough to see the difference in the brass as the underlying brass was a more reddish colour. I am thinking of getting vinyl stencils done for my next etch after this saber.
I am using concentrated salt electrolysis for my etch solution as Iron sulphate costs an arm and a leg here and we can't get the sulphate root kill here. Also getting rid of the stuff is a nightmare.

[Cha-Li Obedi]

I actually used ferric chloride with a 2:1 mixture with water for 5 minutes. I'm going to try salt water etching next time. You definitely have more control to do smaller areas with salt water vs. submersion in ferric acid.

[Quixotic Jedi]

Awesome etching!!