Techne
07-14-2016, 10:12 AM
Hello everyone, I am going to see what I can do about making Savage Opress's saberstaff.
This will be my first saber, so bear with me. I'm an artist, and have made a couple other costumes, including a TK suit for the 501st, but I don't have a huge sculptural or electronic background. And while I've got a decent enough collection of hand tools and woodworking tools, I don't have any metal-working tools other than my trusty dremel. So, we'll see how this goes, and tips will always be appreciated.
My basic plan is to use TCSS electronics and blade, and probably build the handle out of PVC, since the possible TCSS parts aren?t quite accurate to the original, and I?m going for accuracy.
I have two main questions, with a couple sub questions. The two main ones are, does my electronic kit seem complete, and what do you think about the handle materials.
ELECTRONICS:
Having looked at the basic recommended-buy list, here?s what I?ve got in my wishlist.
--8/32 blade retention screw
--Rebel Star LED/MHSV1 Heatsink module
--Backpack 700mA 4-wire
--7.4 Li-ion 1050mAh 14650 battery pack
--Corbin-style show blade 1? OD 36? long
--heat shrink
Two of each, of course, since it?s a saber staff, except the heat shrink which I understand should be plenty.
I am planning on skipping sound for now, and adding it in later after I know what I?m doing. I assume that I can splice the sound stuff in, and I won?t have to ruin all the electronics I would already have in there? Or would it require me to get all new other electronics in order to accommodate the sound tech, in which case I might as well do the sound from the start.
Blade length?too long? In the show, Opress?s blades look full length. I?m 6?1?, and I do kung fu, where I use an 8' pole in a form. Obviously a saber staff is not the same as a pole, but I would think it might be close enough. But, I am curious to hear about blade length from anyone else who has made or used a saber staff.
MATERIALS:
I mocked up the best version I could using TCSS. Here?s a pic:
14211
It uses MHSV1 blade holder 12, choke 1 long, hilt 3, and a double-ended male connector style 1 to attach it to another of the same kind.
Here's the actual saber for comparison:
14210
So the best TCSS parts I can get are not quite accurate, especially in the handle obviously, although the blade holder and choke are pretty close, I think. So I?ve got 2 options as I see it: I could use the TCSS blade holder and choke, and then make the handle out of PVC and other materials, or I could just make the whole thing out of PVC.
If I go with a mix of TCSS parts and PVC, I?m worried about the materials working together well, especially visually. Even after weathering etc., I think they might just be too obviously different.
But, if I go with all PVC, I am worried about whether the blade will stay firm in the blade holder that I construct. Would the blade retention screw stay firm, or get wiggly over time, especially in mock combat? I know that you can make the PVC handles, for instance I?ve looked at Jay-Gon's demo for making kids? PVC handles, but what are people?s experience with actually using them over time?
I guess that?s my main questions for now. (To reiterate: How?s my electronics list? Would I have to completely overhaul the electronics if I add sound in later? What do you think about 36? blades for a staff saber? And what do you think about materials for the handle?)
I appreciate any input, and look forward to being part of the community.
This will be my first saber, so bear with me. I'm an artist, and have made a couple other costumes, including a TK suit for the 501st, but I don't have a huge sculptural or electronic background. And while I've got a decent enough collection of hand tools and woodworking tools, I don't have any metal-working tools other than my trusty dremel. So, we'll see how this goes, and tips will always be appreciated.
My basic plan is to use TCSS electronics and blade, and probably build the handle out of PVC, since the possible TCSS parts aren?t quite accurate to the original, and I?m going for accuracy.
I have two main questions, with a couple sub questions. The two main ones are, does my electronic kit seem complete, and what do you think about the handle materials.
ELECTRONICS:
Having looked at the basic recommended-buy list, here?s what I?ve got in my wishlist.
--8/32 blade retention screw
--Rebel Star LED/MHSV1 Heatsink module
--Backpack 700mA 4-wire
--7.4 Li-ion 1050mAh 14650 battery pack
--Corbin-style show blade 1? OD 36? long
--heat shrink
Two of each, of course, since it?s a saber staff, except the heat shrink which I understand should be plenty.
I am planning on skipping sound for now, and adding it in later after I know what I?m doing. I assume that I can splice the sound stuff in, and I won?t have to ruin all the electronics I would already have in there? Or would it require me to get all new other electronics in order to accommodate the sound tech, in which case I might as well do the sound from the start.
Blade length?too long? In the show, Opress?s blades look full length. I?m 6?1?, and I do kung fu, where I use an 8' pole in a form. Obviously a saber staff is not the same as a pole, but I would think it might be close enough. But, I am curious to hear about blade length from anyone else who has made or used a saber staff.
MATERIALS:
I mocked up the best version I could using TCSS. Here?s a pic:
14211
It uses MHSV1 blade holder 12, choke 1 long, hilt 3, and a double-ended male connector style 1 to attach it to another of the same kind.
Here's the actual saber for comparison:
14210
So the best TCSS parts I can get are not quite accurate, especially in the handle obviously, although the blade holder and choke are pretty close, I think. So I?ve got 2 options as I see it: I could use the TCSS blade holder and choke, and then make the handle out of PVC and other materials, or I could just make the whole thing out of PVC.
If I go with a mix of TCSS parts and PVC, I?m worried about the materials working together well, especially visually. Even after weathering etc., I think they might just be too obviously different.
But, if I go with all PVC, I am worried about whether the blade will stay firm in the blade holder that I construct. Would the blade retention screw stay firm, or get wiggly over time, especially in mock combat? I know that you can make the PVC handles, for instance I?ve looked at Jay-Gon's demo for making kids? PVC handles, but what are people?s experience with actually using them over time?
I guess that?s my main questions for now. (To reiterate: How?s my electronics list? Would I have to completely overhaul the electronics if I add sound in later? What do you think about 36? blades for a staff saber? And what do you think about materials for the handle?)
I appreciate any input, and look forward to being part of the community.