Designing my second saber, "Keening".

[Warlock]

So, in an effort to help get my mind of grieving for a time before I go nuts, I've been kicking around ideas for a new saber. I'm looking at a darker more imperial feel, one thing I started with was the idea of using one of Sothfurnace's new clamp cards from celebration.

Starting from having a clamp, either Graflex or MPP style, I played around and ended up leaning towards a merging of Obi-wan's and Anakin's AHN sabers. First concern is if the repro clamps will fit over MHS parts, which has me leaning towards a MPP clamp has that one states it will fit. Under the clamp I have a small extension and then had to use a male to male to connect the next extension. For switches I'm thinking of tactile switches under the board in the clamp. Still researching this but every example I see shows two switches under the card, assuming wired in parallel so that you always get the activation of the switch even with a partial push on one edge.

Any suggestions are welcome, I don't play to begin this for awhile and it will be a slow purchase process most likely.
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[darth_chasm]

Wondering what it would look like with the grip and clamp flipped

[Warlock]

Hmmmmm

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I could go either way. I've noticed I tend to my current design higher on the hilt than I'd originally expected I could.

[darth_chasm]

Nah. The lines are weird with the grip and gear next to each other.

Im not real crazy about the grip altogether honestly. But it is your saber and you're the one that has to be happy with it.

[Warlock]

Nope I'm right there with you. The grip is the only part I'm not really thrilled with. Swapping that part around a bit to see what stands out best to me. The ribbed/deep ribbed ext looks decent,....but just seems to pull it more to Obi-wan style.


That said it's not a bad look:

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[darth_chasm]

Don't forget, you can get custom machining services. You could do some grooves on a 4" double female which would look a little different than the ribbed section but still have that "grip" look and feel.

[Jenny]

That said it's not a bad look:

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I rather like it. But the deep ribbed bits have a narrower inside diameter, so you'll need to plan your electronics payload accordingly.

[Warlock]

Been mulling about this the last few days,......the version with the Deep Ribbed grip as grown on me. Aside from the Gear and clamp I just order the hilt parts. Found a guy selling a TCSS Graflex Clamp Replica elsewhere and picked that up as well. Was leaning more towards a MPP style,....but can't find one so maybe that will be a swap out later on. We'll see. Now just need the clamp swith holder and micro switches and Sothfurnance clamp card

[Darth Nurse]

You may need a spacer for the replica graflex clamp. The replica MPP is a closer fit.

[Warlock]

I've read that. Unfortunately noone has a MPP for sale. But I have some MHS sleeve Mat laying around so worse case I'll snag a 2" extension and see if the sleeve mat makes the clamp fit correctly.

Also ordered a pair of micro switches and clamp activation switch holder and the Celebration 2017 SlothFurnace IMP clamp card ;)

[Anoril]

Hi!
I love the dark look you gave to this saber. I can feel the Imperial touch!
I love the one with the clamp close to the pommel better.

But don't you think the clamp will mess with the hand when holding the saber?

I can't wait to see it real!

[Warlock]

I've noticed playing with my first design that I tend to hold high on the hilt when using g single handed styles.

Going shooting for an Obi/Anakin crossover the Obi style had the clamp towards the pommel.

Last part I have to wait for the gear to come back I to stock but tempted to order a blank to fill in for it until then. Lol

[Warlock]

Parts coming in!

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320x240q90/922/oFu6jf.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pmoFu6jfj)

With the card in the clamp

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320x240q90/924/2o0yOO.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/po2o0yOOj)


More parts due in tomorrow and early next week for internals,.....then rest of the ahilt once powder coating is complete.

[Warlock]

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Quick spec for the internals layout. Debating trying for a reveal in front of the Goth Chassis but will likely wait until it's all in hand to really be sure of spacing.

[Warlock]

Power coating finished today and all hilt parts shipped :D Whoohooo

[Warlock]

Parts came in the other day!

Just a quick hilt build test, to check out the look and make sure everything fits right. I'll have to tap a set screw for the clamp into the 2" ext under it.

Hope to get into that and wiring tomorrow after work

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320x240q90/922/ExwXuP.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pmExwXuPj)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/320x240q90/922/f9vk2T.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pmf9vk2Tj)

[Jenny]

How's the quality on that Slothfurnace Graflex clamp? I've been considering grabbing one.

[Warlock]

Work of art. I've got to sand it a bit to use as a switch because it's a perfect fit thickness wise. But it's well worth the money. Even has a signed card with a thank you on it just for that extra touch.

(Edit you meant the clamp card right?)

[Jenny]

Yes, I did. Sorry; it was before I'd had my tea, and I dropped a word.

[Warlock]

No worries just saw it after posting and thought I'd best make sure. ;)

[Warlock]

So had to postpone wiring for until today. Little rear end fender bender last night kinda of killer my free time. (only car damage luckily, noone hurt)

So that left this AM as build day finally :D

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/923/xXy4v1.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pnxXy4v1j)
LEDs always end up being a pain for me to solder. Getting better at it thou, happy how this one went. Way faster that the last LED I did.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/922/HoFKP5.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pmHoFKP5j)
First time using a PeX AND first time soldering to a circuit board. Fun little learning experience.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/923/x4k4VO.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pnx4k4VOj)
NBv4, heck of a challenge soldering this up. Mostly because when I started I was simply terrified of frying my board. Had a few little mix ups, corrected and all works perfectly :D Quite happy.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/924/wBYYqw.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/powBYYqwj)
Speaker and in pommel recharge ready to go!


Now I've got the hilt together and tinkering with fonts and such. Two last things to work on though:

Clamp card still needs more sanding. Sometimes it works great, sometimes it works but no click sound at all, ... and sometimes it's constantly pushed. So should at least be close to being right size.

Also, Blade Holder 20, with glass eye, red button, and 4 long electrical pins,.......totally blocks a blade. So i'll have to cut threads on the glass eye most likely, to make it flush and let the Red Button be the retention screw. The pins,.....I'm hoping if I purchase the short ones the threads are shorter and it flushes out in the holder.

More pics once I get it finished!

[Warlock]

So first off, I realized I never posted completion shots. Now when my proffie's showed I decided to replace my NBv4 in Keening, and while she was disassembled I went ahead and weathered her as well.

https://i.imgur.com/4LuEY0U.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BPvMRUO.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Tbz0LBt.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xS6x8aw.jpg

Basic weathering via torch to heat the metal prior to aluminum black and finished with a scotchbrite pad. The clamp being different metal at first didn't take, but a second pass with the torch while still wet with aluminum black gave a great rusty look affect :)