MHS "Mini" Revan

[Darth Nurse]

With all the min-Flex stuff I have seen out there, I decided to build a mini Revan...

The parts I do not already have are getting ordered today. I will try this time to really show step by step, especially on the weathering.

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It will clock in at 6.9" OAL.

Pico Crumble Dark
R/rB/G Tri-CREE
18500
MHS v1 chassis system (mainly to hold battery, Pico will be taped to battery)
Switch 21

It will have to be charged by opening up the saber and disconnecting the JST to charge with a JST charger adapter. Could not figure a way to squeeze in a recharge port.

I may still find a way to incorporate a 3mm aux LED though...

Now, any suggestions on coloring the banded area on the emitter brass or copper? I do not have a powder coat setup (or any experience).

[Silver Serpent]

If you can't do powder coating, your next best bet is spray paint. You could also consider hitting up the hobby shops and looking into the application of gold leaf or other materials.

[Darth Nurse]

If you can't do powder coating, your next best bet is spray paint. You could also consider hitting up the hobby shops and looking into the application of gold leaf or other materials.

Oooohhhhh. Gold leaf....

Does that stick well? I assume a healthy dose of clear on top.

[Silver Serpent]

Yeah, you'll definitely want a good clear coat to protect that. I've seen a small number of sabers using gold leaf, and it always looks impressive.

[Darth Nurse]

Yeah I am watching tutorials right now. The deep ridges will be a challenge.

Looks like:

1. Ultra clean
2. Self Etching primer
3. Adhesive
4. Leaf
5. Clear coat

I will add the weathering in between clear coats.

[Darth Nurse]

Looking now as to how I will build the chassis.

Switch 21 will be mounted on the male to male connector.

Then I will use chassis disc 5 to hold in place the series of aluminum rods and acrylic discs, ending with a speaker holder 4.

Goal to keep this whole deal as TCSS MHS as possible.

This will be a very cool little saber for about $250 in parts. RGB and sound for what many stunts cost, and only needs a longer extension to be a full length saber.

Not sure if I should call it Mini Revan or Shoto Revan...

[Jenny]

You should only call it a shoto if you call the normal size one a daito.

[Greenie]

Call it a shoto cos mini revan kinda sounds like a small utility vehicle ;)

[Darth Nurse]

Call it a shoto cos mini revan kinda sounds like a small utility vehicle ;)

True...

[Darth Nurse]

Parts shipped! Micro-mini-shoto Revan will be epic!

[Darth Nurse]

Parts arrived. Micro Revan is a go.

Kinda like, what if Yoda was a Revanite...

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[Therion Jinn]

Kind of like a holdout saber
Nicely done

[Darth Nurse]

First things first was to get the colored band in place. I decided to go with paint. I used self-etching primer and Rustoleum metallic warm gold spray paint. I will let this cure then finish a light to medium weather job.

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[Jenny]

Huh. Rustoleum. I wonder why I hadn't considered that? Thanks!

[Darth Nurse]

And... weathering...

Uploaded these to Photobucket to avoid the random orientations.

First gathered supplies:

Trusty Aluminum Black
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4340_zpsbwibjpaa.jpg

Swabs (did not really like these), scotch brite and steel wool
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4341_zpsnlsxey3m.jpg

And,a ziplock bag to contain all the smelly stuff from using AB
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4343_zpsaoumk32t.jpg

[Darth Nurse]

First application. I go heavy here but 95% will be removed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4342_zpsehs5rkz8.jpg

Told you, I removed most of the AB.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4344_zps4zrrznn7.jpg

Took off too much, so selective re-application
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4345_zps2ypo4b1z.jpg

And, AB done! Now to weather the gold ring...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4346_zpsoglhjhqh.jpg

[Darth Nurse]

So... after making a pretty big mistake... I sprayed black paint over the gold thinking I'd just wipe it off... well it dried darn quick, and I wound up removing the black AND the gold... so don't do that. After re painting the gold...

I decided to use an acrylic wash (water, black, warm grey and brown) to add the grime and knock the gold down a bit.

Wet application
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4363_zpsbtx5aq6d.jpg

Dried and cleaned up a bit
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4370_zpsnv4mah09.jpg

And weathering done! I'll let this set a day or two then clear.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4373_zpsjk8vyvyi.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4375_zpsbai10ghl.jpg

[Darth Nurse]

Also knocked a few other small things out:

Sized chassis for 18500.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4339_zps02x71kof.jpg

Wired speaker and R/G/RB LED module.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4366_zpslzua8uta.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4371_zpscmup4ece.jpg

[Jenny]

I find the common practice of weathering to be very interesting. You would think that warrior monks would clean and maintain their weapons better -- particularly as we know from Obi-Wan's statement to Anakin, "this weapon is your life." I like to think that I'm actually fairly careful about my life.

[Darth Nurse]

I find the common practice of weathering to be very interesting. You would think that warrior monks would clean and maintain their weapons better -- particularly as we know from Obi-Wan's statement to Anakin, "this weapon is your life." I like to think that I'm actually fairly careful about my life.

He may have said that, but you see how weathered his hilt is in Ep. 4.

It is also function over aesthetics. Look at the rifles used by troops overseas. Our weapons are in tip top mechanical shape, but may have a weathered paint job or be scuffed. A brand new shiny rifle would actually be out of place. Stuff that gets hard use gets weathered.

Also consider that if this is a KOTOR style hilt, it would be thousands of years old.

[Therion Jinn]

Liking where this one is going.
It's something I've been looking for to use with my own works

[Darth Nurse]

Pico Crumble tinned and ready to go.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4378_zpsulrovyri.jpg

[Darth Nurse]

It's alive!

So, the 2W bass speaker caused constant swing sounds, but switching to a 1.5 W. premium fixed it!

Still a few small things to do, but pretty much there. Hardest thing to do was choose between purple and cyan for the initial blade color!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4381_zpsbcjimd92.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4386_zpsqqpanfzi.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v280/jinx667/IMG_4392_zpsmw0dj3fc.jpg

[Therion Jinn]

Purple definitely works for this one

[Jenny]

Lookin' good there, DN!