A work in progress.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

I know how much you folks like pictures, so I thought I'd share what I have done so far.

Let's start with the basic parts list:

Blade holder #3
Hilt #1
1" thick walled blade with 4x wrap
3w Royal Blue LED
Covertec button
Sink tube
Armitage Shanks handwheel

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1a.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1d.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1e.jpg

I cut the sink tube with my next saber in mind. The extra piece will be sanded down to the brass and polished for the emitter shroud.

I have some nice thin neoprene with a peel and stick backing, and my original plan was to cut several curvy shapes out of the sink tube and cut the neoprene to fit in those areas to make a cool looking grip. I decided that that was a little too complex and decided to keep it simple.

I found a piece of thin black leather with a really neat grainy texture. I'm going to cut it to the shape I want, (just one big piece instead of several smaller ones,) and just glue it to the outside of the sink tube.

I still have lots to do, but it's cool to see it taking shape. Stay tuned for more pics.

It looks so awesome outside after dark! My neighbours must think I'm nuts!

Here are some shots of it lit:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1f.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1b.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1c.jpg

[Stinky Bantha]

Great work... that shroud is beautiful! I wish I had more patience with that stuff.. haha

[ArkaiHalon]

very nice. very nice indeed.

[Jay-gon Jinn]

Nice work on the shroud!

[Jedi-Loreen]

Nice work on the shroud!

I'll say! When I've done things like that for EL sabers I've built, the end piece was just ugly scrap.

How did you cut that so cleanly as to have a nice end piece like that? :shock:

[Tenric Starkindler]

my guess would be......very carefully. :lol: :wink:

I have a similar "S" curve in mind and take heart that you were able to do it so cleanly.....keep the pics coming.

[Novastar]

Great job, Obi Dar!!

Loreen, as to cutting sink tube, it's not that bad if you simply draw a line of exactly what you want, then go nuts with the shears by cutting about 1/4" ABOVE your line (in other words, get the general shape, but who cares if it looks nice... yet).

Then--use something more precise to cut if you have it... and try to make one long, clean cut, still leaving just a tiny, tiny, little bit near the drawn line.

Finally, use a file or hand drill w/ grinder bit adaptation to carefully and accurately lay down the law over the sharp areas, clunky edges, and all that. Unless you *WANT* sharp points and edges, then you can just leave them in.

I don't know if that helps you or anyone else, but it is what I did for my simple Flange v3 sabers and they came out fine.

[vortextwist]

very nice man.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

Thanks all!

This is my first Luxeon saber, and it's nice to get the positive feedback from the more experienced builders.

To do the cut, I just used a cut off wheel on my Dremel. I started cutting 1/8" from my line and got it roughly to the shape I wanted. Then I shaped it with a stone bit and brought it up to the line. Then I cleaned up the other piece and made the line smooth on it too. I probably lost 1/4" or more of material between the two pieces.

The trick is to take it slow, and take several small "bites" with the Dremel. It took me about an hour to cut and shape the two pieces.

[ArkaiHalon]

well, it's darn right purty. good work.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

Just one picture to post tonight. I cut out the leather for the grip. I used the template for the shroud and copied the shape. It's temporarily held on with tape, just for effect. Tomorrow I'll take it outside and glue it on with contact cement.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/100_9325.JPG

I still need to drill and tap the hole for the blade screw, and put the covertec button on.

I would like to dress up the shroud a little too. I'm thinking of engraving something in Aurebesh, but I'm not sure what I want to do.

BTW, I ordered the covertec button from Tim, thinking it would fit the belt clip I had from my hardware sabers. It's just a generic cell phone clip. Unfortunately, the covertec button doesn't fit the clip.

Tim doesn't offer the belt clips here. Where can I get one cheap?

Edited because I forgot to attach the picture.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

A couple of new pictures.

I glued the leather on the sink tube, and drilled and tapped the thumb screws. I still have to attach the covertec button, but it's pretty much finished. When I can afford it, I'd like to add sound. Still need to do some reading about that.

The thumb screw near the pommel is holding the inner sleeve to which I attached the handwheel. I put the hole just after the end of the threads so that I can still screw in a pommel #3 when I order it.

I have a story to share about a lesson learned the hard way when I was drilling and tapping, but it's getting late. I'll start a new thread with it tomorrow.


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1h.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2007-1/1236148/mhssaber1j.jpg

[vortextwist]

lookin good man.

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

Thanks!

For my first attempt at a lux saber, I'm pretty happy with it. I really like the feel of the leather on the grip. I have enough left over to do at least one more saber.

[GFORCE13]

I think it turned out well for your first attempt, especially like the Leather you used should give it a really nice feel and grip.

[Bescherman]

That's pretty sweet! I'd be dead pleased if my first saber turned out looking that sleek (hopefully it will!)

[Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie]

What have you got planned?