Cheap LED lighting ???

[Tiberius172]

Ok guys here's a question on LED lighting. I had purchased an LED conversion kit from Walmart ($4) thinking this would be the cheapest and brightest way to light my saber (Bare in mind I'm trying to go as cheap but accurate as possible on this one). My intention was just to mount this to the end of my 1" dia tube (that is spray apinted with blue translucent paint) and hook the two LED leads directly to two AA batteries.
Two questions: 1. Do I need a resistor? I do not think the Mini-Maglites that this is made for has a resistor in it but I may be wrong and I'm picking up that most LED's do need a resistor) ??? I'm Mechanical not electrical.
2. This kit says "Flood Pattern" on it so I guess I'm concerned over how to focus the light down the tube so it does not immediately scatter and disipate.
Any ideas would be great. ...I know, I know, quit being a cheap ass would be a start. (But that would take away half the fun). My next Saber is going to be all out and I'll be breaking down and ordering some top end products from the Custom Saber Shop.

Thanks,
Tiberius

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/Pictures2236.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/Pictures2238.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/Pictures2239.jpg

[Mur-Pa DiLos]

Or you could not insult Tim and buy his stuff?!?!?[}:)]

The difference between his and that are litterally night and day.[:D]

[Tiberius172]

Already making a wish list for Tim's items but this saber was already done (baring this light installation) prior to finding this wonderful site. No Doubt, The Custom Saber Shop rules and I've already informed all my friends about Tim's products. After months of wondering through other Jedi sites this is worlds above anything else out there.

Ok? Forgiven? [8D]

Tiberius

[Strydur]

No insult taken here..but

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I know, I know, quit being a cheap ass would be a start. (But that would take away half the fun).<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

The other half of the fun is figuring out how to make it work on your own.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[Tiberius172]

True True. I'll give this a shot and see what I can come up with. Worst that can happen is I'm up to $9 spent. Talk about breaking the bank! [:)] If I can get this thing wired up I hope to have some pics to post next week.

Hey serious up, this is a great site.

Tiberius

[Do-Clo]

Tiberius, the adapter for the mag light already has what you need built into the base of the assembly so you can connect it without any additional componets other than an on/off switch.


Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[Tiberius172]

Do-Clo,
Thank you. I took the adapter apart tonight and see that it does have the electronics on what looks like a very tiny PCB onto which the LED's are mounted. Very compact little design.

Thanks again,
Tiberius

[Mur-Pa DiLos]

Sorry for jumping on you like that, I know what you mean about finally finding this site! It's just others come onto this forum not realising that Tim is trying to make money and run a business, a business I hope stays for a long time!

Truce?[:D]

[Tiberius172]

No Problem. I intend to through as much business as I can find Tim's way.

Tiberius

"Stabilize your rear deflectors... Watch for enemy fighters."

[Tiberius172]

Tim,

I believe this string is probably in the wrong area but I'm not sure how to move or even if I can move. Maybe it should go in the LED Blade Discussion area??? My apologies on this.

I did finish my very first Saber and wanted to post a few pics. I used the el cheapo led kit shown earlier in this thread. My blade is 40" long, 1"dia with a 3/4" mirror disc at the rounded end. I used Mylar inside the tube as Vadeblade suggested (Thank you for the excellent idea) and sprayed the clear tube with Translucent model paint which gives the blade a very pretty blue color even when not lighted. (I actually got the spray thicker than I wanted which cut down on my light much more than I had wanted but I've learned a lot so the next one will be better). Anyway, here's my first attempt.

Tiberius

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/LOWLITE1.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/LowLite2.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/TOTALL~1.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1141993/TOTALL~2.jpg

[Nightwing]

That's pretty awesome!!

[Strydur]

Looks good..quite a bit dimmer than a luxeon but not bad.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[Tiberius172]

Yeay, I tried a light coat of the blue paint to start with and it actually looked pretty cool as it had kind of a white hot core look running through it. I couldn't leave well enough alone though and tried to get just a little more blue color by putting a second coat of paint on and it pushed it over the edge. It's maybe a little less bright than a MR-FX saber and not nearly the intensity of the 3w Luxeon.

Well, I guess I just have no choice but to try again. Strydur, I'll be sending an order your way just as soon as I get a hilt design worked out. [:)]

Thanks!
Tiberius

[maxrox]

how do you post pics

[Do-Clo]

I realize that you are only 12 but if you will take the time to use the search button at the top of the page you will find the information that you seek. You do not need to post the same question three times. Here is two good places to look for information:
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[xwingband]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by maxrox

how do you post pics
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Gah... I saw three posts and wondered if you did this. I don't care if you're 12 or a n00b. Read the FAQ and look at the Index and don't do things like triple posts.[;)]

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
Before posting did you check the Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577)?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/reelbigporter/bannerxwing.gif</center>

[maxrox]

stop pikin on me because am only 12 u creep

[xwingband]

I'd make comments like that for anyone. Two of us have already given you the answer (Do-Clo and me) now go read. If you had read even a bit you'd see I'm not treating you different.

If you think that's being a creep you are too young for forums.

EDIT:Not that anyone cares but to register you need to be 13 or over.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
Before posting did you check the Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577)?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/reelbigporter/bannerxwing.gif</center>

[Do-Clo]

I hate to tell you but in some forums you would have been flamed beyond recognition for posting the same question 3 times with in minutes. The purpose of this forum is to share information not to spoon feed it to you, it requires some effort on your part. You have been treated as anyone would be.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[Strydur]

On forums it never matters how old you are..what matters is how old you act. Like Xwing said, if you where 90 his response would have been the same.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[the_steve]

Tiberius, you should get a picture of that in the dark. I think that it is a great idea. i may try that sometime. I mean no offense to Tim though. I think his work is awesome but i am kinda like tiberius. I like to spend minimal money and think outside the box. That and my parents don't like ordering stuff online. They did order me a green luxeon star/o but that was it. So this may be a way to make more sabers cheaper and quicker. It would also make the wiring insanely easier with no resistor and only two batteries. I don't know if i am the only one who thinks that that was a great idea, but i applaud your resourcefulness.

[UltraSWG]

My Ultra Saber S5 made with Tim's parts and Tim's polycarb will outshine and break any saber made from cheap "outside the box" parts. I'm just saying...

http://www.ultrasabers.com
Corbin|Strydur|Ultra
The Holy Luxeon Trinity

[xwingband]

Ultra,

Curious... why Lux V's? You seem to have access to K2's... I figured especially with the blues and greens the K2's would rock.

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
Before posting did you check the Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577)?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/reelbigporter/bannerxwing.gif</center>

[UltraSWG]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by xwingband

Ultra,

Curious... why Lux V's? You seem to have access to K2's... I figured especially with the blues and greens the K2's would rock.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
K2 green - 100 lumens
Lux V green - 160 lumens

K2's still aren't as bright as Lux V's. The K2 will be replacing all Lux III applications soon enough, but the Lux V is still the brightest you can possibly get.

http://www.ultrasabers.com
Corbin|Strydur|Ultra
The Holy Luxeon Trinity

[xwingband]

Cool, those V's to quote Gelu, "the heatsinking needs of this thing are obscene"... How hot do they get?

I wanna see a saber with a fan someday though.[:D]

<center>Read the FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552) or x-wing won't be happy. :(
Before posting did you check the Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577)?

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b394/reelbigporter/bannerxwing.gif</center>

[Do-Clo]

Here is a thought two red lux 5 watts in a double ended saber????

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[the_steve]

Ultra, i know that the mag upgrade wouldn't be as bright, but it would come close to a 1 watt star. We don't all have access to such things. Oh well, i cant wait to try the mag conversion once i get it. I will post pics of the results when i get the saber built.

[Strydur]

If you dont plan on buying anything from me and all you do is plan on posting how to get around buying things from me then dont post on my forums. There are plenty of other forums for that.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[Do-Clo]

Well said Strydur


Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[Tiberius172]

???? I'm not sure if I should say anything or not on this. My original post was made as I was very new to not just Forums but saber making in general and I was just excited to share ideas. I certainly was not advocating trying to get around Tim's products and having purchased Tim's MHS and Vader conversion kit I would definately say these are the way to go. However, if you are a younger member and depend on your parents to order things for you online I don't think we should kick them out or dicourage them just because they may not have real control over what they can or can not order. Alternative methods might get them by until such time that they can order.

One more comment for "The Steve"...Although I got by on this "cheaper" LED setup for my first saber, I found that by the time I figured out how to mount and power the LED conversion kit I wish I had gone ahead and purchased Tim's setup. Ultimately Tim's setup is the cheapest, quickest, and easiest way to light your saber and there's no getting around this. Tim's products are quality.

Tiberius

[Firebird21]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tiberius172
[br Tim's products are quality.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">


http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_kissbutt.gif

Good boy! [:p]

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sabre.gif http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/auto/car-smiley-032.gif

[Do-Clo]

There is a difference between using alternate materials and posting look what I used and I got it cheaper than I could from Tim. That shows a disrespect for Tim and all of his work. I agree that Tims products are the best and the price is very good. I have a friend that is a machinist and he asked about the sabers I build and I showed him the Vader kit that I bought from Tim and he said that it was a nice piece work work and that if he would have made it it would cost $100 plus material.

Do-Clo
Don't make me destroy you...

[james3]

Firebird your such a postwhore[;)]
And all your little smilys keep me laughing.

"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

[Tiberius172]

Not sure ther's anything useful being said here. [:)] Sounds like everyones on the same page.
Tiberius

[Firebird21]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tiberius172

Not sure ther's anything useful being said here. [:)] Sounds like everyones on the same page.
Tiberius
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

No, I'm only on Pg2.

And now Pg3

Have you read your Thread Index (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=577) today?
FAQ (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=552)
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_sabre.gif http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/auto/car-smiley-032.gif

[Strydur]

Tiberius..my comments where not directed at you. They where directed at the_steve, just about all of his posts have to do with getting around using my products.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[the_steve]

Strydur, tiberius was right. I am sorry i cant order from you. I know all of you stuff is designed to work together, making it quick and easy assembly, but like tiberius said, i don't have that control and independence that everybody else does. Anyway, i only post in the misc topics forum, this one and the LED blade discussion. None of those are about your store or products specifically, but just LED blades in general. I didn't see anybody getting on to gelu when he posted about using the polypropylene diffuser. Same with the mylar idea. I didn't even start this idea, i just posted saying that i thought it was cool. And in almost every post i have made in these forums, i have said that i am not trying to tear down your business and meant it. I don't know how many times i have to say i am sorry or i am not meaning any harm, but i am trying.

[UltraSWG]

Steve wrote:
"We don't all have access to such things."

Steve, if you don't have access to buy from Strydur's store, then why do you have access to post on his store's forum? I don't even get why you're here, if you wanted to just talk about your ideas and show off your home made sabers using hardware store parts, you should have just stayed at TFN, that's what it's for.

This is a private forum for a commercial store, so if you're not going to support the store then you shouldn't really be here.

http://www.ultrasabers.com
Corbin|Strydur|Ultra
The Holy Luxeon Trinity

[the_steve]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by UltraSWG

Steve wrote:
"We don't all have access to such things."

Steve, if you don't have access to buy from Strydur's store, then why do you have access to post on his store's forum? I don't even get why you're here, if you wanted to just talk about your ideas and show off your home made sabers using hardware store parts, you should have just stayed at TFN, that's what it's for.

This is a private forum for a commercial store, so if you're not going to support the store then you shouldn't really be here.

http://www.ultrasabers.com
Corbin|Strydur|Ultra
The Holy Luxeon Trinity
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I have access to the store but i am not allowed to buy from it or just online in general. If you read my other posts on this thread you would know that by now. And again, isn't that what the Led blade discussion forum is here for? I haven't posted anything in the store focused forums. I am just repeating myself now because that seems to be my only hope to make you read and take my posts seriously. And unless my eyes decieve me, the only time i showed off my sabers was in the thread meant for doing just that. I am not hurting anyone. All i did was say that this mag upgrade idea was really cool, and share my idea for a diffuser just like other people have but without getting their butts chewed off. Just get off my back as i asked before.

[Strydur]

Actually the main focus of these forums is to discuss store related items. If I remember correctly your first post was about how you found a store bought diffuser. This was posted within a day or so of you posting the same thing on theforce.net and then followed it up with 3 or 4 posts complaining because nobody had commented on it. I let this all slide until I read this and enough was enough so I said what was on my mind. I have no intentions of blocking you from visiting these forums or posting but try and understand my point of view. Its like walking into a store with no money in your pocket and no intentions of buying anything and then talking to all of the patrons about how they should go buy someplace else.

Tim
The Custom Saber Shop

[LAN-ED-TUL]

tims right and i agree with him. as you said steve, you havent posted anything in store related topics, well, heres a wake up call my friend, this whole forum is store related!! we talk about discoveries we have made or found, possibilties of alternate things to use, but we always, and i mean ALWAYS ask tims consent about it. as he might think its a good item to stock in his store. so, if you wanna cry and complain, i cant do this, and i cant do that, this site is NOT for you. i have way too much respect for tim and everyone else that posts here, to ever even think about pulling what you are pulling. its not fair, and most of all, it aint RIGHT!!!!

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...

[zack]

Wow, I can feel the heat. I don’t post much my self, but I did want to say <font color="blue">WE</font id="blue"> all should respect Tim's work, and wishes for the forum. Arguing about it will only make it worse, and it might get someone kicked out. A lot of time talking through forums, and even instant messaging can make what people say sound offensive when they had no intentions to do so. Stop blaming each other for everything and respect Tim’s wishes.

[LAN-ED-TUL]

thats exactly what we are gettin at zack.

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...