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View Full Version : My first saber build....phase 1 complete



Sithblade
04-27-2008, 09:11 AM
Hi all

Just thought I'd post some piccies up, even though this one ain't finished yet. I'm building a green K2 saber as learning project, and my next saber will hopefully be a LuxV, using some MHS parts and a CF board. :)

I've used a thinwall blade, a few inches longer than on a regular FX, sink tube for the hilt, no sound board (might add one later though). The K2 is being driven using a little current regulator I picked up but I think it would benefit from a Buckpuck. I've got some parts coming that I'll be using to bling up the hilt, hopefully it should turn out well.

Despite it being a green K2 it's a Sith saber ;) That will become more apparent once the hilt is finished.

Anyway on with the build.

First job, solder the LED... this took a few attempts, I've not soldered anything before but after a bit of practice I seem to be getting the hang of it. The scorch marks are from earlier soldering attempts! I then epoxy'd the Lens / holder in place.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060205.jpg

Next I put some epoxy on the wires coming back through the heatsink/mount to avoid any stress on the solder joins. Also added a cable tie for the same reason.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060206.jpg

Juiced up the LED to check it all works ok - dang these things are BRIGHT!!!

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060207.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060208.jpg

These are the parts I'm using for the hilt. I've got a piece of sink tube which I cut at an angle using the bandsaw at work, I've then got some plastic water pipe which conveniently fits perfectly in the sink tube. I'm going to cut a window out of this and use it to help keep all the wiring more snug, hopefully so things won't clatter around in the hilt. Also the 4 x AAA battery pack is a bit 'lost' inside the sink tube as it is, so the reduced diameter of the plastic pipe will help keep it in place.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060210.jpg

Groove cut out of the plastic tube - nothing pretty but it doesn't matter.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060212.jpg

All the wiring is now in the plastic tray, I will go back later to tidy this up a bit more but as this is just a test fit it will do for now.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060213.jpg

Let's check the electronics still work before we go any further...!!

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060214.jpg

Using a bit of foam to keep the battery holder in place.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060215.jpg

Blade fitted in the alloy holder. I hope to get a lathe soon so I can make parts such as the blade holder and pommels myself.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060216.jpg

I've used a knurled thumbscrew I had laying around as the blade retention bolt.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060218.jpg

Right, let's fire this bad boy up! This piccy taken in my lit garage, under fluorescent lighting.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060222.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060224.jpg

Right, time now for some comparison shots. I initially suspected that this saber is at least as bright as my brightest Force FX (a Luke ANH) despite the blade not being finished yet. It currently contains just a few feet of cellophane. I've got some Corbins film arriving next week, so the plan is to fit the corbins double-wrap then the cellophane inside that. The few inches near the hilt are noticably brighter as is the last inch or so at the tip of the blade, but overall it's bright and pretty evenly lit. I'm hoping the Corbins double-wrap with cellophane will even it all out further.

First piccy taken with my Luke ANH and Vader ANH for comparison.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060243.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060244.jpg

Side by side with a single Maul...

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060247.jpg

The next three photos are taken on manual camera settings, 1/2 sec exposure, no flash and under the same lighting for a true comparison.

Single Maul...

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060248.jpg

Luke ANH...

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060250-1.jpg

My K2...

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll7/firestorm_996/K2%20Saber%20Build/P1060249.jpg

The Luke ANH appears better in photos than it actually is. The blade colour, despite being a nice cobalt blue is actually quite flat but the camera doesn't pick that up. Overall I'd say the K2 is about equal to the Luke on camera, however in reality it seems brighter.

More piccies once I've sorted the hilt out...

DarthFender
04-27-2008, 09:20 AM
I love that knurled screw you got for a blade retention. It looks really cool.

Count Malik
04-27-2008, 10:41 AM
Very nice, I to have to admitt the green K2 is dang bright!:cool:

Vazan Maceu
04-27-2008, 11:19 AM
Yup, that thing´s really bright... Nice idea with the plastic tube securing the innards of the hilt. Go ahead and put some grips on it :D

Hasid Lafre
04-27-2008, 12:41 PM
For your first custom and 3rd post thats pritty damn good!

good job.

SWAT Strachan
04-27-2008, 01:28 PM
As some short-tempered dude dressed in black once said...

"Impressive, most impressive!"

Sithblade
04-27-2008, 02:37 PM
Aww cheers you guys... ;)

I learned loads of stuff from this forum before I started. I've got some work to do on the hilt, I'm trying to do something which is unlike other sabers I've seen out there, hopefully it will turn out good. :)

The knurled nut is off an Apple XServe server. I was trying to fit a cool anodised bevelled washer under it too but it stopped it from contacting the blade... :(

Darth Tollo
04-28-2008, 04:16 AM
That is a nice Muppets coffee mug you got there...oh yeah, the saber is nice too. :lol:

DDanDevious
04-28-2008, 05:30 AM
looking good so far... Im interested to see what you do with the hilt... its a blank canvas!! there so much you can do there!

oh and I agree that muppets mug is the bomb.

DDD!

Darth Leximus
04-28-2008, 07:53 AM
you just gave me a great idea, that with you permission I will totally "borrow" My blade retention screw is too long and that washer idea might just be awesome on my saber.

Sithblade
04-28-2008, 01:25 PM
Heh heh, glad the Muppets mug gets everyone's approval! :D

Barmic Rin
04-28-2008, 01:37 PM
Very cool. Excellent at a practice hilt.

sekrogue1985
04-30-2008, 05:55 PM
i love how it is just so basic nice and simple

Sithblade
05-01-2008, 08:13 AM
Yeah I like it more than I thought I would for such a basic saber, however I have some good mods planned for it. Also the button is really annoying - don't know how anyone can use this type of button as it deactivates all the time and is so easy to catch by accident. I'm looking to replace it with a pushbutton latching switch but want a really low-profile one. I'm going to get a vandalproof button such as this:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=0445153

Unfortunately this particular one has been discontinued but as soon as I find an alternative I'll get one.

Eandori
05-01-2008, 02:09 PM
Great job on your first saber, it looks very good :)

Quick note on your solder job to the luxeon star. I can see some bare wire exposed near the sides of the luxeon star. Be very careful with that, because if that bare wire touches the star on both side then you have a dead short on your lux.

Sithblade
05-01-2008, 02:21 PM
Ahh ok, I'll give that a close look tomorrow, thanks for the heads-up!

My soldering is only borderline acceptable anyway but the only way to get better is practice, eh!

eastern57
05-01-2008, 06:03 PM
Ooh, eandori, I like the new signature block!