MR Vader

[LanceM]

Alright.. Ive done a sink pipe EL saber which Im very disappointed in. EL is just not meant for sabers IMHO. The blade is noisy and rattles, the balance of the blade is way off, but this is due to my 36" blade, which was too long. But the fact is the thing just isnt bright. Outside, you cant even tell it is on. Blah to EL, it maybe right for some, but not me.

Next on the list was the Modular LED. I like this design, very simple. Sort of elegant in an old world sort of way :) But this hilt and blade also lack balance.. The blade is still to heavy and I find myself looking for rocks to add to the hilt to give it some weight. But I do love the brightness.. AMAZINGLY bright, but the weight is terrible.

Now for the MR. I thought it would take about an hour do it the conversion. Well, I was wrong, 3 hours later I had finally finshed the conversion. And I had problems. The web page tutorial just didnt quite show enough for me to be able to feel 100% confident while I was doing it and the fact that when I first put it together, the LED didnt light up and then I had to get the metal blade holder OUT of the saber and reconnect the quick connect, sure presented some unique and unforseen problems. But that was the bad... The good.. This saber is PERFECT. The weight of it is UNBELIEVEABLE. I can move much quicker with this saber than any of my others. All the weight is in the hilt now and the blade is hollow. And it is BRIGHT.. I chose Red-Orange and wouldnt have chosen any other color of Vaders saber. This is my new saber.

Thanks for all your help (all of you who post such great topics and tutorials) cause without you guys, I would still be swinging a flashlight :)

LanceM

"You'll find Im full of surprises"

[LAN-ED-TUL]

my first one i did last weekend took me 6 to 7 hours. i know, but i took my time. didnt want to screw it up. i followed the tutorial. didnt have any probs using it. there are a few places still, that tinm needs to give more info, but he said he would do this when he could, so be patient. i used the red in mine.

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

[james3]

Takin' your time is the way to do it, I got my Vader apart in 10 min. tops, electronics knocked out in as long as it took for my crusty old solder iron to heat up, sliding everything back in to the hilt and locked down...let's just say I got my parts Friday evening and it has been an off and on process ever since.

Has anyone used those cold heat solder irons yet? I keep thinking about getting one but I wasn't sure how good they work.

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

[xwingband]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by james3
Has anyone used those cold heat solder irons yet? I keep thinking about getting one but I wasn't sure how good they work.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

There was a topic on the them in the Misc forum. Bottomline is DON'T get them. They are okay for electronics on boards, but other stuff you'd use a solder iron for or the exterme sizes (big and small connections) don't work at all. Just get a good iron. Mine heats up in about a minute.

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[james3]

I'm sorry I missed it, That sounds pretty much like what I was guessing on how they would work. I really just need to replace the tip I have been using the same one for about 10 years now.

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

[SaberGirl]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Has anyone used those cold heat solder irons yet? I keep thinking about getting one but I wasn't sure how good they work<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">


Eh, they arent so great. Some people say they work well on certain things, but don't on others. Ours was almost useless, it was retired a week after we got it.

[james3]

That confirms it....time to spend the big bucks and get a new tip for my ole 45 watter[;)] Thanks xwing and Sabergirl.

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

[LAN-ED-TUL]

someone posted a link to a online site that had a soldering station. it had variable heat, from 30 to 50 watts. and it was only 15 bucks. i keep threatening to get one myself.

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

[Do-Clo]

Lan that was me, if anyone wants the info email me.

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

[LAN-ED-TUL]

aw, i forgot who it was. sorry do-clo. my bad.

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

[james3]

Well I got my Vader in this week and I was wondering about setting it up so that the LED could be changed easily. Has anyone tried this yet?

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

[Do-Clo]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by james3

Well I got my Vader in this week and I was wondering about setting it up so that the LED could be changed easily. Has anyone tried this yet?

"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I would not even try it, the led holder on the vader holder is different from the mhs led holder so you would have to by several vader kits to get spare led holders to change color. Then you would have to tear apart the saber ever time you wanted to change the led color. When you do your conversion you will find out that you really don't want to have to take it apart once you get it together. The best thing to do if you want to change the color of your vader saber would be to use a white 3 watt luxeon led and get Tim's color change disks. This way you can change the color by removing the blade and changing the color disk.

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

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

[james3]

I kind of thought of having the blade holder just slightly downsized so it slid in and out real smooth and then ordering extra LED mounts.

You know what, the great big duh lightbulb just came on and now I must go smack myself around a little bit.

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

[LAN-ED-TUL]

the quick change kits tim has will do that.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

[Wolverine]

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

Alright..Now for the MR. I thought it would take about an hour do it the conversion. Well, I was wrong, 3 hours later I had finally finshed the conversion. And I had problems...Thanks for all your help (all of you who post such great topics and tutorials) cause without you guys, I would still be swinging a flashlight :)

LanceM
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

I've done 3 so far, and my time keeps improving, started at about 3 hours, taking time to fix the tiny wires I broke, by the time I did my third, it was down to 45 min. So like everthing else, practice makes perfect. [:D][8D]
As far as swinging a flashlight around, you technically still are, it's just alot more expensive [:o)][8D][:D]

-Brotherhood of the Sith-

[Do-Clo]

I have converted one but I have repaired several it doesn't take that long to break it down and fix it.

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

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

[LAN-ED-TUL]

well after seein how much do-clo got out of his converted vader on ebay, i think i may hang onto it and take that to the con with me. i might be able to sell it to someone there for a hefty penny. at least make a lil more profit on it. i think i will, once they see this heiland red/orange lux vader of mine. i think it will be big at the con. and after i pass out all the cards for corbin and tim, still waitin for ultra to decide, i should be getting some business to those guys. i hope so, anyways.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

[Do-Clo]

Ebay is strange sometimes things are good, sometimes bad but at least I made a few dollars and may pick up some people wanting conversions done becasue several have inquired about doing thier MR, so you roll with the flow.

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

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

[LAN-ED-TUL]

if i do what i said above, this would be a local thing for me. i might be able to get a few folks to buy one off me. and also get them to buy from the 3 amigos, lol you know who i mean. once i flash these around and all. if some folks are willing to pay good money, then i could start lookin seriously for MR's on ebay to convert, get the parts from tim and do it. or direct them with the cards to the guys and let them deal straight with them.

its gonna be a win win anyway i go. either i make a few bucks or the guys do. and i betcha i could get a good amount out of that Converted MR Vader ESB while im there. it will be for 3 days. so the opp's will come up im sure.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

[Pirate King]

The trick is timing. Auctions that end late at night tend to go for more, at least in my experience as a buyer. Tthats why I bid on items that end durring the school day [8D] got a good anakin saber by bidding durring study hall.

{<font color="black">[[[</font id="black">(((<font color="red">o</font id="red">))<font color="gold">EE</font id="gold">[/<font color="blue">==============</font id="blue">

[UltraSWG]

I've done alot better on ebay with straight up pricing. I used to do the auction thing, now I just decide the lowest I'll take for my products and list them at that fixed price; no auction nonsense. Everyone gets the same fair price and no one feels cheated because they didn't "win" or that some other guy got their saber for less the day before.

Sure, I may not get $300+ per saber anymore by doing it this way, but I sell a hell of alot more. Lower prices, higher volume, that's the American way, right?

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

[Do-Clo]

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

I've done alot better on ebay with straight up pricing. I used to do the auction thing, now I just decide the lowest I'll take for my products and list them at that fixed price; no auction nonsense. Everyone gets the same fair price and no one feels cheated because they didn't "win" or that some other guy got their saber for less the day before.

Sure, I may not get $300+ per saber anymore by doing it this way, but I sell a hell of alot more. Lower prices, higher volume, that's the American way, right?


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

You said it Ultra, free enterprise at it's best

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

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

[NooB1Kenobi]

What is sad is when you convert sabers for a "friend" who has friends that want one and you do it for very lil some times a 12 pack and then you find out this "friend" is selling them and making about $30-$50 profit on them when I'm doing all the work.. [:(!]

Female Twi'leks are so Hot! I want one. =0)~

[Do-Clo]

When I get a friend that wants a saber built or converted I always make sure I add in something for my time, and I don't accept six packs for payment maybe a six shooter[:D]

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

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f217/Do-Clo/DarthVader.gif

The Brotherhood of the Sith

[james3]

Stuff like that will always happen, and you just have to take the high road and chalk it up as lesson learned. Next time he want's a saber built just charge what you would want like he was me e-mailing you to do a saber. So far I have spent a LOT of money on building lightsabers for friends and family and I haven't even gotten a penny in return, and now I have a few people asking what I could do for them and if they really want one for themselves or their kids I will be more then happy to SELL them a lightsaber but I don't want to go in to debt on giving away stuff. I know it's hard but remember this: "A friend will stick it to ya quicker then a stranger will."

Wow! that took me a real long time to type that, Do-Clo snuck in there and made an excellent point while I was typing. Sixgun HMMM[:D] Always had a love for the Colt modelP myself.
"Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." - Obi-Wan Kenobi

[LAN-ED-TUL]

i wont do any for a friend without getting paid cash for my time, parts and all whatnots involved. i might cut one friend a lower price than another.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/me.jpg
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

[NooB1Kenobi]

I do charge for the parts and all that.. Some of them do have lightsabers all ready..
But when I'm out of beer and I know I can work on one for a friend I will just tell them to bring me a 12 back or something.. Sometimes I get a case or even a bottle of Jack.. A lil alcohol and a lil country music on a nice day in the garage converting a lightsaber is a good time..
I do sometimes get money for doing them for a friend or their college buddies or what not..

Female Twi'leks are so Hot! I want one. =0)~

[LAN-ED-TUL]

oh boy, alcohol and electronics, what a matchup, lol




http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/groupshot.jpg

The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

[james3]

The one saber that I did for my son's buddy as a birthday present was so well received that his mom wants one for her. I reckon I am going to have to break down and charge something for it.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/MaceObi-Wan.jpg

[Do-Clo]

Sabers are like potatoe chips you can't have just one[:D]

Do-Clo
Brotherhood of the Sith

Don't make me destroy you...

[Wolverine]

Aint that the truth, I'm up to 7 right now. [:p]

-Brotherhood of the Sith-

[NooB1Kenobi]

You never know when you may need them... An army of imperial troops could land at anytime

Female Twi'leks are so Hot! I want one. =0)~

[Do-Clo]

I am sad to say that I may have several here at a time but they are in various stages of repair or construction and none of them are going to end up staying in my collection.[:(]

Do-Clo
Brotherhood of the Sith

Don't make me destroy you...

[NooB1Kenobi]

My collection is low.. I've sold some vto friends just cause I haven't had time to do them.. That's sad to say too since I am currently without a job..

Female Twi'leks are so Hot! I want one. =0)~

[LAN-ED-TUL]

i have several now, but plan on selling 2 of them i have. the MR vader esb that i converted, and that great saber im working on. still gotta get arms cut out and mounted.




http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/groupshot.jpg

The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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