Qui-Gon-style MHS saber

[Matt Thorn]

A Qui-Gon Jinn-style saber made almost entirely from MHS parts. The red anodized thumbscrew is cosmetic. The activation switch is a nearly invisible tactile switch directly opposite the thumbscrew.


Green 5-Watt LedEngin LED
SaberSound 1.0
4 AAA Ni-MH battery pack
charge port

Photos all taken in a room fairly well-lit by the evening sun. Brightness enhanced in Photoshop to show details better, except in the two photos of the saber turned on, since I thought that would be "cheating". ;)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt8jm5hgI/AAAAAAAABuc/-LKtTQC9yFs/s400/IMG_1134.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/q1NMB5A4m38oEOk-No8OxA?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt9KfCHiI/AAAAAAAABug/VHFE6-nxhnU/s400/IMG_1135.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OQ4GQGjjPDfTUPsj0G9fig?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt9_nj6-I/AAAAAAAABuk/MLGGW11HHaw/s400/IMG_1136.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nMebMJc2EcaujZzIXpx3GA?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt-shgg1I/AAAAAAAABuo/WsSw8NhrrN0/s400/IMG_1137.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G6CZBiQCOyMOfO0y04QGhQ?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt_cY4hWI/AAAAAAAABuw/JIk8q56LET4/s400/IMG_1138.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2lnSP2FQjAIpbg9vVUfsDA?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt_1_dIeI/AAAAAAAABu0/M6h8JJ0nj_U/s400/IMG_1139.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0JGX8gFhmNcoZXnTyxAJeA?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHuAcwWAVI/AAAAAAAABu4/prv-8cYVw0Q/s400/IMG_1140.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JYasXs2qkQ_6PVD8Qya2Mg?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHt76VsTwI/AAAAAAAABuY/PR6QohA5cPg/s400/IMG_1133.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Zzvk60aKOFcuOfH5QDDbnQ?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHp0mBL1nI/AAAAAAAABtQ/fuihSD3zYMs/s400/IMG_1141.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s6ce2x_pk_w2yVfXKJNzSQ?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/SrHp1rqk70I/AAAAAAAABtY/CKNcAU_GSEY/s400/IMG_1142.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vB_JXubQI0nt0HqTDpjFcg?feat=embedwebsite)

[Darth Xusia]

Man that is awesome! Now, get busy on a production run so we can all have one:):):) JK
That is some nice custom work:cool:

[Pullo]

That is really nice. I have to say I'm working on a qui gonn rep myself, hope it turns out as good as yours. Well done.

[Jasten Skywalker]

Fantastic job! It's very clean looking. Are you going to post a video?

[Matt Thorn]

Thanks, guys. Next time I plan to spend the extra money and have Tim make the grooves on the extensions closer to the "real thing".

The parts list is here (http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=9071). I ended up replacing the button I made using one of Tim's thumbscrews with a "genuine replica" from SaberKit.com (Parks), but be warned! It took almost two and a half months for that knob to arrive! :-? Tim, it would be great if you could stock those anodized red thumbscrews.

The hardest part, by far, is dremeling the shroud. Here's the template I made for the shroud, in full-size, 72 DPI.
http://matt-thorn.com/koujinkoubou/qui-gon%20shroud.jpg
If you look at photos of Madcow's amazing Qui-Gon or Master Replica's hilt replica, you can see that the portion that I have made very "round" is actually not a smooth curve. Next time I'll try to more closely approximate that shape.

After that, it's just a matter of powder coating. :D

I will post a video once I get the problem with SaberSound (http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?t=9071#4) worked out. (Note that the problem is entirely of my own making--It's not a problem with the board itself, which I think is fantastic.)

[sekrogue1985]

nice nice i love it.

[jedimastergarcia87]

Cool Qui-gon hilt! :p I want to make one myself because he's one of my favorite Jedis. Which extension/pommel should i use? i got the right hilt and blade holder. also, which size of a sinktube should i get for the over lay? (getting it from lowes). i might use regular Kryon spray paint to give it a more glossy look if thats ok and possible, i'll just have to get some enamel protection stuff. this will be a project after christmas. Sorry if the over lay isn't accurate, my step-dad said it'd be kinda hard for him to do the fancy cutout parts, but it will be done. After christmas like I said. I might make my bro an obi-wan hilt too, any suggestions for parts on that?

[Sairon]

Looks great, nice job on it!

[Matt Thorn]

Which extension/pommel should i use? i got the right hilt and blade holder. also, which size of a sinktube should i get for the over lay? (getting it from lowes). i might use regular Kryon spray paint to give it a more glossy look if thats ok and possible, i'll just have to get some enamel protection stuff. this will be a project after christmas. Sorry if the over lay isn't accurate, my step-dad said it'd be kinda hard for him to do the fancy cutout parts, but it will be done. After christmas like I said. I might make my bro an obi-wan hilt too, any suggestions for parts on that?
Check out the parts list I linked to in my last post. Also, I updated the template image to show where I used a drill bit instead of a dremel. Show that to your step-dad; it should make his work easier.

The paint should work. Just sand all the surfaces you are going to paint, and avoid running by keeping the spray can at a good distance, doing light layers one at a time, and allowing each layer to dry before doing the next one. If you're impatient and try to do it all at once, you will probably get running.

Sorry, off the top of my head I can't think of a way to make any kind of Obi-Wan hilt using only MHS parts.

[Kal El Rah]

Excellent saber Matt, good job. I like it very much.:wink::D8-)

[Matt Thorn]

I've tweaked my MHS Qui-Gon to look more like the "real thing." The prototype was the right length, but was too fat, so I replaced the 6" piece with a 7" piece, making the whole look slimmer. I also made the shape of the shroud much closer to the real thing, and had Tim make the grooves 5mm wide and 5mm apart, to more closely simulate the look of the original.

At this point, it's just an empty hilt. (I just finished and powder-coated the shroud today.) The guy I'm making this for wants a Hyperblade (Matt quickly dons his Mandalorian helmet to protect himself from thrown projectiles), so the hilt will sit empty till the guts ship.

As before, the Parks replica knob is purely cosmetic. The power switch will be a hidden tactile. The knob is the only non-TCSS/MHS part on the hilt.

I'm really happy with this. It's amazing how much difference an inch can make. Yes, gents: size does matter. ;)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1Lbc8eaLZI/AAAAAAAADkU/iW9N8FxRUIs/s400/IMG_1610.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/a-BoO141bWvG4LlM2agYDg?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1LbePGTBnI/AAAAAAAADkY/VRHMa8WxrRQ/s400/IMG_1611.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/68ZHyokFUNa0jzdai-nrKw?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1LbgKK09VI/AAAAAAAADkc/xlAdBU4TRXM/s400/IMG_1612.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/k-X70X2Z0DP-YAo-fZL7Qw?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1LbhyvCiBI/AAAAAAAADkg/_CJpiDr-4bE/s400/IMG_1613.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/b6s9veoGuexMLYyuJMwuRw?feat=embedwebsite)

[Darth Xusia]

That is one sweet saber you got there!
**Sith mind trick**
You want to give this to Darth Xusia ;D ;D

[Matt Thorn]

That is one sweet saber you got there!
**Sith mind trick**
You want to give this to Darth Xusia ;D ;D
I'm a Toydarian! Mind tricks don't work on me – only money! :p

[jedimastergarcia87]

Sweet. Without the blade in it looks like it'd be an actual lightsaber say, stolen from Qui-gon, lol. I was wondering, is SaberSound 1.0 worth getting? I don't really want a Hasbro board next time I do a hilt. Will the resistor work good in the standard LUX kit from here? Also a wiring diagram of SaberSound would be good.

[Caine Drathul]

Looks very cool, man. Great work overall!

[Matt Thorn]

Sweet. Without the blade in it looks like it'd be an actual lightsaber say, stolen from Qui-gon, lol. I was wondering, is SaberSound 1.0 worth getting? I don't really want a Hasbro board next time I do a hilt. Will the resistor work good in the standard LUX kit from here? Also a wiring diagram of SaberSound would be good.
Thanks. I can't really recommend SaberSound 1.0. Beyond the problems that have been described elsewhere, the scariest aspect at this point is the unreliability of support provided by SaberForge (a.k.a. airsoftmode). Since all the problems popped up with SaberSound 1.0, he has basically disappeared rather that publicly addressing the problems. In short, buying a SaberSound 1.0 at this point is a big gamble. Your resistor question was also about the SaberSound, right? Well, since SaberForge has not provided any data, it's hard to say. Same with a wiring diagram, although wiring the board is very straightforward.

Looks very cool, man. Great work overall!
Thank you, sir.

[Darth Xusia]

Matt, did you get my PM?

[jedimastergarcia87]

Oh well. Thanks for the help anyway. A stunt Qui-Gon is always ok too. Did you use an extension and then carve extra grooves in it or just use a main body with no extension?

[Matt Thorn]

Matt, did you get my PM?
Just sent my response.

Oh well. Thanks for the help anyway. A stunt Qui-Gon is always ok too. Did you use an extension and then carve extra grooves in it or just use a main body with no extension?
That's a 7" double female extension and a 2" double female extension. Tim did the groove work, I did the powder coating myself. They are connected with a double ended male threaded connector, which is also where I put the red knob.

[Rhyen Skytracker]

Looks great Matt. I like the longer version too, it does make it look more slender. Great job.

[Count Malik]

nice hilt matt!:)

[Matt Thorn]

Thanks, all. I added some new pics I just took in daylight. Sorry for the washed out appearance, but I had to do some tweaking in Photoshop in order to show up the details.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1PaXp0SM-I/AAAAAAAADl4/y2e-0ejjU2s/s400/IMG_1616.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/v_ElQlcOuEPHFDyZKgkENg?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1PaYeMXLdI/AAAAAAAADl8/jnOBi8k3DTY/s400/IMG_1618.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/4_rBgrLsMGavBNUPf3H2FQ?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1PabohcwpI/AAAAAAAADmA/xJiHmeogl0g/s400/IMG_1619.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/55I9bBzAgV6fmVy7C0pPWQ?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1PaegPTyVI/AAAAAAAADmE/153kTcU6I1A/s400/IMG_1621.jpg (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/EZTNuV__ZuKPvY7aSqpDjg?feat=embedwebsite)
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_THBqz9vPciU/S1PafuwziRI/AAAAAAAADmI/ksaIAqXePa0/s400/IMG_1622.JPG (http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/photo/Bb2rAUOWFA8xuqRQd0fcCw?feat=embedwebsite)

[jedimastergarcia87]

I still love your Qui-gon saber dude. I'm kinda jealous. Lol. It looks so professional. Forget buying replicas. Lol. I saw Avatar tonight and it was amazing! I may do an Avatar inspired saber now, I got a pretty cool idea. What would a blue and green filter do if I mixed them up? No one don't steal my idea cause I came up with it first. >.> <.<

[Jedi-Loreen]

Steal your idea of putting a blue and green filter together? :confused:

If you don't know what blue and green make then you didn't study very well in art class. :rolleyes:

[gundamaniac]

Great job. I love seeing good looking replicas come out of MHS and shroudwork just to show that you don't necessarily need access to a machine shop's array of tools to make a nice saber.

[Matt Thorn]

I still love your Qui-gon saber dude. I'm kinda jealous. Lol. It looks so professional. Forget buying replicas. Lol. I saw Avatar tonight and it was amazing! I may do an Avatar inspired saber now, I got a pretty cool idea. What would a blue and green filter do if I mixed them up? No one don't steal my idea cause I came up with it first. >.> <.<


Steal your idea of putting a blue and green filter together? :confused:

If you don't know what blue and green make then you didn't study very well in art class. :rolleyes:
Thanks Garcia. You end up with a very dim cyan. So I think your idea is safe. ;) But I would suggest getting a (genuine) cyan LED instead. The cyan bins Tim is selling now are genuine cyan, but most of the other Luxeon III and Rebel cyan bins are actually green. You want a bin 1 or 2, with a dominant wavelength of 490 or 495.

Great job. I love seeing good looking replicas come out of MHS and shroudwork just to show that you don't necessarily need access to a machine shop's array of tools to make a nice saber.
Thank you, sir.

[jedimastergarcia87]

I will do a real cyan led then. Still dunno about a next hilt design though. any suggestions since i'm not using an extension or choke?