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Rod-Wan
05-18-2006, 08:19 AM
Hey all, I'm using the 3/4" polycarbonate blade because I like the thiner blade as well as I converted my el sabre so kinda stuck with the size so to speak. I was having a bit of difficulty with the upper portion of the blade liting up, it's quite dim in comparison, I realize this is inevidable, however I was thinking if I ditched the diffuser tube and sanded the inside of the polycarbonate that should increase the ammount of light able to be diffused through the tube right? I was also wondering about maybe upping the led to the Luxeon V? Any imput is appreciated.

-Master Rod-Wan Déattrod

Do-Clo
05-18-2006, 08:24 AM
If you switch to a narrow optic such as 5 degree and change to maybe a film for a blade diffuser with a mirrored surface on the end cap of your blade it should help even out the light.


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Firebird21
05-18-2006, 08:25 AM
Try this (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=644) Topic.

There is a couple more out there if you search a little harder than I did.

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)
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james3
05-18-2006, 08:26 AM
Do you have a mirror or some kind of reflector in the tip? That is a must. I think you may also want to browse the thread about using different films in the blade. Good Luck.

EDIT-Beatin by my Master and the Derailment CO, Two finger typing sucks!

<center>http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/Dadof3/James3sig.jpg</center>

Rod-Wan
05-18-2006, 08:53 AM
Actually the optic lense and mirror were the first thing that I thought of, while they did make the blade brighter it's not quite at the level it need's to be. I'll check on the film but last time I worked with a film "lightech" I wasn't impressed, I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.

http://www.massassi.net/ec/images/10941.jpg

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<font size="3">"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are possible."</font id="size3">

Do-Clo
05-18-2006, 08:56 AM
Corbin has a good blade film that works well and others have used some different types of film with good results check the FAQ and Thread Index sections for their info.

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<center><font color="red"><font size="4"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Darth Technous Sith Lord</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="size4"></font id="red"></center>
<center><font color="red"><font size="4"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Give yourself to the Dark Side</font id="Comic Sans MS"></font id="size4"></font id="red"></center>

xwingband
05-18-2006, 11:10 AM
The diffuser is going to be the issue on this. I'm assuming that you stuck with the EL one. It's too thick. Either you need to go for a film or a thinner diffuser. I'd look at McMaster's and go for something like part 8628K55 which is 1/32" walled nylon.

There is a post here about Corbin using a 3/4" blade to give you an idea:
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/sabers/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=84

There are many options for film though. Check out the FAQ and maybe grab a few more from McMasters. I have an order waiting for the money that includes UMHW PolyE film, etc... all for experimenting.[:)]

<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)?.

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Jedi-Loreen
05-19-2006, 03:04 AM
<font color="blue"><font size="3">Hey, R-W, [;)] are you still using the thinner walled polycarb blades I sent you a couple years ago? Or did you get some 1/8" walled? I can't remember.

If you're using the thinner polycarb, then you need to try the Part #8628K57, which has the 5/8" OD.

I already tried to talk him into trying some of Corbin's film, but he's resisting.</font id="size3"> </font id="blue"> [:p]



In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

Rod-Wan
05-19-2006, 11:18 PM
No I'm using the thicker walled polycarbonate now, but I'm thinking about going with a mylar style diffuser, and mayber corbin's film.[8D]

http://www.massassi.net/ec/images/10941.jpg

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<font color="brown"><font size="5">Jedi Of The Old Republic</font id="brown"></font id="size5">

<font size="3">"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are possible."</font id="size3">

LAN-ED-TUL
05-20-2006, 12:05 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Rod-Wan

Actually the optic lense and mirror were the first thing that I thought of, while they did make the blade brighter it's not quite at the level it need's to be. I'll check on the film but last time I worked with a film "lightech" I wasn't impressed, I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.

http://www.massassi.net/ec/images/10941.jpg

<font color="gold"><font size="4">Jedi Master</font id="gold"></font id="size4">
<font color="blue"><font size="5">Rod-Wan Déattrod</font id="blue"></font id="size5">
<font color="brown"><font size="5">Jedi Of The Old Republic</font id="brown"></font id="size5">

<font size="3">"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are possible."</font id="size3">
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

i have bought el setup from lighttech long before i found this site, and the diffuser was a tube just like in tims, he didnt have a film then.

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

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

Jedi-Loreen
05-20-2006, 01:09 AM
<font size="3"><font color="blue">The Lightech blade I have has some sort of paper diffuser in it.

And there's so much space inside that thinner tube that the EL wire rattles around horribly in it.</font id="blue"></font id="size3">[xx(]

In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

LAN-ED-TUL
05-20-2006, 02:36 AM
yeah, mines like that too, the wires do rattle around if ya bang it or shake it reall hard. but the diffuser in it is a plastic very thin walled tube, which left boocoos of room inside it for wires.

i think you could cram twice the amount in there, with al the room it has, but then, findin a el driver big enough to power that much wire. i think youd definately have to run 18 volts off a big ole driver that wouldnt fit in a hilt. but, im guessin there. since i only done a couple el's before i run across this place and done a led, and once youve gone led, you'll never go back to anything less.

lol

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

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

Rod-Wan
05-20-2006, 11:37 AM
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
i have bought el setup from lighttech long before i found this site, and the diffuser was a tube just like in tims, he didnt have a film then.

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

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

You dont know the POWER, of the dark side...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

When did Mike start doing that? Last time I talked to him about it (I don't know over a year or two ago) he was convinced the diffuser tube JLo and I were using (think we were the only one's at the time) was the way of the devil, has he since seen the light? lol

http://www.massassi.net/ec/images/10941.jpg

<font color="gold"><font size="4">Jedi Master</font id="gold"></font id="size4">
<font color="blue"><font size="5">Rod-Wan Déattrod</font id="blue"></font id="size5">
<font color="brown"><font size="5">Jedi Of The Old Republic</font id="brown"></font id="size5">

<font size="3">"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are possible."</font id="size3">

Jedi-Loreen
05-20-2006, 01:49 PM
<font size="3"><font color="blue">Then Mike must have stolen MY idea of the tube diffuser, since I was the first, non-commercial person to do that, that I'm aware of.[:(!]

I wonder if he's using polyethylene tubing?</font id="blue"></font id="size3">

In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

LAN-ED-TUL
05-21-2006, 05:45 AM
dont know, i'd have to dig out the blade and take it apart to look. but last i looked it sure looked like a very thin tube, and it didnt look like paper to me. more like plastic. but i will checjk again when i have time. my wife said i got it about 2 years ago. i will just have to take the plug end out and look at it. i could be wrong, but who knows.

<center>http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c291/LAN-ED-TUL/LANSIG.jpg</center>

Lan-Ed-Tul
The Brotherhood Of The Sith

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

Rod-Wan
05-22-2006, 03:47 PM
If you got it from Lightech it should be a diffuser paper/plastic material kinda like mylar.

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/Rodwan1.jpg

<font size="3">"With ordinary talent and extraordinary perserverance, all things are possible."</font id="size3">

Zhi-don
05-23-2006, 07:05 AM
I'm still trying to figure out a way to use a 3/4 inch x 1/8 inch wall x 40 inches blade for an LED. Corbin says it can be done with a 1/16 wall, but doesn't recommend the thicker wall. I need a heavier blade to duel with. Anybody done one?

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Rod-Wan
05-23-2006, 10:48 PM
That would be me

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

Rod-Wan
05-23-2006, 10:52 PM
My recomendation is to use the 10 Degree lense (I know you'd think the 5 would work better but it doesn't) and a rollable diffuser, the el diffusers stink for this because they have a bend in them and there isn't enough room for the light to shine well up the tube. Ultimately the choice is yours but you need a thin/ridged/straight diffuser to make the most of the small area the light has to travel through.

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

Jedi-Loreen
05-24-2006, 12:05 AM
<font size="3"><font color="blue">Damn that gif in your sig is really distsracting. Do you have to show off like that? </font id="blue"> </font id="size3"> http://media.ign.com/boardfaces/25.gif

In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

Rod-Wan
05-24-2006, 01:31 AM
Yes [:D] What you don't like it?

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

Zhi-don
05-24-2006, 06:33 AM
Thanks for the advice. Where did you get your diffuser from? J-Lo and I were going to try to do this, but Tim doesn't offer a thinner diffuser. Corbin offered to build me a blade using his diffuser and I may go with that. Do you have any pics showing the comparison between the 3/4 inch and 1 inch?

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Rod-Wan
05-24-2006, 10:25 AM
Unfortunately I do not have a 1" blade, but I recomend http://www.grafixplastics.com/acetate_film.asp go to the retail locator and you should be able to find something in your area

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

xwingband
05-24-2006, 10:27 AM
Ahh... acetate is similar to mylar and lots of other films. What thickness did you get?

<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)?.

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Rod-Wan
05-24-2006, 10:34 AM
Relitively sure I got .003 but I'll have to check on it for you, said on the site that it's a blend of acetate AND mylar, not sure if that helps you or not, will update with pics tonight

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

Rod-Wan
05-24-2006, 10:45 PM
Ok, here is my 36" 1/8" thick with acetate&mirror (left) next to a 34" 1/8" thick empty blade that I was attempting to sand the inside of. The material I use was an acetate/mylar blend. I recomend going to http://www.grafixplastics.com/acetate_film.asp <- this is the same stuff I have you can use the "store locate" option to find it near you, I got a 20" x 12' roll for $6 (as a side note the "correct" length for a lightsabre from the emitter matrix to the tip is 36" or 3 feet. This is just a general principle for standard sabres, the sabre shown here meets that but has an emitter shroud that is 2" up from the emitter matrix making the effective dueling surface 34", but you didn't hear that from me, I have a 36" blade, well actually 38" if you count the 2 in the hilt.....[/rant]
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/imag0000.jpg

You'll have to forgive the image quality I've got an old camera,
ok so this is the 34" in a lit room with a royal blue led

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/imag0008.jpg

36" mirror

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/imag0007.jpg

The next two are to give perspective this is the 34" next to a el JLo style high brightness dark blue. Followed by the corrisponding 36"

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/imag0009.jpg

http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/photoalbum/Rod-Wan/imag0010.jpg

Hope this helps guys (the 34" is actually darker IRL it just appears bright because I tryed to sand the inside /didn't work/ just looks like acrylic blue with a light shining through it.)

http://images1.fotki.com/v317/photos/9/917943/3581808/jotorsig-vi.jpg?22436
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/Animation4-vi.gif?225169http://images16.fotki.com/v316/photos/9/917943/3581808/rwdsig-vi.jpg?48097
http://images17.fotki.com/v308/photos/9/917943/3581808/quotesig-vi.jpg?50056

Zhi-don
05-25-2006, 06:34 AM
Good pics. Maybe I won't have to do the 1 inch after all. We use 40 inch blades based on the EL standard blade length and the length of the shinai, that's 38 with 2 inches in the hilt. That's only a 2 inch difference, so it shouldn't change much. Thanks for your input. I will talk to J-Lo about this later and order some of that film you talked about.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS

Jedi-Loreen
05-25-2006, 10:00 AM
<font size="3"><font color="blue">Don, you, or I, can pick up some of that film at Michael's.

I need to talk to you about another alternative, to see if you want to experiment with that, too.</font id="blue"></font id="size3">

In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Dark.

Zhi-don
05-25-2006, 02:52 PM
Got your call. We can move ahead on this.

Zhi-don Aquintas
XO RL Sunrider Base
Treasurer/Head Instructor
Lightsaber training OCSWS