slothfurnace's ANH Graflex (Full crystal chassis)

[Ari-Jaq Xulden]

So, we make custom parts, and create a multifunctional feature.

I just knew it was that mouse under your hat pulling all the strings.

[slothfurnace]

Well, it's been a while since I have posted, but here's some updates.

Last week I spent a ton of time on the plug that goes into the blade adapter and interfaces with the detachable blade. More on that later, but here's a few pics.



When the blade is not in the saber, I have a 1" to 3/4" blade stepdown adapter as my plug. Inside that I have soldered 6 Mako V3 LEDs to make the ring illuminate when it's turned on. Not quite finished with that part yet though.



Here I have set up my radius cutter to do the radius for the collector on the inside of the chassis, positioned above the crystal.



Here you see my radiused inner surface, the hole will be for another Mako V3 LED.



Here I have knurled a section, radiused the outer edge, and begun trimming down the back of the piece so I can part it off and thread it. This will hold the top harddrive platter retainer plate to the machined adapter plug. That might not make sense now, but once I get pics made of that piece it will all be clear.



Here's the custom bolt finished, threaded for 3/8, hollowed for the LED, and cut down so it fits the inner hole of my harddrive platter retainer plate.

[Invisas1979]

This is the most brilliant build thread ever, I'm rapt every time I look at it.

I can't wait for the next update, keep em coming SF.

[cannibal869]

Agreed - I do have to say that one of the reasons this thread is so full of win is that the pics are just ungodly crisp and detailed. I really really love the super macro mode of your camera Slothfurnace!

[slothfurnace]

Agreed - I do have to say that one of the reasons this thread is so full of win is that the pics are just ungodly crisp and detailed. I really really love the super macro mode of your camera Slothfurnace!

Hey I appreciate that!


Here's a couple pics on a major update,



This was the result of some very tedious headscratching. The joining of the chassis to the actual adapter plug went through heavy revision until I finally found a way to do it with the space I had left that also let the unit be strong.

I decided to take the very heavy risk of drilling and tapping six 2-56 holes through the retainer plate into my plug housing, then using scrap harddrive screws to mount the retainer plate to the plug. I had no room to use the custom LED bolt collector I had machined, so this is how it has to be.



And here I am testing my wiring harness for fit and finish, all the wires fit, and I also took the last four radiator plates, and for three of them drilled a hole that will accept the shock sensor, and the very last one, a hole that fits the wires for the shock sensor. I like having the shock sensor embedded here, as it adds a bit of interest, and gets it away from cramped spaces while also keeping it rigid.

The switch wires run through holes in the radiator as well, the length of the chassis.

[Skottsaber]

Now all you need to do is fit some swiss army knife attachments on the other radiator plates...


Seriously though.. awesome *sighs at cliche*

[Tyhm]

Now all you need to do is fit some swiss army knife attachments on the other radiator plates...


Seriously though.. awesome *sighs at cliche*

Swiss Army Lightsaber? Totally doing it now. Red enamel hilt and all. ;-D

SF, you never cease to amaze...even the soldering is beautiful.

[Jedi-Loreen]

Hee hee

[Invisas1979]

Hee hee

Ha ha ha. Good one

[slothfurnace]

Well, tonight I had to solve a lingering problem with my crystal mount.

The LED matrix had a kind of sloppy circular positive lead ring. In addition to being sloppy, it tended to ground out against my support pillars after I added the thicker machined brass trim pieces.



To solve it, I tossed the Mark I LED matrix in favor of the Mark II. A triangular hot lead, with inverted LEDs, passing the hot lead under the mount, against the crystal itself to add stability to the crystal.

This also is a tighter, closer in setup, and after noodling with how exactly to do it, I finally just bent and soldered everything with the crystal installed, thereby making sure it all fit. I inverted the LEDs so I could pass the ground Leads up into the mount, grounding against the body of the mount, and hiding them as well.