"Vorpan Solus", yet another "First Saber Build"

[MandoJoe]

So, I figured I'd go ahead and get this thread started, as something to do while I wait for my parts to arrive. They're only ten hours (and three states) away according to UPS, but it's a holiday weekend, and since I've got three day shipping on them, I'm sorely tempted to go pick them up myself instead of waiting an additional three days (stupid holiday!). Since I've got nothing to do this afternoon, so I'm keeping myself as busy as possible while I wait. You'll have to forgive me if I get a little wordy.

So, I'm a simple guy with simple tastes. I'm totally drooling over the sabers that other builders have put together, but for my first one, I'm keeping it simple (less chance of screwing it up that way). I went back and forth with my designs, simplifying, simplifying, simplifying, until I had something that stuck in my head and said "This is the Saber I want to build.".

I kind of agonized over naming this thing. I wanted to keep it simple, and not go too terribly overboard. At first, I was going to go with Seventh Sanctum's naming generators and do something ridiculous like "The Dark Super Revenger" or something, but I finally settled for a name that I like, that I think fits.

I've always loved Star Wars, but I wasn't really sucked into the universe until I was well on my way to being a grown up (a goal I hope I never reach). I stumbled upon the Republic Commando series by Karen Traviss, and I fell in love. Obviously, as evidenced by my Username, I've got a thing for Mandalorians, and so, I decided to go with something in Mando'a (the Mandalorian language). "Vorpan Solus". It literally means "Green One".

SPECS:
-MHS parts
-Luxeon Rebel Star MHS Assembly (Green)
-Short Illuminated Anti Vandal Switch (Green}
-Accent LED (Red)
-2 14500 Lithium Batteries
-8-32 screw insert (Blade Holder)
-"And not a fancy thing about it"

SaberBuilder_render.jpg

I owe a lot of thanks and inspiration to Yoshi-Taka and his "Souseiki" as sort of a guiding star for this build. I hope to have my parts by the end of the day (UPS willing), so I should have build pics up sometime this weekend.

[shmoetech]

I see your wife gave you the go ahead...lol

[Yoshi-Taka]

My influence is spreading? God help us all.. lol

I like it. Though the box looks a bit high up on the render. I may be wrong but it looks like it'll interfere with the threading on the main body. I'm impressed to see that particular blade holder; almost no one uses it but it looks surprisingly good on that choke. Are you putting a covertec knob on it?

I look forward to seeing the billions of pictures. Have you put any thought into the chassis? It's gonna be a stunt from what I can tell so I'm curious as to how everything will stay in place. And just as well, how about recharge? You're using li-ion batteries and they'll need recharge; gonna disassemble the hilt to pull out the batteries or have you considered in-hilt recharge? Lots of questions, I know. Also, the name is a nice touch. I'm all over the place with this post, apparently.

[MandoJoe]

She did indeed, Shmoe. She's been unbelievably patient with me and all my nerdly obsessions.

The box is high on the render, Yoshi. That's just where I stuck it for the moment. The machining for the box itself is actually lower, just above the ribbed section. For the moment, no Covertec (although it's in the plans), and no sound (also in the plans, but I've gotta work some overtime to pay for it).

As far as the blade holder goes, that's probably where I had the most trouble. I had five of them that I kept switching between (2, 4, 9, 12, 17), but in the end it came down to balance and simplicity...and what would take the least machining, and thus get to me faster, but mostly the first thing.

For the moment, I'm going to use the "Ol' Switcheroo" method of battery changing, as the hilt is indeed a stunt, and has no sound. An in-hilt recharge port is going to happen the same time as my sound install. That's actually part of the reason I chose this box design over just getting the AV switch machined. This way it's already set for my recharge port when the time comes.

For now, everything will be kept in place by use of foam padding.

And don't worry about being all over the place. I tend to be that way all the time anyway, so it's nice to see somebody else who can keep up with my ramblings.

[Yoshi-Taka]

Sounds like everything is in place. Simplistic design set to be upgraded in several good ways.. color me impressed. Can't wait to see the pictures.

[MandoJoe]

So, I spent most of yesterday waiting for UPS to deliver my parts. For future reference, don't automatically assume that because it's the most expensive and because the website says 3 days that it'll be there 3 days after it ships. My stuff got to Houston on Friday night, but because it was the weekend, and then Monday was Labor Day, I didn't get my stuff until 6 days after it shipped. But enough complaining.

My parts arrived about 1500 hours, and I immediately unboxed it all and sorted through it. Tim, as usual, kicked major shebse with the machining. Everything is perfectly aligned and centered, right where I wanted it. A short drive later to my electronics Jedi Master's place, and I began construction. I meant to take detailed pictures, but that didn't work out so much. It basically turned into "This is a pile of parts, and this is a pile of parts that lights up, and this is the big mess I've made, and YAY LIGHTSABER!!!". I took the hilt with me this morning to polish it up by hand while I did my laundry. Also, please forgive my electronics master's carpet.

So, without no more ado, I give you the construction of Vorpan Solus...

[Yoshi-Taka]

Looks good. Very nice to see the box doesn't overlap the grooves. How's it feel to hold and spin (especially with the choke)?

[MandoJoe]

Like magic, Yoshi. I've got hands that are on the smaller side, and so when I place my index finger/thumb circle right at the top of the choke, everything falls into place just perfectly. The heel of my right hand falls just above the activation box, and my left thumb, when gripping the grooves, is in just the right place to press the switch.

As far as spinning goes, the balance point is about two inches beyond the blade holder, with a thin walled 38 inch quad wrapped blade. It makes it a little bit...I'm not sure how to word it. The weight is to the front of the hilt, so it's like it just wants to spin all the time. It's magnificent.

[Yoshi-Taka]

A Makashi saber to the core, it seems, if it loves to spin. I see it's a stunt now, yes? Plans to add sound in the future?

[MandoJoe]

Oh, yes. Definitely. Now that I've got some trial and error out of the way, I'm waiting on the Nano Biscotte to arrive. I think I'm gonna do that, change out my switch to white, probably, and investigate the possibility of using RGB LEDs, just for the awesomeness. First, though, I'm probably going to snag a red and a white LED module, to play with for now.