Saber 19

[amwolf]

So one day I was bored... er... uninspired at work and was trolling through deviantART and I ran across this lightsaber design:



So, there, full disclosure, the initial concept isn't mine, and hopefully I haven't stomped on anyone's copyright. Anyhow, I really liked the simple design; I really wanted to work on my dremel-fu; and I wanted to spend some quality time with a Nano Biscotte. Throw in some personal touches, and the end result is what I present below (a tribute saber if need be). Why Saber 19? That was the file number it happened to be. Someday I hope to build Saber 6. Saber 2 needs to be deleted. There's no logic, just go with it.


SPECS:
Nano Biscotte
18650 3.7v 3400mAh
(3) Cyan accent led's, tried to match the main color
CC(W) Tri-rebel
MHS and sink tube and the acrylic chassis disks
Copper mesh with a drafting mylar inner wrap


GLAMS:





I need to shoot a video, but so far they've not been good because I have no video-fu. It?s running Madcow's Korriban font, thanks to a project that didn't end up using it and Saberfont.com. It's one of my favorites. This saber is so loud I need to crack it open and adjust the volume down, as the power down actually hurts my ears and our cat runs away and hides.

A note on the chassis - I asked Tim to add an extra set on holes on one recharge port disk, so I could transition to the smaller extension disks and keep them actually centered and aligned. Thanks Tim! This gave me the scootch of room I wanted to let the chassis slip in under the copper/mylar. For reference, the front face of the recharge port chassis is just a smidge short of the back edge of the rear cutout, and it was white knuckle time when I drilled that hole (last) since the chassis was all wired up at that point. More on that below... Luckily, it hit correctly. Uh, I mean, my mad skillz let me drill that hole exactly where it had to go. Yeah, that sounds better? Oh, and the sink tube at the switch has a hidden set screw.





So, what I learned: 1.) I don't want to cut any grooves in MHS for a while - I've got about two dozen half-used disks on my bench waiting for some rip cuts. Cut a pair of grooves, burn cutting hand through a pair of gloves on the hot hilt, allow to cool then hand file till bored. Ease those edges, or you'll end up with a bunch of parallel cuts in your hand! 2.) I really like the layering the sink tube gives, and the shadow the battery casts on the mylar. 3.) I need to work on modifying a plug adapter, I don't think it seats correctly the way I've got the port, darn it. If need be, the chassis' got enough slack in it to slide out for charging if I can't figure something out. 4.) I need to make a kill key, same problem. Minor, and thank you Deep Sleep mode.

I hope you enjoy the saber. Critique away!

[Yoshi-Taka]

One word - damn.

Another series of words - I really like the design. It's good to see the final product came out faithful to the original design. I found a design on dA as well which gave me inspiration for an emitter shroud. Glad I'm not the only one who checks out designs there. Nice work!

[Ty_Bomber]

what a stunning hilt. Bravo.

[Silver Serpent]

Very impressive. I know what a pain it can be to get those parallel cuts looking just right. You did a fine job there. The illuminated cutouts really make this saber pop.

[amwolf]

Thanks, everyone!

[Starwinder]

This is really awesome amwolf! I love the sleek, simple design of it. And those grooves/cutouts are right on the money. AND they illuminate too?? Just awesome, well done!

[Crystal Chambers]

Getting those cuts even can be difficult. Nice work. Reminds me a little of TPM Obi

[TrypWyr]

Great job, I like the simplicity. The grooves look almost machined! You have much more patience than I...

Now the big question, you are able to get to deviantART at work?! Lucky guy!

[amwolf]

Thanks, everyone! When you're building for yourself, the horrid amount of time spent with hand files and sand paper doesn't matter. I think it took about an hour per groove pair to cut and file to finished level - quick I am not. As for dA, I have no idea how deviant things get over there, so we haven't had to block [anything] yet.

[Yoshi-Taka]

I think it took about an hour per groove pair to cut and file to finished level - quick I am not.

I think for a project this.. involved, not taking your time would have ended with a lot of screw ups, loud swearing, and money spent on replacement parts.