Dad's shopping list for the kid's Christmas saber.

[Franklin]

I would like to give my son a lightsaber. He is a fan of Darth Maul types, so I was thinking something similar to twin sabers, joined at the hilt that can be separated when desired. I am under some pretty nasty financial limitation, so I hope to be able to put it together myself, and to ?grow? the saber as money allows. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please check out my shopping lists and offer any thoughts. Also, suggestions, or just plain blatant direction, for wiring everything up would be very nice. My experience with electronics is mostly limited to getting yelled at by my wife after I nearly electrocuted myself with an electric cement mixer.

First step would be just the saber(s). No sound or flash-on-clash. Here is my parts list for that?

Hilt: Either to be machined from aluminum bar stock by a friend of mine and then home electroplated by me (as per you-tube or indestructables), or cobbled together after a trip to the hardware store plumbing department. With luck, it will be something that can accommodate new sections added and grow with him.

Blade(s): ?? translucent polycarbonate tubing.
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/1-...long-P529.aspx
I figure I can cut it into two 20? blades for the time being, then replace them with longer as he grows taller.

Blade tips: White shouldered 1" thin walled blade tip with reflective disc. (x2)
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Wh...disc-P629.aspx

On/Off Switches: 16mm Anti Vandal Latching Red Ring Switch. (x2)
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/16...itch-P465.aspx

LEDs: Luxeon Tri-Rebel Star. Red/Red/White. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...Star-P777.aspx

Heatsink: Luxeon star heatsink. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...ink--P220.aspx

Lens holder: Luxeon Rebel Lens Holder. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...lder-P536.aspx

Lens/Collimnator: Collimator Lens 5 deg viewing angle. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Co...-angle-P4.aspx

Power Conversion: BuckPuck 700mA 4-wire. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Bu...wire-P363.aspx

Thermal Tape: Star thermal tape pad. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/St...-pad-P483.aspx

Battery: Panasonic Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 3400mAh PCB Protected Rechargeable Battery. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pa...tery-P853.aspx

Recharge Port: MWS Recharge Port. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MW...Port-P877.aspx

Is that everything I am going to need? Are those the correct parts? Is there anything missing, redundant, or not-quite-the-right-one?

I was also thinking to put some EL wire inside the hilt. So it would be visible through vent holes in the hilt and look like plasma conduits.
http://www.amazon.com/Lycheers-Neon-...ywords=el+wire
Is there anything special I need to know/do for this? Can I just wire that into the same circuit that goes to the LED?

And maybe a couple of little motors
http://www.amazon.com/Model-Electric...5V-3V+42000RPM
with little fan blades
http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Blade...18mm+fan+blade
to keep everything cool. Do I need this? How hot are things going to get in there?



Second step would be to win the powerball lottery, and then I can add sound and flash. Parts list for that is?

Speaker Mount: MHS speaker mount V6 - For 28mm Speakers. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...kers-P892.aspx

Speaker: Premium 28mm Speaker. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pr...eaker-P77.aspx

Sound and light card(s): Petit Crouton Sound Module V3. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pe...e-V3-P893.aspx
and Petit Crouton V3 Sound Module SD card. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pe...card-P615.aspx
and Power Xtender?. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Po...r-20-P652.aspx

Computer Liason: USB to 3.5mm R.I.C.E.? cable
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/US...able-P656.aspx

Compatable Recharge Port: 3.5mm R.I.C.E.? Port Style 2 (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/35...le-2-P659.aspx

Again, is this what I need to do this? Is there anything not quite the right part or missing? Advice, directions on wiring things together?

Thank you so very much for your help/advice,
Franklin, AKA Dad, AKA Santa.

[Forgetful Jedi Knight]

First off, Welcome to the Forums!

Regarding the EL wire and fans, It's not necessary.

Since you are doing Darth Mauls and they are red, you can get by with using 2 Nano Biscotti sound cards.
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Na...e-V2-P806.aspx

You would need these lenses instead of what you had picked out.
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...Lens-P778.aspx

And these style heatsinks would be better for you.
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...k-V4-P841.aspx

Essentially, it would cost you more in the long run to do this in stages as opposed to doing it "smartly" the first time around. If you did the stunt version first, when you go to sound, the buck pucks wouldn't be necessary, plus they need the 7.4V packs (again that could be a waste). 2 of the sound cards I just mentioned are almost the cost of one PC. They have a few less features, BUT they are a good entry level card. You'll likely find that with the electronics I just mentioned, your cost will be about the same, and your outcome will be what you ultimately wanted. NB's do not have/support RICE, so you save a bit there too.


I'll just modify your list (eliminated the unnecessary and add on the items listed above)

I would like to give my son a lightsaber. He is a fan of Darth Maul types, so I was thinking something similar to twin sabers, joined at the hilt that can be separated when desired. I am under some pretty nasty financial limitation, so I hope to be able to put it together myself, and to ?grow? the saber as money allows. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please check out my shopping lists and offer any thoughts. Also, suggestions, or just plain blatant direction, for wiring everything up would be very nice. My experience with electronics is mostly limited to getting yelled at by my wife after I nearly electrocuted myself with an electric cement mixer.

First step would be just the saber(s). No sound or flash-on-clash. Here is my parts list for that?

Hilt: Either to be machined from aluminum bar stock by a friend of mine and then home electroplated by me (as per you-tube or indestructables), or cobbled together after a trip to the hardware store plumbing department. With luck, it will be something that can accommodate new sections added and grow with him.

Blade(s): ?? translucent polycarbonate tubing.
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/1-...long-P529.aspx
I figure I can cut it into two 20? blades for the time being, then replace them with longer as he grows taller.

Blade tips: White shouldered 1" thin walled blade tip with reflective disc. (x2)
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Wh...disc-P629.aspx

On/Off Switches: 16mm Anti Vandal Latching Red Ring Switch. (x2)
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/16...itch-P465.aspx

LEDs: Luxeon Tri-Rebel Star. Red/Red/White. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Lu...Star-P777.aspx

Thermal Tape: Star thermal tape pad. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/St...-pad-P483.aspx

Battery: Panasonic Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 3400mAh PCB Protected Rechargeable Battery. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pa...tery-P853.aspx

Recharge Port: MWS Recharge Port. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MW...Port-P877.aspx

Speaker Mount: MHS speaker mount V6 - For 28mm Speakers. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...kers-P892.aspx

Speaker: Premium 28mm Speaker. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Pr...eaker-P77.aspx

and Power Xtender?. (x2).
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Po...r-20-P652.aspx

Wiring the various cards is covered in their respective manuals (found in the store where the cards are listed) plus the forum has several different wiring variants. You'll need some wires and resistors and such, but those are small ticket items, and we can get to that later.

You may also find that you could piece together a nice Darth Maul-ish hilt from the store that wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Almost everything in the store is designed to work with the MHS hilt parts sold here at TCSS. I priced the double hilt (plus control boxes and detachable middle adapter) at about $170.00, before you get to the electronics listed above.

I hope this helps you out, and good luck!

[Ty_Bomber]

Hi franklin, welcome to the forums.

The first thing you'll want to know is what your budget is. Based on your concept, I put together two full MHS stunts (without the coupler) for a little over $200. If you decided to add custom sound down the line, that would run about $130 extra. You could also opt for economy sound for about $50, but that requires a little more shopping and research on your part to ensure proper wiring (as cannabalized boards do not come with a user manual).

You can get creative with the materials for the hilt (you mentioned stock aluminum tubes, PVC is another kid-friendly option) just keep in mind extra challenges will arise when you go to couple the saber to a staff, and some components (such as chassis systems and heat sinks were designed to be used exclusively with MHS.

Whatever you choose to do, you won't need to win the powerball to afford it. No matter what your budget, you will have options. You might have to sell plasma, but you'll have options.

[Sevinzol]

If you are on a real tight budget here are my suggestions:
- Buy 2 single die rebels instead of the tri-rebels (its half the cost)
- build it out of PVC. you can make a screw together coupler if you want or you could leave it a solid staff.
- When you upgrade to sound, start a new saber.

You didn't mention how old you son is. I have cousins who are 7-12 and they play with thier hasbro sabers everytime I'm over there. I bet a PVC saber (with a nice polycarb blade) would go over well and you'd have enough money to build yourself one to play with him. THEN if he's really into it, TOGETHER you could make a sink tube saber or plan something more elaborate.

[Ty_Bomber]

Sevinzol is correct. Another cost saver would be the 12mm av switches instead of the 16mm ones. Same great look, better for smaller hands, and half the price.

[Franklin]

Thanks so much to everybody for the great advice!

The kid got one of the telescoping plastic lightsabers (darth maul double-ended one) for birthday just about a week ago. He is already insisting on several battles per day, and proving an ever increasing threat. Only way I can defend myself would be florentine, with the blade in my left hand in an "icepick" grip. Then he manages to smack me right in the crotch and announces that he has just cut off my p****.

I predict the galaxy will soon know great peril. Peril and fear.

And crotch bruises.

[Silver Serpent]

Buy a cup. Children are dangerous to your "child-producing regions."