Seeking greeblie advice

[HugeC]

Hi guys, I'm trying to add some extra little bits to my MHS saber to make it my own. What I want to do is add a couple sliding selector switches to the style 24 blade holder I have, one for saber length, and one for power.

I want to put the selectors into the two deep grooves on the blade holder. I was thinking if I could find some metal rings that were about the same width as the grooves and of successively larger diameter, I could cut them into pieces to make these selectors. A piece of smaller-diameter ring would slide freely, retained by two pieces of larger-diameter ring. Then I could put a post and some kind of position indicator on there (I have some little plastic triangles I got at the local craft store that might work for that). Here is a concept drawing of what the selectors might look like:



So, I guess my first question is, has anyone tried something like this? If so, any idea where to get metal rings of the right diameters and shape? When I google around for metal rings, they're all o-rings, when what I want is a cylindrical ring.

Is there an easier way to do this that I'm not thinking of? Something like ready-made parts that I won't have to dremel/solder/epoxy myself that would do the trick?

I'll also need to put some markings on there to show the selectors' in-universe function, as shown above. A friend of mine suggested engraving, but I suppose I could try etching as well, although I'm a little leery of that. I don't have any engraving tools in any case, so I might have to go that route, but figuring out how to make the selectors is my first problem!

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

[Silver Serpent]

Assuming these are just decorative, your best option is to find a local machine shop to make these for you. A metalworking lathe is going to be needed to make the parts to your spec.

Or you could try one of the various 3d-printing services available on the web. Some of the places will print in metal, but most use plastic of various sorts.

[HugeC]

Yes, these would be just decorative bits. I still want to be able to duel with this saber, so I want whatever I put together to be sturdy enough for that.

If it's a lathe I need, my dad has one, but I was hoping I could find rings of a size that would work already in existence.

[Silver Serpent]

Be sure it's a metalworking lathe. You don't want to use a woodworking lathe with metal.

[HugeC]

You know, I just had another thought. Instead of using an inner and outer ring, I could stack some washers. I know the grooves are about 3/16" wide. Judging from the picture on the MHS builder, it looks like the grooves are OD 1.125" or so, and the OD of the slightly larger diameter portions above the grooves looks to be 1.25". If I could find some washers that size (1.125 ID, 1.25 OD, 0.0625 thick), I could fit 3 in the groove and they would line up nicely. Then either I could fix two of them in place and let 1 spin freely, or let all 3 spin together. I'd have to find some other way to limit how far they can spin, but that shouldn't be too hard.

The only washers I have found so far with that ID and OD are these sterling silver ones: http://www.metalliferous.com/SS-Roun...tinfo/SSW993/# I'd need about 6 of them to make one selector, that'd get pricey. I'll see if I can find something similar in a steel washer.