Miraan...build log

[DarthMace]

Hello folks!

This thread is a build log of my new saber: Miraan. This is my fifth custom saber, second MHS build.
I wanted a sturdy and elegant saber that has all the bells and whistles, while still being duel worthy. These criterion led me to select the Petit Crouton with a Color Xtender.
The saber will have a crystal chamber, back-lit switches, and etched details/shroud.

The basic MHS hilt:
DSC_0001.jpg

And some of the more important parts:
DSC_0005.jpg

Here is the polycarbonate chassis discs (which will eventually be black, with gearing on the rim):
DSC_0009.jpg

I managed to put the R.I.C.E. port into the V4 speaker holder (trying to minimize kram-fu...lol):
DSC_0006.jpg

Custom Recharge port chassis disc...I'm really pleased with how this turned out:
DSC_0007.jpg

EDIT: sorry for the small pictures. I'm not sure how to make them appear larger.

[DarthMace]

This is the chassis so far:
DSC_0011.jpg

I did a little bit of etching on the MPS insert:
DSC_0012.jpg

I'm pretty happy with the progress so far, although I won't be able to work on the saber much for the rest of the week. Also, I'm still waiting on my soundboard from Plector Labs, so that will slow things down a bit.

[MrCafe]

Looking good so far.

[Star Bird]

Very cool you got the rice to fit in that speaker holder.Im liking how the chassis is shaping out .

You must be using a flat speaker right? No way a 2watt bass would fit?

[DarthMace]

Very cool you got the rice to fit in that speaker holder.Im liking how the chassis is shaping out .

You must be using a flat speaker right? No way a 2watt bass would fit?

Yes, I'm using a 2W premium speaker from TCSS, which is only 5.5mm thick. There won't be much space left, though it should fit if my measurements are correct.

[DarthMace]

Got some more work done tonight, although I sliced my finger open on the drill press. You know what they say about "blood, sweat, and tears"...blood..check

Wired up the R/G/RB Cree LED. I wish my multi-colored wire had come today, but oh-well, plain red and white works alright.
DSC_0002.jpg

Here is the power switch rig:
DSC_0003.jpg

I also hooked up a pseudo PLI, which will have a random pattern driven by the accent pads on the PC.
DSC_0004.jpg

I built a tiny crystal setup, which has a RGB LED underneath, so it can mirror the blade color:
DSC_0009.jpg

Finally managed to cut out the rest of the battery chassis discs and spacer tubes:
DSC_0007.jpg

[DarthMace]

Got some work done over the past few days.

Cut out the shroud, and textured it with my unscratchable technique:
DSC_0001.jpg

The pictures don't do it justice...
DSC_0002.jpg

Here is the custom-machined brass buttons. The aux. switch button is slightly higher than the power button (top).
DSC_0005.jpg

I drilled and tapped the blade retention screw hole, and drilled the brass tubing holes:
DSC_0003.jpg

Top view: ( I haven't filed off the tops of the rods yet, or glued them in, so they are a bit uneven)
DSC_0004.jpg

[DarthMace]

Pictured below is some of the extra greeblies I added to the crystal chamber.
DSC_0009.jpg

There is a green laser module, with half the circuit left on it, in the middle of the chamber. A large power resistor is soldered to both the laser and a brass tube that connects to the mini crystal (not pictured). I also soldered a small LED to the brass tube and pointed it at the laser circuit. Above the pseudo PLI is a glass fuse that has red wire wrapped around it:
DSC_0009.jpg

Here is the complete hilt so far:
DSC_0006.jpg

And a better picture of the shroud:
DSC_0007.jpg

[Silver Serpent]

I'm digging the extra brass rods on the emitter. Looking good there!

[Star Bird]

Also digging the emitter!