2005 ESB Vader to ANH conversion

**blackyck** · 01-03-2016, 10:21 PM

hey guys

i inherited a Vader suit and am in process of fixing it to the new 501st standards It came with 2 MR Sabers. A 2003 ANH and a 2005 ESB that didn't work and the blade was cracked.
Picked up the TCSS conversion kit and a new blade. The battery/speaker pack had been almost destroyed from battery acid and I finished it off trying to fix it. I got all the conversion competed and tested it out using a battery. Figured out the wiring for the speaker as well and discovered the audio still works!, just need the new battery/speaker pack i ordered to arrive to modify and finish the job.

Major issue. TO go from ESB to ANH I am left with an extra set of holes since the grips go all the way to the top. With some JB weld and epoxy, some sanding and chrome paint, I fixed that issue. The paint will weather and I think thats ok for ANH saber!

**blackyck** · 01-08-2016, 09:30 PM

Got the new battery holder w/speaker. Wired it up and it all works now!! Just waiting on the lever to arrive and its a killer ANH saber.

**Cire Yeldarb** · 01-11-2016, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by blackyck

hey guys

i inherited a Vader suit and am in process of fixing it to the new 501st standards

You inherited a Vader suit?? Thats some awesome inheritance to be sure! Do you have a WIP on like the 501st sith lords forums or anything for that?

Great job on those saber modifications though!

**Kouri** · 01-11-2016, 07:05 PM

On the one hand, super neat. On the other - did you just shorten the existing grips? My understanding is that the ANH Vader hilt has seven grips, as opposed to the ESB's six.

**blackyck** · 01-13-2016, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by Cire Yeldarb

You inherited a Vader suit?? Thats some awesome inheritance to be sure! Do you have a WIP on like the 501st sith lords forums or anything for that?

Great job on those saber modifications though!

Thanks and yes!
http://forum.501stsithlords.com/inde...howtopic=10188

Originally Posted by Kouri

On the one hand, super neat. On the other - did you just shorten the existing grips? My understanding is that the ANH Vader hilt has seven grips, as opposed to the ESB's six.

Yes I cut them to length.
My 2003 ANH saber has six and so does this one.
Since CRL standards for 501st are MR sabers I should be good to go!

**Kouri** · 01-14-2016, 07:28 AM

Huh, glad that worked out for you. Gives me an idea too, as I'd thought about picking up an ANH Vader to convert into an OT-remake of Anakin's first saber, but held off because I figured it'd have seven grips. Checked reviews on the new Black Series Vader, six short grips there. You just made my day.