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Thread: First Saber Build: Need Guidance

  1. #1

    Default First Saber Build: Need Guidance

    Hi! I'm kind of young, and new to Saber-building, so I need some help/advice on my first saberbuild.
    It will be fairly simple, just a stunt saber, no sound. Probably going to be used for dueling, and costuming.
    I don't want to make construction insanely difficult on myself, but I also want it to be a learning experience, and to try something new.

    Body:

    Hilt Style 5 (7" Fluted double female threaded connector): http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Hi...90864&Kits=804
    Machined for a recessed 16mm AV Switch
    MPS Pommel style 8: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MP...?ItemId=291634
    MHS choke style 1 short: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...?ItemId=291704
    MHS Gear: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...?ItemId=291705
    MHSV1 Blade Holder Style 4: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/MH...42650&Kits=932

    Electronics: Here's where I become unsure.
    I am undecided between the Cree Star and the Rebel Star LED's. I know I want to buy both the Red/Orange, and the Amber of whichever I choose. What is the difference between the two? Which is more powerful, and which would be best for my simple saber.
    Also, heatsink V3 or V4? Is there an effect on the output, or the effectiveness on one vs the other, or is V3 just older, and thus bulkier?

    I'd like to use a 16mm AV switch (with a red ring LED) but again, am unsure where to go after that. Should I use Momentary or latching? Regardless of which I start with, I'd like it to be latching, so I don't have to keep pressure on it to keep it lit. So should I just buy a latching switch from the start, or get a momentary switch and use a converter?
    And long vs. short switch: which would I need? From my understanding longer switches are used more in activation boxes, which I don't plan on having, so get a short one?

    Wiring:
    Can JST wiring be used for "Quick Disconnect". Like I mentioned I'd like to be able to switch out between the Red/Orange and Amber LED's.
    Also, will that create a problem. I know red LED's can have a different output than others, so what type of driver would I need? I'd like to use a BuckPuck, so which would be best?

    And the subject I am probably most helpless on: Batteries. What type of battery will be best? I'd prefer not to use AA batteries if I can avoid it, for the sake of A) not going bankrupt in the cost of them and B) Effectiveness. I've looked into Lithium Ion batteries, but I will admit, I know near nothing about electronics, and wiring, and powering them. Even after research, and studying Ohm's Law I can't seem to wrap my head around it all, and makes things quite work out.

    So to summarize;
    1. Cree vs. Rebel Star LED and which version of heatsink?
    2. Switches: Momentary or latching? Long or short?
    3. Quick Disconnect for LED's and how I would go about doing that.
    4. Battery type
    5. BuckPuck (is it needed and what type)?
    6. This is more of a personal thing, but I'm still a bit of a N00B, and although I've searched through the forums for the subject, I haven't found it yet, so I'll just ask;
    How do I get rid of the title "Board Lurker". Is it about post count? I've kind of refrained from posting out of some kind of naive principle, but I will stop that and start chiming in if I have questions or a valid opinion if it means getting rid of that blasted title.

    Sorry for the fact this post is a little on the long side.
    But ANY help anyone can offer is INCREDIBLY appreciated, and thank you in advance.
    Also I've attached what I've designed it to look like in the MHS Builder.
    Final Design.jpg
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

  2. #2

    Default

    1. The Crees are a bit better than the Rebels. Especially with the warm colours like Red or Amber, as they can be driven at 1A on the Crees. The heatsink doesn't really matter too much. The V3 has a bit more cooling capacity, but it's pretty negligible.
    2. If you want to use the recessed AV switch hole you selected, you'll need a short switch and momentary to latching converter. The long switches won't fit.
    3. You can use the JST connectors in the store. If you're using a BuckPuck, you don't need to worry about changing resistors or anything because the BuckPuck will regulate the current draw of your circuit.
    4. Lithium ion batteries would be your best bet. You'd need a battery solution upward of 5.5V to use the BuckPuck, so a 7.4V li-ion pack will do nicely.
    5. You'd want the 1000mA four-wire for the Crees, or the 700mA for the Rebels.
    6. That's the "rank" that you currently have in your "permission group" that you joined (light side, dark side, grey side). It changes with post count, so either keep posting or leave the group to remove it

    Good luck with your build!

  3. #3

    Default

    Thank you so much! So as long as I use what you suggested, I should be fine with the wiring and electronics? That was the biggest thing I was concerned with. And as for the rank, I'll have to start opening my mouth a bit more (within reason of course
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

  4. #4

    Default

    One last thing, as I'm going around the shop gathering all the parts I'll need, I noticed it; what mAH battery pack would I need? Would 7.4v 1050mAH work?
    http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/74...Pack-P759.aspx
    This is the one that I was looking at. Would this work? Also size: would it be too big to fit in the hilt?
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

  5. #5

    Default

    The mAh is the capacity of the battery. It's how many milliamps the battery puts out in an hour. If you drive your LED at 1000 mA, a 2000 mAh battery will run for two hours.

    Basically, you want the most mAh you can get, in a battery solution that will fit in your hilt.

    All the batteries sold in the store will fit into the main body section of your hilt. The only thing you have to worry about is if your hilt is long enough to fit the battery and everything else. At 13.65" long, you should have no trouble.

    You'll need a mps insert and a mps clip for your pommel.

  6. #6

    Default

    Thanks so much. I have an mps clip and insert in my cart, I meant to say that in the original post. Two last things: While I was looking at blades, it reminded me I'd like to eventually be able to have the light extend and retract. It mentions needing a driver board- what does that mean exactly? I know it has to do with electronics, but are they only available with sound? Will a BuckPuck suffice for this?

    Also lenses- where would it go and do I need it? I assume it would go right above the LED, but how would I secure the lense (and lense holder)?
    Last edited by TRON1160; 04-03-2016 at 09:22 AM.
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

  7. #7

    Default

    The way that the light extension and retraction is pseudo achieved using in-hilt LEDs is by ramping the brightness up and down, something that cannot be done with a BuckPuck alone. Back in the day (correct me if I'm wrong, any of you long-time smiths), Corbin made an LED driver board that could achieve this effect. Although today, we mostly leave this to the driver on the sound board. If you're doing a stunt, you can't really have this effect.

    The LED and lens are secured by the MHS LED module that TCSS designed. For a single LED, you'll need the LED, the lens, and the lens holder, which all fit inside the LED heatsink module.

    Also for battery sizes, you can tell the size of the cell by its name. For example, a 14650 cell is 14mm in diameter and 65mm in length. The last 0 just means it's round.
    Last edited by Forgetful Jedi Knight; 04-04-2016 at 08:41 PM.

  8. #8

    Default

    Awesome! Thank you again. I'll have to see what I can do. Although that board you found mentioned it needs a momentary switch. Does that mean I wouldn't be able to both convert it to latching in function, and use that board?
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

  9. #9

    Default

    Pretty much any saber board that takes a momentary switch means press once for on, and press again for off. I don't think anybody would ever want a saber whose button you have to hold down to keep it on except for very specific applications.

  10. #10

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    Ok, good to know. I'll definitely be picking that up. But would that being me back to square one so to speak? Would the 1000mA BuckPuck still work or would I need to swap it out for a resistor, or what?

    EDIT: Also how exactly should I work the electronics on the inside? I know it's unwise (and potentially dangerous) to just leave them thrashing around, so should I build a chassis? If so how exactly would I do that? I looked at the page in the store for chassis parts but I don't even know where to begin.
    Last edited by TRON1160; 04-10-2016 at 01:52 PM.
    That which does not kill us makes us stronger, faster, and far more deadly than before. Go and seek death my apprentice.

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