Focus 2.0

**Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie** · 09-05-2009, 08:25 PM

I just posted this in the formal MHS Gallery, but I thought I should post it in the open threads, in case anyone has any questions or comments. I actually finished this saber a while ago, but I hadn't got around to posting it here yet.

This is the saber I call Focus. It was my first MHS saber, and it's still my favorite. I made and posted pictures of this saber about a year and a half ago. (It's on page 7 of this gallery.)

Here's a close-up of the switches.

This saber was designed with two switches, and it was always my intention to put a Crystal Focus in it, but I couldn't get my hands on one until this spring. I ran it on a 1A buck puck until then.

Once I got a CF, I set about upgrading Focus, but I really thought I could do better than the crude switch plate I made. I also wanted to design it with easier access to the electronics. This is what I came up with. I call it Focus 2.0

I wanted to keep the appearance of the saber the same, but make a sliding, removable grip.

Recessed charge port. Picked up that method from Jay-gon Jinn.

Originally, I had strips of neoprene foam in the grooves of the blade holder. I pulled it all out and painted the grooves. It looks 1000 times better.

Close up of the new and improved switches.

The finished product.

Here's a video showing it in action.
http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/f...t=100_2234.flv

**Eco** · 09-05-2009, 09:56 PM

Very nice!
I quite like the use of the zoom ring on the Bladeholder.

**ARKM** · 09-06-2009, 12:31 AM

Nice! I like the removable grip with easy access to the sound board. That's pretty cool.

**Lonewind** · 09-06-2009, 04:36 AM

Very nice saber.

What is that grip material exactly?

**strengthofrage** · 09-06-2009, 05:57 AM

Fantastic upgrade, well done

**Aradian Valentine** · 09-06-2009, 09:38 AM

very cool

**Zook** · 09-06-2009, 09:50 AM

I like the design a lot.

**Obi-Dar Ke-Gnomie** · 09-06-2009, 02:22 PM

Thanks, folks! I've done three sabers now with sliding, removable grips like that. It makes it really easy to install the electronics.

Originally Posted by Lonewind

Very nice saber.

What is that grip material exactly?

Leather. I got a leather jacket from a thrift store that was going to be thrown out because one arm was wrecked. I cut out all the panels of leather, and I've used it on a few things. It's nice stuff to work with.