The Saber-smith's Thread

Tymae Yarmoo () · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:39 pm Post subject:

FINAL STRETCH.....

Ok, I finished this up. Get ready for a lot of pictures.

First, I did my painting. Like a bone head I did not take pictures in between steps but I am sure everyone knows what primer looks like. I only painted one piece because I was afraid that too much black with the amber blade would look too Sith-y. The paint and primer combo has a texture, sort of like Rhino Liner and makes a nice grip.

I put the pommel together by installing the insert. I used the spring clip pliers in the picture. These are a pain and if the clip gets aways from you, duck!

The guts...
Here are the electrical components.

This is the Buck Puck LED driver. These ones from TCSS come pre-wired with JST plugs. The back has labels so you know what goes where- switch, battery, LED, accent light, resistor. The Buck Puck itself acts as a variable resistor for the main blade LED. The small resistor I plugged into it is for the LED in the switch.

Wiring test.
Nothing is more aggravating than putting the saber together and finding out it does not work. I put the circuit together to test everything first.

Time to assemble.
Switch put into box.

Greasing threads.
TCSS strongly recommends greasing the threads. They sell a product called Super Lube for this (you can stop laughing now Embarassed

)

I put tape on the back of the Buck Puck to protect the circuit board and I wrapped it with a velcro strap to help it fit nice and snug inside.

Drum roll please.....

And I present, The Golden Warrior.

I must admit, this amber looks a heck of a lot better in pictures than in life. It has a nice golden look in the pictures but is more orange in real life. Not bad, just not what I expected. Perhaps with different batteries it will look better. I am thinking about upgrading a few of these to Li-Ion batteries which will supposedly make the blades brighter. This is a project for another day.

Hope you enjoyed this build.

EDIT:
I did a side by side comparison with my son's Blaze Orange Ultra Saber. The TCSS Rebel Star Amber is definitely more golden yellow than orange. I would take a picture but they look the same in pictures. Not the case in real life. I took them both in a completely dark room and the difference is absolute. After doing this, I am now very pleased with the amber color. When I first looked at it, I was tired. But seeing it with fresh eyes made a big difference. This is a beautiful blade color.

I am very pleased with the way this saber turned out. I tackled more work than I did on any other saber but it all worked out well. I learned a lot and I hope maybe someone else did, too. Ben

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Woulf () · Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 9:55 pm Post subject:

looks fantastic Thumbs up

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"Take my love. Take my land. Take me where I cannot stand. I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me."

Schph Gochi (Phyllis Schulte) · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 9:35 am Post subject:

ohmigod...that looks GREAT!!
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hartss () · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 11:23 am Post subject:

excellent

WedgeAntilles (James Norman) · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject:

Well that's far cooler than one I would have built.
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TK-8114-MWG

Tymae Yarmoo () · Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2013 5:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all for the kind words.

You know what is funny? I never had much of an interest in electronics until I got into building these things. Electronics always bored me to tears, it was all Greek to me. I am by no means an expert, but these projects definitely gave me motivation to learn more about the subject.

Very Happy

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Tymae Yarmoo () · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 12:57 am Post subject:

With the many many many hours of overtime I have been working lately, I need something to look forward to and keep me from going insane.

I decided that since I would have some extra cash, I would tackle the sound saber build that I always wanted to do, but was afraid to. I did LOTS of research into the wiring. This was not a project for the faint of heart.

For the body, I decided to pay homage to good old Luke and his ROTJ saber, which was always one of my favorites. The switch box is a little bit different just because of the way the parts are made, but it is close. It has an AV switch and a recharge port for the Li-Ion battery.

I also changed the blade color. I have enough green sabers so I decided to go with the rarely seen "trailer version" of the hilt in which Luke has a blue blade. However, I made the hilt in such a way that I can easily change the LED module to green is desired.

All parts came from The Custom Saber Shop.

I hope the video works (this is my first time posting a video) because, what good is a sound build if you cannot hear it?

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Believe it or not, all of that wiring (just) fit inside

Video
http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/tcvcj3106/media/015_zps976536b1.mp4.html
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May the Force be with you.

WedgeAntilles (James Norman) · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:43 pm Post subject:

nifty!
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TK-8114-MWG

Woulf () · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject:

that is awesome. I may have to pick your brain a bit in the future. Thinking of using my Fisto... minus the head and hands as a generic Jedi. If I do that, think making my own saber to be the right of passage Thumbs up

It really looks like nice project for these cold days i cant work in the garage.

All your sabers look sweet, and the sound is an awesome addition, well done sir.
_________________
Nar Shaddaa Base CO

"Take my love. Take my land. Take me where I cannot stand. I don't care, I'm still free. You can't take the sky from me."

Rich330 () · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 7:45 pm Post subject:

hartss () · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:00 pm Post subject:

great work

Tymae Yarmoo () · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:49 am Post subject:

Thanks all for the kind words.

And yes, Woulf, I would be happy to help you or anyone else who wants to build one of these things. I am still learning myself, I learn something new with each build and this last one was like a final exam.

PM anytime to pick my brain. Passing on knowledge is the Jedi way Very Happy

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Schph Gochi (Phyllis Schulte) · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject:

I sense a "lightsaber building party" in our future...
lol...

who needs armor parties

Laughing

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Tymae Yarmoo () · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:30 pm Post subject:

Forum and Costume Controls