Darth Kahnt
Sr Member
Looking better all the time. Great progress shots.
Anakin AOTC Saber
- Thread starter GrenadeKing
- Start date
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Okay, after my break for Christmas and new years, I started up on this again.
After several failed attempts to created the 6 LED's from other materials, and upon remembering how cheap a bulk box of LED's was...I just used 6 of those instead. I had to cut a channel out of the granitex I used for the inside of the control box so that they would fit, then I cut out a sheet of styrene and drilled 6 holes in it for the LED's. I glued it on with liquid nails, filled all the gaps and sanded it to shape. I also filled some of the gaps around the saber. Next up on the agenda for this saber, is to shim up the shroud and center band with thin plastic and glue it on. After that comes paint, which, with it being the dead of winter here where I live, may not be possible anytime soon.
But, alas, the picture:
After several failed attempts to created the 6 LED's from other materials, and upon remembering how cheap a bulk box of LED's was...I just used 6 of those instead. I had to cut a channel out of the granitex I used for the inside of the control box so that they would fit, then I cut out a sheet of styrene and drilled 6 holes in it for the LED's. I glued it on with liquid nails, filled all the gaps and sanded it to shape. I also filled some of the gaps around the saber. Next up on the agenda for this saber, is to shim up the shroud and center band with thin plastic and glue it on. After that comes paint, which, with it being the dead of winter here where I live, may not be possible anytime soon.
But, alas, the picture:
kalelofkrypton
New Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GrenadeKing @ Jan 17 2007, 07:39 PM) [snapback]1399578[/snapback]</div>
That looks awesome......
Okay, after my break for Christmas and new years, I started up on this again.
After several failed attempts to created the 6 LED's from other materials, and upon remembering how cheap a bulk box of LED's was...I just used 6 of those instead. I had to cut a channel out of the granitex I used for the inside of the control box so that they would fit, then I cut out a sheet of styrene and drilled 6 holes in it for the LED's. I glued it on with liquid nails, filled all the gaps and sanded it to shape. I also filled some of the gaps around the saber. Next up on the agenda for this saber, is to shim up the shroud and center band with thin plastic and glue it on. After that comes paint, which, with it being the dead of winter here where I live, may not be possible anytime soon.
But, alas, the picture:
[/b]
That looks awesome......
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
I've got a can of Krylon Chrome.
Im going to run a few tests before I paint it, but I'll probably end up using that regardless.
Once it's not 18 degrees outside that is...
Im going to run a few tests before I paint it, but I'll probably end up using that regardless.
Once it's not 18 degrees outside that is...
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Okay, I can't paint the thing because it's still cold as heck outside.
But, in the mean time, the last little detail I need to finish up before I can glue this baby together is eluding me.
I don't know how to make the ring at the top of the shroud. I don't want to use solder because its too soft. I can't use a paperclip because it's not thick enough and it's too stiff to bend.
Does anybody have any know of something I can use? Some type of wire that will easily bend into a circle but not be overly soft? It needs to stand up to some abuse. Any suggestions would be hot.
But, in the mean time, the last little detail I need to finish up before I can glue this baby together is eluding me.
I don't know how to make the ring at the top of the shroud. I don't want to use solder because its too soft. I can't use a paperclip because it's not thick enough and it's too stiff to bend.
Does anybody have any know of something I can use? Some type of wire that will easily bend into a circle but not be overly soft? It needs to stand up to some abuse. Any suggestions would be hot.
Darth Detroit
Sr Member
Coat hanger.. or go tot he hardware store and buy some for a few bucks. Real cheap. i have the MR FX, and man, this saber is HYGE in comparison to a MPP or a Graflex. And it is difficult to weild too with all of the knobs and stuff.
tobywanben
New Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GrenadeKing @ Feb 23 2007, 11:48 PM) [snapback]1425446[/snapback]</div>
just go to your local Westlake's hardware (or whatever is near you) and buy a roll of wire for a couple bucks. It comes in several diameters as well as several materials (steel and aluminum at least). You will be amazed how often you use the left overs for different things around the house.
Okay, I can't paint the thing because it's still cold as heck outside.
But, in the mean time, the last little detail I need to finish up before I can glue this baby together is eluding me.
I don't know how to make the ring at the top of the shroud. I don't want to use solder because its too soft. I can't use a paperclip because it's not thick enough and it's too stiff to bend.
Does anybody have any know of something I can use? Some type of wire that will easily bend into a circle but not be overly soft? It needs to stand up to some abuse. Any suggestions would be hot.
[/b]
just go to your local Westlake's hardware (or whatever is near you) and buy a roll of wire for a couple bucks. It comes in several diameters as well as several materials (steel and aluminum at least). You will be amazed how often you use the left overs for different things around the house.
upandatom
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure if they have Lee Valley Tools near where you live, but this really comes in handy:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...t=1,43456,43407
I've got one and it's quite useful, it might help you out.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=...t=1,43456,43407
I've got one and it's quite useful, it might help you out.
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Like the modded sub-title says, I had a painting mishap. A very severe painting mishap.
I sprayed it with gloss black and it looked great. Nice, super glossy coat. I them moved onto flat black for the the grips and well... to much, got some croc skin texture on a few of them that needs to be fixed, bit I can live with that. I painted the band flat black, and its okay for the most part.
But, the mishap... was the chrome coat...
Not only did the wind outside catch my spray and turn me silver... but the whole left side crackled to heck. It was dry though, but... well... it really wasnt. I went to sand down the croc skin nastyness and the paint on the right side just slathered off all over the place. Thinking I could work quick and get the paint off, I doused in paint remover which resulted in a horrible mess. Cleaned the parts up with soap and water to stop them from getting paint everywhere and layed them aside. I have to find a good remover to let the parts soak in, perhaps 409 or overcleaner of some sort. Then I'll try and respray it, but I'll be more careful and less impatient next time.
I sprayed it with gloss black and it looked great. Nice, super glossy coat. I them moved onto flat black for the the grips and well... to much, got some croc skin texture on a few of them that needs to be fixed, bit I can live with that. I painted the band flat black, and its okay for the most part.
But, the mishap... was the chrome coat...
Not only did the wind outside catch my spray and turn me silver... but the whole left side crackled to heck. It was dry though, but... well... it really wasnt. I went to sand down the croc skin nastyness and the paint on the right side just slathered off all over the place. Thinking I could work quick and get the paint off, I doused in paint remover which resulted in a horrible mess. Cleaned the parts up with soap and water to stop them from getting paint everywhere and layed them aside. I have to find a good remover to let the parts soak in, perhaps 409 or overcleaner of some sort. Then I'll try and respray it, but I'll be more careful and less impatient next time.
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Okay, I stripped and sanded the paint as best I could and returned the saber to an almost "new" state.
Now, I've been painting it in thr mornings before work. I sprayed it with krylon ultra flat black and let it rest for a day. The next day, I hit it with a gloss coat to make it all nice and glossy. Today, I hit it with a coat of kyrlon chrome and am leaving it to dry. It already dry to the touch, but I'm being safe and letting it rest awhile. In the mean time, I'm running some experiments to see if clear coating the chrome will dull it or not.
Aside from that, I have a few modifications to work on and I need to paint the small peices. After that it should be ready for final assembly.
I'll post up a few pics later on today.
Now, I've been painting it in thr mornings before work. I sprayed it with krylon ultra flat black and let it rest for a day. The next day, I hit it with a gloss coat to make it all nice and glossy. Today, I hit it with a coat of kyrlon chrome and am leaving it to dry. It already dry to the touch, but I'm being safe and letting it rest awhile. In the mean time, I'm running some experiments to see if clear coating the chrome will dull it or not.
Aside from that, I have a few modifications to work on and I need to paint the small peices. After that it should be ready for final assembly.
I'll post up a few pics later on today.
tobywanben
New Member
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GrenadeKing @ Mar 23 2007, 09:52 AM) [snapback]1446303[/snapback]</div>
Please do.
Please do.
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Okay, here you go. A nice teaser shot.
I have to get my picture taking stuff set back up cause I let someone borrow it last week. That's why the pic is a bit blurry. But, it's not far from how the thing looks. The silver paint is very shiney, its got some slight texture to it and a few bumps but it looks pretty darn good IMO.
I have to get my picture taking stuff set back up cause I let someone borrow it last week. That's why the pic is a bit blurry. But, it's not far from how the thing looks. The silver paint is very shiney, its got some slight texture to it and a few bumps but it looks pretty darn good IMO.
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Updated with a better picture. I've gotten a bit farther along now. All thats left to do is glue on the remaining parts and maybe touch it up here and there with some spot painting.
Ti-el_terall
Active Member
Wow. Its hard to belive thats pvc now. Definatly interested to see the final product.
GrenadeKing
Sr Member
Kyrlon Chrome over a base coat of gloss black.
Zombie_61
Master Member
I think the Prequel Trilogy sabers just look longer because of their smaller diameter, but are roughly the same length as their Original Trilogy counterparts. IIRC, they were made with smaller diameters because it made them easier for Hayden Christensen and Ewan McGregor to handle.
Seriously nice work GrenadeKing. Looking at the photos of the painted hilt, I have to agree it's hard to believe it's made from PVC and such.
Seriously nice work GrenadeKing. Looking at the photos of the painted hilt, I have to agree it's hard to believe it's made from PVC and such.
