Saber Forum

Hi everyone.  The saber that I have been giving cryptic references to is finally completed.  My apologizes in advance for the photo heaviness of this post... but perhaps that's not necessary since we all are pics and video enthusiasts.

To start the journey... I saw this saber on another site and the initial customization reminded me of some of the meteorites that I have within a smaller collection.  So I quickly got this saber from a fellow in the States that goes by the name of Si W.  If you see his sabers you can be assured that you will have a positive interaction and lots of saber talk.  

The saber is an Aeon v3 OBLite.  Here's where it gets interesting.  The original pics and video showed a single diode BR which was exactly as I received it.  Over a short period of time it became a Chameleon LED and is now a steadfast CG with white FoC.  So my Sith saber was redeemed.  Si I know this is going to be a big surprise and also the extent to which I co-customized this saber.  Hope that our combined efforts is to your satisfaction... as I could not possibly have destroyed this saber without your original visual guidance.  lol  ;D

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=36783.msg597802#msg597802


Here's Si's saber as it was customized and it almost was too beautiful and bad to even consider touching it.


(http://i.imgur.com/3mMZXsW.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/3mMZXsW)



PART 2 incoming so please wait for me to complete before responding.  :)

Okay... sifting through all the pics to get in the right order.  Editing and downsizing is a royal pain but so much easier thanks to Imgur.  First are the ones to make more clear to Si and viewers what my initial changes are and then the continuation.  My attempts at the distressed/shattered engraving and making all the blast/impact holes start out as silver as the aluminum is removed.


(http://i.imgur.com/CuhjbsG.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/CuhjbsG)

(http://i.imgur.com/ajUfJYg.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/ajUfJYg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ueCT8Y9.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/ueCT8Y9)

(http://i.imgur.com/VGqjQnX.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/VGqjQnX)

(http://i.imgur.com/q9ECvNo.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/q9ECvNo)

(http://i.imgur.com/tfQeQbz.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/tfQeQbz)

(http://i.imgur.com/tJvKjXL.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/tJvKjXL)


Don't want to lose these images so PART 3 coming up.  :)

So most of the engraving is now completed.  The leather wrap was a softer doe skin.  I took some painters green tape and literally ripped off most of the surface grain.


(https://i.imgur.com/LFqnJur.jpg?1)



Now how am I going to paint those shiny silver parts ?!  Let's give that Bluing solution a go as other members have had some nice effects and I didn't want to go totally dark with Aluminum Black.  Gosh this stuff stinks.  I likely could have wire sponge ruffed up the areas better.  Here's a pic that shows the difference between the treated and untreated sides.  The non-aluminum parts took really well but the rest required a few 20 minute coatings.


(http://i.imgur.com/AcjvGEw.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/AcjvGEw)


Made these metal rings for the guarded switch and the covertec wheel that is solidly glued on... I'm guessing for cosplay.  I'm not great at bending stuff to fit securely and figuring out hole sizes.  An appropriate blade plug will come later... also not great at creating those.


(http://i.imgur.com/keXIAqw.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/keXIAqw)


Guess what... PART 4 coming your way... soon... go take a break as we are not done yet lol.  ::)

Hi all and thanks for hanging in there.  It hopefully does get better and end sooner than later hahaha.  Have to look at my pics to see where the next stage is going.  Hey we have finally reached... SHOW & TELL !!  ;D



(http://i.imgur.com/UETwnjh.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/UETwnjh)

(http://i.imgur.com/voUMTYh.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/voUMTYh)

(http://i.imgur.com/ybSAEJd.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/ybSAEJd)

(http://i.imgur.com/H7Iy8Qg.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/H7Iy8Qg)

(http://i.imgur.com/N2yIBqY.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/N2yIBqY)

(http://i.imgur.com/BPLfq6E.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/BPLfq6E)

(http://i.imgur.com/4XE0nAQ.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/4XE0nAQ)


Used some different colors of Testors enamel paint on the wrap plus took one of my small meteorites to lightly shred the leather to distress it more.  A fork also would have worked lol.  :D


Just PART 5 and then we are done !!  :o

At first I wasn't too pleased that my red Sith saber was no more but found the humor in the fact that it now has a green blade and especially CG is not a huge favorite.  It's a great color but I have other preferences such as blues in general, purple and red... oh and let's not forget orange and yellow... you see where I'm taking this.  ;)

So for now I've added a few Lee filters to try and get that toxic slime green.  The cool thing is that the FoC and lockup becomes a greenish-yellow.  If only I could have gutted this saber and I'm surprised any electronics survived.  Great internal job Ultrasabers.  MAYHEM abounds.  ;)


(https://i.imgur.com/XmKaJoJ.jpg?2)

(http://i.imgur.com/E8okXhv.jpg?2) (https://imgur.com/E8okXhv)


I want to give inspiration thanks and shout outs to Si for bringing this saber to life, to Shameem M. for the great tip on using a gloss topcoat for a glassy cool outer space impact look ( used the semi ), to Drahcir for finally convincing me that dirtying up a saber is oodles more fun than making a saber clean and pretty, to Isola for showing me that one's own version of perfection is worth obtaining and finally to RevanReborn who inspires me to think outside of the box and how to patiently learn from what initially seems to be a mistake.  There are so many others as well but my mind wants to move on to the celebration of the completion part.  


If you have made it to the end... here's the finale bonus and thanks for having a look.  :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgsi4qEo_CI


EDIT:  Not quite the end... please see Part 6 in a few pages.  :)

D7 THIS IS SO COOL! "The Maleficent"!

That is awesome D7!

Wow, that is very impressive, it looks like it's been through hell!  +1

Thanks for the approval... Scrub, LAK and Illyiss.  :)

I just realized something when photographing tube shaped objects.  One really can miss out on a lot of details.  For example some of the blast/impact holes don't show as being lit up depending on the pic angle.  Where as a video would give a visual 360 degree as well as the full meal deal.  Must take the leap soonish but still a comfort level/exposure issue.


(http://i.imgur.com/fUcVm8P.jpg?4) (https://imgur.com/fUcVm8P)

Excellent work on this one, D7.
Work definitely shows

Looks like a lot of work, nice job.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing!!!

Awesome crafting skills ;)

Wow, holy crap!  I had to double take- I thought I clicked a Drahc saber thread by accident!  Amazing job :).  Ya I hear you, pics aren't satisfying after you spend so much on details lol.  Looks insane though.  Looks great in that colour too.  SO impressive!  It totally looks like something that's been hurling through space for eons.  Love the richness of the finish(es).  What a saber!  

FANTASTIC work as always D7! Well done  ;D

It came out awesome, kudos ;D !

Thanks so much to those that have checked out this saber.  I am absolutely loving the contrast of the destruction combined with the icy sheen of that gloss coating.  Recently found out that Rustoleum has a clear protective coating that appears to be like a shear frosty white with sparkles.  Kind of similar to frost.  Eager to come up with another custom to try that one out.  Rev and Isola please PM with any ideas and you know most of the sabers I have to work with. :D

Isola... super to see you back !  :-*

I got some questions to ask you tonight when I get home

Am working the eve shift so will check out your PM ? around midnight or tomorrow morning.

Hope you are having a good day and are not freezing with all that outside work.  :)

Now *that* is distressed.  ;)  Well done, D7!

Hi D7,

Wow oh Wow! I agree with fellow member Revan Reborn's comment, Mayhem looks fantastic I too would have thought I'd clicked onto Drachir's thread had you not given me a nice head's up about your hilt and knew what I was looking at!

I can't believe that is the same hilt, to have had TWO levels of weathering like that. Loving the silver and gold mix highlights on the scarring really brings them to life.

Now you just need to modify another hilt and call it CHAOS! ;D
points inbound

Thanks Ty for checking the newest one out... and also for later explaining about the CHAOS significance to make it a pair.  Yes am seeming to be going down that dark path... STALKER, AGONY, MAYHEM... as DEVASTATION was likely my next saber.  Fortunately in this new year my direction has slightly/alot altered it's course and focus.  Honestly I tried to make a Princess saber with dancing ballerina frogs and whatnot... really so close and a good start lol.  ;) ;D



(http://i.imgur.com/Sljtxz1.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Sljtxz1)

I'm just seeing this now, but this is one incredible customization. Well done, it really looks great. Points to you D7.

THANK YOU FOR MY 1500th POINT !!! ... AND THIS POST MAKES IT 4700 OVER MANY YEARS.  ;D

meager point returned Taegin  :D

... and thanks to everyone who contributed to get me to this minor milestone  :-*

Beautiful work.

Thank you for pointing this out to me I wouldn't have wanted to miss this.

This looks like a recovery from centuries of rock and sediment compressing and wearing away, yet able to come alive in the hands of its founder because of the construction only a Sith is capable of (where's that red blade!?).

A trophy of a saber - just awesome.

Haz... Thanks for your reply and impressions.  I think that the red blade has been altered forever.  But we all know that a true Sith does not need a red blade or a true Jedi a blue/green blade.  I'm incognito and totally confused/torn about my intentions for this saber.  It could be found on the belt of a Jedi or Grey with lightside tendencies... yes...no ?!   :-\ :D


Putting this here to see if it's an option.  Have a thought that I could take a short 360 mini video from a camera... of this saber or any other saber placed on a rotating base.  Does anyone know if that would work or does one have to make a YT video first to then transfer it only to the forum ?  :)

Agreed that a dark/light sider can rock any blade style.

Unfortunately the forum only accepts videos from a host site, like youtube or Dropbox. So that'd intail creating an account at one of those places first.

Or, instaid of imbedding a video here you could post a link to it hosted somewhere else - still likely one of those places or even fb.

Wow Dauntless, that's awesome. The green is a really cool shade. Love the video at the end. Thanks for sharing!

Hansrad !!  :D  So wonderful to see you.  Thanks for looking at my saber.  It was so fun to take chunks out of.  Am quite sure that will not happen again to that extent.  Hopefully others will be inspired to go for the gusto lol.  I love the way you cleanly customize your sabers.  A real talent.  :)

Glad that you liked the bonus... there is a small winter pic of me below it in the comment section.  For some computer screens it is quite clear and others a little darker.  If you click on the pic it may connect to a moderately larger one.  ;D


Again thanks so much for all who have viewed and taken the time to comment.  It helps those of us that are lead to customize to remain inspired... and to take these comments to create ideas for something new and challenging that others can also benefit from.

Nice. Don't know how I missed this one :P

PART 6  - the emitter blade plug


I racked my brain in almost desperation mode to come up with a plug that would fit the look of this saber plus not block off the destroyed rim areas.  This is what I came up with last evening after another trip to Michaels Crafts and mock putting together other possibilities.

Measured a piece of thick poycarb tubing and used a dremel and plastic cutter wheel... those pipe cutters did not work at all for me.  I really like the results and hope you will as well... it was beyond easy to create and put together.  :)



Here is the main supplies used... that's about all.

(http://i.imgur.com/9lvWwEd.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/9lvWwEd)


The final result.

(http://i.imgur.com/yhWsCEe.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/yhWsCEe)

(http://i.imgur.com/o5TOlJM.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/o5TOlJM)


Not too shabby !  Here's the Testors enamel paint and glue.  Would suggest a glue that gives a bit more time to work with and reposition.  This brand is my all out favorite.  Also sprayed with Rust-oleum clear semi-gloss topcoat.

(http://i.imgur.com/sbISNpe.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/sbISNpe)


Now for the best part... all lit up.  I didn't want a centered close contact blade plug.  It should look slightly skewed and looser fitting from eons of being battered by the elements.  But it can be pushed down for a more even fit that will then decrease the light coming from the rim.

(http://i.imgur.com/PYsuQFh.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/PYsuQFh)

(http://i.imgur.com/wkrkAbc.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/wkrkAbc)

(http://i.imgur.com/V3OqUvG.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/V3OqUvG)

(http://i.imgur.com/RddWS4b.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/RddWS4b)


FoC off and on.  Lee filters of an orange and yellow on CG LED to create a more toxic green and yellow flash.

(http://i.imgur.com/51fYYrD.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/51fYYrD)

(http://i.imgur.com/La2xG6p.jpg?3) (https://imgur.com/La2xG6p)



THE FINAL END  ;D

(http://i.imgur.com/pbfReeA.jpg?1) (https://imgur.com/pbfReeA)


Thanks again to everyone who checks out my MAYHEM saber.  Hope that the blade plug gives you some ideas and feel free to use them to create your own.  :D

Love it D7! the blade plug matches perfectly. Point!

Holy Crap, D7, that is just awesome! Well done. Point to you!

That is a fantastic finishing touch.

Love it! Well done, D7. +1

Sweet plug. I really need to start going to Michael's and check out their stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Beautiful finish to this, D7.
The blade plug you made is the icing on the proverbial cake

Amazing job, D7! That blade plug is so fierce :o This is outstanding work, point given!!

Nicely done. Looks very good, and that one pic where it shows the crack in the emitter is my favorite.

Totally spectacular D7!

That looks so cool.  Awesome job on the engraving.  You're really good at that.  You ought to have an amendment to your title: - Dremel goddess.  ;)

Super job with the weathering as well - and the wrap...lol

It really does look beat up and old.  

Before I saw your awesome blade plug, I was going to suggest asking JediSeth for tips.  That guy makes killer plugs. Clearly, so do you though. :)

Great job all around. :D

+1

(Rev wouldn't drill and tap a hole for you?  What an ass.  LOL!  J/K brother. ;))


Edit:
As far as I knew, the forum ONLY supports YT vids. ;)  Embedded ones at least.  You could link to it though.

I don't know how I missed this but this custom saber is an incredible labor of love!  This shows remarkable skill and craftsmanship, D7  :)
I could see this being found in an old cache of Jedi/Sith artifacts... Yeah, the provenance could become its own story  ;)
Wonderfully done!

+1 for you  :D

Ha ha.... Dremel goddess... okay I like it and must make this happen... but what's with the small " G " ?!  lol  ;D

JediSeth does make awesome blade plugs and is getting really good at saber customizations/builds.

Umm... I think that I'm not going to address that black stain on Rev's previous friendly and helpful Forum reputation.  But then again since he is a Sith... he just may consider that a mark of badassness ( new word ) ...and I know that you will do this for me if I'm ever in need.  ;)



Thanks !  Honestly the thought had crossed my mind regarding suggesting that other members write a tall tale about this saber... as sort of a storyteller challenge.  Would be interesting to get multiple impressions and histories.  And especially since it actually started out as a red bladed Sith saber then spontaneously changed to a green with white FoC one.  Surely that should get any writer's imaginative juices flowing. :D


Thanks so much again to all those who have taken the time to leave a comment.  Any suggestions or sharing of trade secrets are always appreciated.  I'm a bit stuck regarding what custom to do next... as I look at my limited saber style choices.  Just keep in mind that I live in an apartment and any dremel noise sounds like the dentist is in the house lol.  ;D

Spectacular job D7,  Very nice work!

To be fair, it sounds like that in whatever space you use it in.  I do my work in an apartment as well.  Put on something fun to watch, and try to remember not to work late at night LOL.

     


Perhaps I am overly sensitive that I don't annoy others too much.  Some tenants like to complain... while their dogs are barking and children screaming/playing while dropping objects that sound like bowling balls above my ceiling at all hours of the day and night.  I even call one child " Thumper " so that I have some distorted fond relationship with him.  ::)
                                
But my long balcony gives me a view of the ocean and mountains so it's a great trade off.  lol :)


Today.  :P  ... perhaps not the best bragging photo as the mountains are mostly hidden... but it's sunny and warmish.  ;D

(http://i.imgur.com/cbaMyCe.jpg?4) (https://imgur.com/cbaMyCe)

D7 this is truely amazing.  I’ve been creeping on this project before I even joined the forum and I’m so impressed with the finished product. The attention to detail is incredible. Overall awesome job!

I’m a guitar tech by trade and have been scanning my bench all day for spare parts that I can use as aesthetic mods for when my saber finally gets here (looking like Thursday!). This is definitely an inspiriation, as well as many of the custom savers I’ve seen so far on here, to get cracking on something right away.

Again great job!

That view!

I get that.  But I think as long as you're not drilling too early, or too late, what do they really have to complain about.  I can also attest that while it can be heard through thinnish walls, it's not terrible even then, so walls between apartments shouldn't be too bad.  My roommate doesn't complain that she can't hear her tv or music over it, so yeah.  

Thanks Illyiss.  Good to know.  That sound part is always on my mind which puts an unwanted pressure on me to focus and get the saber completed or leave it alone and give the tenants a break.  So far no one has said anything about the dremel sound but I don't want a notice under my door to come see the manager about an issue.  Because that would be the end to my customizations.  :'(

Thanks so much BI and welcome to this Forum community.  I'm sure that there are lots of items/parts on your bench that will be a great find for saber customs.  When I first started I was the reigning " 0 rings " queen lol.  It's taken me years to get to this stage of confidence.  Unfortunately many of our distinguished saber builders and customizers cannot show their impressive work... unless it is done on an Ultrasaber.  But make use of their experience and talents as they all love to share ideas and discuss sabers.  Ask questions and there is no too simple of a request for those that are dedicated to saber crafting.  :)

That is one fine fine creation D7. +1

Insane!! Great job!

Great view D7!  Amazing!

Burj Ironside: Great to read!  I'm looking forward to seeing your wares. :) 

Everyone starts somewhere, and that's exactly the right attitude.

+1 for that awesome tidbit, and welcome to the forum...

...now back to your regularly scheduled Mayhem.  :P

Thanks for the tips and the welcome D7. “We shall watch your career with great interest”  8)


Thank you Rapine! And on a side note, everyone feel free to throw whichever point you like! Wouldn’t want the scale to tip too far out of balance... ::)

Happy to have finally seen this - great story of the process and the result is stunning.
I'm a huge fan of the acidic lime green color and have a few personal hilts with it.

Definitely a hilt to be proud of.

Thanks so much Drahcir !  Your customizations and personal assistance gave me my very first inspirations and the bravery needed to even consider taking a power tool and paint to a saber.  You continue to inspire, amaze and challenge me to create something different each time... through watching the many avenues your artistic vision takes you.  

I will always be most grateful.  :)

Wonderful work D7, I know I have seen this before and commented but I guess not on this particular thread, so again fantastic, truly inspired mod.

Still lurking my way around but this one is too awesome.   :o
I can just see the scene: big space battle between sith and jedi some poor sucker blown into space and this saber drifting off in the debris, floating around for a millennia or two before clipping the atmosphere of some distant world and blazing through the sky where it is seen by a curious force sensitive child who goes out and finds it.
Yes yes alright I have an over-active imagination  ;D but awesome things send sparks flitting through my brain.

Thanks so much... DBTD, BT25, LR, Edon and Xamon.  :)

Xamon... That's a great start to a backstory for this saber !  ;D

Well all yours to do with as you wish, just if you sell a book based on it I want some royalties.  :P

Okay... royalties but in Canadian money... so don't leave your day job especially if it is writing books.  ;D

Well being as I am Canadian I have no problems with that. Also just because I cannot leave well enough alone:

The stars shine bright in the distance clear pinpoints of light stretching to infinity. There closer moving blazes of green and red, flashes of white and blue. Drift closer, starships, six heavy wedges and 4 graceful tubes. Battle rages, there a small dot detaches from one of the wedges and zooms through the black twisting around beams of emerald and ruby making for a glowing white square on one of the tubes. The shuttle lands hard, the ramp coming down before it stops sliding, sparks flying and a horrible noise. Black robes leap forth blazing red blades bursting to life, across the bay coming in through the door many figures in brown, blades of green, blue, and yellow blossoming forth. The crash of bodies sees many dead in the first moments then the melee break into many duels. The leaders clash red against green, brown against black. View through the door, the stars still shine eclipsed suddenly by a bright green flash and an explosion, the opening flashes twice blue and white static. The melee is torn apart, bodies flying out into the cold black of space. Two sabers drift, still alight green and red against the harsh black, cutting and bouncing through the debris they pass, the red tears through the green in a great flash then sputters and dies. Slowly they fall away drifting past the stars, and lo a world green and yellow and brown rimmed in blue. Fire burning a path across the sky, a child watches, a puff of fire and dirt above the trees. The child is running, faster than ever before excitement and something else intangible flooding thier senses. There a crater steaming in the wet earth and in it something glistens. The child slides down the raw earth walls and reaches out. pulling the object free, it feels right, it feels powerful. The child presses a button and there is a flicker, red, blue, yellow, and finally with a snap a bright green springs forth. Behind the child shrouded in the steam, a form cloaked and shadowed.

I really in my head view this in the style of the videos done for SWTOR. Part of why it is written the way it is I guess almost more of a story board kind of thing. Anywho.  :D

Xamon... Thanks so much for this... I just read it !  Very action packed and descriptive.  So what does the child do with this new found treasure ?!  :D

appreciation point  8)

My gosh . . . you have really destroyed this hilt D7 . . . and I absolutely love it . . .  8)

I've told you I loved this hilt before - I'm here to say it again.

Jed and Drahc... thanks so much for your comments... you both are a huge inspiration for me.  ;D

My next customization is quite the departure from this one.  I keep thinking... I had so much fun with the MAYHEM and this newest one is turning out to be a royal pain.  But it's my creative vision so... ::)

I ran into something like this while I was working on Therion's Fire, D7
The rsults made the pain all the more worth it