Saber Forum

I have ordered my first saber, a Shock LE with a Fire Orange Mid-Grade blade, Obsidian Sound with a red AV switch, and quickship. (I was also excited to find this thread with all the features I got, http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3607.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=3607.0)) I am also planning on customizing it when it comes next week. First, I'm going to install an orange AV switch, then I thought the pommel was too big for my taste, so I'm getting an MHS Pommel Style 11 with possibly a style 12 insert and removing the convertec wheel. But most of all, I want to add a crystal chamber, and not the kind that are visible only when you pull the hilt apart. I'm just debating on how to do it. I was going to use the double male adaptor with slots and use a double female to attach everything together, but it would make the hilt too long and straight, I really want something different. So after thinking up different ways to do it, I think that I'm going to get an MHS choke style 1 short customized with either slots or a full window, and put a crystal in there. Anyone have any advice to make these work?

If you search around, you'll find some modifications by one of our members to a dark war glaive.  He used a female-female extender and the coupler with vents on the website to give a crystal chamber effect.  It will make your hilt very long and a little hard to handle.

As long as you keep it balanced enough, a longer hilt will not necessarily make the saber harder to handle.  In fact, the extra weight towards the back (and larger area to grip) can actually give you more control.

That said, you don't really want to add things that will make the saber uncomfortable.  I would say something simple like a female-female extender might work out nicely for you, or you might want to check out some of the Archon customizations around the forum.  Many people have added pieces to the neck of that which show off the light in a crystal-chamber type of way.

Creativity is definitely a good thing, let us know what you end up with!

Here's a few pics I made with the MHS builder and Graphicsgale to show a little of what I'm planning.

Here's the closest I could get to the Shock LE on MHS Builder
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/7742/shocklemhsbuilder.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/shocklemhsbuilder.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Now after I get the saber, I'm going to replace the pommel and remove the convertec and add a MHS style 1 short choke for a crystal chamber/grip.

Here's Option 1 with grooves machined into the choke like the slits in the MHS double male chamber.
(http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/51/thephoenixmhsbuilderv1.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/36/thephoenixmhsbuilderv1.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

And here's option 2 with a window like starkiller's saber in TFO1 (but as a crappy job on paint)
(http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/832/thephoenixmhsbuilderv2.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/600/thephoenixmhsbuilderv2.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

I'm just debating on which would be better. Also if I went for option 1 if I would add an actual crystal or just let the light make it look like a crystal chamber like I've seen alot of people do. Also I'm going to add some brown leather or other fabric to it as a wrap around it somewhere, to give it an older look. Any suggestions or comments would be great!  ;D It's my first saber cutsomization, and my first US saber ever.

I tried to add this as an edit, but it wouldn't let me do it. I had just thought that maybe I should get my new parts copper instead of gold to add some contrast, like here. I think it would look much better.

(http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/9677/thephoenixmhsbuilder.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/thephoenixmhsbuilder.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

The crystal chamber looks like a great option.

If you are looking for input, I would say that if you are going for the crystal aspect then follow through with it.

A nice crystal chamber is a eye catching element that brings a whole new flavor profile IMO.

Maybe a plastic crystal from an aquarium rock, which can be found cheap at your local crafts store like Micheal's

(http://www.petland.ca/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/600x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/images/4168168866084.jpg)

They are made of a plastic that cuts or can be drilled easily.

Just be careful with the setup as the uneven shape can make it move or rock back and forth. If you have shop vice then put soft material on either side to make up for the uneven surface and lock it down.  Use a small drill bit and take it in and out to clear the bits or they will fuse back as it cools. Then use a larger bit, with the same steps until it is big enough to let your light beam through without reducing the strength.

This will let 100% of the center beam and the gem will side radiate  :)

In fact if you have a tapered step bit then the job will go quicker and cleaner...it cleans out all the bits easily

(http://kingtuttonline.com/~rjays2/images/parts_imgs/all11040-lg.jpg)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This one looks really tight, don't get me wrong I love the crystal chamber but that copper.

Oh boy does that look good, it makes it look like an Old Republic saber and would really compliment your FO.

I love the old repubic style sabers, especially with lots of copper and gold. I've had this saber idea for years, but I didn't know how to come around to it and be able to affford it, but as soon as I seen the Shock LE I knew I could customize it to get the saber I've always wanted. It's exciting  ;D

I actually used one of those in a ROTS Darth Vader Electronic Toy saber mod I did years ago, for some reason the plastic bade in one was orange instead of red so I bought it and installed an orange crystal and replaced the LEDs with Orange.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/0721091358.jpg)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/0727092132.jpg)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/0727092129.jpg)

Now to be back on topic, I was thinking about using one again, but also I have some real amber pieces I got years ago, and maybe using one of those, or a quartz crystal. I'll test them out and see which looks best.

I have a couple of quartz crystals that are nice and clear that I've thrown in front of an LED to see how they look, I'd say that or your amber would just be awesome. Have to say I'd also be REAL interested to see how it would look if you put that amber in an AS blade! bet that would make a great variant of the color!

Oh, and I love your windowed chamber idea. ;)

I finally got my saber in! You can find the review here: http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4620.0 (http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=4620.0)

I'm going to be ordering my custom parts soon for the saber, so I made a pic showing exactly what it'll look like. I'm also going to get "Ignis" engraved on the hilt, which is fire in latin, I thought that it would be an awesome name for my saber.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/ignis.png)

The parts shipped and are going to br arriving thursday, but I didnt get the parts colored copper cause it was like $30 extra to get it done, so I'm going to get some copper spraypaint and do it myself. Anyone know where I can get some good copper spraypaint that's not hammered finish? that's all they have at walmart.

Hey check out this site, I am sure there is some useful data hidden within the article

 ;D

http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/creating-copper-finishes/ (http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/creating-copper-finishes/)

So my parts came in today! And I can't even begin to tell you how amazing the custom saber shop is at custom orders!

Just for a little reminder, here is my basic Shock LE

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0811.png)

Now time to be blown away!

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0812.png)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0813.png)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0814.png)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0817.png)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0824.png)

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0823.png)

Here are the parts by themselves.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0828.png)

The only thing thats not perfect is this tiny gap at the choke, I'm just gonna figure out how to make it look ok.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/100_0819.png)

I'll let the pictures speak more for me.

Point for you!

That looks fantastic.

Vey, Ven Zallow.  ;D

SICK! Very cool customization. Inspirational, even. Thank you for posting the great pics.

Thanks everyone  ;D

I'm planning on paiting it copper in these areas that are colored in the pic

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/ignis.png)

Does anyone have any tips on doing so, and where I can find good copper spraypaint? (not airbrush paint) Walmart only has hammered look copper. Also, do I need to prime beforehand or rough the surface?

It looks great! Just a question , is your blade dimmer with the Lose of light through the cutouts?

Not that I've noticed, it just captures the side light rays so the main beam still makes it to the blade.

Sweet!

Phoenix, see here, I was looking for much the same thing you were: http://forums.ultrasabers.com/showthread.php?12093-Part-Painting-and-Baking-Tutorial&highlight=painting+tutorial (http://forums.ultrasabers.com/showthread.php?12093-Part-Painting-and-Baking-Tutorial&highlight=painting+tutorial)

I seem to recall that Rustoleum has some good metal look paints. Also, check Duplicolor. For the copper look, look at wheel paints. They're exceptionally durable if done right, and they have a lot of great metallic colors. Good luck!!! :)

Beautiful!  ;D Great customization, bro!

Wow that looks very slick and unique! Congrats!

So after 2 months of phemonia, stomach ulcers, recovery, wedding planning, and house hunting, I finally got the stuff needed to finish customizing my saber. Before painting, should I sand the metal? I have the more expensive rustoleum paint with primer.

I'm lazy, so I probably wouldn't do it myself, but I would recommend that you do it to be safe. I've had some of my unsanded hilts hold paint perfectly, and others flake horribly. The paint itself is a BIG factor, as is polish and anodizing on the hilt. The safest bet is to sand the hilt up just enough that you think it gives the paint something to stick to, and then hit it with the paint. You might check the paintcan though and see what it says about use on metal. I know Krylon has a little paragraph of tips on how best to paint what surface, at least on the cans in my shed. That will let you know what the paint manufacturer has tested to work best for that paint.

@Manroon Thanks for the info, I decided not to do it cause the pieces I'm painting already have a rigged texture to them from being machined, so I think it should be fine.

As for progress, here are the pieces finally painted, just gotta recoat in 30 mins.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/107_0858.png)

Aw, man! That crystal chamber is gonna look SICK!

Why thank you  ;D

For an update, the 2nd coat is on, and in about 30 mins I'm gonna remove the tape. Then at 5pm est tomorrow, I can finally attach them to my saber!

Sweetness. Are you actually gonna drop a crystal inside your crystal chamber? Cause that would be so cool.

I will eventually when I have the time and money to do so, but for now I'm just gonna let the light shine through the sides of it. The led is fire orange, so I'm debating on using quarts or an actual piece of amber for the crystal.

Here's a big update, parts are finished! Just gotta let them dry overnight and clean the paint that got past the masking tape.

(http://i720.photobucket.com/albums/ww202/wukusicksales/107_0865.png)

That thing is gnarly looking.

I love the color scheme though.

Points for that and that it's a FO. ;D

I'm also thinking about aging it a little, just to make it look older like it was a saber handed down from a jedi of the old republic, maybe even adding some leather wrap.

That's a beautiful saber! I think you have done a great job  - huge effect with overall only a few changes. Personally I wouldn't bother with a wrap, looks great as is

Very nice indeed!

And huge!

Or do you have small hands?

Nicely done - point for you!

Thanks everyone  ;D I think that I'm gonna do a little sanding to day to clean up the paint that got past the tape.

@Jedi Relmeob: I think it looks that way from my small hands, I'm only 5'5".

So I tried to start cleanign off the excess paint with some 220 sandpaper, but tit started to scrarch the saber. Anyone know of any other way to remove it?

Crack razor, held as close to flat against the surface as you can.

A what?

phoenix i just painted my saber and had the same problem. Paint bled through a little onto parts i wanted to keep silver
some of these areas were very small and required percision cleaning. Here is what i did. Very slowly and carefulley peel paint
with a very sharp exacto knife. Very important do not press down with it. just kinda scratch like a lottery ticket but gently.
Then take 1000 grit or 1500 grit sandpaper this is usually wet sand paper can be used for both. I used it dry cause i was
doing very small area, but if you have clearcoated then u could prob wet sand but i did not. That took out all scratches for me however
depending on the outcome after that you may need to polish to get shining like the rest of the hilt.  But I would not use to 200 grit
that grit is more for weathering and rough look

Hey man that is one sick ass saber!!!! And especially for ur first. Custom job... Holy crap!! Any ways i was wondering where did u get the double female connector at?? I was thinkIng of doing an open windowed hilt my self and was looking for ideas. Any helP would be most apreciated.

I love the way it's turned out! Sort of seems to me like a Proto-saber converted to work without the whole backpack rig. Looks really good. You could do well with a leather grip too, but it would have to be done just right I think. Either way, you have got a great saber there!

Have you tried mineral turps or methylated spirits (depending on the type of paint)? It might help clean it off.

Yeah Vapour is right as well you can use mineral spirits, thinner , reducer, etc....   
I didnt mention because for my project it very small precision areas and i did not
want the paint in the sourrounding areas affected. However if this is not an issue
for you then clean with one of these chemicals and would eliminate any scratches
However you might still need to sand and buff to get rid the scrathes that came from
the 200 grit paper hope this helps

Thanks everyone for the tips, I just bought some 2000 grit auto sander to try out, I'd be too afraid to use the paint thinners cause I could ruin the surrounding paint.