My Initiate V3 Customization Project

[Tal-Rin Onjo]

Amazing job! Point on the customization!!

[richmbailey]

Thanks! Turneed out a bit differently than I originally thought out, but it looks okay now. I'll probably tweak it some more of course

[richmbailey]

Removed the washers and did a little more detail work on the scoring. Pics below show more details in the weatherization. I may do a little more work to finalize the effect.

[Darinus]

Love that.
Just dremel work?

[richmbailey]

No dremel used at all. Just used Metallic gray Rustoleum, used rags to rub it down while still tacky to make it streaky. Let it dry. Then hit it with clearcoat. Let it dry.

Then used 3 different grits of sandpaper, heavy to light grits to mark it up and create the worn and scratchy look, finally I popped on some O-rings. I may hit it some more, but so far it looks like I envisioned.

[VanZan]

Looks great!
has a real worn-in look about it.  Me likey

[Darinus]

No dremel used at all. Just used Metallic gray Rustoleum, used rags to rub it down while still tacky to make it streaky. Let it dry. Then hit it with clearcoat. Let it dry.

Then used 3 different grits of sandpaper, heavy to light grits to mark it up and create the worn and scratchy look, finally I popped on some O-rings. I may hit it some more, but so far it looks like I envisioned.

Looks incredible. Might try that technique on a scrap of something before attempting it on a real saber.
Your custom work continues to impress.

[richmbailey]

Thanks! It was really a trial and error experiment. I just went for it. I actually did some more work last night to get more of the aluminum to show through. It looks really cool now, with the scoring showing less so it's not "muddy" looking.

[DarthVinnyous]

if you have the tools and some spare sheets of metal you can cut yourself a new shroud - i would recommend if you do that drill a hole that will fit with your blade retention screw and you can use that as a way to hold the shoud to the saber

[richmbailey]

Unfortunately I don't have the necessary tools for this type of work. I'd have to commission someone to make one for me. But that is an awesome idea to add a shroud. I've made a few more adjustments to it, seems I can't stop tweaking it. I finished sanding down some more to let more of the natural aluminum show as well as added a new grip using an O-ring pattern. #18 in the gaps and #17 (thinner) in between. I didn't do every section as I did not want to hide all the weathering, I think the saber is looking pretty good. Has a battle worn look to it. I am ording a D-ring as well, once it arrives I'll weatherize and attach it to the pommel. Then I think this project will be done (I hope!).

Updated pics below:

[SteampunkSith]

Wow!  I love the evolution of this saber.  Point!

[DarthVinnyous]

Unfortunately I don't have the necessary tools for this type of work. I'd have to commission someone to make one for me. But that is an awesome idea to add a shroud. I've made a few more adjustments to it, seems I can't stop tweaking it. I finished sanding down some more to let more of the natural aluminum show as well as added a new grip using an O-ring pattern. #18 in the gaps and #17 (thinner) in between. I didn't do every section as I did not want to hide all the weathering, I think the saber is looking pretty good. Has a battle worn look to it. I am ording a D-ring as well, once it arrives I'll weatherize and attach it to the pommel. Then I think this project will be done (I hope!).

you could always make one out of PVC - there is a great thread on how to do that. im making metal ones now with a dremmel and thin metal but you can use a dremmel to cut some PVC into something cool

[richmbailey]

Unfortunately I don't have the necessary tools for this type of work. I'd have to commission someone to make one for me. But that is an awesome idea to add a shroud. I've made a few more adjustments to it, seems I can't stop tweaking it. I finished sanding down some more to let more of the natural aluminum show as well as added a new grip using an O-ring pattern. #18 in the gaps and #17 (thinner) in between. I didn't do every section as I did not want to hide all the weathering, I think the saber is looking pretty good. Has a battle worn look to it. I am ording a D-ring as well, once it arrives I'll weatherize and attach it to the pommel. Then I think this project will be done (I hope!).

you could always make one out of PVC - there is a great thread on how to do that. im making metal ones now with a dremmel and thin metal but you can use a dremmel to cut some PVC into something cool

I also saw there is a company called Shapeways that takes your designs and "prints" (cuts into Plastic, Metal, etc) them for you. One guy used this method to get his custom shroud made for his Ultrasaber mod. That's a possibility too.