Some modifications to US main bodies

[Eranoon]

Hey, all. Just wanted to share some pics of some Ultasabers main bodies that I've modified with US parts, TCSS parts, and my own custom pieces. The grips and metallic cosmetic additions are all made from the simplest stuff you can find at any hardware store and actually wear pretty durably. Nothing's moved or come off in months of handling, even though I made it to be removable. Let me know what you guys think, or if the pics don't post right.

[Drahcir]

What material did you use for the grips?
i love it.

[Eranoon]

Thanks. Glad you asked. The grips are Scotch 414/DC Extreme Mounting tape that's double sided and rated to 10 lbs. You can find lighter duty stuff at most hardware stores (and that works fine for grips on a saber hilt), but I like the really heavy duty stuff and I get it on Amazon for cheap. It comes in rolls that are 60" long by 1" wide, and I cut the width down depending on how many strips I want running around a particular hilt.

For the black grips, I layer on (since the mounting tape is double-sided, go sticky side-to-sticky side) strips (cut to match the size of the mounting tape) of Pro 50 Vinyl Safety Splicing Tape. That stuff is very much like black electrical tape, except it's much stickier and comes in rolls that are 36 yds long 2" wide and 6 mil thick (so it's MUCH heavier-duty than regular elec tape). It's a little pricier than reg elec tape, too, and I also get that on Amazon as well; it might be possible to find this at the hardware store too, though.

For the metallic grips, I layer metal tape (yup, like it sounds, it's actually rolls of aluminum with adhesive on one side) on the same extreme mounting tape, same as the black grips. For these, though, I cut and apply strips of a thicker, matte metal tape first (for strength), and then finish it with a layer of shinier, chrome-looking metal tape (that seems to match the sheen of the finish on US hilts pretty perfectly). If applied smoothly, its virtually indistinguishable from the metal around it. Both kinds of metal tape are found in the heating/ventilation section of most hardware stores, but NEITHER OF THESE TAPES ARE DUCT TAPE! They do not have a grid/mesh pattern and they do not leave a gummy residue.

The resulting grips are hard, but not uncomfortable. They really do stay put on the hilt, even while and after months of dueling/spinning/whatever. They're almost permanent, but since you're not actually soldering anything into place, these strips can be removed with a degreaser (like GooGone or something) and a razor blade. Taking the grips off does take time and a little elbow grease; also, be careful not to scrape the metal hilt too hard or the scratches WILL show later.

That was probably longer and more involved than you were asking for. Sorry.

[Drahcir]

I'm looking to work in some mods myself so it was perfectly detailed!
I'm really into the thicker black grips, I'll have to try out something similar.

[Eranoon]

Yeah, you should. Like I said, it is removable if you don't end up liking the look/feel of a particular material. On the Standard Issue Battlesaber, the Shock, and the Warglaive bodies, I doubled up on the mounting tape for extra depth/thickness for the black grips. You can always start with one layer of the vinyl/mounting combo, and then double up on top of that if you want it to stick out more (that might be the way to go if you wear gloves while dueling -- more tactile). 
Also, for the black grips, I've used Black Gamma Supreme Overgrip instead of the vinyl tape on top of the mounting tape. It's made for tennis racket handles and you can get a pack of 3 rolls for like $8 or so on Amazon. It gives you same pretty much the same look (though it's a little more matte, maybe) but it's a slightly more cushy grip, if that's what you're looking for. I prefer the hardness of the vinyl tape/mounting tape combo, but sometimes the 90-degree edges of those strips can be a little sharp at first.
Best of luck! Post pics!

[Dauntless Seven]

Hi.  I like all your saber modifications and can't pick a favorite.  Well deserved point for you and thanks for the clear explanations about how you did this.  It's so helpful for other members to have the specific products info. and then how to apply. 

[Eranoon]

Thanks. Always happy to help. Point for you, too.

[hazard502]

Super fun mods I like!  Takes time and creativity to assemble the bit's and pieces one needs to do this.  What saber body is the one third from the top?  Warglaive?  Main body from the "other guys"? 

[Eranoon]

Yup. You guessed it: Warglaive. If you look closely at the black grips, you can see the shallow grooves that come milled into the hilt by US. As far as aesthetic customization, the Warglaive might have the most potential, in my opinion. It's so eagerly-plain. This is the third Warglaive I've purchased for modification's sake. I'd post pics of the first two, but they turned into gifts for other people. Ya know, dress 'em up and send 'em out into the world!
Should've taken pictures, though, I suppose. Oh well.

[hazard502]

Oh wow gifts that's really generous. Pics would've been cool, but like you said you had to let them go

[Zren Tobas]

So the saber under the Menace, under that with the Manticore body, and under that, what did you use? o_o I like the emitter on the saber under the Menace though and the whole saber as well too. I like the last saber too, what's the emitter on that? Some new stuff US did for cons and such??

[James Casey]

Really impressive work. I like the feeling of variations on a theme - mostly silver hilts with black detailing. It works really well.

[J-Nebular]

These are beautiful and provide a great deal of inspiration! You have a talent. Point!

[Lord Canterbury]

Really great work!  I would really love to eventually learn the skill of working with metal and machining things.

+1

[J-Nebular]

ON the very bottom saber with the shocks body.  If you don't mind me asking what piece is that right below the emitter?