Dark Sentinel V4 customization tracker

[Wahshiya]

OK, so this is my first attempt at customization of a saber.

My choice for this attempt was one of my mystery saber pulls, a Dark Sentinel V4.  The production version is kind of plain, IMO, but has a ton of potential for dressing up.  Here is the first phase:




So far, I added red rubber to the grip and some accent color on the choke sections and window ring on the emitter.  I still have a lot of weathering and such to do on the outside, but that is the easy part.  However, the next major phase of customization is my first attempt at electronics mods!

[Zren Tobas]

Nice. I'd add leather to that or something, would really make the saber pop out more I think

[Therion Jinn]

Liking what I'm seeing here

[scifidude79]

Great work, this looks really good so far. 

[Isola815]

Nice. I'd add leather to that or something, would really make the saber pop out more I think

Then do it with YOUR saber and stop putting down other people's work in this section. All too often I see you with a "would look better if..." ideas in people's custom threads, but never see YOUR custom builds, just pommel swaps.


More importantly though...

So far, I added red rubber to the grip and some accent color on the choke sections and window ring on the emitter.  I still have a lot of weathering and such to do on the outside, but that is the easy part.  However, the next major phase of customization is my first attempt at electronics mods!

That rubber looks so tidy! How did you manage to get it so well fitting? Is it a heated shrink wrap or something? I've always had trouble finding the sweet size that will slide on without tearing, but still still sit that tight over grooves without losing detail or being too lose and slipping all the time. I'm absolutely loving the red on the black too! I may have missed your original post about this saber in the MB threads, what color LED is installed?

That goldy/copper color you've used there is amazing too! You've got me picturing entire hilts covered in that now and loving the mental combos that are appearing 

What are the electronic mods you're fixing to do on this one?

Seriously digging this so far and I'm keen to see where you take it from here 

[tx_tuff]

Then do it with YOUR saber and stop putting down other people's work in this section. All too often I see you with a "would look better if..." ideas in people's custom threads, but never see YOUR custom builds, just pommel swaps.


More importantly though...

That rubber looks so tidy! How did you manage to get it so well fitting? Is it a heated shrink wrap or something? I've always had trouble finding the sweet size that will slide on without tearing, but still still sit that tight over grooves without losing detail or being too lose and slipping all the time. I'm absolutely loving the red on the black too! I may have missed your original post about this saber in the MB threads, what color LED is installed?

That goldy/copper color you've used there is amazing too! You've got me picturing entire hilts covered in that now and loving the mental combos that are appearing 

What are the electronic mods you're fixing to do on this one?

Seriously digging this so far and I'm keen to see where you take it from here 

I don't think he is putting down people's work. Just think he is trying add his 2 cents and have a conversation.

[TheDutchman]

OK, so this is my first attempt at customization of a saber.

My choice for this attempt was one of my mystery saber pulls, a Dark Sentinel V4.  The production version is kind of plain, IMO, but has a ton of potential for dressing up.  Here is the first phase:




So far, I added red rubber to the grip and some accent color on the choke sections and window ring on the emitter.  I still have a lot of weathering and such to do on the outside, but that is the easy part.  However, the next major phase of customization is my first attempt at electronics mods!

First off: excellent design mods!  The Dark Sentinel is on my wish list (I have the Light Side version) and seeing what you have done opens up possibilities for customization^^  I only wish that I was as creative as you, Wahshiya 

And I don't think your mods are plain; rather, you have a clean looking saber  . Nevertheless, I look forward to your next creation^^

Then do it with YOUR saber and stop putting down other people's work in this section. All too often I see you with a "would look better if..." ideas in people's custom threads, but never see YOUR custom builds, just pommel swaps.


More importantly though...

That rubber looks so tidy! How did you manage to get it so well fitting? Is it a heated shrink wrap or something? I've always had trouble finding the sweet size that will slide on without tearing, but still still sit that tight over grooves without losing detail or being too lose and slipping all the time. I'm absolutely loving the red on the black too! I may have missed your original post about this saber in the MB threads, what color LED is installed?

That goldy/copper color you've used there is amazing too! You've got me picturing entire hilts covered in that now and loving the mental combos that are appearing 

What are the electronic mods you're fixing to do on this one?

Seriously digging this so far and I'm keen to see where you take it from here 

That's the trouble with the internet: difficult to discern intent/motive behind text without visual/audio cues. 
Isola, I think it's laudable that you defend Wahshiya; testament to your character, sir   
But I also think...

I don't think he is putting down people's work. Just think he is trying add his 2 cents and have a conversation.

Granted that I haven't been here as long as most of you, from what I have read/seen of Zren is a dedicated saber fan sharing in a mutual hobby, not someone who is denigrating another forum member^^

[RevanReborn]

Hey, great mods so far man!  this is looking wicked!

also this:

That rubber looks so tidy! How did you manage to get it so well fitting? Is it a heated shrink wrap or something?

What are the electronic mods you're fixing to do on this one?

I'd also like to know this lol. 

That's the trouble with the internet: difficult to discern intent/motive behind text without visual/audio cues. 

  HAHA!  OMG that is truth right there, believe me lol!  I'm terrible for not knowing how to interpret written dialogue on forums etc. 

[Lord Bladewraith]

The copper looks great on the Dark Sentinel.  I'm also very curious about how the rubber grips were applied.  What's your secret?

Point for the share and lookin' forward to seeing the weathering.

[Lady Agana Kath]

Love the contrast of the bronze and black

[Wahshiya]

Thanks for encouragement and thumbs up.

The rubber was easy, it is just spray on flexi-dip (only thing I did was tape off the handle area to control where it went).  I started using it on the stock of my custom DLT-19c sniper rifle and it has held up well for that, so I am trying to apply it to other projects now.  I don't know how long it would stand up to heavy combat but for just swinging it and pictures it will be more than adequate.  It actually holds really well once you get down how to apply it.

As to the metallic, it is just stock "aged copper" Rustoleum metallic.  I did take those sections down to the bare aluminum though before painting them, but I haven't done the weathering/shading/highlighting on those areas yet.  

Other than painting, I am considering changing the emitter window shapes a bit, but I want to test out my technique first before I wreck this thing.  I may also try my hand at some chemical etching, but I may save that for the next project if this looks "good enough" without it.  

As to the electronics, this came as a stunt with an AB LED.  I am attempting an upgrade to sound (eventually drop the V3 that is in my fulcrum in here and upgrade that to a V4) and QD for the LEDs.  I will primarily run it in red (or red-orange), but I thought adding the option to change LEDs would be easy enough to make it worthwhile.  I will start a thread in the technical section for the electronics build because I will have a lot of questions.  I have done some initial attempts at soldering and building a function circuit for this rig (my first build worked, but the LED did not get enough power from the board connections, so I will have to re-work the set-up), but I have a long way to go and a lot to learn.

[Wahshiya]

Outside work still isn't done, but I did wire it up:





I am finally happy with the LED (single Cree Luxeon XP-E2, Red) brightness.  I could not get it to look decent with only 3.7v so it is 7.4v.  Also I was surprised by how much different the lens made.  The ones I got with the LED did not give the blade much fullness, but I used the housing and lens that came with it and it was a whole 'nother story!  I need to figure what the lens that US uses is so I get some more to go with the other colors I might use.  The red is staying in for now though.

[Isola815]

Looking good!!!

[Therion Jinn]

Very nice indeed

[TheDutchman]

Outside work still isn't done, but I did wire it up:





I am finally happy with the LED (single Cree Luxeon XP-E2, Red) brightness.  I could not get it to look decent with only 3.7v so it is 7.4v.  Also I was surprised by how much different the lens made.  The ones I got with the LED did not give the blade much fullness, but I used the housing and lens that came with it and it was a whole 'nother story!  I need to figure what the lens that US uses is so I get some more to go with the other colors I might use.  The red is staying in for now though.

Looks like a winner to me, Wahshiya^^  Beautiful saber indeed