Saber Forum

Hi everyone,

I finally got to work on my saber this weekend.
I started with an  aeon V3 in red with silver FOC. I have modified it a bit by adding windows & claws to the emitter, as well as the same to the pommel. The new pommel acts as a resonance chamber making the saber about twice as loud as it was originally, plus giving it a bit of reverb. 
Also, I changed out the filter material in the blade, so I now have a Fiery red, with a very slight orange hue, and a strong golden yellow FOC.

I am thinking about naming it the Kali-Ma...
Here are some picts.
what do you think?

(http://twindragonNH.Webstarts.com/uploads/Kali-Ma.jpg)

holding the saber

(http://twindragonNH.Webstarts.com/uploads/Kali-Ma-2.jpg)

(http://twindragonNH.Webstarts.com/uploads/Kali-Ma-3.jpg)

Hi John.  This looks fantastic  :o  8) 
That rich blade color is super through the windows and blade.  We need a lot more info regarding what you did and how you achieved it.
Would really appreciate seeing a video demonstration of you using your Kali-Ma. She's an imposing goddess.
I'm carving out a windowed design in an Aeon v3 emitter so totally appreciate what you have done.  Man that aluminum is thick !
Well deserved point for you and so nice to see your post.  :D

Nice work!  Bali Mangthi Kali Ma.

Almost seems more deserving of a Darth Point..

Hey Dauntless :-)

Well... for the emitter,
first I marked my window placement at 90 degree intervals.
Then I used a 1/4 inch end mill to machine each one out.
When I was satisfied I used a 3/4 inch counter sink to give each window a nice beveled edge.
I then used a micrometer to measure the exact placement of the holes for the claws screw and drift pin holes.
I drilled the holes and tapped the four holes that will house the screws.
I fit the drift pins into their holes and set the claws into position and secured each with the appropriate screw.

Tor the blade, I removed the clear diffusing agent from the tubing and replaced it with a brilliant yellow film.
A little hot glue secured it in place. The red LED and the yellow film gives me the rich color. Plus the silver FOC illuminates the yellow film into a bright golden flash.
The best thing about this is that It allows me to have what we have started calling our "Day-time blades".
Out in the sunshine even the brighest LEDs get washed out, but with the colored films, we get blades that can be seen in the sun, as well as sounds and we have experimented with several colors. (some worked great, some didnt. )

I will see if I can take a quick video of me doing some basic stuff tomorrow (it is too late in the evening to so that here now ;-)

I do have a short video of the new color and FOC. Let me see if I can get it uploaded on youtube...

Hi Magik :-)

Thanks so much !!
I wasnt sure quite how many people would get my reference and reasoning,
but you and dauntless seemed to get it just fine :-) :-) :-)

I have been feeling quite sithy lately...
but am honored regardless.

I think in this instance I can lean both ways depending on the situation  8)

Impressive.  Most impressive.

Great, great work.

Point awarded . . .

Thank you Lord Canterbury,
I appreciate the kind words :-)

Here is a quick video of the new color and FOC.

https://youtu.be/Zu7KjtxOMDY

It actually is better than it seems , this is a very old camera  ::)

There are just no descriptive words for that blade color and FoC... this is just a home run out of the ball park and into the stratosphere.    Humble bow to you Sir.   8)

Wow Sifu John!!! The custom work around here is excellent, but that is spectacular! The rich colors and that Golden light. Maybe in a few years I'll have to do some playing around on my own. Point awarded, thank you.

That's a big saber but I like it!

And what martial art do you take/teach? I personally am a kravist (krav maga) - currently a Level 3

WOW...... awesome custom work Sifu John...... +1  :)


Were the windows done with the end mill in a machine shop, or is this something that is possible at home with the right tools? I think many here would definitely like to hear more details on this...... would be very much appreciated......  8)

Holy crap, this is STUNNING!   :o  I do like the way you're carrying it, too.  Very staff-like and I appreciate anything staff-related!  Super nice saber.  I think it suits you!

The claws on the end scream to have something held in them - if nothing else then to make sure they don't snag on clothing etc

That's a really nice looking modification.
The base claws don't make it difficult to wield?

Point for you, quality custom.

Thanks Dauntless !

I really like it too.   ;D

Hi Thorbs  :)
Thanks for the kind words.
With our Lightsaber Dueling club I have gone through a very large amount of the hilts available from US.
I am really partial to the Aeons, but also wanted something more to my personality that I could call my own.
When you find the hilt that works best in your hand, make it your own.
It is for this reason that in our Kung Fu school that I require all students to make their own staff (their first weapon) and for those interested, I offer to teach them to make their own weapons (swords, shields etc...).

Hi Merkatrig  :)

It IS a big one  8)
But I Love it !!

As to your question I teach Hung Gar (which is a descendant of southern Shaolin ) and Northern Shaolin.
I also personally study Ha Say Fu which is another southern style descended from  the southern Shaolin systems. If you are interested I have a full bio on my school's website: www.TwinDragonNH.com

Have a great Day !!

Hi JediXIX,

I have built a small shop of my own here at my Kung Fu school.
I build custom weapons as well as teach kung fu.

However, I actually used a drill press with a milling vice.
Milling vice's are not too expensive and give a good drill press quite a lot of extra functionality.

I have a Dremel tool that I use quite a lot, as well as a hand drill, but with the kind of torque that an end mill requires I wouldnt try using hand tools with one. There is too much likely hood of breakage and injury.
(Always wear your safety goggles !! )

I am happy to answer any other questions if people have them.
 :)

Very impressive mods!! +1 for you sir!

Hey Nox !
Thank you so much !!
I am working on installing another LED in the pommel to get some light effects down there too :)
Then I can use it as a staff if I want  8)

Hey again Merkatrig,

Some of students said they would want a Crystal or something in there too.
I like the claws because they make a heck of a Mele weapon up close.
It is the main reason I was calling it the Kali-Ma ... Heart removal free with every duel...  ;D

Hi Drahcir,

Thanks so much!!

No the claws do not make it much more difficult to wield. Just a little extra awareness required.
Actually, I am looking at doing a similar modification to a Dark Initiate V3.
That way I get basically the same saber, but 3 inches shorter.

When I am two hand wielding this, the size is currently just fine.
If I am single hand wielding It still works great for me, but I think the balance would be a little better on the shorter version. When I do it I will post picts and show everyone.
 ;)

Thank you Lady J

 :)  :)  :)

Wow Sifu John, that's some impressive custom work!  Looks amazing, both the hilt itself and the colour :)  point awarded.  I know you've been getting bombarded with questions lol but do you mind if I ask how you removed/ installed blade film?  The thought occurred to me for some stuff I'd like to do in near future, but I wouldn't know where to begin.

Hi RevanReborn,

Absolutely :-)
Believe it or not, that was actually the easiest part (although I did start with a little trial and error ;-)

I have to state though, that this technique will not work with the ultra-edge blades since they are colored enough that you cant really see the other filtering agent through them.
Also, this works Best with the Midgrade Blades, but it does work O.K with the Heavy duty blades.

Take out your saber blade and look down the tube.
You should see that the film US uses is hot glued in place.
I simply used a sharp scalpel (you can use an exacto-knife) to gently scrape away the hot glue.
Then reach into the tube with a pair of needle nose pliers and pull out the film.
(If you are careful, you can save the film for another use. )
If you have one, cap the end of the tube so it doesnt get any dust down it.

Now you are going to need a dowel of some sort that is about 1/2 to 3/4 the diameter of the blades inner tube and your new diffusing agent.
I found that party city had really useful transparent "Cello Wrap" of many colors.
US uses about 7 to 8 feet (yes feet) of clear diffusing film (because it is clear).
You will only use about 18 inches, even less if it is a darker color.
Then (in as dust free an area as you can muster) measure out the length and width you need for your new film (about 1 inch less than the length of your blade by about 18 inches) and cut it.
Then tightly wind your diffusing agent around your dowel.
Now completely insert the dowel with the film around it into the blade tube.
Release the film, and it should unravel to press up against the inside of the tube.
give it some gentle shakes and you should be able to remove the dowel from the tube and the film should stay in place (you can always gently shake again and it should go down in proper place).
Lastly, hot glue the end of the film to the tube.

Thanks so much really appreciate!  I look forward to experimenting with that :) may The Force be with you