Saber Forum

Hello!

I decided to take the plunge during the spring raffle (I didn't win) and purchase an Archon v3.1 because I've always loved Luke's ROTJ saber and I want to start a costume build. The Archon is a great looking saber to start but it isn't exactly a 1:1 replica of any of the ROTJ sabers, hero or stunt. Rather than shell out a ton of cash for a super accurate hilt, I went with US because it was affordable, US has a great reputation, and I'd have light and sound from the jump. I figured the easiest way to convert the Archon is to add a graflex clamp so I ordered one.

Here's a shot of my saber right out of the box with the clamp clumsily added. One of the brackets wouldn't go on because the archon body is beefier than a normal graflex.

(https://i.imgur.com/7WittLU.jpg)

I tried and tried to get the clamp on with both brackets. I tried so hard that I broke the clamp stem. Frustrated, I just ran a screw through it and called it a day.

After doing so more research on the ROTJ v2, I really wanted to have that accurate clamp stem and lever on there. A trip to my hardware store yielded a solution: an aluminum spacer and a 1/4 inch screw on the stem. It effectively extends the stem out long enough so that it fits perfectly on the Archon hilt.

(https://i.imgur.com/YECkokj.jpg)

Now that the clamp is in good shape, I needed to create a shim for the clamp card. A little 3D designing and printing solved that problem quickly! Now I can really feel the momentum on this project.

(https://i.imgur.com/utIj2XK.jpg)

I sourced a new D ring and cone knob and I'm waiting for those to arrive. A local RL base friend is going to drill and tap the hole for the knob when it arrives. In the mean time, I could start weathering. I tackled that yesterday and I'm REALLY pleased with the results.

(https://i.imgur.com/IdIyYze.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/dz93BVR.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/RMTfLhj.jpg)

I spray painted the whole thing with matte black and gently wiped away paint with paint thinner on a rag. The whole process was super easy. Now I just have to wait for the ring and knob. More pics to come after they're installed.

Thanks for checking out my saber!

Very nice, did a good job on the weathering.

When I heroed (is that a word LOL) my Archon I camoed my AV switch with black stripes.

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I absolutely love seeing the Archon v3 modded with the AV circuit board and Graflex clamp (although Tx did a "Hero" mod that is outstanding  :)).

JT yours is no exception!  You did a fantastic job!

Point!

Some nice work on that, especially where you dealt with things not fitting perfectly out of the box

Nice work customizing the Archon.

Nice. Too bad you can't line the box with the switch though. Can't wait to see this done =] This would be a hard project for me to do as well x.x

Great job! I've been wanting to do that on my Archon v3.1 too.

Great work jthatcher!
I did something similar to my Archon v3.1, and had the same problem, re: clamp slightly too small. I lost the clamp as well, which didn't help, so just bolted the clamp together, ground the bolt down so it wasn't too long, and filed the nut and bolt slightly so there was a nice smooth edge.

Excellent job!

Very nice. Point. I am also working on a mod like this.

This project is finally done!

Changes from last time: re-did the weathering on the emitter and neck, added the cone knob and new D-ring, swapped the clamp lever for a non-broken one with a square nut. I think its as close as I can get to the ROTJ V2.

(https://i.imgur.com/NpN72nd.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/xalEAow.jpg)

You did a really nice job, point.

Hi.  That's a great looking saber.  Really nice job... liking that you left it mostly in silver/black with just the pale gold accents from the circuit board and emitter neck.  :)

point  8)

That turned out fantastic! I really love it!

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Beautiful saber here! I'm not usually a fan of activation boxes but this is really stunning work!

Great customisations, I love the weathering you've done to it, looks amazing!

How did I miss the update to this? It looks great.

Love the work and attention to detail! 

Such a great looking hilt. You’ve made it yours my friend.

That looks really great. I'm about to take the TCSS Activation box 28 off of mine and switch to the Graflex clamp. I was wondering, where did you find the cone knob?

Very nice. A masterfully crafted saber.