Modding Stuff on Aeon LE v2?

[MolecularAuto80]

Hey all, as the title says, I'd like to do some modding on my Aeon LE v2 (GB), but am not sure exactly how or what to do with it. Exactly anyway. First off, an easy one. Is it relatively easy to cut a 36 inch blade to be somewhere around 24-32ish? I'm 5'9" and the 36 is a tidbit long for some of the things I'd like to do with it. One other thing, is it easy to make some kind of leather wrap for it while also letting the gold grooves show through? Kinda like a diagonal wrap? How difficult is it to add a D-ring to one of these? I'd like to be able to carry it on my belt and un-holster (I know that's not the right word for it, sorry) quickly. And one final thing that I may or may not do depending on level of difficulty: I've seen quite a few people change the LED color by switching wires around, and was wondering what one could do to a GB LED. Any help would be... Helpful

Thanks


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[Darth Cephalus]

Cutting the blade might not be the best choice. I have not tried it but I imagine you would have to be careful not to mess up the film on the inside. You would also want to re-glue it. Look at the glue around the inside bottom of your current blade to see what I mean. You might be better served just getting an initiate blade instead. Shipping is a bit rough for just a blade but then you would have options. I think they might also custom cut blade lengths on new blades if you ask them. Wrapping around the grooves is possible. It is just like wrapping the whole saber but in smaller proportion. Treat the space between each groove as a separate surface. I would think, especially if you have a lot of grooves, you might be better off with contact paper though.

[Darth Kitsune]

You can cut a blade using a pipe cutter and being very careful. Make sure not to crunch through the film in the center, and trim that by itself after you've cut off the extra polycarbonate. You can also take out the film and replace it inside of the saber if you're good enough at that skill.

I wouldn't suggest going as short as 24" on the blade. I'm 5'4" and I use a 32" blade on both of my sabers. I can handle a 36" blade but 32" is a decent length for somebody of my stature without making twirling and swinging the saber a hassle. Also, be sure to factor in how much of the blade is being eaten by a saber (for instance, my blades are 32", but only 30" of each blade shows in both of my sabers. 2" are inside the hilt).

Also, if you do decide to trim the blade down yourself (it isn't that hard, again just be careful), make sure to take off a little at a time. You can always take material off, but you can't put it back on if you mess up or decide the blade is too short!

[UnfairBanana]

I'll have a wrap on my Aeon v2s pretty soon. Will let ya know how that goes.
Blades can be cut with pipe cutters, I've been told. Been meaning to find one somewhere to cut mine down, because 32"s on my staff are too long (I'm short) and 24"s woulda been shorter than I wanted.
As for the D-ring...I'm not so sure that'll work out. If it had an MHS pommel, it's absolutely doable, as you can get pommels with a D-ring insert elsewhere on the vast internet.

[Darth Obvious]

I was wondering about this too. I'll be receiving a 36" Ultraedge blade with mine, and I might want to cut it down a bit.

In terms of the handling length, what ultimately matters to me is how far the blade tip is from the hand, and it looks like it will be about 37" or so with the Catalyst, which is really long for using my Tai Chi or I33 single-hand styles. Using my two-handed/longsword style it should be fine, but I might want to bring mine down into the bastard sword range, i.e. with approximately 33-34" of blade length so I can be comfortable using any of my single-hand or two-hand styles.

I don't have a PVC cutter. Would a hacksaw work? Or perhaps a high-speed grinder for a cleaner cut?

[Darth Kitsune]

You can use a Hacksaw, but you need to be REALLY EXTRA CAREFUL to not touch the film inside the blade. Also, using a hacksaw might put dust inside of the hilt, so you'd have to clean it after. ALSO, wear a mask if you're going to use the hacksaw due to said dust. Don't want that getting into your system.

[SILVERBACK]

I would suggest NOT using a hacksaw for cutting blades because your chances of getting a straight cut is not likely. Plus your chances of getting the debris in the blade and in between the layers of film are very high. If you price out pvc pipe cutter you'll find that they are pretty inexpensive or if you know someone that has done plumbing work they will most likely have one you can borrow. If you do cut down the blade make sure to cut the film back enough to put a bead of hotglue to hold it to the inside of the blade to kekeep it from moving.

[Darth Obvious]

Ah I see.

So how would you recommend cutting the film?

[Darth Kitsune]

Scissors.

[SILVERBACK]

Make sure the scissors are pretty sharp or you could use a razor blade. The film inside may be thin but it's strong when it's rolled up.

[Darth Obvious]

Thanks for the tips, guys. Points given.

[SILVERBACK]

No problem, let us know how you make out.

[GilNarmor]

I'm not at home right now, otherwise you'd get a close up of the emitter, but a transistor heat sink from radio shack, a thumb screw, and a brass decorative washer adds some pizzazz to an aeon v2 emitter. The bottom of the hilt is just tennis racket grip tape, nothing that hasn't been mentioned a million times before.

[James Casey]

My pipe cutter cost me about £8 (maybe $13 US) and it's a piece of cake to use. I've trimmed down 3 or 4 blades, and it takes about 5 minutes going slowly and carefully. You adjust the 'jaw' the same way you would a vice, and a thin blade cuts into the surface of the pipe/blade. Rotate the blade in the cutter (or the cutter around the blade, which I found easier) and slowly tighten the grip every revolution or two to cut through. I've cut down both standard and heavy grade blades with it, no problems.

The film is rolled up several times inside the hilt (assuming this is universal, I've only done non-ultra edge blades so far). Sharp scissors trim it down just fine. My gluing is a little messy, but it's all within an inch or so of the bottom of the blade, so it's always hidden inside the emitter.

[Darth Obvious]

No problem, let us know how you make out.

I cut it down 1.5" with the pvc cutters, and it feels great. I think I might just leave it there.