Antron's Evolutions! or An Addict's Attic.

[Antron007]

Greetings to all. I figured I'd start this thread in the customization section as eventually it will be a customization thread. I will post most of my questions in this thread as well.

 Before I start I want to create a sort of bibliography section to share what I've learned, where I learned it and to give credit to those who have helped me weather they know it or not. I'll update it as it grows.

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Links and Posts
 A good start but not necessary is my introduction where I share what led me to be here today.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=25693.0

The information at Reply 76 of this post breaks down the common formula used when describing FoC and Emrald Driver settings in the software.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=17602.0

Thanks to Racona Nova for a lot of things but for pointing me to this thread about recharge ports. Plus it has some wiring diagrams
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=20367.0

This post is basically the post that the one you're reading now has become. Once again Racona Nova is there to share his knowledge.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=26118.0

I did a search for the word chamber as I'd like to make, even if it's the cheapest most generic crystal chamber. When I revisit that again I'll place those links.

 And there's a guy on youtube who makes very informative videos. I learned a lot from watching those a few times.
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I thank all of the OPs and contributors to those posts for sharing their knowledge. Think of the bibliography as a list of functional shout outs.

I've discussed this in a few places so there may be some deja vu when reading but I wanted to organize everything into one thread.

The Story So Far
I have a Dark Initiate LE V4 and I bought it because I was more interested in the electronics. The ultimate goal of any Jedi is to craft your own saber so I was trying to be "cheap" and stay with the cheapest hilt with a windowed emitter.  I also was trying to stay under $500.  But, I really wanted that windowed emitter. And I did want to be able to mix and mach pieces later so I should have made sure the emitter was MHS. So I got that set up knowing it was going to be moved at some point. It was my entry and electronics acquisition.  I tend to lean towards smaller swords but the hilt is a little shorter than I'd like. Definitely a one hander for me.

 But, even though the Initiate is a little smaller and it doesn't have an MHS emitter, I got a feel for the quality of the product and it is amazing. But my plan was to get a saber I could swap parts out with and "make my own" saber. The saber is just so awesome I ended up ordering a stunt Archon V3.

 So my project plan is in steps or phases and in order of importance to me.
1. Get an MHS saber to put the Emerald into. (Shipped)
2. I'm going to have to do some drilling or soldering. I choose soldering as while I have a drill and the bits I really feel that should done with a drill press. I also have a variable watt soldering iron and some small electronics experience. Purely at a hobbyists level.
So I'm going to order a 12mm AV white illuminated switch. I have a 16mm black one now so switching the switch out shouldn't be a hassle. I didn't want a black one on my Archon anyway and someone pointed out that there were 12mm AV switches so I figured I'd go that route. I'm still looking for a decent black 16mm latching switch to go into the DIV4LE.
3. I want to modularize (I don't think that is a word) my wiring as much as possible and get connectors where I can to make the next transplant more plug and play. Another reason I figured I'd skip drilling. I have seen that I may have to drill it out just a tiny bit but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
4. Add a recharge port. It really doesn't seem that hard. Well, that's not fair. Once a fellow member did all of the hard work and figured out where to run the grounds it doesn't seem that hard. The link is in the bibliography and you should go to it and give them points.

[Antron007]

I had a nice detailed expansion and some edits all typed out and it's gone. I Didn't realize there was a time limit on editing posts. Sort of make my whole bibliography idea a big waste of time too. Oh well. Live and learn.  I'll just have to post as it goes.

Anyway.

5. Make a Crystal Chamber. A simple one seems simple enough. It's more of the "I made it" aspect that inspires me to do this. It doesn't have to be the greatest. I'll probably should have made this 4 as I'll most likely do it before the port. I have a hard time doing what I call, invasive tings to my more expensive stuff. So I'm not in a big hurry to doing any drilling into the hilt. I'm really hoping I don't have to when I change switches.

6. Obsidian and Emerald ports. Anyone got any info on this or seen this done? I'd appreciate links. I have a crude idea involving some extensions, a dremel and maybe a thinner activation box. I'll probably do this and the recharge at the same time provided I can find the proper extensions. 

Input welcome and encouraged. Tips, tricks and advise appreciated. MTFBWYA

[RevanReborn]

Sorry I can't be much help with info on the emerald/ obsidian installs- but look forward to watching the thread .   

One thing I can say tho is no need to be nervous about the invasive projects- always
should prepare with research and practice but I found if you jump right in before have chance to doubt/ second guess, then you'll have no choice but to proceed- you'll succeed because you'll have to, will be too late to quit once touched the dremel to the hilt lol!  Sounds crazy I know but it works- its surprising how much you can accomplish when you're locked in.  It's challenging stuff but so rewarding.  Good luck- MTFBWY . 

I would DEF recommend drill press for drilling whenever possible, combined with some kind of clamps and blocking to hold your hilt- it's tricky working on cylinder as hard as aluminum. 

Oh also- that bibliography still cool-very handy collection of links to good posts- totally deserving of point .

[Antron007]

Thanks for the encouragement Revan.

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[Antron007]

Thanks again RevanReborn. When I was at The ManLowe Depot last weekend I saw a nifty device for under $50 that turns most Dremels int a small drill press. Looks like it will be great for ports and smaller holes. No sure how it will work out with switch holes though.

 I made sure my Dremel 4000 is compatible and that contraption is on the Christmas list. As well as a cheap drill press. Saw a real nice one with work LED and laser sight for around $125 at one of those places. I felt it was a great deal but I have some feelers out for a cheap used one.

 I may even have access to one and not aware of it. My GFs nephew has TONS of tools and doesn't even know what he has between his baseman, garage, and 3 storage units. He has other stuff as well but its mostly tools. So I have him checking his inventory for me as well. Best part is if he has one, he'll probably just let me use it and store it at my place. I already have his power washer and leaf blower. I've tried to give them back but he's just like, "keep it here. I'll come get it if I need it." I got a 3 tiered suitcase full of drill bits from him for installing Windows on a PC for him once. I'm the tech guy and he's the tool guy so we help each other on things a quite a bit.

A couple of questions/clarifications for those who can answer,
 I'm under the impression that the AV switches US uses are the same 16mm ones that I see everywhere else. Am I correct in this assumption? 
How many pins are on the US AV plug? How many pins are on the guarded latching switch?
I'm under the impression that the guarded switch is 12mm. Is that correct?

I haven't ordered any of my switches yet because I want to know how many pins I will need on the switches. I also want to be prepared for any drilling I may have to do.

I suppose I could just start taking my DILEV4 apart and look but I'm not ready yet. I looked down the tube a few times and see that some things look hot glued in so I'm not going to take it apart until I'm prepared to move the electronics to the Archon V3. A simple transplant and switch switch will probably take me an hour as I try not to rush things. I'm going to figure out what I can set up with connectors and get those ordered so when I do the transplant I can convert as much to be modular as I can.

I tend to research and use references so when I go to do any of that I'll include my reference links.

The AV3 should be here on Thursday. I have Friday off so I'll be up drooling on my new saber pretty late Thursday night. I almost wish, almost, wish it didn't show up till Friday. Mail comes like clockwork at my place and I typically start my day 20-30 minutes before the mail arrives.

Anyway, any info anyone can share about switch sizes and pin counts would be appreciated. I couldn't find concrete info myself.

[JediXIX]

Hi Antron007 . . . here's some info on switches you may find helpful :
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=24480.msg369046#msg369046

The standard plastic guarded switch in US hilts is approx 11.2mm and has 2 pins, if you want to replace those with a 12mm av you will need to drill out the switch hole with a 12mm bit . . . The 16mm illuminated momentary av switches that US install have 4 pins and are mostly glued in, the 16mm non-illuminated momentary av switches have 2 screw type connectors . . . cheers

[Antron007]

Thank you JEDIXIX. I really appreciate the info. I'll check that link out later tonight I get more time to read it.  I'll also give you a point then

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[Antron007]

The Archon V3 came in a day early just as I was about to leave for work. I took some quick images that I'll share here. I didn't get much time with it at all. Maybe 10 minutes. I was sure to grad it up 2 hand style and give it a quick feel.  Much better 2 handed feel for me that the DILEV4. The DI is a great one hander and light weight. My hands just feel a little "crowded" on it when holding 2 handed.  I only got to hold The AV3 for a second but it felt nice in my hands and did not have that "crowded" feeling.

Pics:
Out of box front of hilt


Out of box back of hilt


Whole saber front. Unlit. Ignore my feet.


Whole saber lit up in lighted room.


Whole saber lit up in darkened (TV was still on) room.


Only flaw, kind of, maybe. Thing ring at end of blade. Not sure if you can see it in in this picture. (Not to be confused with the ring caused by the emitter.)


Picture of flaw with lighted blade. About 1/4 to 1/2 inch up from the emitter. Not a big deal as most other emitters will swallow it.


And I normally don't do glamour shots but he's one of me half dressed for work. Forewarning. I suck at selfies.



Busy day at work. I'll give more feedback as soon as I can. I also want to compare the Reg Heavy to the UE Heavy blades and show those pics.

MTFBWYA

[Bulvoy]

Very nice  color choice just seems like a great fit for the hilt. i have to stop looking at peoples new saber's  it's gonna make me want them all 

[Antron007]

-Bulvoy. That is a very valid concern.  I didn't go tri green just 1 led and it's still amazing looking. I have to swap blades with my EU heavy and do some color comparisons. Plan on doing that later tonight.

I took a couple of pics of my 2 sabers together. I'll get them posted as well.

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[RevanReborn]

That's awesome, Antron, thanks for posting!  Always good to be able to see how everyone's sabers arrive, and even just for the excitement factor, nothing beats unboxing pics/ vid .  That's also really good idea about the blade comparison pics- a lot of people, myself included, like seeing them.  They can be super helpful, and also it's just cool/ interesting to be able to see the variations side by side on a particular saber.  Point for you. 

The archon looks sweet- good call on saber! 

[Antron007]

Thanks Revan. I though I did this last night but must have forgotten to. I did a fuller review of the Archon V3 that can be found here.
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=26182.0

Not a must read in regards to the electronics swap I plan but there are a couple of  side by side images as well very handy info if you want to know more about the Archon V3. It's pic heavy so I figured I'd just post a link as opposed to reposting a bunch of info and images here. I do get into the finer points of the V3 Emitter in relation to blades.

Anyway, The AV3 feels amazing to hold and I won't go on about it because I did elaborate pretty well in my review.

Hope you all enjoy it. MTFBWYA

[Antron007]

Hey Gang,
 I received some parts in the mail over the past week or so and I think I'm all set to swap the electronics on my sabers and get my Emerald w/ V4 sound installed into my Archon hilt.

I'll get pictures later but I have some connectors and wire so I can mod the wiring. I'm waiting for a couple of 4 pic connectors that I'm not sure I'll need yet but I may hold off until I get those in. I'll have to take a real good look at wiring now that I actually have the parts.
- 12 mm illuminated AV switch for the Archon
- 16mm Latching switch for the Initiate
- recharge port to be added later. I still need to get the power supply anyway so not a big rush yet.
- heat shrink
- I still need to find some extenders to make an emerald and obsidian ports. I also am not sure where I want to put the ports. Do I want to put the recharge and other ports all in the same area or the recharge in one spot and the E/O ports in another.

I have a dremel that I can use to widen the guarded switch hole out to 12mm but rumor is I'm getting a drill press for Christmas so I'm stalling out on the ports for that.

I also received a different emitter for dueling purposes.  Now that I can put both blade I own in both sabers I'll do some comparison photos as well. I'm interested to see the difference between my Regular CG and the Emerald CG in the different blades. I'll post some pics in the next day or so.

MTFBWYA

[Dauntless Seven]

Great.  Will look forward to your newest photos and upcoming customizations.   

[RevanReborn]

Yeah that's great news that things are starting to arrive/ come together.  Very cool work you've got going on!  I'm going to be getting into the electronics on my next project so I'm looking forward to checking this out .  I think that's a good call about waiting till after Christmas for drilling, will be infinitely less difficult with a press.  Keep up the good work, MTFBWY.