my main duelling saber: log

[RevanReborn]

So, while I'm waiting to gather the funds for my next order (graflex CE emerald n also a saber specifically for modding, TBD) I'm gonna be doing a bunch of work on my main duelling saber, my stunt dark sentinel LE.  For the mod i did before this one, i had a really specific idea of everything i was gonna do- i could really picture the saber so it was just a matter of making it happen.  For this one though, I'm gonna just kinda go with the flow more- just let a lot of the stuff happen as i get into it lol see how that is for a change. 

I DO know some aspects for sure:

-going to be engraving the entire sith code down the length of the hilt

-going to be swapping the battery pack for a rechargeable usb power bank a la CJ Nihilus, as well as possibly creating a usb port in the hilt for recharge without removal, or maybe some type of quick disconnect for quickly swapping precharged banks

-going to be creating some kind of small attachment/ detail that looks similar to an activation box etc. in size and appearance, only it will house electrical pins and a sort of faux access port to look sweet and lend realism etc.

-i'm probably forgetting stuff, but its all good since I'm just shooting from the hip this time anyway lol

So here's some ground work I've done so far:
sanded the finish to have a nice complex background/ slate for the engraving to go over- wanted it to stay nice and dark but have a sort of grain, or ribboned type look


next step was to plan/ space out the sith code i'll be engraving using masking tape- it's just way to much aurebesh to leave it to chance that it'll end up spaced out correctly as i go.  i know everybody's prob like "hey man, why not use sith script?!"  but i just like aurebesh for one, i know it so much better and i think it's the most recognizable, plus sith just wouldn't execute well hand engraving with my skill level (that'll be something to get laser engraved in future):



next step, a little bit of engraving lol...  but it's getting late for today, gotta work tonight.
keep you posted, MTFBWY

Good thing i glanced back over this post!! i just noticed a spelling mistake in the aurebesh in one of the last photos: I've got 'cains' instead of 'chains' lol!!  needless to say i'll be proofreading this before i engrave lol, this was just for the spacing... but still, jeez lol. 

[Halnis]

Looks pretty interesting. Im trying to come up with an idea on how to cheaply make an activation box as well so i will be following along

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[GregG124]

Looks pretty interesting. Im trying to come up with an idea on how to cheaply make an activation box as well so i will be following along

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You can cut a switch sized hole in a TCSS graflex clamp.

[Monobus]

Revan, what do you plan on using for the inscription? I'm going to be making an ancient type saber soon, and that would make for some awesome detailing. Just not the Sith code; I don't want to steal your idea.

[Halnis]

You can cut a switch sized hole in a TCSS graflex clamp.

Just bought a car and im in college. Sub $20 is what im hoping for. If i cant come up with something ill just buy one of those though.

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[RevanReborn]

Hey everyone- thanks .  To answer your ? Monobus I'm gonna be using a little electric engraver (not expensive).  Basically like a little tattoo gun you can adjust the depth on, tho I've found the depth is really more determined by how you actually work the engraver, rather than what it's set on.  If you haven't seen it, I did some simillar engraving, albeit not as much, in a previous mod:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=25425.0

Only diff is there I did it on yellow brass, so I put black down in the inscription- here I'll be doing on black anadized hilt so will already have the silver on black look, but I might put red down into the key words (like passion, strength, power, victory, the force etc). 

By all means, there's no worries about using people ideas here .  It's one of the great things about the forum- I bet the code would look amazing on a relic.  Actually that mod I linked has arcane/ relic type influence as well. 

Just bought a car and im in college. Sub $20 is what im hoping for. If i cant come up with something ill just buy one of those though.

Hey Halnis- I know your pain well, lol- I've never had to scrounge/ be more resourceful than the five years I moved away to university!  Just look at it this way, by the time you're out you'll know you can get by on anything/ make it through any hard times lol!  Def stay tuned- I'm gonna be doing this add on piece right from scratch- so it will likely cost a matter of a couple dollars max when all said n done .  I've already got a pretty good idea of how I'm gonna do.

Keep you posted- MTFBWY

[Antron007]

Nice Rev. That will look insane. And I mean insane like, scribbling words on your asylum cell walls. I like it Can't wait to see this finished.

[Bulvoy]

Nice idea's Again! look forward to seeing this develop. The light weathering already done looks good, natural like it has been used hard .  I also like the aurebesh font  lettering myself, plan on doing my jedi name ( created from the post here in off topic) scrolled  or possibly etched on my menace, haven't decided ( along with other mods) when the up to 15 weeks backlog or more lets it be on its way to me.

By all means, there's no worries about using people ideas here .  It's one of the great things about the forum

 So true, myself only being a 4ish month long member, my thought is  if you have an idea, share, your not copying, its all about inspiration. thats the whole point , grow, learn, tap into your creative side for a  Group wide collective passion  Take Pride  

[Kezeroth]

Lol I engraved Aurebesh on my yari Pike today. Its a nice font and makes any word look awesome. Also nice job fitting the sith code on the hilt.

[RevanReborn]

Thanks guys!  Ya, totally will look deranged I agree Antron .  And I agree completely Bulvoy- if I ever see people doing things like I've done on the forum, I'll be totally pumped/ stoked, since it will be a sign of something I was able to contribute to the community- and i know I've taken so much knowledge/ inspiration from this community so it'd be nice to give back .  It's what makes this place great.  That looks sweet kezeroth! 

[Monobus]

Your other saber looks awesome! I love the look of it. I might have to look into one of those tools. All I have is a dremel, albeit with a ton of attachments. I don't trust it enough to try and inscribe on one of my USs though.

[RevanReborn]

thanks Monobus   ya i think its a good call looking into the engraver- you can get them cheap, and for our purposes they're more than quality enough.  there's all different styles, like little pen engravers that i bet would handle great?, mine's a wired (not cordless) larger unit, about the size of a really small dremel, but it's cool it's quite comfortable to me my hands are on the larger side.  Maybe its just me but i'd be worried about controlling the lines for detail with the dremel's rotary motion- engravers puncture, their motion is straight up and down.  I might be wrong tho maybe people do engrave with dremels?  Kezeroth, did you use a dremel for that inscription?  it looks great.

I'm debating using a scribe, a little manual pointy tool, and going back over the engraving once it's finished and embellishing it on this project?  Dunno, on the one hand it could look really cool.  On the other those will be some really small details/ lines- it'd be a shame to make them look all clumsy if i can't achieve the right amount of fine detail with the tool?  like its hard to explain but it might just oversize and make it look crappy, like going over something you wrote all finely in ink and quill with a big 'ol gigantic crayon lol.  still undecided, but i can do the engraving and cross the bridge then- hopefully i can just approach it cautiously and see if going to work .  i think if i could pull it off i could really put an extra touch of style to the engraving and, tho it might be on the subtle side, would be totally cool/worth it.

i left the lower choke between the grips and the switch area blank because that's where I'm gonna be putting one of the little fabrications i'll be doing- just a little add on to the body of the saber for looks- and that spot is strategic, since my hands aren't often there.  but in any case ill be sure not to wreck the grip of the hilt.  any changes i make to the profile etc. of the saber are gonna jive with grip n all that, since this is my main duelling hilt these days.  i really like the feel of the sentinel, so whatever i do will preserve or improve its fit to me for sure. 

can't wait to get back at it, just got a few busy days to get through first- but I'll be back on it soon   keep you posted, MTFBWY   

[Kezeroth]

@RevanReborn I used a dremel engraver i bought on amazon for like 15$. Difference between a engraver and a normal dremel is the mecjanics. I know someones wondering about the difference so i might as well say it. Normal Dremels spin the attachments & engraver dremels vibrate. Both have buttons or switches to change speeds but Ive found the engraver words really nice with small details.

[JediXIX]

So true, myself only being a 4ish month long member, my thought is  if you have an idea, share, your not copying, its all about inspiration. thats the whole point , grow, learn, tap into your creative side for a  Group wide collective passion  Take Pride  

Agreed, Bulvoy . . . +1 to you & Rev

[Morgoth136]

wow that sanded look is beautiful