QUI-GON JINN's Custom MHS saber for Aur-elion

[QUI-GON JINN]

A couple of weeks Aur-elion asked me if it would be at all possible for me to build him a saber hilt that closely resembles Slothfurnace's "Derelict" saber.  I was unsure if I wanted to take it on or post a topic about it,  but then I thought that since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,  that Sloth probably wouldn't mind.  This will be an empty hilt when finished,  as Aur-Elion already has a PC for the install.

This will be built from all-MHS parts (except for the Wat Tambor OBI TPM/AOTC pommel) with a custom cut Graflex style shroud,  similar to the style found on Sloth's saber.  Here's the basic render:


The parts:


I cut the shroud today out of a piece of 22ga. chrome plated sink drain tubing,  and had to eye-ball/hand draw the Graflex style "S" curves since I have sold my Brass Graflex and can't find my old template.  I think they turned out pretty good anyway:
 

Close-ups of the "S: curves:
 

Now we need to decide how exactly he'd like the switch box attached.  It can either go on top of the chrome sleeve,  helping to secure it,  or I can cut a slot in the sleeve and go around the box:
 
If we slot the shroud to go around the box,  another method for attaching the shroud needs to be decided upon.  I'd suggest using a the blade thumb screw for that,  but I'll leave it up to Aur-Elion.

[Smokiewan]

I love watching you work. Great choice for an homage saber.

[nartules]

Derelict is awesome...I would buy it from Sloth if he wanted to sell, so I know why Aur-Elion asked for one.  I'm seeking a similair type saber myself, but that will be far down the road (Crosses fingers) - I will be watching this build with much anticipation.  Looking great so far Qui-Gon :)

[DarthCaedus]

wow that looks so amazing so far. i love your work qui gon, and this re-enforces that fact.

[Aur-Elion]

I´m very happy that QUI-GON JINN finally decided to build this hilt for me.

After I sent him the sketch shown as first pic in this thread, he wasn´t sure if he would do it.
But after several PMs we came together and now my dream saber is becoming real.

Many, many thanks for this, Jason.  :)

This saber will get a blue or green Huey Jann 5W LED and a trans white thinwalled TCSS blade with the new white tip.
I have a PC-L here, that has been on it´s way to me, while the cracking contest was running.
But I like the lightmeat soundfont, so this will come into this hilt until I hopefully get a CF 5 one day.

[QUI-GON JINN]

I worked on this a bit more yesterday before work,  and here's what got done.

I drilled and tapped a 6-32 hole for mounting the switch box:


I then checked the fit of the switch box on the v-grooved extension and found that the chrome shroud was going to interfere with proper seating of the box,  so it had to be slotted to fit around the box:


Using a wet-erase marker,  I outlined the box on the chrome shroud:
 

I loaded it in the vise,  and started cutting:
 
I did the rough cut with the cutting disc on the Dremel,  then switched to the 1/4" sanding drum and did the corners and the edges.  I then smoothed it out more with hand files and sandpaper.

With the slot de-burred,  I slipped it onto the hilt and checked the fit:
 
It wasn't a horrible fit,  but it needed some more tweaking:

Better,  but not quite there....worked it some more with the sanding drum,  files and sandpaper:
 
I think that'll do! I had to lengthen the slot as well as straighten the edges out,  so that the shroud actually lined up right on the bottom of the saber as well:

The edges of the "S" curves are right in line with the edge of the blade holder and the first groove in the v-grooved extension,  right where I wanted it.

The next thing will be adding some detail to the shroud...I think it could use some scoring lines centered in the area shown above...I'm thinking three,  but maybe four might look good as well,  spaced about 1/6th" to 1/8" apart.

[Sidneyious]

I would say 4 would look good.

[daddy solo]

shut the front door!!!   :o  :o  I was drooling over this Sloth creation myself. Good choice of a saber to pay homage to. Now I gotta come up with something different to do for the next build I commission. Looking forward to  more  pics ;D

[Caine]

Well Jay, if anyone could make a Derelict MHS homage, it is definitely you, brother.  Looking great so far!

[Aur-Elion]

It is great to see what is going on and I can´t wait to hold this hilt my hands.

But unfortunately I have to insist on a (for me) very important detail.

The shroud should be longer than the blade holder, like it is shown on this pic:


Here it looks like the shroud and the blade holder have the same length:


This detail is very important for the "classic" elegant look in my opinion.

[QUI-GON JINN]

The shroud is in the same location in both of those pictures,  actually.

[Aur-Elion]

Ok, so it´s just a bad viewing angle?

So the red shaded area in the following pic wouldn´t be ok, everything shorter is fine.

[Luke TiRee]

Wow, this saber will be a beauty, just as the "original" one!
Very nice work on the shroud, as always!

Philipp, I cant wait to take a closer look and to see it in real when its finished ;)
Huey Jann LED and PC will surely make this into a beast (had to say that since I prefer High-Power LEDs to strings ;) )

I will definately follow this thread!

[vulcan fox]

you just can't beat a graflex type shroud ....nice work so far.

[Aur-Elion]

Thank you Luke.
See you in Nuremberg in September, hopefully with this saber  ;)

It has been a matter of the viewing angle, all is perfect.
On it goes  :)