String Blades for Crystal Focus LS: Examples of Some Different LEDs Used

[EXAR KUN]

Hey there saber friends,

I wanted to show you some string blades I made recently.
Some of them have some new LEDs I haven't seen used before in a string blade.

Special thanks to 'Erv and Plecter Labs for making the Crystal Focus LS (soundboard for string blades based on the regular Crystal Focus), Slothfurnace and Eastern57 for coming up with Seriallel wiring which is optimized for the Crystal Focus LS (instructions available in the CFLS6.5 manual on Plecter's site), and Hotwingz for the instructional photos and wiring schematic (available in the Plecter Labs section of this forum), RevanReborn for not only being a friend on the forums but in person as well (and for making our first string blades together), and other members who have helped along the way in one way or another.

Please keep in mind that my Qui Flex lightsaber is my current test bed for these string blades as it is my only CF LS hilt at the moment.
In the hilt there are resistors which limit the FOC string mainly, and some of the FOC colors are difficult to notice in the videos. That is not due to the light string, but rather due to the fact that I need a different resistor hilt-side to make the FOC brighter. The FOC strings would make more of a 'flash' if I changed out my current resistor, which, for the following videos and pictures, is still intact in the hilt.


RED STRING BLADE WITH YELLOW FOC #1 (SB #01)

First up is a pretty standard Red blade using 3mm LED's with a yellow FOC string.

Red Blade, Yellow Flash on Clash - YouTube

Red Lightsaber Blade with Yellow Flash on Clash Test #2 Lights On - YouTube

Red Lightsaber Blade with Yellow Flash on Clash Test #3 Lights Off - YouTube

Red Lightsaber Blade with Yellow Flash on Clash Test #4 Lights Off - YouTube

It was very cold and snowing so I took this blade outside:

Red String Blade Lightsaber in Snow - YouTube

Here is the red string blade compared to my 10W JQ Anakin Episode III saber (Anakin saber is a different color, blue):

Blue 10 Watt and Red String Blade Lightsabers Both With Crystal Focus - YouTube

specs:
Main Blade string
108 3mm red LED's 2.5 v 50 ma max 45 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class III wiring 6x3

FOC string
70 3mm yellow 2.5 v 50 ma max 45 degree viewing angle
35 Inch blade


This red was the first string blade I made from start to end.
In tandem with this red blade, I made another one exactly like it.

Here are some build photos from the construction of the two red blades with yellow FOC:







The two main red blades I made side by side with a blade tube and foam:



And here is one of the main blades next to the FOC string.
You can see how the FOC string (on the right side) has a lesser density of LEDs than does the main string. We don't want to block too much of the light coming from the main string.


Here are both strings again (this time the main string is on the right side)


And one yellow FOC string tested in the tube:


My workspace with one of the red blades being tested:


A very nice almost 'blood red' color to these LEDs:





MULTI-SPECTRUM (F) STRING BLADE WITH COOL WHITE FOC #1 (SB#02)


Next I had the idea to try RGB changer LEDs inside a string blade.
Would it look like fire? Would it change in succession up the saber blade?
There were a lot of questions, some of which I'm still in the process of answering, as these LEDs can handle more voltage, and work optimally when powered more. That said, I need to remove my hilt side resistors to see the full effect of what these can do, as even at the highest CF LS drive setting of 1023 they still are not fully powered (because of my resistors currently in my Qui Flex test hilt). My friend on the forum Cad Bayne named this the 'Multi Spectrum Lightsaber blade with Dazzler Effect' because of the crazy way it looks and the white FOC makes your eyes 'dazzle' lol. Anyways, check out some videos of the way this one came out:

First Look:Multi-Spectrum RGB Lightsaber with Crystal Focus - YouTube

Multi-Spectrum Lightsaber String Blade - YouTube

Multi-Spectrum Lightsaber Blade in the Dark with Crystal Focus LS - YouTube

Multi Spectrum Lightsaber with Dazzler Effect - YouTube

Multi Spectrum RGB (F) Lightsaber String Blade Swinging - YouTube

Multi Spectrum RGB (F) Lightsaber String Blade Swinging II - YouTube

Multi Spectrum RGB (F) LED String Blade Lightsaber with Plecter Labs Crystal


This Multi Spectrum saber with iSaber running:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHSrC8p07HQ#ws

specs:
Main blade string
94 5mm Color Changing LEDs 30 degree viewing angle. IFM 40 ma 5v
Seriallel Class II
FOC string
64 Cool White IFM 100 ma 3.9 v 45 degree viewing angle
35 Inch blade


Since Hotwingz has said that 45 degree viewing angle LEDs work the best, and these RGB LEDs were 30 degree, I decided to take a risk and mount the LEDs in a different way to try and compensate:

It made it very difficult to get into the foam tube and into the blade (especially with the FOC strip in there, too  :)) ) but it paid off and it turned out great.
Here is a photo of the FOC string lit up by itself:




GREEN STRING BLADE WITH YELLOW FOC #1 (SB#03)


After the above was completed, I had to see what green looked like!

Here is what I started with, some 5mm 45 degree angle LEDs. Expensive, but very nice and bright.


Getting the nickel-plated connector on:


Gotta make the yellow FOC blade:


The yellow FOC blade for this saber:


Together with Green's sister, the FOC string, this blade is ready to be put in foam:


This saber looks flat-out REAL!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9keZpB2zBg#ws

Look! I'm Luke Skywalker!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZi8gnUvJTY#ws

New video 4/10/15:
MHS Compatible Green String Blade with Yellow Flash on Clash - YouTube

specs:
Main blade
108 5mm green LEDs 4v IFM 100 ma 45 degree viewing angle

Seriallel Class II 9 x 2
FOC strip
70 3mm yellow LEDs 2.5v 50 ma 45 degre viewing angle
35 Inch blade



BOYEGA BLUE STRING BLADE WITH WHITE FOC #1 (SB#04)


After I saw the green, I had to see what the blue was about!
I selected 360 degree 5mm blue LEDs for the main blade and white Makoto LEDs for the FOC.
I haven't seen anyone else use the 360 degree LEDs, but I'm really happy with the brightness and evenness of these.
A really nice hue as well:


And here is the strip being assembled:


The white FOC strip:


All done! Amazing brightness!


specs:
Main blade
108 5mm Boyega blue 3.2 v 100 ma 360 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class II 9 x 2
FOC string
71 White Makoto 3mm
35 Inch blade


This blue looks a bit purple or UV in some of these videos. In person, it is a pure, almost light blue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pAqRM3J-ao#ws

I love the way this looks in the dark:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmDGKW93X_M#ws

And her close-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOKX7InTSzE#ws



WHITE STRING BLADE WITH WHITE FOC #1 (SB#05)


And most recently completed, a pure white blade with white FOC.
This one looks incredible also, a true Imperial Knight!

Here is this blade under construction. The LEDs appear to be yellow, but in fact are actually pure white when they light up:



I'll dub this one "Imperial White":



Like the 'Foe Hammer', bright as daylight!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqWXr7IXOz8#ws

specs:
Main blade
107 5mm white 3.3 v 100 ma 360 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class II 8x2 with 9x2 on segment #6
FOC strip
71 3mm white Makoto LEDs
35 Inch blade


RED STRING BLADE WITH COOL WHITE FOC #1 (SB#06)


Here is the second red blade I've done. This one came out really, really nice. Very even and bright, and the FOC white is very impressive with the red. Here it is with all my lights on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-83cBYeEus#ws

And here it is with most lights off:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blFmqoGnuz8#ws

And a close up of the red blade:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzyAbMTM9Lg#ws



specs:
Main Blade
108 3mm red LEDs
Seriallel Class III wiring 6x3
FOC string
64 3mm cool white LEDs
33.5 inch blade

Check back here for these other combinations I will show soon:

-White 5mm main blade with yellow 3mm FOC string

-Green 5mm main blade with (green or red) 3mm FOC string

-Red 5mm main blade with (Red or White) 3mm FOC string

[eastern57]

Great post, Space!  Those look great, especially that white.

[Cad-Bayne]

Holy cow, that is a page of awesome information, thank you for posting this Space!!!

[Sethski]

Nice one - big thanks for sharing your work here, pleasing, interesting and really helpful reference point  :D

[LUMINARA UNDULI]

Awesome post Space!  Thanks so much for sharing 8).

[Timo]

Incredibly insightful post.  If this doesn't make you want a CFLS saber, I don't know what will....

Thanks for the insight!   8)

[Scorpion]

awsome thread space thanks for taking time to post i bet it took ages to type out,
wow that white blade is bright it looks like a 2" blade when powerd on

[scottjua]

Awesome man!!!!

Now, do you have any interest in making these for people?

[EXAR KUN]

Thank you for the kind words everyone!

It is very exciting building these. I cannot wait to see the next color combination and my mind is always a few steps ahead of what my hands can accomplish, hehe... I'm always thinking of the next one while concentrating on completing whichever one I am currently working on.  ;D


Check all the way at the end of the first post as I have added a new blade just completed tonight  8)
It's a red blade with white FOC and it might be the best one yet. Very even and a really nice FOC on this one.

Awesome man!!!!

Now, do you have any interest in making these for people?

Thanks Scott.

I'll have to check the rules for doing that as I'm not a guild member.

Perhaps I can post a completed one for sale in the Miscellaneous Items section and see if anyone wants it.

[Scorpion]

red and white is awesome, i new that would be a great contrast
love it

[EXAR KUN]

My latest string blade is the brightest ever:

COOL WHITE (SB #07)






I modified the DIN plug to take up less space:







VIDEOS:

Test #1: Lights On

Crystal Focus LS White Blade #2 Test #1 - YouTube

Test #2: Most Lights are Off

Crystal Focus LS White Blade #2 Test #2 Darker Room - YouTube

Test #3: Motion Test

Crystal Focus LS White Blade #2 Test #3 Darker Room Motion Test - YouTube

Test #4: Completely Dark Room

Crystal Focus LS White Blade Test #4: Completely Dark Room - YouTube



UPDATE 5/06/15:
This blade has been remade TWICE and is now brighter and badder than ever! I call this Thundarr's Sun Sword and I think you will see why:
Sun Sword Lightsaber String Blade - YouTube

specs:
Main Blade string
72 8mm Cool White LED's 3.3 v 100 ma max 360 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class II wiring 6x2

FOC string
none
35 Inch blade




RED STRING BLADE WITH RED FOC #1 (SB#08)


Progress Pics: The main blade is halfway done





Here is the main blade full segment test during the completion of the main blade 4th segment:



UPDATE 3/19/15
Full red FOC string complete with 3mm red LED's at 2.1 v (test not at full power):


BLADE COMPLETE 4/22/15
Right before foam installation:


Main blade
110 5mm red 2.5 v 50 ma 45 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class III 9x2 with 10x2 on segment #6 (angled and stacked for extra flare at the base)
FOC strip
68 3mm red45 degree viewing angle 2.5v
34.5 Inch blade



GREEN STRING BLADE WITH GREEN FOC #1 (SB#09)


Main green blade segment being tested:


The FOC string is complete:



Both blades (FOC and Main) wrapped together, wired up, ready for insertion into foam:




Testing segment #6 in this photo:



A video of this string blade testing in progress 4/19/15:
MHS Compatible Green String Blade in Progress - YouTube

This string is complete 4/19/15:


Green FOC is a different BIN of green, and you may notice this FOC green is Minty Green and the main blade is more Qui Gon green:


Some videos of this blade:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6L3POXLdsQ

MHS Compatible Green String Blade with Green FOC for CF LS - YouTube

MHS Compatible Green String Blade with Green FOC for CF LS - YouTube


Main blade
108 5mm green 4 v 100 ma 45 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class II 9x2
FOC strip
72 3mm green Makoto LEDs
34.5 Inch blade




PURPLE STRING BLADE WITH COOL WHITE FOC #1 (SB#10)


These purple LEDs have the wrong viewing angle so I have to modify them the Slothfurnace way:
Here you can see how they shipped to me on the left and some modified examples on the right side.
Time consuming, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.



UPDATE: 3/19/15
All LEDs are sanded down:


1/2 of a segment test:


Full segment test 3/31/15:


4/19/15: Connecting the DIN


Almost ready for install into foam, then inner blade, then outer blade:


4/20/15 Blade complete! It's beautiful!

FOC:


Video (shows some variable light conditions):
MHS Compatible Purple String Blade made for Crystal Focus LS - YouTube

Main blade
120 5mm purple 4 v 100 ma 15 degree viewing angle
Seriallel Class II 10x2
FOC strip
72 3mm white 45 degree viewing angle (not yet complete)
38.5 Inch blade

[JediWizard]

epic thread man, looking forward to the purple blade

[Scorpion]

EPIC BLADE!!! that white 8mm led blade is something else
best led strip blade thread ever

[EXAR KUN]

epic thread man, looking forward to the purple blade

Thank you! I'm waiting for some blade tubes and then I will complete the purple one and show pics of that.

EPIC BLADE!!! that white 8mm led blade is something else
best led strip blade thread ever

Thank you my friend :)
Yes, the 8mm white is crazy. My friend says it is like the 'Thundaar' sword of pure lightning, lol


Hey check out this video of the green blade in the snow:

Look at the slow motion part after 1:25 which I tried to slow down and show the blaster block Accubolt^TM effect for the first time.

Crystal Focus LS Green Saber String in The Snow - YouTube

My friend that taped this saw all the blades and said he thought this green one was flawless.
He says he thinks the second red blade with the white FOC is also one of the best looking along with the blue. The blue looks very 'laser beamish' to both of us. He says he also likes both whites, but the white 8mm is blinding to him and he says he cannot look at that one  8)

Here is a video of the green blade in daylight conditions:

Qui Gon Green String Blade in Daylight Conditions Crystal Focus LS - YouTube

[IronMan]

Space can you share where you are buying some of your materials? Like your LEDs from what website? Your foam diffuser and the 8 pin DIN plugs? Even some guides on how you install your 8 pin DINs? I have searched and searched for these steps and I feel like everyone leaves it out (trade secret?)