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FX-Sabers Discussion - Including a Gallery of custom sabers. => Saber Modifications & Customs => Topic started by: Darth Chasm on May 06, 2016, 10:52:10 PM

Title: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Darth Chasm on May 06, 2016, 10:52:10 PM
I thought I’d share with the community, mostly new peeps, some of the sources that I’ve come across along my saber building path that I’ve found useful. Some are common, some are maybe not so common and most if not all are interesting and valuable.

While several of these things are mentioned in other places, I wanted to include them in this list anyway. No harm in finding good info/resources in more than one spot.

SOURCES FOR GREEBLES, CRYSTAL CHAMBER BITS, & OTHER STUFF

Scale/Simulated Hardware
Model Motorcars recently took over Scale Hardware.
The tiniest bolts, nuts, rivets etc you'll ever see. Really cool for tiny chamber design elements.
Small Parts & Hardware ? Model Motorcars (https://model-motorcars.myshopify.com/collections/small-parts-hardware/nuts)

Tattoo Machine Parts Supply Shops
(google for your local or online options. I’ve bought from monster steel once or twice.)
Great for screws, thumb screws, washers, and little bits and bobs in simple or ornate styles and uncommon finishes like brass and copper
1/2" Copper Fancy Thumb Screw Turn 8-32 Tattoo Machine Part (https://www.monstersteel.com/products/1-2-copper-fancy-thumb-screw-turn-8-32-tattoo-machine-part) Baltimore Street Irons - 3/8 Knurled Brass Set Screw 8-32 Thread (https://www.monstersteel.com/products/baltimore-street-irons-3-8-knurled-brass-set-screw-8-32-thread)

Lamp Parts
(google for your local or online options.)
Another great source for screws/thumb screws.
8/32 Brass Ball-Head Thumb Screws 20883 | Antique Lamp Supply (http://www.antiquelampsupply.com/product/2268_832-brass-ball-head-thumb-screws) http://www.mylampparts.com/Departments/SCREWS/THUMB-SCREWS.aspx (http://www.mylampparts.com/Departments/SCREWS/THUMB-SCREWS.aspx)

McMaster-Carr (US Shipping Only) McMaster-Carr (http://www.mcmaster.com/)
From tools to raw materials. Seriously, if you can’t find what you need here there’s a good chance it doesn’t exist. Among everything else they have, there are tons of options for washers and round shims which make great chamber pieces.

K&S Metals Home - K & S Precision Metals: Full Line Metal Specialists (http://www.ksmetals.com/)
For all your hobby metal needs including tubes rods and sheets in brass, copper, aluminum and steel. You can usually find their rack in an art supply or hobby shop. I’ve also been able to find limited supply in my local Rainbow/Ace Hardware.
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft649%2FDarthChasm%2FMisc%2Fth_tubes_zps7eq4hxfb.jpg&hash=923b59ad436f3ef93352c4ff6f9f3354626993d8) (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/tubes_zps7eq4hxfb.jpg.html)

Helpful Tools for K&S products
• Tubing benders. These are coiled springs in various sizes that aid in bending hollow tubes without crimping.
• Mini Tube Cutter for small diameter tubing.
• Wire Forming Tool or Jig. Great for bending solid rods into many different shapes. I use one for making d-rings and bent chamber rods.
• Precision Razor Saw and Hobby Miter Box. Perfect for 45 degree cuts.

Jewelry Supplies
(find in most craft/hobby/art stores like Michael’s) Sounds weird and you may not think to look there but…
Prefect for little metal accents like beading eyelets/rivets, crimps, clamps and metal wires in brass, copper, steel, aluminum and some even colored if that’s your need. I recently used some of these things to create conduit like tubing for my crystal chamber. Much easier to source and cheaper than real mini flexible conduit. Also used some of the smaller eyelets for accent led bezels
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft649%2FDarthChasm%2FMisc%2Fth_eylets_zpsobzdk9ic.jpeg&hash=f666c52665e4352ba5912de7354b5f496f81d38d) (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/Misc/eylets_zpsobzdk9ic.jpeg.html)
(https://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft649%2FDarthChasm%2FDCLS-004%2FIMG_0959_zpsiwj3s3qr.jpg&hash=3e6450dc73c6ba97ed75e843110ee39f81115301) (http://s1318.photobucket.com/user/DarthChasm/media/DCLS-004/IMG_0959_zpsiwj3s3qr.jpg.html)

The Good Old Stand By’s: Plumbing Supplies and Old Electronics
Plumbers have some nifty little doodads and your old electronics are treasure troves of found parts, don’t trash em.



FINSHING & WEATHERING
In my opinion props shouldn’t look like they came straight out of the factory. Whether you go heavy or light, give it some life and character!

ARKM’s Salt Water Etching Tut ARKM's Saltwater Etching Tutorial (http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?13430-ARKM-s-Saltwater-Etching-Tutorial)
Great step by step instructions.

Eastern57’s Olive Oil Baking Weathering tutorial (w/olive oil) (http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?6292-Weathering-tutorial)
Another great step by step.

DIY Anodizing Without Acid http://www.observationsblog.com/sciencetechnologyexperiments/anodizing-and-dying-aluminum-without-battery-acid
I’ve done it. It works. It’s safe(ish). FYI I’ve found that professional grade dyes work much better than the fabric dyes.

Here’s a helpful calculator…you’ll understand after reading the tut. 720 Rule Anodizing Calculator (http://www.ndhsubmersiblescience.com/ano/720rule.html)

Patinas
• Sophisticated Finishes has a great line of patina/antiquing solutions for all types of metals to produce green & blue patinas on your red metals and rust on your ferrous metals. Sophisticated Finishes (http://www.patina.com/)


• Sculpt Nouveau also has a great line of products http://www.sculptnouveau.com/index.cfm (http://www.sculptnouveau.com/index.cfm)

Artist Inks for Washes Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Water-Resistant Artists Ink - BLICK art materials (http://www.dickblick.com/products/daler-rowney-fw-acrylic-water-resistant-artists-ink/)
They are acrylic based paints that are watered down to an ink like consistency and you can add more water if needed. I usually stick to black and sepia.

Rub 'N Buff Rub 'n Buff® Wax Metallic Finish (http://www.michaels.com/rub-n-buff-wax-metallic-finish/M10183569.html)
Metallic wax finish in a variety of colors that dries hard. Good for grit and grime.

Lastly…
Don’t be afraid to take a hammer, a file, stones, chains, whatever to the hilt if you want some “wear and tear”



SOURCES OF INSPIRATION & LEARNING
Even if you don’t have machines, like me, some of these are just fun to watch and you may learn something that you can adapt for the shop set up you have.

The Madcow TCSS Videos Of Course TheCustomSaberShop - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCustomSaberShop/videos)

Eastern57’s Machining Without Machines Machining without machines (http://www.fx-sabers.com/forum/index.php?topic=37406.0)
Yep Eastern57 makes the list again. Hey the guy’s good.

mrpete222 (Tubalcain) mrpete222 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/mrpete222/videos)
Retired high school shop teacher that has hundreds of shop videos. Tons of machining, fabrication, casting etc.

Clickspring https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCworsKCR-Sx6R6-BnIjS2MA/videos
Clock maker and machinist

Tested Tested - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/testedcom/videos)
Especially for Adam Savage’s One Day Builds

Punished Props (Bill Doran) Punished Props - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/punishedprops/videos)
Does a lot of molding and casting stuff. Use your imagination.

The Ben Heck Show The Ben Heck Show - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/thebenheckshow/videos)
Electronics and DIY based. Yeah, it’s a bit goofy, but some of the things he makes are pretty interesting.

Well, there it is. Hope some of this helps. I'll add to the list as more things come along or if I remember something I've forgotten.

Feel free to list anything interesting or uncommon that you've come across in the comments.
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Derro Kuspin on May 07, 2016, 12:55:41 AM
Thank you!  :azn:
This is a great collection of tips and sources - I suppose, even for experienced sabersmiths (though I don't count myself among this group yet  :wink:)...

This should be made sticky!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Greenie on May 07, 2016, 06:11:15 AM
Nice one DC. You've done the research for everyone, maybe making things too easy  :wink: but you've created a great resource and I agree, it should be sticky.  :storm:
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: TheBaconWizard on May 07, 2016, 10:25:30 AM
A really handy resource, thank you :)
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: SirRawThunderMan on May 07, 2016, 01:21:39 PM
Awesome list, man, thanks from this Padawan!

And it's nice to know other folks watch Adam Savage's One Day Builds. I tend to listen to his Still Untitled podcast while I'm building stuff.
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: oswaldkefo on May 30, 2016, 06:37:57 PM
This list is fantastic and incredibly helpful. I bookmarked this because I know I'll be referencing it a lot.
Thank you!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Oldroof on June 09, 2016, 04:39:38 AM
Thank you so much !! I'm going to refer your kindly lists!!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Darth Chasm on January 26, 2017, 08:55:44 PM
EDIT: Removed Scale Hardware from the list. They shut down and I have yet to find something comparable. If anyone knows of anything please feel free to comment
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Darth Chasm on March 17, 2017, 03:37:48 PM
Model Motorcars recently took over Scale Hardware. First post updated. Link provided.  :cool:
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Ashla on January 01, 2018, 04:53:25 PM
These are some very cool sources! Thank you! Also, on the model motorcar website, everyone should check out "The Duchess" the craftsmanship is simply inspiring!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: IneptAphid on February 06, 2018, 05:21:45 PM
I would also suggest people check out sites and shops that sell vintage cameras. Obviously we are all familiar with Graflex pieces etc, but old cameras are a treasure trove of useful buttons and switches, dials and lenses-all of which work wonderfully for saber customization. As well as that old camera lenses and flashes often came in great little tan or brown leather pouches-which are absolutely perfect for adding to Jedi style utility belts.
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: djmehs on August 24, 2018, 12:56:28 PM
The thumb screws are exactly the type of thing I've been looking for but unable to find! This thread is EXTREMELY helpful to me! Thanks for this!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: Darth Chasm on August 25, 2018, 09:06:03 AM
The thumb screws are exactly the type of thing I've been looking for but unable to find! This thread is EXTREMELY helpful to me! Thanks for this!

Glad you found it helpful!
Title: Re: A Few Things I’ve Picked Up Along The Way
Post by: prnavy888 on November 16, 2018, 06:00:59 PM
Awesome and helpful consolidation... thanks.  Gonna bookmark this thread for quick reference.