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FX-Sabers Discussion - Including a Gallery of custom sabers. => New Ideas and Technologies => Topic started by: ShadyCanuck on February 02, 2015, 11:12:26 AM

Title: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: ShadyCanuck on February 02, 2015, 11:12:26 AM
Has anyone ever tried to source a 7/8" thick walled (1/8" thick) dueling blade?

TCSS sells the thin walled (1/16" thick) 7/8" OD blade, but in my experience these don't stand up very well to dueling.  I understand that the trade off would be reduced illumination, but that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to avoid ruining a blade each and every time.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: LUMINARA UNDULI on February 02, 2015, 11:32:47 AM
As far as I know, there is no one currently making them.  You'd have to have a custom tip done and you would essentially be reducing your ID to the same ID as a 3/4" blade has.  Certainly doable but definitely even more light reduction.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: Caine on February 02, 2015, 01:17:29 PM
I personally have never had a problem dueling with 7/8" blades. My blades are 28" from top to bottom, so because of their length that may explain it. Also, if you can get nylon that seems to work better. Contact GENERAL GRIEVOUS and see if he has some. They are more expensive, but are well worth it IMO.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: ShadyCanuck on February 03, 2015, 07:01:47 AM
I've never used a nylon blade, but if it can handle heavy dueling better than polycarbonate then I'd like to check it out.  I'll follow up with LDM.

More on the 7/8" heavy grade blades: I've got a possible source for the  .625 x .875 blade stock (thank you ARKM).
POLYCARBONATE TUBE - CLEAR - .625 x .875 x 96 clear polycarbonate tubing (http://www.interstateplastics.com/Polycarbonate-Clear-Tube-POLCE.php?&sku=POLCE&vid=201108191616-2p&kitoptionpk=515&qty=1)

And blade film from TCSS can be used for blade diffusion.

So that just leaves the tips.  Does anyone know a company that produces .625 x .875 blade tips?  I don't believe these are being sold anywhere right now, so this might have to be a small production run.  But I'm thinking whoever currently produces tips for 7/8" thin walled blades could easily produce a run for thick walled blade.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: cvsickle on February 03, 2015, 09:23:00 AM
Nylon is not nearly as strong as polyc and shouldn't be used for dueling as far as I'm aware.  It just looks better.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: Caine on February 03, 2015, 01:09:21 PM
Nylon is not nearly as strong as polyc and shouldn't be used for dueling as far as I'm aware.  It just looks better.

Have you used it? Or are you basing on what you heard?

I HAVE used it many a time and had no issues. I don't gorilla duel, but I don't hit super light either. From experience in saber combat (oh, just 8 years, lol) I have tried pretty much every single blade type there is, and when I say that nylon is safe, I know what I am talking about.  ;)

Nylon blades don't give that "light in the tube" effect like polcarb does, so the look is indeed different. Both are equally cool.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: WookieeGunner on February 03, 2015, 01:12:18 PM
Has anyone looked at Shapeways Frosted Ultra Detail Plastic as a possible tip material?

Frosted (Ultra) Detail Plastic 3D Printing Material Information - Shapeways (https://www.shapeways.com/materials/frosted-detail-plastic)
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: ANAKIN SKYWALKER on February 03, 2015, 01:17:50 PM
it would likely shatter.  That material isn't very strong at all.  it's not "that" hard to lathe a custom tip from polycarbonate, but no one wants to pay $25 for a blade tip. 
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: WookieeGunner on February 03, 2015, 04:36:26 PM
Ok.  Most of my shapeways stuff has been for masters to make resin costume pieces from so I haven't looked too closely at the material strength.
Title: Re: 7/8" thick walled dueling blade?
Post by: Psab Keel on February 14, 2015, 12:39:27 PM
Nylon 6/6 is way more durable than people think it is.  Polycarbonate is the standard in blade material , but Nylon 6/6 is better in my opinion.