This saber was purchased by Jasher Kain a while ago but was coming back to Gemini Concepts for an LED swap. While in transit, Jasher had to off-load a few of his sabers and the Orion was sold to Aradian Valentine.
Since this saber was built, a lot has changed with Gemini Concepts and we wanted to improve this saber, without changing the design. (The Orion has always been one of my favorites 8) ). We've got a new Powdercoating system with a new purveyor of Powder Coats. These powders are stronger, more scratch resistant and all around a better PC than what is currently offer from PowderBuyThePound.com. Also, I'd like to think that my dremel skills get better with each saber so I wanted to re-do the rings and the shrouds.
I first disassembled the saber and started stripping off the old PC with a Powdercoat dissolver. It sits in the dissolver for a few days and then I soak them in Acetone for another 3 days. With a toothbrush and 1500 grit sandpaper, I clean off any left over debris.
Once cleaned, I prepped and PC'd the MHS & Custom MHS compatible pieces.
Then, it's off to the oven to cook for 20 minutes at 350 degree (F). The results... a deep, watery-looking gloss black. BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Next up, I've sanded down a chrome sinktube using my "Compression plug on a drill" method until it has a shiny brass finish and glued my "6line per inch" graph paper to it.
Then, I start cutting.
How about a few videos of the next few steps?
Cutting the ringsSanding the ringsPolishing the rings(I'll post these videos in my dremel tutorial in a few, so please disregard the redundancy)
Next up, using Two-Ton Epoxy to secure the rings to the ribbed choke section, cleaning the hilt and the US2.5 install. I'll probably tackle the rest next Saturday. ;)