Funny you should ask - an update was indeed planned for this week.
With the exception of the grip bars, the rear half section is complete. And yes, those are numbered covertechs. With the exception of the rear grip bars, the back half is more or less finished in terms of machining. The rear grip half, covertech, two different insert versions, knurl section and front band are done. All I have on the box section is the base box completed. The blade holder, heatsink, chassis mount, spring plate and threaded rods are also finished. IN progress I have the blade and hero necks and blade and hero emitter ends. I have the brass hero emitter detail started. I made a test front half this past weekend as I need it to test fitment of some of the next parts. And just for the record, in that first picture, there are already over 1300 parts for 72 sabers sitting there. My biggest frustrations so far has been that the milling work takes so much longer than turning work. At one point, I had 8 different parts turned and waiting for time on the mill. And with the remaining parts, there will be a whole lot more mill time needed on these. I don't even want to think about how long it's going to take to mill 420+ grip bars.
Up next, after the first of the year (taking a break here for Christmas next week) I will start mill work on the hero and blade necks and emitter parts and start turning the copper eye and copper button bases, bezels and buttons. After those, I will most likely do the remaining box parts, then the ears and wrap up with the grip bars.
No, I do not have a time frame, so please don't ask. I am working on them, but 72 sabers with this much mill work is taking a long time to complete (for example, 4 and a half weekends just to turn and mill the rear grip sections alone).
Oh, and because someone will ask:
