2nd scratch built custom saber build log

[jbkuma]

but enthusiastic to follow where it wants go...

That's the spirit! Can't wait!

[jeremy.g]

Nice creative thinking on the bend!  Looking forward to seeing more.

Keep it up!

-Jeremy

[Sethski]

Cheers guys!

Slowed right down with this and been trying to put in a regular bit of time to chip away at it.

On the positive front, I have been pushing myself to work out more challenging processes as I go along with this build, which takes time and involves a fair few botches before things working out     

Mocked up parts for pommel with the grip so far for a few photos.

Plan to make the faces above the piston/greebly assembly have a 'faux reveal' type thing - mill a channel/hole/slot a scratch build a detail 'insert plate' on each side.

And a shallow round piece on the face below this on each side.

And the whole thing will be tidied up and then quite heavily weathered before the parts are assembled semi-permanently...

Will share more as there' stuff to share.

[Sethski]

Made some more cuts in the pommel (same on other side) - the rounded rectangle at the top will be undercut round the edges with small t-slot milling tool (cheapy from aliexpress, so hope it doesn't take too long to turn up) and have reveal-type detail inserted into it.

The circular bit will have a piece made to sit in it.

[Sethski]

Started on the inserts for the circular holes in the bottom part of the pommel and took some more photos with them and other parts in progress so far mocked up (although realised after that I forgot to include the still-blank-for-now back plate and the red cabochons. Meh).

Pleased with how they're looking so far...

[Sethski]

Another minor update to build...

I've cut down some razor foil/covers, for side pieces, which was awkward (having checked in with ARKM and Darkside Engineering who make the razor blade plugs to get their OK, it being their idea and the plugs part of their business). After initial breakage while drilling, waiting on more for the other side.

I also made the central inserts for the same side pieces, which I'm happy with, and started to break up the flat surface/shape of the back plate before starting to add detail to it.

Pic below of mocked up parts (with a 50p for scale)...

[Master Cram-Fu]

That is V cool.

[Sethski]

Thanks Master Cram-Fu!

Pics below of a bit more incremental progress.

Smoothed out the body, made thin sound slots in back plate, did undercuts for the top recesses (relieved that went OK), started making inserts for the top recesses.

Next is to smooth off rough finish on some parts, do some assembly testing of everything with set screws and some drilling and tapping for remaining bits on that front, then start making some small details for back plate and recesses with small brass rod and tube and other miscellaneous little bits...

[Sethski]

Have a bit of spare time, so started making some greeblies for detail on rear of pommel and for pommel 'faux reveal' inserts. Mostly went with making parts from brass tube so they can slide on to 1mm and 2mm brass rod to allow a modular/adjustable approach as I go along. Also good practice for more parts later as (vague) plan is to make front end of saber partly stripped back/'skeletal'/reveally...

[Sethski]

More detail/greeblie noodling. Pipe/conduit and connectors mocked up, ready to weather and put together properly. The 'conduit' is from a train model shop place, the brass ends are made from 3mm brass rod and the angle bits from a small bit of square aluminium rod, the brass circles they're sat on are just little brass washers.

[Sethski]

Another incremental update. Started detailing the back panel of pommel with the brass 'pipes', greeblies, and a custom retention screw thingy. Mocked up for now while still working on it. Will be filling in blank spaces to make it look a bit denser/busier/detailed...





 

[Greenie]

Ah man, what are you doing Seth? That is gorgeous. I could stare at that pommel all day.   

[EXAR KUN]

Oh my... I just fell in love...

beautiful work. It's so in universe. I can die now.

[Greebles]

Amazing work. Really like the small intricate details you are achieving.

-Denzil

[Morannon]

That weathering brings even MORE depth. Impresses more and more with every picture.