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The S.A.B.E.R. GUILD: Saber Manufacturers => Plecter Labs => Plecter Labs Portfolio/Gallery => Topic started by: erv on April 11, 2010, 10:38:01 AM

Title: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 11, 2010, 10:38:01 AM
Special thanks and credits to Judge Sabersmith for helping on the design of this one. When I started the project, I had no CF in hands (that happens, believe me) and I decided to make a saber with "what I had in the fridge".

I found out that the MR 616 joe jedi could be a nice base for the starkiller, especially since I finally saw no reason to keep it in my saber collection.. Problem, I didn't want to get many overlays when using it as the main tube (JSS used a 1.25" one), so I chose to carv it to do the little grooves and rings.
Second problem, there are those $*รน^ lining grooves for the changeable shrouds, clamps and grip sections. I filled them with some good aluminium added epoxy from loctite, I wasn't sure JBWELD will stick properly.

So far so good. I "opened" the crystal chamber with the mill.

For the blade holder, I had a old anakin conversion kit. But I had to shorten it

(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller01.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller02.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller03.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller04.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller05.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller06.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller07.jpg)

This project will be great to test the copper PC I bought from PCBTP.

More pictures in below in the thread, but here's the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXj2-ZO0Bg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXj2-ZO0Bg)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 11, 2010, 10:42:37 AM
[3 months after the 1st post]

I decided to try to PC the parts, that's only my second job on it and it went great. I used the flat black and super copper from PBTP. Hot coating made it GAME. As expected the aluminium epoxy slightly shrinked so the grooves of the main tube are still there just a bit like a ghost line, but that's ok, the saber isn't supposed to be "clean"

PC was not just for experimenting. I wanted to have some "age resistant weathering" (tm ?   ;D). PC is really hard, and the great thing, it's solvent resistant. Makes weathering harder but when it's done, it's done, no chiping paint.

WIP pictures. I appologize, I don't have access to my SLR right now, creepy cellphone pics.
Still working on the outside, I need to make the control box and the rabbit ears. Then I'll finally move to the chassis to hold the MR616 board and speaker.

I was thinking about PC in copper the central rod that fakes holding the crystal. Thoughts ? Too much brass kills the brass, I thought a little copper reminder in the crystal chamber could be nice (?).

(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller08.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller09.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller10.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller11.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller12.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller13.jpg)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Jedi Yar Nala on April 11, 2010, 12:04:59 PM
Looking good Erv... can't wait to see the end product of this build log :)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: DARTH MAUL on April 11, 2010, 01:11:10 PM
I agree, looking real good, Erv. Making some good progress there :)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 11, 2010, 01:18:57 PM
thanks !
still have to find a solution to install the nice rubber grips I've found, but as usual rubber = don't stick. I have some Ideas I'll test soon for those.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Jin Ke on April 11, 2010, 02:27:33 PM
Looking great Erv!    ;D
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Jedi Gamma on April 11, 2010, 03:39:48 PM
Looking good, Starkillers is one of my favorite can't wait to see the end product.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Jasher Kain on April 11, 2010, 05:55:37 PM
Looks great, Erv. Ingenious use of the Joe Jedi. 8)
(may just have to borrow that idea...)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Senti Xamas on April 11, 2010, 09:57:22 PM
Very cool Erv. I love seeing all the different, yet similar starkiller variations.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 11, 2010, 11:18:51 PM
I definitly wanted to make slight mods, expecially because there's no "asolute" ref of that saber, so it's more about interpretation,

I also believe that it's great to be able to be creative on a saber, adding things that pleases you, like that reddish pearl insert close to the glass eye.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 15, 2010, 01:07:11 PM
some update, I got the control box done, found a old switch and added some screw toppings since this saber is all about screws...
I'm happy, I found a setting on my lux driver that matches almost perfectly the MR616 power up/down durations. The seoul P4 red is pretty bright, too late today to give it a real test.

The inside chassis is monolithic, quite a mess to make

Still have to make an hidden recharge port, paint the lateral port in black + install the graflex pins. Then the grips. I'm going with rubber, but not graflex T-track. I found something VERY nice but it's NOT curved under, so spousing the hilt it's going to be hard and I'll need to also screw the grips otherwise they will be gone in a couple of use.

(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller14.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller15.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller16.jpg)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: cannibal869 on April 15, 2010, 08:38:17 PM
Awesome stuff Erv!  This is going to be one EPIC saber build!

I'm gonna go pop some popcorn and watch this thread  :D ;)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: nartules on April 15, 2010, 08:50:21 PM
Why do I have a hunch that its going to be used to test the V5?  Awesome build erv, plus the step by step process can lend a hand to other's who were interested in building the saber.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 15, 2010, 10:33:26 PM
nope, this "what's left in the fridge" saber is using the MR616 board. That's my first MR board saber (aouch, don't hit there, that hurts !!!  ;) ). After some testing, I'm still searching where my aux button is  :-X
The crystal chamber is a modified avataar toy and it glows with the sound. I found out I could setup my luxeon driver board properly to match the power up/down durations of the MR board, then added a little bit of flicker too

It's ALIVE ! IT'S ALIVE !!!  ;D
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: QUI-GON JINN on April 15, 2010, 10:54:17 PM
Very cool,  erv!  That's turning out very nice!
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 21, 2010, 02:30:23 AM
99% done. Might have to rework / add some more weathering (I'm not good at that).

the chassis I hadn't posted. Crappy PVC but it worked after some sanding.
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/StarkillerChassis.jpg)

The powder coating, as expected, is really hard. Weathering required some steel files and a hobby knife, sand paper just makes the PC go muhahahaha.
I kept a simple and top side on/off switch, so it's not a bottom activator but well... it still works.
Gluing the grips was not easy at all, but it ended well. I added some screw to ensure they don't go off to fast.

The tiny kill key looks a bit ridiculous but I love it anyway. The recharge port is nicely hidden in the pommel, it's a plus since I'm having holes in the MR pommel, so saving a visible and big recharge port it nice.

Enjoy ! Video soon !

(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller17.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller18.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller19.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller20.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller21.jpg)
(https://www.plecterlabs.com/Media/Sabers/Starkiller/Starkiller22.jpg)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Jedi Yar Nala on April 21, 2010, 03:04:04 AM
And there you go... a Starkiller.. ERV style :)

Love the end product... and don't worry I think that your weathering looks great :)

The kill key... hey... it's yours... it has a nice charm... plus with it blue.. it matches the crystal.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: wookieecrisp on April 21, 2010, 06:39:53 AM
The Starkiller saber has been a favorite of mine for a long time. Beautiful Erv!
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: QUI-GON JINN on April 21, 2010, 06:40:52 AM
I see nothing "crappy"about that chassis erv!  It looks good!  Nice job on this one!
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 21, 2010, 07:32:26 AM
White Bench Time  ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXj2-ZO0Bg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxXj2-ZO0Bg)
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: DARTH MAUL on April 21, 2010, 07:53:28 AM
That turned out great, Erv. Not a thing about it I don't like and makes a very good representation of the starkiller saber.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Smokiewan on April 21, 2010, 08:13:49 AM
Monsieur Erv, vous avez un Starkiller magnifique! Je pense que votre travail est dirige par dieu. J'espere un jour nous ferons des affaires.

Translation:

Mister Erv, you have a magnificent Starkiller there. I think your work is guided by a higher power. I hope one day that we'll be able to do business.

MTFBWYA dude.
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: erv on April 21, 2010, 08:26:20 AM
high powered indeed,
18650 li-ion cell in this one  ::)

thx !
Title: Re: Starkiller
Post by: Avvatar on August 18, 2010, 09:33:00 AM
The crystal chamber is a modified avataar toy and it glows with the sound.

It's ALIVE ! IT'S ALIVE !!!  ;D


Wait, wut?! You're putting ME in your Starkiller's Crystal Chamber?!?!?!   I'm not quite sure how I feel about that....

At first I was like  :-\

but then I LOL'd  :D