TOPIC: Forsaken - Sith Relic FINISHED

Story:

I had been working on a design for an MHS saber that would have made use of a shroud along with variegated copper leaf for gilding. I was set to pull the trigger and order parts when I saw OvrcHast's Forsaken staff and how striking the brass/golden accents he put on it looked. So I ended up taking some of the design concepts for the MHS saber and applying them around the Forsaken with the idea that the Variegated copper would also create a very striking look.

The resulting idea shifted from what was going to be a Jedi Relic type saber to a Sith Relic saber. I expanded on the idea further and have decided to add some etching into the design as well.

So here's what we will be playing with:

HILT: Forsaken V2
LED: X4 star in Pr/Pr/Pr/W
SOUND: Spark2
POWER: 18650 Li-Io with Recharge Port
CONTROL: Single Black anodized Red Ring AV switch 12mm

The Process:

1. Sand and strip off the weathering for desired look - Lower body section stripped clean, neck stripped clean with accents, Emitter also stripped clean with accents
2. Etch the Lower body section - design is still in progress - Right now leaning towards doing the Sith Code around the two hilt bands
3. inlay the Variegated copper leaf and gold leaf - working on the etchings first, then the neck and crown
4. clear coat
5. build chassis for battery and Spark2 (may also just use a Goth chassis)
6. wiring everything up - LED on switch will go to accent pad for blinking effects

Some notes and observations:

HILT: Got it delivered yesterday and it is a pretty awesome looking hilt as is. The crown emitter on the thin neck is really striking in person. The V2 weathering is IMO way too much. But, it's always easier to strip it off than put it back on.

Kill Key: The kill key SF sent didn't have the center hole drilled all the way, it sticks halfway out, will have to drill it myself. Seems like a simple thing to check before shipping...

Parts delivery: Waiting on most of the parts still, Spark 2 is sold out till next week sometime, only thing I didn't order already. I ordered the Hilt from Etsy and man do they ship fast. 4 business days and it was in hand.

So here's a little teaser



Working on stripping down the hilt and lightening up the weathering.

PICS UPDATE

She's out in the garage drying with a coat of clear coat

Final Pics and Video.



PICS:

You don't need to take all that time sanding... grill cleaner from Home Depot strips that anodizing right off. I turned a black reliant into a silver reliant in 5 minutes.

The one I used was called " easy off" and it came in a yellow spray can. Cost less than 10 bucks.

Burns3558 wrote:
I may try that, need to do a Lowes run anyway and pick up a couple 6 volt batteries for the etching. I don't want to strip the whole thing, need to leave some of it in place, so might try it on lower body portion but go the good ole manual route for the neck and emitter.

Burns3558 wrote:
Awesome tip. Thanks!

You can also spray it on a rag and wipe the weathering off leaving anodizing in the recessed areas to give it a naturally weathered look like you would with acrylic.

I made a trip to Lowes and they did not have Easy Off - I wonder if that's a Home Depot only product? I'll give them a try this weekend.

Update: I was playing around with seeing how the Sith code might fit on the hilt with the etching and it's looking like the lettering would be so small that it wouldn't work with what I have planned. So, I think instead i'm going to get out the ole concept art books and take a look at some Sith "Markings" or other Dark side inspired items that would translate well into an Etch. I'm thinking something perhaps along the lines of Maul's Tattoos.

Just head down the cleaning supplies aisle next time you're getting groceries from wherever.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/EASY-OFF-Heavy-Duty-Oven-Cleaner-14.5-oz/25162098

They have it at lowes. It's with all the cleaning products.

Ahhh... See I was down the grill supplies section...... I have to stop back at Lowes this weekend anyway, so I'll check the good ole cleaners section.

Kouri wrote:
OHHHH THAT SUFF!!!

I thought it was some special "grill cleaner". Yeah that's just standard oven cleaner.

Good to know. Thanks guys.

UPDATE:

Been working on a few designs for the etching, here's a sample of one of the concepts:

If you need any more inspiration, here's a piece of concept art for a Sith temple, showing engraved markings: http://img.lum.dolimg.com/v1/images/reb_ca_1510_0012b1ec.jpeg

I was considering a similar concept design. I love the idea of the red recessed design, right now I have something in the works that's sort of a cross between the sketch above and these temple markings.

Nice drawing. It will look good etched on.

UPDATE:

Finally got shipping confirmation on the last parts, so I expect delivery by early next week at the latest. I have one last little thing to do on a commissioned saber and then I can get to work on this guy. Hoping to get the etching sometime this week.

UPDATE:

Etching underway...

So, I wanted an ancient look to it, so rather than using vinyl decals or transfer for the etching which ends up having very sharp points and crisps lines, I instead hand painted the stencil using oil based paint. This has the added benefit of not having perfectly crisp lines to begin with, but the paint starts to wear away as it sits in the bath and the etch comes out looking like something that has seen many, many years....

Few more minutes and it will be ready to come out of the bath and get cleaned up.