TOPIC: Vindicator and Maelstrom

May I introduce to you Vindicator and Maelstrom:

I am new to high-end sabers, and these are my first ones. They are both empty ASP hilts (initiate tier), and I will be saving up to get electronics later. I will comment on each one separately below.

I was getting impatient with the saber shop going live and I think I got in at the very end of the Indigogo campaign. Here is the what it looked like in the ASP Builder:



I chose the following componets:
- Avenger Emitter (standard)
- Vigilant Switch (black)
- Body 7 (standard)
- Pommel 9 (black)
- Blade Plug 6 (black)

Here is what I received:






I also received a set of timing shims, two black button hole covers, and an allen wrench. Since it was just an empty hilt, it all came in a rectangular box. I ordered it on Monday 7/18/16 and got it within two weeks (7/29/16). I've added a couple of buttons for the time being from www.dripp3d.com. I really like the red button and that will probably stay. I'm thinking the other hole would best be used for a recharge port, but I'm going to have to learn about electronics and soldering before that can happen. I've got a little more fine tuning to get all of the parts lined up perfectly, but otherwise I love it!

Great use of Parts and designed assembly is aesthetically pleasing. Well Done. Bookmarked and looking forward to a continued following as it comes.

Wow , spectacular sabers SnowDog

After receiving Vindicator and then getting the 15% off Indigogo coupon, I couldn't resist and I ordered another saber hilt, just this time off of the live ASP site. I was looking for a darker saber, and this is what I came up with on the ASP Builder:



The parts I chose were:
- Mauler emitter (weathered)
- Gladius switch (weathered)
- Sorcerer body (weathered)
- Pommel 8 (weathered)
- Blade Plug 1 (weathered)

This is what I received:






I also ordered a set of timing shims. I was expecting to get everything in another shipping box, but the parts came in a padded envelope with each part individually bubble wrapped. I did not receive an allen wrench with my order, but since I already got one with Vindicator I'm not going to complain. I ordered this (empty hilt) on a Sunday (7/31/16) and it also came within two weeks (received on 8/12/16). This hilt is definitely beefier than the Vindicator hilt, but not too heavy. I'm kind of digging the copper switch that I currently have inserted, but I may get a brass switch to see how that looks. Here are a couple of additional pics:






A couple of comments...I have seen people talk about getting weathered ASP pieces with different colored weathering. I have a similar issue, but I'm not sure if I will do anything about it since it's not a major issue. The bottom section of the emitter looks to be a slightly lighter shade of weathering than the other parts. I don't think it looks blue, but let me know what you think:



One other issue. Alignment between the body and the Gladius switch section may be an issue. The shims need to be placed on the threaded section of the Gladius switch. The problem is that the outer diameter of the threads are almost the same diameter as the choke section of the switch section (see below):



If the shim is totally centered on the part, it can get pushed over the choke section when tightened securely. I might try to find a rubber o-ring that fits better...

Thanks for the warm reception of the saber designs! Cheers!

Sweetness! Vindicator is absolutely gorgeous, and Maelstrom is the perfect balance of being clearly "Sithy" yet understated.

Very nice designs and sabers! I like them! You have a Sith saber and a Jedi saber!

On the weathering, I actually don't think it looks that out of place with the slightly different finish. Weathering in "reality" is not even, different parts get exposed to war and elements differently.

Congratz again!

Really nice sabers, congrats! Maelstrom turned out particularly cohesive.

These parts go together very well! I will be watching your progress on finishing out these builds with great interest!

Congrats!

These two just look like they go together. Great job adding your own touches as well! Very nice!

Great looking sabers SnowDog! Man these ASP sabers are turning out fantastic! Congrats & Enjoy!

Thank you, everyone, for you kind words. I've been a fan of Star Wars for a long time, but I never felt the need to buy a traditional (canon) saber. However, once SF rolled out their ASP line where you could design your own saber with cool components (i.e., not all generic looking) at a relatively reasonable price, I was hooked. I love that you can take parts from totally different sabers, put them together, and come out with a new design that looks like it was meant to go together.

Hopefully I'll pull some money together by the end of the year to get electronics for these hilts. But its hard when you have a family and also need to save funds for the occasional bottle of Scotch! I'm thinking I'll use a green LED for Vindicator and either a red or blood orange LED for Maelstrom.

Those look excellent! I could see the Vindicator at home in the prequel trilogy, and the Maelstrom in the sequel trilogy (it kind of reminds me of the top section of Rey's staff.)