I may have taken leave of my sanity, but things have resulted.

[numb3r_5ev3n]

Warning: this post is going to have a lot of images, so I'm cutting it now.



So, in a previous post I talked about how, when I have some spare cash, one of the things I tend to do is try and pick up a new technical skill.

One of the things that I have always wanted to learn is basic electronics. However, the way things generally shook out, I didn't have the time/money to devote to it, until recently. A friend helped me out with some tips and tools and a basic practice kit. (One of the LEDs is not coming on, I'll fix it eventually.)



After this, I moved on to something maybe less complicated but closer to my interests: I made a hecking stunt lightsaber (a lightsaber without sound, one that just lights up.)

I made the hilt out of schedule 40 PVC (1 inch and 1-1/4 inch.) I spray painted it dark metallic grey.




I then started on the basic electronics, following this tutorial by Jay-Gon and this Youtube tutorial from Genesis Custom Sabers on behalf of The Custom Saber Shop.



I wired the LED,



Then connected it to the buckpuck (a voltage regulator, which I am using instead of a resistor because it will let me use any battery situation I want) and then to the switch and a 9 volt battery snap (I know there are issues with using 9v batteries: the buckpuck will protect the LED, and I can attach it to a AAA battery pack later if I want.) Then I ran a battery test:



I don't have any pics of my stuffing the electronics into the saber; because crap, that was a pain in the ass.

However, I now have the finished product:





I made a hecking lightsaber.



Current Mood:

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Comments

[sabotabby]

You're a wizard! A space wizard! Seriously, that's rad as fuck.

[flamingsword]

I didn’t know you made the handle, too! That is even more impressive, now.

[numb3r_5ev3n]

Thanks! (I had issues with the hilt that caused a slight panic: I think I fixed it now. But the electronics are working!)