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Topic:
LED Blade Q and A's
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aoifrost
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
2/29 1:39am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
- Date Edited:
2/29 1:45am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
aoifrost
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Okay, that is simply amazing!!
Does anyone know which LED Flashlight he used specifically, where to buy it, and MSRP? 
EDIT: Think this one looks like a winner? http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/lights/8db4/
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erv
Registered:
Oct '05
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Date Posted:
3/6 10:20pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Jedi-Loreen posted:
[color=darkblue]There aren't any tutorials for making the blades for LED sabers, because there doesn't need to be. There isn't much to it.
well, I'll slightly moderate that in a sense that building a blade, just like the rest about sabers, is like grandma recipes. You can listen and even look around to *try* to see / understand how it works, when you try yourself following the instructions, you don't get the expected result.
There are many "tricks" to consider when building a blade, I did my best to summerzise that in this tutorial
HERE
my blades are *slightly* different (sometimes refered as "Erv' Style" by a few people  ) but this tutorial can easily be adapted to the parts you guys have in the US. Two schools about outside diffusion : ultra blades and some TCSS based ones leave the outside of the Polycarbonate blade polished and shinny, personnally I unpolish it by sanding it in a special way. This way "cleanning" the blade is only sanding, and it's easier and cheaper than trying to polish and hide the marks and scratches resulting of a duel (especially knowing that some practice duelling... with trees  ). Plus it improves light diffusion.
In any case, feel free to comment this tutoriel online on the website if you like it (or not). It covers more than "just building a blade", however some info starts to be outdated, I have to clean up my PDF files.
On another note, I'm not posting very much here, new position, looking for a new house and... soldering Crystal Focus Boards.
Since we're close, here's a little pic (thanks to novastar for proposing me the inspiring little text at the back of the pic)
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----------------------------------------------------------- http://www.plecterlabs.com Saber Supplies in France
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GreytaleNovastar1138
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/11 4:53am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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I would have to agree with Erv regarding blades. Especially on making a blade that is very evenly lit. Thankfully, folks like Eandori are making some headway on that concept... that is, making a bit of a "how to" video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VyJVyRDm0Y4
Additionally, there is the EXTREMELY important concept that Erv mentions regarding people who want "shiny" blades. True, good for "looking nice"--bad for diffusion. Now it is true that I do not *technically* sand my own blades... but... they actually "sand themselves". Yes, that's right, if you duel with your saber enough (say, as much as I have), your blade will LITERALLY begin to diffuse itself. It is definitely a good reason why my Flange III sabers look very nice when compared next to the Hyberblades:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=k5Ws91SGpDA
...as some of you have seen. Anyhow, those blades have ONLY the "gift wrap" style film in them, but do not contain any of the Corbin "coring" film. In addition, I place reflective tape at the base of the blade where it can't be seen by a viewer because it is into the blade mount area (usually about 2" at the least), and naturally, I use a mirrored tip.
I would also like to raise the point of the Lux community needing a good LED saber building tutorial video, or really a chain of videos detailed by some step-by-step processes... well, it's true, that might be pretty cool. We'll see how that goes...
Oh, and for those that didn't know... check it out:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L0cWMLMyOr8
Crazy!! 
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Greybaine
Registered:
Dec '07
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Date Posted:
3/17 12:23am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Hey, has anyone made a list of the best diffuseres? I was wondering if anyone had tried something like waxpaper for a diffuser, I thought of the idea while watching a movie with japanese lanterns in it. Also does anyone know what is used behined the LCD screen in the older cell phones. It's some kind of diffusing film.
Anyways, IT'S BEEN TO BLEED'N QUIET ON HERE!!!!!!
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It puts the lotion on it's skin, or it gets the hose again.
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GreytaleNovastar1138
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/17 1:36pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Dang!
(as seen in previous post) I would have to agree with Erv regarding blades. Especially on making a blade that is very evenly lit. Thankfully, folks like Eandori are making some headway on that concept... that is, making a bit of a "how to" video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VyJVyRDm0Y4
Watch me!!!
As to a "list" of diffusers... well... visit most any sabershop site (for example Tim's site customsabershop, or Alex's ultrablades) and you'll see about 3 or 4 major styles of blades. For the mostpart, it's really only two styles when you get down to brass tacks... "coring style" and "more evenly lit" style.
There are probably even BETTER ways to diffuse a blade, but it would likely skyrocket the price. And no saber blade is worth (at the MAX) a retail of any more than $25 or so in my opinion. $40 would be ludicrous, and you know, above that would be like paying $6 for a AA alkaline battery! What the F!!!
This being said--I (and others) know a way that would REALLY be gorgeous diffusion-wise (probably about the best you could get)... but it would require custom machining and/or custom extruding of the Poly-C tubes themselves... and THAT would cost a small fortune. Literally jump the price from like $15 to $20... to like... oh... I don't know... $300 or something STUPID.
So... by all means, experiment with diffusion, but... to me, "really good" and/or "good"... is good enough! Especially with newer, more efficient LEDs showing up every 6 months or so or whatever.
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GreytaleNovastar1138
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/25 2:53am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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By the way, with the recent batch of CF v3 flying out the door so quickly, I thought it was a good idea to start getting a semi-unofficial troubleshooting FAQ/guide together.
So, if you have one and you're having some issues getting things to be all "happ'nin"...
http://forums.thecustomsabershop.com/showthread.php?p=79435#post79435
I'll have to see about preventing comments from going in there so that it can essentially remain a "FAQ" or helper document, or whatever.
Hope everyone had a nice Easter.
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Do-Clo
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/26 4:03pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Sorry to derail the thread but I need to post some information that many of you need to be aware off:
I have been receiving emails from a Darrell Johnson who for some reason has a problem with my saber building and my blades. He has threatened to spread his statements around forums so I decided to save him the trouble of doing it and post them for everyone to see, along with my replies to him:
Johnson
Hello Mr. Do Clo I'am writing you this letter because I have a friend who recently bought one of your lightsabers and man I have to level with you.....
The lightsabers you make are very low quality. My 10 year old son could make the same quality as yours. Your sell some for $130 dollars, some times $200 dollars. You need to lower your prices your ripping people off... Your sabers should be sold for no more than 40-50 $ at the most.
I've seen you use a plumbing tube as a emitter, like come on anyone cAn go to a plumbing store and slap that one.
And what is with this " Do clo blade" ? Thats not a do clo blade its Polypropylene and corbin film NOT a do clo blade!
Your sell you blades for like $37 dollars! Now I know your probly trying hard but some people just aren't meant to be Machinists. I have 30 years of metal work and I am barley certified.
So im not trying to be a total jerk but you need to redo your website and lower the prices because me and a bunch of other people feel that this needed to be done... Its going to get around the forum's eventually so if i were you I would lower your prices.
My Response
Interesting that you picked out one of the early sabers that was made from
sinktube with a luxeon III led and a machined aluminum blade holder, those
sabers sold for around 80.00 and came with a blade. Instead of what you are
offering which is a static prop. I would like to know what forum that you
are talking about as I have a good standing on the forums that I belong too.
I would also like to know what saber that your friend purchased from me as I
have had no complaints from anyone. I also wonder that since you seem to
take offense at my blade, have you also confronted other blade makers
that have made a signature blade?
To sum it all up I am glad that you have such a talented 10 year old son,
but if you want to make claims about my sabers then you need to provide some
details so I can address particular issues
Johnson
I dont know the name of the saber he bought but it had a plumbing pipe for an emitter, goldish color,apparenly you found it at some plumbing store. he dosent want to give his name because he says he will feel bad ....
My prop i professionally made son, all yours sabers are either put together from The Customsaber shop or made from a plumbing sink tube which is Maybe $8 at a plumbing store... I offer all my clients to have there saber blade acessable if they would like for NO extra charge! Not 37$ for a blade you can buy for 15$ from a plastic selling store. And don't say you haven't had any complaints from anyone thats a lie , i've been told that a customer of yours sent his saber back to you for a refund because it was low quality.
I would never buy one of your sabers, your lucky im not selling anymore son or you wouldn't make a dime. So you need to lower your prices your robbing people of there hard earned money. I'm going to look in to the authorities to get them to force you to buy a business license Because im sure you dont have one so please be a fair prson and lower your prices cuz this is going to be spread around eventually..
My Response
I would like to know just when the last time is that you looked at anything
that I have sold or built? I had one customer over a year ago send a saber
back because he didn't like it, and then the guy sat on it for about 5
months before he got around to sending it back and the saber was poorly
packed and was broken in shipping so he got his money back from the post
office from the shipping insurance.
Everything that I build is machined aluminum not TCSS parts or plumbing
parts. I would like you to show me an example of a saber that you claim to
be of low quality that has been built in the last year. Is is possible that
you have me confused with someone else. I have refunded money to people just
because they didn't like the saber and the saber was exactly as pictured on
ebay, so I would like to know how you claim that I am ripping people off.
As for the price of my blades then you don't have to buy them, if you would
take the time to add up the materials involved to build a blade then you
would not say it is out of line, you have a polycabonate tip, plus corbin's
film and a second film, in case you didn't know they don't give that stuff
away, besides the sabers that I sell come with a blade.
Again you do not provide details so that I can address any particular
problem. If you would like I can provide you with a list of customers that
are very pleased with their sabers in fact if you would bother to take the
time to read my feedback on ebay you will see remarks from satisfied
customers.
Johnson
There might be some people happy with your sabers but the point is anyone can make up those sabers ANYONE YOU HAVE NO METAL WORK EXPERIENCE . dont try ANd tell me that those blade films cost a lot, your "second" blade film is just gift wrap that you can get free at any grocery store if you ask! then the first is corbin's film costs four bucks and the poly c blade costs 14$can you add that up do clo or do you haver no experience in that either???? 14 + 5= 19$ then we can say you can charge $5 to to assemble it $ 24 not 37$ ! RIP OFF stop lying I saw a saber o yours on ebay with a plumbing peice for the emitter haha you even said it yourself in the ebay add
The only reason your in the saber guild is because you know people, not because of your reputation
so lower those prices
My Response
Mr Johnson
I have no idea what you problem is with me as I have never done anything to
you and since you seem determined to continue to insult me and make threats,
I would request that you stop now. Also don't bother to respond to this
email as I will be blocking you from further contact.
I have given a lot of thought to you and I have decided to save you some
problems I will be posting your comments on several forums to save you the
trouble of spreading it around as you threaten to do. Also if you interfere
with my saber business in any manor I will forward the problem to my
attorney and the proper legal authorities to take what action that is deemed
appropriate. I have also printed and filed your emails and the ISP
information so that you can be contacted by my attorney if the need should
arise.
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Do-Clo Custom Sabers Hand built custom sabers to your design http://doclocustomsabers.com/
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Sister_Sola
Title: Manager, Costuming & Props
Registered:
Nov '02
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Date Posted:
3/26 5:21pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Wow, I wonder where on earth the guy is coming from!
He suggests you charge $5 to assemble it? That's pretty cheesy - even if it only takes you an hour, it's not like anyone's only going to charge $5 an hour for their labour! And I'll bet it takes longer than an hour anyway - although having no skill making lightsabres I have no idea of the time involved.
Looks like you handled it very well Do-Clo. I hope this guy doesn't cause you or anyone else any more trouble.
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Dragon*Con '07 pics: http://www.sistersola.com/dcon07/dcon07.html --------------------------------------------------------
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Do-Clo
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/26 11:00pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Thanks Sister Sola, I hope this is the end of this problem, I have seen to many things get out of hand so I wanted all the information to be out in the open.
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Do-Clo Custom Sabers Hand built custom sabers to your design http://doclocustomsabers.com/
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LAN-ED-TUL
Registered:
Oct '05
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Date Posted:
3/27 3:17am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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as stated on TCSS, probably just jealous he cant build sabers as nice as resident sabersmith DO-CLO has!
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GreytaleNovastar1138
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
3/29 4:40am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Yup, this dude is covered on TCSS. Mr. Johnson's comments--and might I add *BS* comments--are out in the open, and there is nothing he can do now.
It's sad to say this but... we ALL KNOW it's true what I'm about to type: ...there's one around every corner. The free lunch trouser snake. Oh, pardon me, was that a play on words? Oups, je suis desole'... mon joue de mots--oh la la... ce n'est pas cool.
Anyhow. There's not much else to say. Just ignore him, and maybe someday the saber of REASON will smack him upside the head... if not by a bearded dude in a brown bathrobe.
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Jedi-Loreen
Title: OCSWS Secretary
& Master of the Blades
Registered:
Dec '02
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Date Posted:
3/29 9:41am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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What a jerk that guy is. 
And he can't write or spell worth a darn, either. Which, in my mind, makes his case seem even weaker.
Do-Clo has more people who can vouch for him, than against him.
I have not bought any of his sabers (yet), but a friend has, so I can attest to the quality of his work, as many can.
Plus, I consider him a friend.
You've got more friends, than enemies, Don! 
I hope that's the last you hear of and from that guy, in any form.
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In order to see the Light, you must sometimes risk the Darkness.
"The Force is my Ally"
Builder of EL Sabre Blades
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TheMuffin
Registered:
Nov '05
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Date Posted:
3/29 7:35pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Reading that fellas messages made my brain hurt....Son.
Heres a tidbit of knowledge. If you've used a lathe or drill press one time in your life, you have metal work experience. It's just limited. Man, what a freaking tool. I hope this guy is crying in a corner from the severe ownage you put on him.
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I am currently taking custom lightsaber orders.
Keep it simple and contact me for details.
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Do-Clo
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
4/1 7:57pm
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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For a whole new direction here is a video you can check out on a saber that I just recently finished. It is a red lux III with a MR Maul sound board and one of my blades.
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Do-Clo Custom Sabers Hand built custom sabers to your design http://doclocustomsabers.com/
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GreytaleNovastar1138
Registered:
Dec '05
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Date Posted:
4/3 2:11am
Subject:
RE: LED Blade Q and A's
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Don, I don't know if it's just me, but I didn't see the link... edit or re-post?
I still never liked how TF.N doesn't allow you to edit after some time. What's the point of that, lol. Like people would go back 360 days later to mess things up, lol. I've wanted to re-edit before only to update or fix "old" info... such as on a thread that initially is posting about information and links change or some numbers change or... whatever, and so forth. Oh well. ANYhow. I digress, lol.
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