BRRogers / Verity Cosplay / 7 Chambers - "MoM of All Heroes"

[Spyhunter2k]

hmm. To play devil's advocate. Shimming in this fashion would introduce length since the shims would interfere with the parts fully seating. Second, while minute that same effect weakens the threaded joint because it is not fully seated.

conversely, as an alternative using real metals why would you not use super thin bronze and/or copper tape?

ultimately none of the above is absolute accurate, which is why we are including the aluminum windvane.

The original feature is paint accumulation at the corners...

It's not a filet of paint accumulation just at the corners. The entire upper and lower surface above/below the windvane has the bronze/antique-gold/aged/brass color:

No worries if you guys aren't reproducing this feature. I can order a sheet of bronze and get the upper/lower disks punched out myself to slide over the upper/lower windvane areas.

 

[BRRogers]

It's not a filet of paint accumulation just at the corners. The entire upper and lower surface above/below the windvane has the bronze/antique-gold/aged/brass color:

View attachment 1292007
View attachment 1292008

No worries if you guys aren't reproducing this feature. I can order a sheet of bronze and get the upper/lower disks punched out myself to slide over the upper/lower windvane areas.

Sorry I’ve been a bit more absent recently, my wife and I are working through purchasing our first home (in these strange times)

Spyhunter2k I see what you’re saying. It’s clearly the same windvane color on the immediate surfaces above and below.
As mentioned, to make that look ‘ideal’ from a single raw material it would need to be machined into the hilt. In the ideal world it would include flush surfaces and coped interior angles (the paint buildup Adam referred to). To expound on our early tinkering trying to include it: to do so creates a component that’s either dangerous because of sharp edges or is otherwise unfeasible to machine from a FX product standpoint and the other more paramount durability we expect from a heavy-dueling capable hilt.

much less the safety and liability of a hilt without razor sharp edged components.

I get the idea of the slim rings, but... Then you miss out on the visible coping. Then you have a separated ring adhered. That’s something that would bug me visually in multiple ways , and be a pain to make look good IMO.
I agree, the solution is to paint over the aluminum if you want that effect, and would ultimately be ‘most canon’ to do so.

bronze/copper/etc. foil washi tape or guilting could work as well without having stamped components.

That too in my mind, is another component to be concerned about.
Laser thin stamped components shipped in a box, assuming user error by bending or breaking... not to assume the worst but that it is something I’m wary of for broad production.

I think if you feel strongly about those components; an aftermarket run would be the best route. If you want to workshop that and get a run going be our guest!

 

[Spyhunter2k]

Sorry I’ve been a bit more absent recently, my wife and I are working through purchasing our first home (in these strange times)

Spyhunter2k I see what you’re saying. It’s clearly the same windvane color on the immediate surfaces above and below.
As mentioned, to make that look ‘ideal’ from a single raw material it would need to be machined into the hilt. In the ideal world it would include flush surfaces and coped interior angles (the paint buildup Adam referred to). To expound on our early tinkering trying to include it: to do so creates a component that’s either dangerous because of sharp edges or is otherwise unfeasible to machine from a FX product standpoint and the other more paramount durability we expect from a heavy-dueling capable hilt.

much less the safety and liability of a hilt without razor sharp edged components.

I get the idea of the slim rings, but... Then you miss out on the visible coping. Then you have a separated ring adhered. That’s something that would bug me visually in multiple ways , and be a pain to make look good IMO.
I agree, the solution is to paint over the aluminum if you want that effect, and would ultimately be ‘most canon’ to do so.

bronze/copper/etc. foil washi tape or guilting could work as well without having stamped components.

That too in my mind, is another component to be concerned about.
Laser thin stamped components shipped in a box, assuming user error by bending or breaking... not to assume the worst but that it is something I’m wary of for broad production.

I think if you feel strongly about those components; an aftermarket run would be the best route. If you want to workshop that and get a run going be our guest!

Thanks much. I'll experiment with a few options once I have it in hand, and post up the best results. If you guys already know the exact bronze/copper alloys you're using for the windvanes, please let me know.

 

[thd9791]

This is one of those interesting things about model making I want to chime in and say - there are many roads to get to the same result, as witnessed by this thread and by the interesting new ideas of creating shims to replicate the (if I'm right) rounded or extended surfaces of color beyond the windvane. That micron of material can be achieved with a thin amount of putty, or actual build-up of paint like the actual prop used. Those are my recommendations just for high probability of success and accuracy, even though they're not the most exciting solutions lol

 

[Verity Cosplay]

This is one of those interesting things about model making I want to chime in and say - there are many roads to get to the same result, as witnessed by this thread and by the interesting new ideas of creating shims to replicate the (if I'm right) rounded or extended surfaces of color beyond the windvane. That micron of material can be achieved with a thin amount of putty, or actual build-up of paint like the actual prop used. Those are my recommendations just for high probability of success and accuracy, even though they're not the most exciting solutions lol

that is my recommendation as well. As soon as shims come in, the design intent and integrity is compromised. You create shorter threading and or gaps creating stress risers that were not part of the design intent. I carefully chose threading and even class of threading and lengths to achieve the easiest possible use while achieving full binding strength. That all gets affected when you shim.

While in saber dueling this is probably fine since we are not dealing with generally full force swings, however... one of the roles I am playing on these hilt designs is structural engineering. I personally feel shimming is not something I would do when a putty joint and paint achieves the effect and is even truer to canon.

Just my $0.02

P.S. the argument could be made I am overthinking it and over engineering things given the usually light dueling people do. But I'd rather take the time and ensure those concerns are met and the tolerance of the hilt surpasses the likely level of impact forces being exerted on these hilts.

I HAVE seen people test hilts and blades by whacking trees. And I would rather not see this hilt fail if someone chose to do that.

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Prototype reveal boards fabbed, depaneled and on their way.

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Prototype reveal boards fabbed, depaneled and on their way.

alright so... prototype reveal boards have arrived but BRRogers and I are both a bit disappointed so we are going to rework them a bit. First, part of the issue may be the PCB firm's limitations (I prototyped through OSHpark cuz fast but they have a minimum trace width which has muddied the trace details).

the issue is it is all too muddy given the thickness of the soldermask and the trace width fidelity.

Bryan and I are gonna rework some stuff and I may use a different outfit for the next batch of prototypes. But in the interest of transparency.... here is the (not to our satisfaction) prototype:

 

[mgenovese312]

When are you anticipating the hilt design to be completed and ready for release? Later this Summer?

 

[Verity Cosplay]

we are hoping units to start shipping in the next couple of months yes.

Once the prototype has been verified and production is signed off on, it will take roughly 8 weeks to complete production and start shipping units.

 

[Shinchu]

I'm very happy you guys are taking your time and getting things right instead of cranking this thing out just to get them into our very eager hands.
Well worth the wait!
I waited almost a year for LDM to finish my luke ROTJ custom, so this should be easy

 

[Verity Cosplay]

I'm very happy you guys are taking your time and getting things right instead of cranking this thing out just to get them into our very eager hands.
Well worth the wait!
I waited almost a year for LDM to finish my luke ROTJ custom, so this should be easy

Yeah. It's a trade off. For BRRogers' and my line of hilt designs, we are going for unyielding accuracy vs speed to delivery. There are a bazillion heroes out there. So we'd rather take our time and be diligent vs just getting it out.

This is the trade off and the niche within a niche market we are targeting. This will be true with our entire line.

 

[Valheru84]

Hey guys, hope you are all keeping well amid the pandemic. Just wanted to touch base and see where things were at, more specifically for the trade in side of things? I'm not in any way trying to give you a hurry up (it takes as long as it takes, I'm in no rush myself and no one would want to rush such an amazing project in any case), just been out of the loop for a bit and wasn't sure if I'd missed anything through here on in emails (I really need to clean out my inbox and add a **** tonne of senders to my spam filter with 2000+ unread emails that I know 98% of are spam).

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Hey guys, hope you are all keeping well amid the pandemic. Just wanted to touch base and see where things were at, more specifically for the trade in side of things? I'm not in any way trying to give you a hurry up (it takes as long as it takes, I'm in no rush myself and no one would want to rush such an amazing project in any case), just been out of the loop for a bit and wasn't sure if I'd missed anything through here on in emails (I really need to clean out my inbox and add a **** tonne of senders to my spam filter with 2000+ unread emails that I know 98% of are spam).

So the trade-in logistics side of things is really Malaki Skywalker (Lewis).

However he was saying he either sent out an email recently to trade-in participants to update them or was soon to do so.

Honestly, the factory still has not given us much transparency yet as to the prototype. We were supposed to have photos of its progress by end of last week and we have not yet received any.

I know Lewis is working out the full production timeline with them post-prototype (and it's review and signoff).

Once we know more, I will absolutely update here. I expect soon.

As for BRRogers and I, we are still keeping things moving. I am composing inquiries for the helper board full production. And prototype and production inquiries for the reveal board.

I also have made some progress on the crystal chamber design. I'm pretty excited how it is progressing.

We are just trying to ensure the threads we can move, are moving.

 

[Valheru84]

Thank you for the detailed update Verity. Lewis also sent a great update email the same day you replied with some nice pics

I have some understanding of the issues you guys must be facing in the current situation and applaud your continued efforts to push this project forward with the amazing attention to detail and effort I have come to know you all for and couldn't be any more pleased with the results or excited for it to eventually find it's way into my hands

Keep up the great work but be sure to make time for yourselves and your friends and families in keeping well in these trying times.

 

[Anders Greenley]

Do you have an ETA of when we can sign up to buy the saber?

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Do you have an ETA of when we can sign up to buy the saber?

This is actually a difficult question to answer given the above post and Lewis' email that went out. As they elude to, we have encountered some unforeseen delays with the factory given the pandemic. That has been a major challenge for us as first we have not had a lot of insight into the delays and the specifics other than we know the factory was shut down for a number of months and now that they are up and running again their workload is backlogged.

HOWEVER, the latest news we have been told is the prototype will be on its way to me by the end of the month at the latest. That really starts the production clock since full production won't begin until I sign off on the prototype. I will inspect it in detail to ensure all of the details were appropriately captured.

assuming EVERYTHING is perfect on that prototype and no revisions are needed. Units will start shipping to customers 8-10 weeks after that sign off per the agreed upon contract with the factory. If changes are needed first then another prototype round will be required.

we are hoping to have this production run wrapped up by late summer. I expect the hilt to show up in the store once stock arrives.

As for "signing up" the Ultimate Hero Trade ins are the first wave. Then there will be a set that is a next wave based on early signup lists here and at the TRA.

then remaining stock will go up for sale on the 7C storefront.

No deposit or prepay will occur.

We expect to post all the logistics and timeline once we have a viable prototype in hand.

 

[Verity Cosplay]

One fun thing. If anyone is curious to see current status on the crystal chamber design:

 

[Anders Greenley]

This is actually a difficult question to answer given the above post and Lewis' email that went out. As they elude to, we have encountered some unforeseen delays with the factory given the pandemic. That has been a major challenge for us as first we have not had a lot of insight into the delays and the specifics other than we know the factory was shut down for a number of months and now that they are up and running again their workload is backlogged.

HOWEVER, the latest news we have been told is the prototype will be on its way to me by the end of the month at the latest. That really starts the production clock since full production won't begin until I sign off on the prototype. I will inspect it in detail to ensure all of the details were appropriately captured.

assuming EVERYTHING is perfect on that prototype and no revisions are needed. Units will start shipping to customers 8-10 weeks after that sign off per the agreed upon contract with the factory. If changes are needed first then another prototype round will be required.

we are hoping to have this production run wrapped up by late summer. I expect the hilt to show up in the store once stock arrives.

As for "signing up" the Ultimate Hero Trade ins are the first wave. Then there will be a set that is a next wave based on early signup lists here and at the TRA.

then remaining stock will go up for sale on the 7C storefront.

No deposit or prepay will occur.

We expect to post all the logistics and timeline once we have a viable prototype in hand.

Thanks and the sign up when it happens will be up on here?

 

[Verity Cosplay]

Thanks and the sign up when it happens will be up on here?

There is already a list going on TRA but yes we will be opening one here too.

i will create a separate project run thread in that section once we have a prototype.

that will be linked here too.

 

[Anders Greenley]

There is already a list going on TRA but yes we will be opening one here too.

i will create a separate project run thread in that section once we have a prototype.

that will be linked here too.

I was looking at the interest thread over on the TRA and it says you have to pick between idealized and canon but on this thread it says you get both swappable grenade section. So my question is do you get both or you have to choose one?