Lightsaber Styled Orchestra Baton Project

[slothfurnace]

Hey all,

I just finished a custom project for a band instructor friend of mine. He saw some of the sabers I'd been working on and asked for a "cool lightsabery conductor's baton."

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_003.jpg[/image]

I started with a 3/4 inch rod of aluminum, and then for the long part, it's a stainless plated spring steel whip antenna end.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_007.jpg[/image]

I made the box out of Red Oak, Set concealed hinges, then milled out the place for the baton,

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_002b.jpg[/image]
I then needed to be able to easily fetch the baton out of the box, so I used a couple forstner bits to set 2 concentric steps that coincide with the concave curves in the handle.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_004.jpg[/image]

The handle of the baton is Aluminum, with many compound curves machined with a Holdridge Radii cutter on the lathe. I put 4 knurled strips at the back for grip.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_005.jpg[/image]

I set a magnet halfway down the channel to keep the baton secure when handling or opening the box.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_008.jpg[/image]

Once I got it put together, I routed a channel at the edge to help with opening the box.

The box was finished in tung oil, 2 coats and assembled.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_010.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_006.jpg[/image]

Perfectly balanced at the hilt.

[image]http://www.nonentity.com/New/Main/Projects/BandConductor_009.jpg[/image]

View of the inside scoop where the handle meets the blade.

My friend knows about the baton, but the custom case is going to be a surprise.

What do you folks think?

 

[juno]

What a completely perfect gift -- the presentation case makes it even more special. I hope your friend can appreciate all the little details and features that show how much you thought you put into creating this gift.

 

[slothfurnace]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(juno @ Jan 15 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]1398138[/snapback]</div>

What a completely perfect gift -- the presentation case makes it even more special. I hope your friend can appreciate all the little details and features that show how much you thought you put into creating this gift.
[/b]

Thanks. I think he'll like it. Now I just need to decide if it's finished, or if I need to engrave or stamp something into the wood, like a date, or something.

 

[LizardJedi]

Thats nice. Its lightsabery, but not a total replica (which would be kinda weird in a formal band setting).

The case add more too.

Great Job.

 

[cheech9898]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(slothfurnace @ Jan 16 2007, 03:34 AM) [snapback]1398141[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(juno @ Jan 15 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]1398138[/snapback]

What a completely perfect gift -- the presentation case makes it even more special. I hope your friend can appreciate all the little details and features that show how much you thought you put into creating this gift.
[/b]

Thanks. I think he'll like it. Now I just need to decide if it's finished, or if I need to engrave or stamp something into the wood, like a date, or something.
[/b][/quote]


Awesome baton. Wish my machining skills were that good. I have an idea the for case. The Sith 'cron had something like IN UMBRIS POTESTAS EST in aurebesh text (In darkness/shadow there is power). It would be cool to write in aurebesh the latin for 'In music there is power'. Then see how long it takes him to figure it out

 

[slothfurnace]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Deece @ Jan 15 2007, 10:14 PM) [snapback]1398186[/snapback]</div>

Awesome baton. Wish my machining skills were that good. I have an idea the for case. The Sith 'cron had something like IN UMBRIS POTESTAS EST in aurebesh text (In darkness/shadow there is power). It would be cool to write in aurebesh the latin for 'In music there is power'. Then see how long it takes him to figure it out
[/b]

Dude, that's a great idea. I'll have to look that one up.

 

[Darth Brass]

As a part-time conductor, I can say...

AWESOME.

Looks really heavy though, but that's probably just for my tastes.

That's not to sully the main point though, which is:

AWESOME.

 

[turok96]

Nice job on the baton. :thumbsup

 

[SiR-ROUND]

Now let's play the Imperial March.

Beautiful.

 

[slothfurnace]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darth Brass @ Jan 16 2007, 12:09 AM) [snapback]1398238[/snapback]</div>

As a part-time conductor, I can say...

AWESOME.

Looks really heavy though, but that's probably just for my tastes.

That's not to sully the main point though, which is:

AWESOME.
[/b]

Actually, it's very light. He gave me a wooden baton to look at when I made this one,, I can't tell a difference. Aluminum is so light, it really feels good in the hand, weight-wise.

 

[Mechamaniac]

Cool as a prototype, now get to work on the one with the glowing baton section.

 

[boodha]

Slothfurnace

Tasteful
Elegant
Absolutely beautiful work.

Your friend is very lucky

 

[slothfurnace]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boodha @ Jan 16 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]1398414[/snapback]</div>

Slothfurnace

Tasteful
Elegant
Absolutely beautiful work.

Your friend is very lucky
[/b]

Thanks so much.
I have enjoyed this project, and learned a lot doing it.

 

[CGClone]

Simple and beauiful, very tasteful. Excellent work.

 

[Darth Lars]

That is beautiful. I am sure he will be delighted. I would.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Deece @ Jan 16 2007, 05:14 AM) [snapback]1398186[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(slothfurnace @ Jan 16 2007, 03:34 AM) [snapback]1398141[/snapback]

Thanks. I think he'll like it. Now I just need to decide if it's finished, or if I need to engrave or stamp something into the wood, like a date, or something.
[/b]

Awesome baton. Wish my machining skills were that good. I have an idea the for case. The Sith 'cron had something like IN UMBRIS POTESTAS EST in aurebesh text (In darkness/shadow there is power). It would be cool to write in aurebesh the latin for 'In music there is power'. Then see how long it takes him to figure it out
[/b][/quote]
I think there could be an engraved brass plaque in the middle of the top lid. I think that would look classy and you would instantly see which side is up so that you always open it the correct way.

Let me suggest his name in big letters, with the latin phrase in smaller letters underneath.

Is it common to use titles before the name for conductors, such as "Maestro Thomas Andersson" ? I think that was the way they used it in an episode of Seinfeld... although I would not count on Seinfeld to accurately represent the real world. :lol
If so, then the title could be there before his name. Then, when someone else sees the case, they will understand right away who it belongs to even if that person doesn't know your friend's name.

 

[Jeeves]

Great work. I love it - and it looks like you could whack the crap out of the first chair section if they weren't paying attention.

As with everyone else - I have to agree that the box is WAAAAY coool as well.

-Raj

 

[slothfurnace]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Darth Lars @ Jan 16 2007, 10:30 AM) [snapback]1398442[/snapback]</div>

I think there could be an engraved brass plaque in the middle of the top lid. I think that would look classy and you would instantly see which side is up so that you always open it the correct way.

Let me suggest his name in big letters, with the latin phrase in smaller letters underneath.

Is it common to use titles before the name for conductors, such as "Maestro Thomas Andersson" ? I think that was the way they used it in an episode of Seinfeld... although I would not count on Seinfeld to accurately represent the real world. :lol
If so, then the title could be there before his name. Then, when someone else sees the case, they will understand right away who it belongs to even if that person doesn't know your friend's name.
[/b]

That would be pretty cool. I wish I could engrave it myself tho. I might have to look around town for a trophy shop or something so I could have that done. Do engravers usually do a good job?

 

[hankey01]

They carry a simlar item at a Liquidation Store in town. The base looks like a lightsaber, but it has a metal round "blade".

Very cool idea.

 

[Jeeves]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(slothfurnace @ Jan 16 2007, 04:43 PM) [snapback]1398449[/snapback]</div>

That would be pretty cool. I wish I could engrave it myself tho. I might have to look around town for a trophy shop or something so I could have that done. Do engravers usually do a good job?
[/b]

Look for someone who can do laser etching - that would look good on the wood. Wynnstudio on the RPF should be able to hook you up.

-Raj

 

[J.Max]

That's way cool...but one thing bothers me. I've played in orchestras as a student and professionally, and I could see that it might be annoying to the players for there to be a glint of light coming off the baton. How is the baton finished? Is it matte or shiny?

Otherwise, a very nice job and a cool idea.