Limited Run SaberBay DARKSABER season 3 finish now available (limited quantities) saberbay.com

[Saberbay]

Our Partner Shane did a test and now we know what must be done!
After the shop anodizes black and removes the anodizing from the top surface they then will black chrome powder coat.
It’s a little shinier then desired but really the best way to get the effect we want and need for this project.

 

[mountainjedi]

Our Partner Shane did a test and now we know what must be done!
After the shop anodizes black and removes the anodizing from the top surface they then will black chrome powder coat.
It’s a little shinier then desired but really the best way to get the effect we want and need for this project.

That looks perfect!!

 

[Meerkat67]

Hi

I,m just trying to figure out costs before i reserve a darksaber.

100 units $400

custom blade possibly $350

Thats $750 for hilt and blade only potentially

Then there is the install kit and chassis if not reserved which sounds quite technical and expensive, how much extra is that if not reserved?

Then the battery/ speaker/ soundboard and charger?

Not to mention installation charges.

Postage and packaging.

Is it fair to say this saber could cost in the region of $1500 completed?

 

[Elevader]

Looks great!

 

[greyrat]

Our Partner Shane did a test and now we know what must be done!
After the shop anodizes black and removes the anodizing from the top surface they then will black chrome powder coat.
It’s a little shinier then desired but really the best way to get the effect we want and need for this project.

Are they not able to mask the black sections to avoid applying the gloss finish and keep it uniform with the rest of the hilt?

 

[Sactown Steve]

Are they not able to mask the black sections to avoid applying the gloss finish and keep it uniform with the rest of the hilt?

I agree. I like the color solution for the raised portions, but I'm not keen on having that entire section be glossy and shiny. Especially since the rest of the hilt won't be shiny. I think I would rather have an unfinished section, meaning just leave the raised sections bare aluminum and I'll weather it with aluminum black or something that's not shiny.

 

[Saberbay]

I agree. I like the color solution for the raised portions, but I'm not keen on having that entire section be glossy and shiny. Especially since the rest of the hilt won't be shiny. I think I would rather have an unfinished section, meaning just leave the raised sections bare aluminum and I'll weather it with aluminum black or something that's not shiny.

The rest of the hilt is gloss black.
The “shiny” in some of the photos is exemplified that it is in photo both with bright lights on it that cause most finishes to have reflection

 

[Saberbay]

Are they not able to mask the black sections to avoid applying the gloss finish and keep it uniform with the rest of the hilt?

They are not able to mask it at our price point. I dont even think they cold successfully do that.
Would require a special molded part for each recessed area, and it might not even work since some of the spots don’t connect to others, keeping the making perfectly flush and not allowing specs of powder to go where they need to, or allowing some to go where they shouldnt could result in spotty look as well

 

[Saberbay]

Hi

I,m just trying to figure out costs before i reserve a darksaber.

100 units $400

custom blade possibly $350

Thats $750 for hilt and blade only potentially

Then there is the install kit and chassis if not reserved which sounds quite technical and expensive, how much extra is that if not reserved?

Then the battery/ speaker/ soundboard and charger?

Not to mention installation charges.

Postage and packaging.

Is it fair to say this saber could cost in the region of $1500 completed?

1500$ !?! maybe if you are adding all 14kt gold add ons to your chassis.You will not need any add ons for your chassis those are optional and to be offered on shapeway at Shtokcustomworx shapways shop as the OP says.
As mentioned earlier we are looking to bring the blade cost down.
Closer to 200-250$. Our goal is for the blade kit we are working on with The Saber Trade to just requires just 3 wires be soldered to the pcb at that pricepoint.
below is just an estimate on cost if you can not do any of the work yourself and plan on sending to a saber smith. Dont hold us to exact numbers but hope it gives the info you were looking for:
400$ Maximum price of hilt kit .
275$ Max Price for blade if you cannot do the 3 wires your self.( if you can do the 3 wires prices will be closer to 250$)
50-90$ sound card
5-12$ speaker
12-16$ battery
8$ kill switch(optional depending on soundcard chosen, some have deep sleep modes)
Labor for install 200-270$(depends on the level of the installer and what you ask them to do)
So max I cam up with is $1071 if you have someone else do all the assembly/labor.
This does not include shipping cost which should not amount to much even if you are paying shipping twice. to the installer, then from installer to you.
Also reserving allows you to split up that cost.
Without reserving, you will need to purchase the chassis separately which would cost 40-70$ depending on material chosen.

 

[Meerkat67]

1500$ !?! maybe if you are adding all 14kt gold add ons to your chassis.You will not need any add ons for your chassis those are optional and to be offered on shapeway at Shtokcustomworx shapways shop as the OP says.
As mentioned earlier we are looking to bring the blade cost down.
Closer to 200-250$. Our goal is for the blade kit we are working on with The Saber Trade to just requires just 3 wires be soldered to the pcb at that pricepoint.
below is just an estimate on cost if you can not do any of the work yourself and plan on sending to a saber smith. Dont hold us to exact numbers but hope it gives the info you were looking for:
400$ Maximum price of hilt kit .
275$ Max Price for blade if you cannot do the 3 wires your self.( if you can do the 3 wires prices will be closer to 250$)
50-90$ sound card
5-12$ speaker
12-16$ battery
8$ kill switch(optional depending on soundcard chosen, some have deep sleep modes)
Labor for install 200-270$(depends on the level of the installer and what you ask them to do)
So max I cam up with is $1071 if you have someone else do all the assembly/labor.
This does not include shipping cost which should not amount to much even if you are paying shipping twice. to the installer, then from installer to you.
Also reserving allows you to split up that cost.
Without reserving, you will need to purchase the chassis separately which would cost 40-70$ depending on material chosen.

All sounds messy,,, found another supplier thankfully...

 

[Saberbay]

All sounds messy,,, found another supplier thankfully...

Pretty standard stuff with saber hilt runs.
The only difference with this one is the non standard custom blade. All other sabers just take 1” or 7/8” blade.
But yes this hobby is not for the faint of heart if you are wanted high end or attempting close to accurate.
You can find some 100% designed and produced in China versions that are 60-70% there. They even ship with sound included.
Their sound installed and blades are subpar and their after sale service is non existent.
In many cases buyers got the install they pay for and have to pay too dollar for someone to do an custome install for them. Meaning they have to design the install from ground up, that adds substantial cost and is in fact “messy”

We have this offering for those who rather be 80-95% there in quality and accuracy and know the install and electronics options will be top notch

 

[TheSweatshop]

All sounds messy,,, found another supplier thankfully...

Literally not any messier than any empty hilt run

 

[TheSweatshop]

and in the hand of a Moff...

View attachment 1476205View attachment 1476206View attachment 1476207View attachment 1476208View attachment 1476209

To be honest though, I’m expecting the saber to look like this post from guabe and the updates lately don’t look close at all. Correct me if I’m wrong.

 

[SpectreII]

I've been keeping an eye on this run for a while. It seems like some issues are starting to work towards resolutions! Do you have an estimate on when the reservation period will end?

 

[Halliwax]

To be honest though, I’m expecting the saber to look like this post from guabe and the updates lately don’t look close at all. Correct me if I’m wrong.

I too am curious as to why key elements are missing from the latest updates

 

[Saberbay]

I too am curious as to why key elements are missing from the latest updates
View attachment 1521253

I’ll address these by color.
Blue-Those elements are still there, they are on the static display pommel. For the vented sound pommel the vents are in that spot.
Green-That spot is still there. Actual screws are used now to to help with blade stability, which likely the working fix saber had and used
Red-Not having those screws was a choice we made for this 2nd proto as we we thought it would bring it closer to original renders or idealized version, we realized how prominent they are on the screen used prop we already put them back, they will be there like the first proto

 

[Halliwax]

Thanks for the update

 

[Saberbay]

I've been keeping an eye on this run for a while. It seems like some issues are starting to work towards resolutions! Do you have an estimate on when the reservation period will end?

In all honesty the factory has been very difficult to deal with as of late. They fight me on every adjustment.
Everything has been great on their part except the main handle. Which they agreed to improve even on their latest improvements.
I am negotiating with them before starting full production.
I asked them to improve the finishing on the main handle even more so. They are ok with that.
I submitted a new file to add the screws back on the blade holder.
We are having them change the vent windows to clear resin because the shine thru just wasn’t there with the trans white when the blade was in.
We are having them make the magnet holes for the switch more press fit for the magnets supplied.
We are having them the main handle to secondary shop for powder coating as well for the black chrome.
So relaying all of these changes and making sure they understand they need to make one more prototype before going straight into production to show us they executed is what I am working on daily.
Unfortunately their region has been seeing powder blackouts as well which has really slowed this process

 

[TheSweatshop]

I’ll address these by color.
Blue-Those elements are still there, they are on the static display pommel. For the vented sound pommel the vents are in that spot.
Green-That spot is still there. Actual screws are used now to to help with blade stability, which likely the working fix saber had and used
Red-Not having those screws was a choice we made for this 2nd proto as we we thought it would bring it closer to original renders or idealized version, we realized how prominent they are on the screen used prop we already put them back, they will be there like the first proto

Isn’t guabe s vented pommel a more elegant solution without deleting detail. Static and vented could literally be the same but adding one more machine operation.

 

[SpectreII]

In all honesty the factory has been very difficult to deal with as of late. They fight me on every adjustment.
Everything has been great on their part except the main handle. Which they agreed to improve even on their latest improvements.
I am negotiating with them before starting full production.
I asked them to improve the finishing on the main handle even more so. They are ok with that.
I submitted a new file to add the screws back on the blade holder.
We are having them change the vent windows to clear resin because the shine thru just wasn’t there with the trans white when the blade was in.
We are having them make the magnet holes for the switch more press fit for the magnets supplied.
We are having them the main handle to secondary shop for powder coating as well for the black chrome.
So relaying all of these changes and making sure they understand they need to make one more prototype before going straight into production to show us they executed is what I am working on daily.
Unfortunately their region has been seeing powder blackouts as well which has really slowed this process

Thanks for the update! Very comprehensive. I (and I'm sure many others) really appreciate all the transparency in the process.

Will you give any advanced warning before ending reservations? Still weighing whether I want to jump in, but don't want it to suddenly be closed either. Thanks!