Any advice on making lightsabers?

steamboat28 wrote: In all seriousness, I'm totally lost on where to begin. I don't have a good idea of the tools I'll need or the components, either, and all the information I can find is dated.

Really depends how custom you want to go. Fully custom, partially custom (using systems like Sabreforge's ASP program, or CustomSaberShop's MHS system)?

I'm looking at TCCS's MHS system with some custom components. I'd like some wood on there, I think, y'know? It's just the electronics that have me baffled.

steamboat28 wrote: I'm looking at TCCS's MHS system with some custom components. I'd like some wood on there, I think, y'know? It's just the electronics that have me baffled.

As for the whole wood thing, I've seen a few people using wood veneer and showing some good results. As for the electronics, well, MHS I find the most confusing in that department. But they do have some videos on how to work their system if you have the time. ;P

https://youtu.be/3es9O-IDNmE

Basic crafting diy

Hi, Steamboat! I'm a member of Indy Lightsaber Academy, in Indianapolis, and here's what I've observed -- though I'm sure some of this will reveal the biases of my instructors!

Ultrasabers and SaberForge both allow you to order parts to build your saber yourself. I think SF has a more flexible system in this regard, because you can design the saber on their site and they assemble and ship it, if that's something you'd want. However, I've heard some mixed reports of the quality of SaberForge's product -- some very good, some not so much -- and the owner of the company has a reputation for being, ahem, difficult to work with. (ILA no longer works with him, and that's all I feel comfortable saying on the matter.)

US has the advantage of very fast shipping, but I can also tell you from experience that some of their hilts are extremely bulky. I got my saber from them (a Dark Apprentice model with a Consular Green blade color), and for my Form I instruction it was perfect for my two large hands, but now that I'm working on Form II, I really need something smaller. But if you want a Darth Maul-style two-bladed staff, or a longer pike hilt for a defensive style, they're eminently suitable. Also, the community on their forums is really nice.

We've had really good luck lately with a company called Crosspoint Sabers. They're based out of Ohio. Am I allowed to post a link to their Facebook page?