Recent content by thatdecade

Awesome. You got this!!

You can go the 3d printing route, but I would only recommend that for display pieces. Cosplay needs enough durability to be bumped, knocked, dropped... because all three will happen at conventions. Probably ok for the hilt, bad for the blade. My recommendation would be to use lexan material...

Gorgeous mockup :D I have made the circuits and lighting effects for a bunch of energy swords, feel free to ask me anything. To get the 3d look, the preferred blade material is PETG. It is a clear and durable, thermoplastic that can be vacuum molded. I have some info here on the lighting...

The size is very imposing, I love it~!. Great build !!! If are interested in an upgrade, I have some neopixel code here that you are welcome to thatdecade/Halo_Energy_Sword

Here are some quick pro cons Individual Battery Packs - Use 2 or 3 AA battery pack - Will run 2 LEDs for a few days of use - Less complicated, so if anything fails, the rest of the suit will still work. Central power bank - Use a rechargeable portable cell charger. - Wire each LED group to a 3...

Pics of my builds are on flickr Ammo Counter 2013 Here is a guide for the ammo counter arduino build DIY Ammo Counter - Dustin Westaby

Is some info in the electronics section on the forum. Any experience with arduino? Is cheap and super simple to learn. I have made literally hundreds of ammo counter circuits, feel free to ask me anything.

Can also use dollar store reading lights.

For electronics noobs, are ways for you to install lights without wiring anything yourself. Go to the dollar store and buy some reading lights. You need one per shoulder. Video Tutorial

What you are describing is called a servo. Motor with precice motion. Arduino is great at running servos. https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/Sweep Two Issues Common inexpensive servos are not very powerful. Look at the torque rating for the servo and use an online "servo torque calculator"...

The blade itself can be made out a durable material like Lexan. The hilt is made from a resin cast. They are attached together with glue, screws, etc... The failure point is rarely the blade or hilt; but the blade hilt junction. The torque from a simple swing is enough to tear it apart, let...

The blades and hilt are hollow, but the mass of the blades still make it front heavy. The electronics and battery add some weight, but it is near the pivot point (the hilt). Basically, the energy sword has the same balance as a novelty balance bird. See picture

Exactly. Plasma would be near weightless, but irl we have pesky weight from plastic blades. I imagine the perfect grip being a hand placement that is both balanced and effortless to hold. I didn't mention in the first post, thanks for reminding me. Pictured are mostly Halo 3 style, with a...

Correct. The sword circuit and software is my baby.

Your sizing looks good to me. Once you add the weight of the blades, you can see where the center of gravity is. I don't want to pull your thread off topic too much more, lol. Created a new thread that may interest those here. Is an open discussion on how to grasp an energy sword...