Pisces: Zodiac 2
Around 2019, I challenged myself to machine a saber from scratch in under 24 hours. The challenge was a success, and the hilt came out great. However, that was four years of experience ago. This year, I wanted to challenge myself further, increasing the detail of the design, and installing the electronics all in under 24 hours.
In December of 2023, I attempted the challenge again, and completed The Mayfly. The owner was enthralled, and challenged me to complete one 24-hour saber build each month in 2024. This is the second of twelve, which I am calling the Zodiac Challenge.
The request for this saber was "Jedi Killer", the Kylo Ren concept saber. The design elements that stood out to me were the fractured and layered style, the exposed crystal chamber, the black coloring, and of course the red wire.
Having learned from Aquarius, the previous challenge, I didn't want to split this build into two segments. Coming in the next morning and rushing to finish is no fun. Instead, I set to machine it all in one sitting. It took 13 hours and 20 minutes without a break. Most of the machining and designing was straightforward, although it was tricky to do the grip section layered as it is. Instead of black paint, this hilt has a chemical patina which was later sealed with a clear coat.
The only parts of this hilt not made from scratch within 24-hours are the screws and the red wire.