Artemas Airsoft Creations Blog

 As my first lightsaber project wraps to a close, I have picked back up a lightsaber project I began at least 4 years ago.  It looked very different back then, but it has since evolved into something beautiful (at least to me).  I am still working on this saber, but I have purchased almost everything I need to make it my best saber yet.  For this post, I will list out the parts I have ordered for this saber and their functions, tally the total cost, include a picture comparing it to the other lightsaber I have built. (Speaker size for comparison) First, the parts used to form the body of the lightsaber: 1-1/4" x 5" Metal Tailpiece with Sink Drain Stopper ($8.90):  Here  (Forms the upper half of the lightsaber hilt). 1-1/2" x 8" Brass Slip Joint Extension Tube ($15.99):  Here  (Forms the lower half of the lightsaber hilt). 1-1/2" OD Washer ($5.83 if purchased online):  Here  (Forms the main protector of the pommel speaker). Roll of Mesh S...

Well, my custom lightsaber is almost complete.  For now.  There will be further upgrades eventually.  It must be perfect.  But right now it is very functional and much more impressive than any lightsaber that can be bought in a store.  It is loud, bright, realistic, and feature-packed.  See for yourself: The blade is red in this video, but I can select practically any color I want by simply flipping a switch and pressing a button a few times.   Sure it's impressive, but there is still room for much improvement.  Future versions will have a Crystal Focus soundboard, which will allow for completely custom sounds to be played in addition to making the swinging sound effects much more realistic.  Other planned upgrades include a far more powerful laser - one with enough power to light matches, pop balloons, and cut electrical tape.  Such a laser will be extremely dangerous in addition to being larger, so I will need to redesign most of ...

 Don't worry.  The lightsaber post is coming.  For now, have something that didn't quite work out the way I'd hoped. Engineering for me is a lot of trial and error.  As such, it should come as no surprise to you that my creations don't always work out.  With that in mind, here's one of my failures. It was supposed to be a ring that would heat and burn things when pressure was applied to the wire contact plate.  It is a very simple circuit that works (or should work) via induction heating.  The wire on top of the ring is a special kind of wire created specifically for heating elements.  As far as I can tell, the reason this design doesn't work stems from the tiny battery source used.  If I had a more powerful battery pack, this design would almost certainly work.  Perhaps in the next version I will build it into a watch worn on the palm of my hand. Have some build photos: The ring I started with: The surface filed flat: A small channel fi...

 Well, The Mandalorian season two is almost upon us, so I thought I'd take a break from the Nerf posts for a while and focus on a project that I have been working on on and off for almost a year.  This project is my very own custom lightsaber.  Here is a video of what I had before I began working on the upgrades: Inside the saber are a Pico Crumble 2.5 soundboard, a tri-Cree RGB LED assembly with custom heatsink, 3 3.7v LiPo batteries, a small micro switch, and a custom 3D printed internal scaffolding system to hold the electronics in the tube. Inside the blaster attachment is a 200mW red laser assembly powered by two rechargeable AA batteries.  I have to be careful with this laser, as it could easily cause permeants damage one's eyes.  After all, what good is a lightsaber if it cannot hurt anyone?  I joke.  Obviously this laser attachment is meant for show and is in no way intended to be used as a weapon.   So, if it's already so awesome why...

Firing Demo: This project was even more work than the full-auto seer installation and rewire combined.  Given the complexity of the modifications required to get this working, I am not going to release an in-depth tutorial at this time.  If you want to try this modification for yourself, you are welcome to try it.  I will give a basic description of the steps I took to make this modification, and I will include the files I used to create this beast.  Beyond that, you will be on your own. First, some images of the blaster: Now, onto the very rough tutorial... The model files can be found here:   Drive First, disassemble the blaster.  Next, you will need to cut along the narrow crack molded into the receiver roughly along the lines shown in this image: Note that this includes cutting out a hole in the back of the stock.  This is necessary to fit the magazine in the blaster.  After that, you will need to cut out a rectangular section of the plac...

Demo Firing: In order to do this mod effectively, there are some tools you will need. 1. Dremel with large grinding wheel 2. Soldering iron and electrical solder 3.  Hot glue gun There are also several parts you will need.  I will add Amazon affiliate links to the parts I used below. 1.  1x SPDT Switch:   link 2.  1x Male Mini Tamiya Connector:   link 3.  1x 11.1v LiPo Battery (Airsoft):   link 4.  1x LiPo Battery Charger:   link 5.  12 Gauge Stranded Wire:   link Lastly, you will need the 3d printed auto seer.  There are currently 2 ways to get one.  If you have your own 3d printer, the model can be purchased here:   link .  If you do not own a 3d printer, don't despair! You can purchase a print from Shapeways here:   link . Now, the tutorial...

 Anyone who knew me growing up knows that I love Halo.  As such, it should come as no surprise to them that I was greatly excited by the news of Microsoft and Nerf partnering to release Halo-themed Nerf blasters this holiday season.  As soon as I could, I preorder the Nerf Halo MA40 Assault Rifle.  It came in the mail a few days ago, and I was slightly disappointed at the surprising lack of features that the blaster came with.  Overall, the shape, size, and paint job of the blaster was very good.  However, it lacked a few features that prevent it from being the ideal Nerf Halo assault rifle.  These features include:  A reciprocating dummy charging handle, a functioning flashlight, and a functioning ammo counter.  This post will deal with the first modification I made to the blaster: the charging handle.  What follows is a tutorial for this modification.