activation email

[Kyri]

Decided I want to make an energy bow as seen below. Fits perfectly with my Beast Hunter and back story of being raised on Dathomir.

Current plan is to make the bow out of wood with the string and arrow made from EL wire. Thinking the batteries and switch will be contained in the grip you pull back. May then create a bone look to the wood but will figure that as I go along.











Sketched onto the wood. Length is 120cm and added my blaster for scale.



Heres what I'm thinking for the energy string.

[Taakur Beroya]

This is looking awesome  I will be watching intently.

[Straka Zulu]

Reinforce the arms of the bow, the grain of the wood will make those the weak points.  I'll be watching this with interest.

[Kyri]

Why thank you and a good spot. Definitely will need some reinforcing.

Yesterday I cut and sanded it. Waiting for my EL wire to arrive now so I can prep it before I drill and start prepping the wood for painting.

[Choruk Kar'ta]

interesting concept vod! like the idea with the EL wire. 

following this with much interest 

[Kuultyc]

My wife loves the Dathomir witches...I'm very interested in seeing how this turns out. I may be making one similar in the future! So much EL wire laying around here   

[Zira-Dret]

I will be keeping my eyes on your progress, absolutely love the concept behind it.  Dathomirians unite.

[Kyri]

Thanks vod'e. Love hearing that you all want to see how this turns out 

Managed to get some more prep done and my EL wire has arrived. Here is a sneak of what I plan to do. The wire will pass through the hole I've drilled and there is a greeblie from a camcorder that will sit at the front .





Paint is on and a very heavy weathered look.

[Kyri]

Couple productive days. What do we think? The metal stick is the switch for the EL wire.





Once I'm happy with it will trim the wire and stick the lens on the front. Thinking of adding some more greeblies too.

Still not finished as the switch needs some attention and need to create the covers for the tied up EL at top and bottom.

The wire has three modes: on, long flash and flicker. Here is the flicker mode on display:

[Havelock]

This is looking really cool, vod!

[Taakur Beroya]

This is so awesome vod 

[Byron_Grom]

That's looking really good. I've got a questions and a related suggestion. Are you planning on being able to draw it back? If so, I'm wondering if there is a way to have the wires coiled on some kind of spring inside the grip to reel in any slack in the bowstring and "arrow." I've never worked with EL wire before, so I don't even know if it would be possible, just a thought.

[Kyri]

Thanks vod'e!

As for drawing it back, there is some excess wire in the hole of the bow that allows for it to pull back a bit. The wire isn't rigid enough to do too much while keeping the arrow straight unfortunately with too much distance.

[Choruk Kar'ta]

one word amazing vod! 

[Byron_Grom]

Thanks vod'e!

As for drawing it back, there is some excess wire in the hole of the bow that allows for it to pull back a bit. The wire isn't rigid enough to do too much while keeping the arrow straight unfortunately with too much distance.

So I realized the way I worded my idea probably didn't make much sense, so let me try again. lol.



The wire is fastened tight at points A, B, and C so they won't move. Inside the grip, the ends of the 3 separate wires are coiled around three different springs that retract any excess slack in the wire (basically like a tape measure). That way when you pull back all three wires pull out independently, but remain taught, maintaining nice straight lines.

As I'm typing this I realize this will probably be very hard to do, given the limited size of the grip, and the fact that you've got batteries and wiring to worry about, but just a thought.

[Kyri]

Ah that does make sense but alas you are right, nowhere near enough space in the grip. Maybe if I make a Mark 2 model at some point.

Today I completed the ends and attached the lens. Sorted out the switch too. Pretty much ready to take out to MCM on Sunday now.





Here is it switching between modes:

[Choruk Kar'ta]

looking so good. and maybe a idea for the 2.0 version try and make an arrow point. maybe it can be done with Plexiglas or what
s the name of it XD> the light can go true and make it even more realistic  

[Kyri]

Good idea Choruk! 

Just a last tweak, added a dial to change the energy bow's setting from stun to kill  Have coated it in lacquer too so its protected.







Just to say I am currently greeblieing this a lot

[Dacian]

Jave you thought about using a clear rigid rod for the arrow, with the el wire inside of it?
That way it doesn't slack off if you know what i mean, and you can draw it back.

[Kyri]

You are a genius! Just ordered one off eBay and cannot believe I didn't think of it 

[Dacian]

Glad i could be of service Vod
By the way looks great

[Kyri]

So it has taken a while but I have personalised my bow. Here are the updates. I am awaiting an acrylic tube to keep the arrow straight and need to weather the leather straps.

Overview:





Mando writing is "No Beast Too Big" and buttons added to the grip.



Knife holder for my small blade. metal attachment to the ends of wire and leather strapping to grips.

[Choruk Kar'ta]

yep this bow is getting better and better. personal touches is that which make a weapon unique. cool text, and the knife holder as well. always good to have a small back up when something goes wrong ^^

[Dar'manda]

I like this build very much! Watching with great interest!

[Kyri]

yep this bow is getting better and better. personal touches is that which make a weapon unique. cool text, and the knife holder as well. always good to have a small back up when something goes wrong ^^

Can't let those beasts get too close 

I like this build very much! Watching with great interest!

Thanks vod!