People asked for pictures of the Buster Sword, so here they are. This was the first machining project I really did. The whole thing is made of metal. Sorry for not mean in the photos, I can’t smile on command and if I try it always looks weird.
Josh
http://www.joshupdyke.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Buster02.jpg
http://www.joshupdyke.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Buster011.jpg
Dude, can you make me one?
How heavy is that sword? Do you plan on making a blade on it or at least the blade profile? How much would it cost for you to sell us one?
And here’s the video of the Summit being machined, it should help you understand what I was saying:
The catch zone and the cup are machined in a single step. You can also see that they add the bearing seat and the response groove on another machine later.
Ah, but when you’re using a manual lathe, you have to set up each cut separately.
This was to comment on this answer:
I am not sure what the sword weighs off the top of my head. It was pretty heavy, but lighter then expected. I think it is in the ball park of around 25 pounds. The big issue is the center of gravity is pretty far forward and that makes it awkward to handle. Obviously this sword was never realistic so these things were not a problem. If you are serious about me making you one PM and we can talk. But it is gonna cost $200 in the the raw materials, and then add my time on top. But if you want one I can make it happen.
That video of the Summit being machined is great. I wish I had a cnc lathe like that, but I just don’t have one. They also have a special expanding chuck to hold it when it is flipped over to machine the bearing seat. I will never be able to compete with a machine shop for production runs. If you want 100 yoyos then I am not the guy to talk to. Unless you want me to help you with production drawings, specing out tolerances, etc. However, if you want one or two of a design to test out before you order higher quantities then I might be able to do that. Also, if you want something else machined like that I could help.
Josh
Could you do spintops?
That was just to show you how they’re made by the actual companies, no one expects you to compete with full time, full sized machine shops, we’re just very happy that you’re able to make your own yoyos and getting every documented report of your findings. Keep it up, this is great.
Felipe,
I wasn’t trying to implying that anyone expects me to compete. I just was pointing out the it wouldn’t be realistic and in no way would it be profitable. I have had a few people message me about making production runs and it just isn’t gonna happen anytime soon. If the shop I use ever get a true cnc lathe, then maybe. I do have plans on building my own cnc lathe though and I will document that when it happens. That might be my winter project. 
If I can get to the point where I am making a small amount of money machining things for the community it would make that happen sooner. I just don’t have any free money for buying parts for the lathe right now. After I get settled in my new house in August I might have some spare money to buy parts for the lathe.
I suppose I could do a spin top. Like everything else I would need to see what exactly you wanted machined before I tell you for sure.
Josh
awww, If you ever have the chance, you should bore out some Materia Slots in that beautiful Buster Sword!
The plan was to bore the slots out to hold materia. But we waited because we wanted to make the holes match whatever we found for materia. The guy I made it for was looking for some and never got any. It would be really simple to program it up and machine the holes. But unless I know exactly what was gonna go inside them, it would be hard to make it fit perfectly.
It would be awesome to get something like this.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/99637789/final-fantasy-7-vii-green-magic-materia
Josh
I emailed you back Josh! Really glad that your documenting all your stuff and letting the public in on your updates. Hope your a member who stays around for a while.
What about the blade of the sword? Do you plan on making it? Or at least it’s profile and keeping it dull?
those would look pretty cool in it. though i think they would be big.
I don’t get it. He showed a picture with a blade already made!
Sword and blade are 2 different things. The blade is the part of the sword that cuts.
Because sharpening a top-heavy, 25-pound swordblade is a good idea.
There are dull blade profiles. If it was me I’d try to make it sharp though.
I’m still confused. The picture shows a blade… the part that cuts… I’m sure it’s not made with a tang in a separate hilt (probably just one big piece of metal!) but the blade is there. Maybe an illustration of what you mean?
