Create your own tsuba

[André Lambelet]

Hello all, did you ever wanted to have a exclusive and unique tsuba drawn by yourself ? it's not that complicated !

The story started when I decided to draw a "Mon" for my wife's birthday who is mad about turtles. I made a nice drawing on Adobe illustrator® and when i had it completed I suddently realized that the design coud make a nice tsuba. Back to my computer to correct a few lines and insert the "Nakago hana" (central hole for the blade) wich I measured from the original tsuba and that was it !

Then I saved the drawing in .dxf and sent it to a friend who is equiped with a lazer cutting machine. I told him to use a 3mm steel plate.

I recieved the raw steel tsuba, took a few hours to file down egdes smouth and round and sent it again to have it blackened with a electrolytic process.

After a few days, I took my blade appart and mounted my brand new unique tsuba in the world !

[Jon Ballard]

I had been thinking of ideas on custom tsubas for a while, Its good to know it can be done. If you do not mind me asking, what would something like cost?

[André Lambelet]

Originally posted by Jon Ballard
I had been thinking of ideas on custom tsubas for a while, Its good to know it can be done. If you do not mind me asking, what would something like cost?

Not as expensive as one would think : 40.- CHF (approx 33.- USD). The steel cost nothing, the 40.- I was charged for is to have the lazer programmed and 5 minutes later, it's done !

Actually, I could have spent more time filing down the inside parts, you can see cutting steps imprefections on the photo, these are almost invisible in reality.

[Lance davis]

I love this thread both the turtle tsuba which is simple and dramatic and the way it is a simple and cheap way to design and make your own. The turtle turned out very well congrats.

[Tommy Gilliam]

I'd be lined up with designs of you boys decide to offer that to the public

Nice looking tsuba.

[michael wilson]

Tommy man - Imagine the possibilities , I bet you have already


So , a designer , a laser cutter , and a retailer - hmmm , very
interesting ( best german accent ) LOL

[Tommy Gilliam]

"Become Your Own Manufacturer" Wouldn't be a bad thing.

I really like the idea for doing that tsuba and it lends itself to a good array of options.

If you don't mind my asking what exactly is it called? A laser metal cutter or?

[André Lambelet]

Originally posted by Tommy Gilliam
"Become Your Own Manufacturer" Wouldn't be a bad thing.

If you don't mind my asking what exactly is it called? A laser metal cutter or?

More info about the type of machine (this one is a BIG one), the process and possibilities at :

http://www.emachineshop.com/machines...er-cutting.htm

[michael wilson]

Tommy - I see you rummaging around for your entrepeneur hat


I already have a design for a fat , jolly englishman LOL


Seriously though guys - thats one exciting door thats been opened with this thread IMO


Mick

[Tommy Gilliam]

Originally posted by André Lambelet
More info about the type of machine (this one is a BIG one), the process and possibilities at :

http://www.emachineshop.com/machines...er-cutting.htm

THANKS André

[Norman B]

There are some drawbacks to laser cutting, which you may or may not consider msjor, as I was informed about after contacting a cutter near Buffalo, NY, which uses AutoCAD.

First, the minimal width between cuts chould be no less than the thickness of the material, as there may be some "chipping" or what they called "burn-out" or "over burn". Excess material may be cut out due to the heat generated by the beam. Therefore, a chrysanthemum petal design has to be left with much more meat along the edge of the petals than using a jewelers saw would allow, so there could be a considerable amount of recutting and finishing involved.

Second, the cut is generally not smooth. The laser is actually rapidly pulsed in order to allow gasses to escape and not block the beam, this creates a streaking or saw-blade effect in the cut, as can be seen on the head of the turtle in the tsuba. If you don't mind filing and sanding then OK.

Third, multi layered materials, like mokume, are either not allowed or strongly discouraged as the lasers often cannot deal with burning thru layers of varying density in the same cut. They're generally programmed for 1 material at a time.

Fourth, this was not confirmed, but I have been told by others there could be some hardening involved along the cut edge generated by the heat of the beam.

For complicated designs, you may have to go thru a few test designs before getting something that comes out well.

[Tommy Gilliam]

The filing I've not done a mass amount of personally just because I primarily do tsukamaki and saya customizations but I'm going to try it. The turtle up there is a good enough tsuba I think that I'd buy it. Don't wanna hiijack the thread but this idea is WONDERFUL.

There are a few rough spots on the turtle on the edges true BUT I've seen far worse on tsuba out there. GREAT idea man I'm inspired. Keep up the good work and show us pics of your next project.