ANOTHER stroke of engineering genius (on my behalf)

[MattMunson]

Call me crazy (cue peanut gallery), but I'm really happy with a very simple solution I came up with to a problem.

It's a mounting post for an octagonal port on R2. I Made a mount for the other port, but it took a really long time to do, and it wasn't as adjustable as I had hoped. So in a fit of rage, I came up with this very simple solution. Made it out of PVC on the mill. It allows for about a half an inch of movement on the X, and once I get it installed on the frame, it will have a half inch of movement on the Y. Pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself.

I've updated my blog for today with a TON of pics and detailed descriptions that include a discussion about this very piece. I guess I'm just showin' off again.

Da Big Bad R2 Blog

You should all be used to it by now

 

[SiR-ROUND]

You have a really nice shop to work in I see.

Great stuff as always.

 

[Predatormv]

I don't know why but I am addicted to reading your R2 blog. I am not really a big R2 fan, but I just keep reading every little detail. Keep it up.

 

[BlindSquirrel]

Great blog. Thanks for posting all the great WIP photos...I love that stuff.

Have you projected what your R2 will cost to finish? It looks like you're going top-of-the-line all the way...

 

[JediG60racer]

Call me dense, but why wouldn't you just glue it in place? That's what I did on mine, looked fine.

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JediG60racer @ Feb 9 2007, 04:31 PM) [snapback]1415160[/snapback]</div>

Call me dense, but why wouldn't you just glue it in place? That's what I did on mine, looked fine.
[/b]

Only because I'm a BIG fan of grabbing the low haning fruit...

Youre Dense....



But it's a fair enough question, and I'll answer it. For those that have been following the blog, they'll already know the answer.

The main reason is that I'm trying to expand my skillset with the construction of this droid. Yup, you're right, I could glue it. And odds are, that would work just as well as any other solution. I don't expect R2 to go in to battle, fall down stairs, ram other droids, or anything that might require an overly robust engineering solution to every problem that presents itself during this process.

However, I already know how to glue stuff. In fact, the solution I'm using for this octagonal port is radically different than the solution I came up with for the OTHER octagonal port. I just wanted a challenge. I wanted to stretch my skills, put my thinking cap to good use, and come up with something cool.


And perhaps somewhere in the back of my mind, I am a little worried about pieces popping/dropping off during the use of my droid. How embarassing would it be to be walking down the hallway with R2 in tow when an octagonal port pops loose and falls to the ground?? I guess it's a pride thing.


As for the rabid followers and readers of my blog, I appreciate the support. I'm glad you guys are getting a kick out of it. I've seen a lot of blogs out there for R2 building, and I'm trying to make mine a little different. I'm getting VERY nitty-gritty with the details,but not really turning it into a tutorial. I don't really show step by step, but instead to an accomplishment-by-accomplishment view. Throw in my HIGHLY entertaining writing style, and I think it's a recepie for some good reading


Cost of R2?? When I purchased the original kit off the seller, it was 5k. Since then, I've probably put in another 2k in additional parts (replaced some resin parts with AL), stock, hardware, electronics, and paint. Can't forget the paint.. 7 was about what I expected to pay, so I guess I'm right on track. Of course, that figure doesn't begin to account for the thousands and thousands of dollars in tools I have at my disposal, nor the time I've spent on him. But hey, those dont' count

And yeah, I made the decision from the get go not to do this on the cheap. I want high quality, durability, and coolness all the way. You can make your own R2 for TONS cheaper. There's things I spent money on that can EASILY be done for loads cheaper. I'm STILL on the fence about the paint...

 

[Treadwell]

I've been enjoying the blog as well. I think you're WAAAY over engineering the thing, but the important thing is you're having fun and, as you say, learning new mad skillz. Learning a thing or three myself just reading.

Can't wait to see the 'lil guy finished.

P.S. Any chance of next/previous buttons being added to each entry?

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Treadwell @ Feb 9 2007, 05:59 PM) [snapback]1415198[/snapback]</div>

I've been enjoying the blog as well. I think you're WAAAY over engineering the thing, but the important thing is you're having fun and, as you say, learning new mad skillz. Learning a thing or three myself just reading.

Can't wait to see the 'lil guy finished.

P.S. Any chance of next/previous buttons being added to each entry?
[/b]

Treddy. Yup, "over engineering" is my mantra for this project

Next/prev buttons are a great idea. I'll get on that tonight. Gotta new entry coming soon too.

Thanks for all the support guys. Funny, I got a request from my girlfriend yesterday. She wants more pictures of ME working on R2 in the blog. Go figure.

 

[OldKen]

LOL, seriously, great lookin droid, great blog...

but after over 7K are you seriously going to mention how much you spent on paint in every post you... post?

LOL.

very envious, this will be a masterpiece of an astromech.

and ive seen some gooduns.

 

[MattMunson]

Yah, well, what can I say. The paint is a bit of a sore spot for me at the moment

In other news, the blog has been updated. Prev/next buttons added for easier navigation, and I applied my style sheet to every page I could find, so there's some consistency there. Looks pretty good.

I'm off to bed now. Already got some ideas about what I'm going to attempt tomorrow.

 

[Gary Weaver II]

Looking awesome Matt...

Did your dome come pre-polished or did you do it youself? I'm still trying to figure out a good way to polish up my R&J Dome...

-Gary

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gw2tulsa @ Feb 10 2007, 12:33 AM) [snapback]1415332[/snapback]</div>

Looking awesome Matt...

Did your dome come pre-polished or did you do it youself? I'm still trying to figure out a good way to polish up my R&J Dome...

-Gary
[/b]

Pre-polished? Surely, you jest. Nopers, it came in it's raw state. I should take a picture of the other dome, just to show what it looked like when I got it. I polished it up to a near mirror finish, but ended up knocking it back down. It's much more manageable when it's knocked down a bit. Easier to handle and keep a consistent finish on it. When you go for the mirror finish, any unevenness shows up like crazy.

that's not to say there aren't people out there who have some killer mirror finishes on their lids. I just don't have the patience for it

 

[Gary Weaver II]

Yeah, I'm not after the mirror finish. I'm just trying to figure out a good technique to do it up. What did you use to polish it?

-Gary

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Oh c'mon, how many of these "pat myself on the back" threads are you going to post? :lol


Looks great so far.

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sluis Van Shipyards @ Feb 11 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]1416254[/snapback]</div>

Oh c'mon, how many of these "pat myself on the back" threads are you going to post? :lol


[/b]

Knowing me the way I do, I'd say there's an endless supply.


GW, I polished my dome with a mouse sander. Started off with some pretty low grit papers to get the "stripes" out, and then just kept notching it up until I got happy with the finish. I played around with some rubbing compunds and some steel wool, but ultimately liked the look I got with plain old sand paper and scotch brite padds. But it totally depends on what type of finish you are going for.

Hope that helps

 

[MattMunson]

Todays' blog entry is entitled "back door action".

Check it out.

 

[Gary Weaver II]

The Mouse sander huh? I never thought to use that. I'm stuck in the school of "stay with the grain" thanks to my Delorean.

Thanks for the technique. I'll have to give that a shot.

-Gary

 

[Gordon Gekko]

Nothing I love better that a really detailed R2 build. Thanks Matt.

I might finally be inspired to get off my butt and start working on mine again.

 

[TK9120]

Looking great Matt. I used a similar technique to mount the octoport. I bent a strip of metal around the back and screwed it to the inner skin. I like to way you mounted the front vents. I was wondering which way I should go. I might try your idea.

One question on the magents. I thought I heard that they can interfere with the RC controls. Have you looked into this? That's what is stopping me from using them.

 

[MattMunson]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TK9120 @ Feb 12 2007, 06:44 AM) [snapback]1416662[/snapback]</div>

Looking great Matt. I used a similar technique to mount the octoport. I bent a strip of metal around the back and screwed it to the inner skin. I like to way you mounted the front vents. I was wondering which way I should go. I might try your idea.

One question on the magents. I thought I heard that they can interfere with the RC controls. Have you looked into this? That's what is stopping me from using them.
[/b]

I'm not aware of that, but that doesn't mean it's not true. On the R2 that I'm using for reference (and inspiration...) there's plenty of magnets. That's what got me hot to using them. I'll put him together in a couple of days and check out how the RC system is working. tha'ts a great question for the R2 Builders club though.


Gary, Re the mouse sander, it all depends on if you WANT grain on your R2 dome. My first pass was to make it mirror, so no grain. But as I went back to sanding, knocking it down a bit, I became more conscious of it. Still, at the end of the day, I don't think I want any grain on my dome. I don't mind it not being mirror finish, but I never did like the grain. There's probably a couple of r2s out there (screen used) that had grain, so take it for what it's worth.

Update: just read a couple of messages on the R2 club. There's lots of speculation about magnets, and a couple of good reasons for and against using them.

But for interfearance, it just occurred to me that almost every R2 has two GIANT magnets right inside his guts: for the speakers. Those are WAY bigger than anything I'm using to hold the panels in place, and they're MUCH closer to the electronics. I would suggest that speaker magnest are a much bigger worry than skin holders.

But I'll know for sure soon