Astromech Droid Socket/Interface

[Fuzzual]

Hey there fellow RPF'rs, it has been a while since I had anything worthy of a post or new thread, but I am happy to say today is the day.

This project goes back several years when I asked Stinson, who has done amazing work on the Full Scale Falcon with his digital renders, but I asked him for a slightly different project. I wanted the plans to build a Droid Socket, and he did not disappoint . . .

now from that point I will say that the project stalled completely and I pretty much shelved it entirely. That was until a couple months ago when I was having a conversation with a fellow member who I am sure we can all agree is INSANE . . . I mean the guy has been working on the definitive Millennium Falcon Cockpit build for more days than most of us could fathom! I am talking about SofaKing . . . the "Greeblie Guru" and I figured if there was anyone that could help make this a reality it would be him.

What I didn't realize, but should of, is how fast that guy would dive in and just run with it!.

I will say, I was like a kid at Christmas!!!! Sofa sent me a kit, actually a couple different kits. Since we build 2/3rd droids and the above photos are a 1:1 scale he was kind enough to send me both to experiment with. But I started with the 1:1. Now I will say this, we have a ton of ideas between the two of us as to where this prop can go; electronics, automation, etc. but for now, lets deal with getting it build and finished as a static/semi-static prop. After all, Celebration is only a couple weeks away

So we started with finding the best looking greeblies needed in addition to those that Sofa laser cut on his AWESOME AMAZING MACHINE!!!!

not bad, not bad. tough to really tell what the originals are from, but we did our best to get close.


Next up I decided to make a few molds. the laser cuts are fantastic, but obviously with the MDF there is a fair amount of fill, sanding, and sealing on the frames as it is, so I thought the smaller pieces could be resin and save a bit of time. Also, the center piece with the teeth all have to be individually sanded, sealed, and then glued in place, so a mold definitely was faster there.

may as well mold a few other pieces while you pouring right????

Obviously the next step was to cast

Next comes the box assembly, and the first round of painting . . .

And of course a quick test fit

followed by pin-stripe and some simple electronics to help it come to life . . .

and then, the final result . . .

And thats it folks. Its a project I have wanted to see come to life for many years. a HUGE THANK YOU to Sofa King for doing the heavy lifting and helping bring this to life.

Now I know the question that is on all your minds is "How do I get one?" Well, we have the answer for you. Just PM me and I will be happy to put you on a list for those that have already asked, and those of you who want a kit of your own. Its a great little project and the parts are 2nd to none.

In the mean time, enjoy this fun project and thank you for checking it out .


***Note: I am bringing this along to Star Wars Celebration Orlando, so come see me I will be happy to show it to you close up!

 

[matty matt]

Really well done! Fantastic work. I've been following the progress on the Astromech Facebook page. Glad to see it completed.

 

[mugatu]

I was just thinking about never seeing one of these here, and how unusual that was. I love the work you've done.

 

[CJ 617]

That is simply amazing and what a great prop to display!!! Love it!!!

 

[Fuzzual]

Really well done! Fantastic work. I've been following the progress on the Astromech Facebook page. Glad to see it completed.

Thank you Matty. much appreciated. I've tried to post in both places.

I was just thinking about never seeing one of these here, and how unusual that was. I love the work you've done.

I thought that too mugatu, I was surprised that no one had ever done this. What Sofaking does with his laser cutter also makes this a great project.

That is simply amazing and what a great prop to display!!! Love it!!!

Thank you CJ!!

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

I was just thinking about never seeing one of these here, and how unusual that was. I love the work you've done.

I thought that too mugatu, I was surprised that no one had ever done this. What Sofaking does with his laser cutter also makes this a great project.

I've been wanting to for ages. I'd sorted out a rough outline of how I was going to make it function, as a set-piece, but was having trouble nailing down the scaling -- let alone doing up any actual plans. This all just blew my socks off. I've got the probe end. Now I gotta get me one of --

Now I know the question that is on all your minds is "How do I get one?" Well, we have the answer for you. Just PM me and I will be happy to put you on a list for those that have already asked, and those of you who want a kit of your own.

Well, yes. That. Exactly. PM inbound.

--Jonah

 

[Fuzzual]

Thanks Inquisitor. It is such an awesome little project. We can't wait to share with everyone, and we have HUGE plans for this kit in the future!

 

[Unfated]

You should offer this as a kit.

Hey there fellow RPF'rs, it has been a while since I had anything worthy of a post or new thread, but I am happy to say today is the day.

This project goes back several years when I asked Stinson, who has done amazing work on the Full Scale Falcon with his digital renders, but I asked him for a slightly different project. I wanted the plans to build a Droid Socket, and he did not disappoint . . .

View attachment 874768

now from that point I will say that the project stalled completely and I pretty much shelved it entirely. That was until a couple months ago when I was having a conversation with a fellow member who I am sure we can all agree is INSANE . . . I mean the guy has been working on the definitive Millennium Falcon Cockpit build for more days than most of us could fathom! I am talking about SofaKing . . . the "Greeblie Guru" and I figured if there was anyone that could help make this a reality it would be him.

What I didn't realize, but should of, is how fast that guy would dive in and just run with it!.

View attachment 874773

View attachment 874776

View attachment 874781



I will say, I was like a kid at Christmas!!!! Sofa sent me a kit, actually a couple different kits. Since we build 2/3rd droids and the above photos are a 1:1 scale he was kind enough to send me both to experiment with. But I started with the 1:1. Now I will say this, we have a ton of ideas between the two of us as to where this prop can go; electronics, automation, etc. but for now, lets deal with getting it build and finished as a static/semi-static prop. After all, Celebration is only a couple weeks away

So we started with finding the best looking greeblies needed in addition to those that Sofa laser cut on his AWESOME AMAZING MACHINE!!!!


View attachment 874785

View attachment 874788

not bad, not bad. tough to really tell what the originals are from, but we did our best to get close.


Next up I decided to make a few molds. the laser cuts are fantastic, but obviously with the MDF there is a fair amount of fill, sanding, and sealing on the frames as it is, so I thought the smaller pieces could be resin and save a bit of time. Also, the center piece with the teeth all have to be individually sanded, sealed, and then glued in place, so a mold definitely was faster there.

View attachment 874792

may as well mold a few other pieces while you pouring right????

View attachment 874798

View attachment 874802



Obviously the next step was to cast


View attachment 874806

View attachment 874810

View attachment 874814



Next comes the box assembly, and the first round of painting . . .

View attachment 874817

View attachment 874822

View attachment 874829

View attachment 874833



And of course a quick test fit

View attachment 874834

followed by pin-stripe and some simple electronics to help it come to life . . .

View attachment 874838



and then, the final result . . .

View attachment 874842

View attachment 874846

And thats it folks. Its a project I have wanted to see come to life for many years. a HUGE THANK YOU to Sofa King for doing the heavy lifting and helping bring this to life.

Now I know the question that is on all your minds is "How do I get one?" Well, we have the answer for you. Just PM me and I will be happy to put you on a list for those that have already asked, and those of you who want a kit of your own. Its a great little project and the parts are 2nd to none.

In the mean time, enjoy this fun project and thank you for checking it out .


***Note: I am bringing this along to Star Wars Celebration Orlando, so come see me I will be happy to show it to you close up!

 

[starwrslover]

You should offer this as a kit.

Agreed.