Happy Birthday R2-D2!

[MattMunson]

Though a day late, I realized today while updating my blog that it was one year ago yesterday that I first sent payment for the collection of R2 parts that I purchased from a fellow RPEffer, thus beginning one of the most interesting and fullfilling journeys of my life.

I NEVER suspected it would be a year before he was almost finished. Though I didn't start "proper" on the building effort until the tail end of 2006, it has still been a MUCH larger undertaking than even my most generous estimates accounted for.

Along the way, I've learned a ton about building, and nothing about myself. (I just hate it in movie trailers when they end it with "and along the way, they learn a little something about themselves"). It's been one challenge after another, and I still find myself confronted with tasks that I don't have the skillset for. Of course, this forces me to gain a new skill, and learn something cool.

I could not have done it without the R2 builders club. A great place for knowledge, where I have made many new friends.

Special thanks to everyone who reads my blog, and constantly offer encouragement and support. It makes it all worth while.

Well, that and the hot moms.

I'm committed to having him "done" by the end of the month, but I don't think he'll ever truly be "finished". I guess time will tell. Full report in another year!!!

 

[micdavis]

Great work Matt.

The color looks spot on, that's very important.

 

[KevVader]

Very nice Matt! That is one of my holy grails....one day.

Also good to know that you learned absolutely nothing about yourself through this journey....well done!

 

[blufive]

That looks great! :thumbsup

 

[R2-JD]

Nice Job!!! thumbsup

Wow, only one year and it looks great. It took me 5 years to build my first R2 and that one is gone to its new home. Now hopefully it won't take another 5 years to finish the one I am building for myself.

JD

 

[wannab]

Looks great, but he needs to work on his delts! lol

Doug

 

[MattMunson]

Delts it is! Don't worry, they're comin! Just a few more days and he'll be all buffed out and ripped!!!!

 

[PHArchivist]

Wow... Just WOW!

Does he have a beer keg inside?

 

[The Wook]

Lookin' real good. :thumbsup

And kudos to you for taking your time. What's the old saying? "Well done, is twice done.".

The Wook

 

[Kadajiroth]

Man he looks awesome. Great job, Matt.

 

[rmschneider104]

Looking great. I've been seriously considering an R2 build, but it seems like a ton of work, money, and effort. Been thinking long and hard... gonna keep thinking long and hard.

 

[MattMunson]

Looking great. I've been seriously considering an R2 build, but it seems like a ton of work, money, and effort.

It's for sure a lot of effort and work, but there are plenty of beautiful budget R2's out there. Don't get me wrong, it's not a poor man's game. But you don't have to go as nuts as I did to get a great looking droid.

Thanks again for all the kind words guys. Did a bunch more work tonight too. Should be finished in no time.

 

[Petseal]

Well Matt congrats on a fine looking boy you have there! You can see he didn't fall far from the steel pillar! One question though, what are you feeding the little tyke? He's beginning to look a little thick around the middle! Must get that from his dad! I'm assuming he got the single eye from his mom!

Sorry, couldn't help myself, I'm a sad and very strange person!

Seriously, he is one VERY FINE LOOKING DROID and I am sure all the other neighborhood Droids are spinning there tops when he rolls by!

OK Sorry again, I can't stop myself! He looks great Matt and I'll leave it at that!

All my Best, Petseal

PS, when is the Birthday Party and what grade of oil does the little Birthday Boy like?

Sorry I will hit the submit reply button now...

 

[Petseal]

Hi Matt,
I hope you took my insanity in the spirit it was intended! :wacko

Your R2-D2 looks possitively smashing! It looks like it could have just rolled off a Star Wars sound stage! Except of course for the missing details!
As micdavis pointed out the colors look spot on! And the sheens between the layers, must have been tedious work just to get the textures looking so clean, crisp and even!
Hell I can't get a smooth finish on a 1/24 scale car, yet alone something like this! :angry
My problem is I am a Sci-Fi fan in general and a Star Trek fan in particular! I would never build or buy something like this, even if it does look this great. I would need to build something like it from ST...like DATA!
The problem there is I could NEVER build a Data android to look anywhere near as good as you built your R2-D2!
So if Brent Spiner ends up on the news as being missing, I know nothing! :angel And does anyone know where to buy silver grease paint for the stage?

I did read some of your blog and other posts were this project was mentioned and I do have a question or two!

Did I understand it correctly that this Droid is remote controlled? And did you mention something about a C-3PO being your next major project?

All the Best, Petseal

 

[Darth Brass]

Totally hot droid, Matt!

 

[obi1kenny]

What? It's not finished yet...you slacker!

Actually I talked to Grant at Dragon*con and he said that you were done with your R2.

 

[Satxer]

I thought it had something to do with Kenny Baker

 

[Jumpin Jax]

With a plan in mind to do a primarily plastic droid(save the dome) you can save a lot with resin and plastic parts. That's what I'm up to, saved a lot of money by replacing standards frames with something a little easier: PVC pipe!
Nice droid Matt.:thumbsup

It's for sure a lot of effort and work, but there are plenty of beautiful budget R2's out there. Don't get me wrong, it's not a poor man's game. But you don't have to go as nuts as I did to get a great looking droid.

Thanks again for all the kind words guys. Did a bunch more work tonight too. Should be finished in no time.