PLNK Droid Build

[Paul6700]

There have been several recent GNK or power droids by RPF members that I have been inspired to build my own power droid. The one I would like to build is the four legged version that appeared in the Clone Wars cartoon series. This droid was named PLNK for the noise it made as well as a nod to one of the series artists Kilian Plunkett.

Here are a few artist renderings of the droid:



Here is where I am with the build. I simply have started to amass the items needed to build him.


I am going to do this build a little different. Normally the GNK Droid is built either as a costume or as a static display. A few members have even made their power droid useful in some way. Since I am doing the four legged version, I have decided to make him able to move around on his own. I am also planning on using him as my power droid, in that he will be able to charge the rest of my collection of droids.

 

[Paul6700]

Jumping in I purchased some 1/2 inch gas pipe and fittings to act as the legs of the droid. I simply assembled these and set aside.




Next is a test fit of the two bins I plan on using.


I am planning on using the lid of the lower bin to act as a shelf inside the droid for my chargers. So I will cut the handles off the upper bin.


You can see now the upper bin fits flush with the lid.



I then cut the bottom out of the lower bin with a razor knife.

 

[Paul6700]

Since this droid will be R/C, I am going to start with the robot base. I want the droid to appear as if he is walking, However I plan to have two motors in his rear feet and casters in his front feet. The walking motion, I think, will be simulated by the legs moving forward and backward.

First I am using a piece of oak as the main structure under the lid. It will be attached to the lid and will give it rigidity.


I ended up cutting it down to fit inside the bin and centered on the lid.

Next I am using 16 inch under mount drawer slides to allow the legs to move forward and backward. The drawer slide is attached to a 4-inch piece of oak.


The metal legs I assembled yesterday are bolted through the 4-inch piece of oak and the drawer slide is mounted to the larger board.


Once the legs were attached, I bolted the lid onto the board. I connected the lower bin just to get an idea of what it will look like.


Why stop at just the lower bin.

 

[Paul6700]

After finishing I noticed the single drawer slide is rocking side to side and making the whole droid a bit wobbly. The slide will surly fail once I add weight and movement.

So I disassembled everything.


And rebuilt the slide mechanism with two drawer slides per leg and used a six inch piece of oak instead of a four inch piece.


I also decided to make him a little taller, so I replaced the eight inch gas pipe with twelve inch pipe. I then reattached the lid.


Now back to where I started, however it is a much more stable platform.

 

[MAAZ]

I'm loving this build - Great Job!

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks Eureka!

 

[clancampbell]

Fantastic build!! The storage boxes for the body is genius!!

Rich

 

[Fuzzual]

Excellent . . . subscribed!

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks guys for the words of encouragement. The bins really are not my idea, since there have been lots of builds here with bins. But I do like the see-through nature of this build. I am of course going to paint the droid, but I will leave it as see-through as possible so we can see what is happening on the inside too.

so started this weekend with drawing out the backwards E and other details in foam.


Next, I marked up the upper bin with most of the penetrations into it. Starting with the face.


Followed by all the rest of the openings. I did not do the hose or the opening for the nozzle head. I don't have those parts yet.


Next I will cut everything out.

 

[Paul6700]

Here are some of the parts that will go into those holes.


Using a Dremel and a cut-off wheel, I was able to open up each hole. Then I used a sanding drum to slowly open the holes up to fit each piece.




As with Treadwell I used some left over R2 parts on this build. The center vent surrounds are going to be two working vent holes.

 

[Jaffa007]

Looking good :cool Following with interest

 

[Paul6700]

Attached all of the different parts, starting with what will become the external outlets. I will be able to lift this cover and plug in anything requiring 110 volts AC.


Next, I cut out a piece of metal mesh that was originally used on Treadwell. I am attaching the center vents to it and then the mesh to side of the bin, all with screws.


The "face" piece is next. Again using screws.


I cut out the backwards E and other shapes, but didn't take pictures. However, I did take a shot of it being glued on. At the same time I glued on the panel that will lead into the main body.


Here is how the droid is shaping up.

 

[King Hippo]

I'm loving this build. Subscribed!

 

[Blue Leader]

This is looking pretty neat so far.

I've been planning a PLNK myself and have been slowly collecting parts for it. So far I just have a few greeblies and what I plan to use for the pump.

What size tubs did you use? I've been having a hard time deciding on a good size.

 

[Paul6700]

Thank guys for all the positivness... Blue Leader, The bins are Sterilite bins and I believe they are the 26 gallon versions. I was worried about getting to big with this build, he is already getting a little heavier than I wanted.

 

[Paul6700]

Doing a little work on the inside. I thought I would make it even heavier and use more wood. The first step was replace the two top pieces I used to secure the lid. Instead I am using a single large piece to create a flat surface inside the droid.



Next, I created a shelf with a 6-inch wide piece of wood. This will serve as the platform for my chargers. I am using half inch PVC plugs to secure PVC pipe.



I simply drilled out the plug for a screw and attached it to the base and to the shelf.



Attached a plastic bin inside the droid for all of my loose cords.



Added the PVC as legs and then attached to the base.

 

[Blue Leader]

Thank guys for all the positivness... Blue Leader, The bins are Sterilite bins and I believe they are the 26 gallon versions. I was worried about getting to big with this build, he is already getting a little heavier than I wanted.

Ah, thanks. I've been looking and tubs but just couldn't decide on what size looked "right". Though I did see some tubs that looked like they would have been almost perfect, they even had the "trenches" running down the sides from top to bottom. Though I can't remember what size they were...

 

[Paul6700]

Ah, thanks. I've been looking and tubs but just couldn't decide on what size looked "right". Though I did see some tubs that looked like they would have been almost perfect, they even had the "trenches" running down the sides from top to bottom. Though I can't remember what size they were...

I just stacked bins in the store until I found a size I wanted to work with.

 

[cavx]

Where did you find tubs without wheels? I want to make a simple GNK and all the large storage tubs now have small wheels.

 

[Paul6700]

I think I got these at Target, they are made by sterilite.