R2D2 Build

[KrangPrime]

well, new receivers did NOT fix his motor issues..not sure what else to do.
Using a spectrum dx61 remote, one receiver, a syren 10 and sabertooth 2x25

 

[Kevlarr]

Awesome build and fantastic R2 you got there!
I hope to get to your league one day!

Is it true that it cost anywhere around 5-10 grand to build an R2D2 of this quality out of aluminum?

 

[Panaflex]

Wow, just remarkable work. Well done.

 

[KrangPrime]

Awesome build and fantastic R2 you got there!
I hope to get to your league one day!

Is it true that it cost anywhere around 5-10 grand to build an R2D2 of this quality out of aluminum?

yep. mine was around $9500, not including double bought parts to make up for mistakes.

 

[KrangPrime]

R2's electronic issues fixed. All he needed was a new battery. Once the new wires get here for his system, We'll rewire him nice and he'll be ALMOST done.

I plan on upgrading the last resin parts, his two center foot moons to metal, so he'll be 100% metal.
And I am also doing a second head. they changed the head so no drilling is needed. now all I have to do is cut the panels, paint and glue . should turn out ten times nicer...and then he should be looking pretty decent.

If I ever do a second droid, it will be a mostly styrene black/red death star model. love that paint scheme....this all metal one is just too much of a pain in the ass to travel with. It'd be nice to be able to lift R2 up as easy as a basketball ;o).

 

[KrangPrime]

R2 Rolls again. A bit of adjusment might be needed for his center foot casting wheels, then he should stop doing 180's. As he is now, you have to jiggle him a little to get him to move straight...then he stalls again. but other than that, it works perefectly again. And I only lost one sabertooth. Never work till 9PM on your droid, or you might accidentally hook up battery plus to negative without realizing it!

Pictures coming soon on completed frames and power coupler tab install.

- - - Updated - - -

Wow, just remarkable work. Well done.

If I can build this, TRUST me, anyone can build this. that should be the first sign that it's easy/do-able! ;o)

 

[KrangPrime]

Corner tabs on the power couplers on now. New metal center leg. New metal skins... he's just about done

 

[KrangPrime]

Merry christmas

Tomorrow, I am going to take R2 apart, hopefully for the last time, in the attempts to solve his roving problem.
got a few possibilities that could be causing it. hope to have it working smoothly again for the holiday party.

 

[Amazing DJ]

Corner tabs on the power couplers on now. New metal center leg. New metal skins... he's just about done

That looks really good! :thumbsup

 

[KrangPrime]

thank the maker, he works...and no further foul ups.

All metal minus two resin moons. All stable and secure to prevent driving issues. All electronics re wired to prevent shorts. Now I just have to wait for my second head to ship, and he should look rather passable..

R2 rolls again. - YouTube

 

[KrangPrime]

R2D2 lifesize - a set on Flickr

all photos found here are now on flickr..

 

[KrangPrime]

Dome 2.0 begins. I might repaint that first one red and black if I can get the panels off without damaging them.

Thankfully, all the holes are pre drilled this time around so it'll look nicer with less leg work..

Any tips on how to clean that? want this nice and shiny

 

[KrangPrime]

2.0 cut aways..

With R2 Dome 2.0 being worked on, this means we can clean up and re purpose dome1.0 into a black and red death star droid head. First step, pry off the panels. For anyone thinking of using JB weld, this should pry you away from that idea. Not only did I use way too much for fear of panels breaking off and being lost, but it'll take FOREVER to clean off. Maybe I should try acid ;o)..

Radar Eye mostly paint stripped and ready for repainting.

Dome 2.0 panels being painted. If I can find a color in between this one (too light?) and the other one (too dark?) I think it'd be a perfect match.

All nicely painted with Kitt looking on...

And I know my painting skills suck, but this was a tad too much paint

 

[SofaKing01]

Excellent work! Looking forward to everything!

Now... you mentioned K.I.T.T.?

 

[KrangPrime]

Excellent work! Looking forward to everything!

Now... you mentioned K.I.T.T.?

Fully operational console and interior at least. I don't have enough money to do a full on car restoration at the moment. I'd do a kick starter if I thought that would work ;o).

 

[KrangPrime]

The dome is now held together by the Radar screws as suggested. Everything is evened out nicely. All I have to do is wait for the rockler bearing and everything can go together ;o). Although I still say where the old blue was too dark, this one is too bright. has to be a happy medium. then it'll be on to fixing dome one

 

[KrangPrime]

http://www.therpf.com/f9/project-3-kitt-206256/

and for those interested, you can see KITT here.....at least for now, the complete console building ;o).

 

[KrangPrime]

Dome 1.0 is now totally taken apart.
All the panels are nice and clean for a new shade of Red Paint. All that is left, is to clean the back of the panels and the dome panel parts. That's going to be the tough part for when I get back.

for those wondering a bout the two holes in the top, because I know someone will ask, I messed up cutting the size of the Holo Projector hole. In the proper panel, it was too big! Thankfully dome 2.0 has pre cut holes for dummies

As you can see, the panels will need a bit of polish to remove the tape marks. If not, I'll have to repaint them. One of the panels will have to be redone, because the tape that held it in place tore some of the paint off! doh... Oh well, in general, I think dome 2 will look ten times nicer. Now I just have to wait for a JEdi Control board and Periscope to go on sale to complete the upgrade process. and install my second set of electronics when I get back from the beach.

 

[KrangPrime]

I found an easy dremel attachment tool that removes the JB weld pretty quickly. within 5 minutes, the panel was cleared, but it wore the tool down to nothing. So while I stock up on 20 of them, I'll be a ble to finish cleaning up dome one next week when I come back from the beach.

Just haphhazardly threw it on... Wow, it looks so much better. a little more polish and instal the lights, and it will be done.

 

[Johnny Darko]

it looks amazing! every home should have a droid!