R2D2 Build

[KrangPrime]

OK, New Ardunio chip arrived. we've programmed it. The lights actually turned on by themselves with the board plugged in, so so far that's a good sign. the chip works. Now to try it with a battery and the Rear PSI plugged in. If THATworks, we'll set up a second chain with the rest of the lights

 

[KrangPrime]

I think I still may send these lights off to Mr.Paul.. Something is still going wonky with them..

 

[KrangPrime]

brought R2 home for a few days to show off to someone, then he's off to work again. Say hello to my BIG friend!


Thursday, I'll probably glue those PSI pips in with hot glue. and the lights will be secure. I glued in the panel for the Top Holo Projector. I don't ever intend to take the outer dome off again. I also drilled holes in the pie panel section just in case I ever plan to add anything.

The lights are STILL a little wonky. They no longer seem to drain power with that new Chip installed, but the blinking is wonky. Before, the PSI's didn't blink in the proper function. They acted more like the RSD. When I uploaded the code for two chains....the Front Displays on one chain worked fine, but the PSI on the same chain, and the Rear PSI RSD on a second chain all stayed on, those didn't blink at all...

sigh.. always something!

 

[KrangPrime]

Going to try one last bit of light code tommorow. Now the front lights are working properly, but the back and PSI lights are frozen. I hope to get the Pipes for the PSI's installed, the dome polished to look shiny, and the top panels at least, glued in.

What does everyone think is the best glue to use? Hot glue didn't really work for my one test panel...it just popped right off!

 

[Engelnicht]

You may want to try some actual aluminum adhesives like Partite. I found an article here that gives some wonderful information on aluminum bonding, and mentions some good adhesives in this paragraph:

"The top performing adhesive I used was Partite 3750 from Parson Adhesives, followed by Extreme 310 and Extreme 5375HS. The brittler stuff was Partite 5140 (which was surprising because they advertised it as being rubberized), and the two epoxies, PTMW ES6228 and Solar EA-0504."

Keep in mind the article is a few years old, so the 3750 is no longer produced. The Parson Adhesives site is here, and gives plenty of information about their products, but you may have to look elsewhere to actually purchase the stuff.

 

[KrangPrime]

Light update: Thanks to Mr.Murphy for sticking with me. The new code he sent me SEEMS to have made the lights revert to normal. I now have the switch wired up properly, and the thing is set up with two buses. One bus RSD Rear PSI . Second Bus, front Displays and PSI. Crossing fingers.


The Pipes for the PSI's are hot glued in... If it works, it should be pretty stable. Now it's just a matter of getting the lights secured and find a replacement for the plastic inserts that are a bit more easily cutable to the proper size. All that is Really left now, is to polish it, Find something to properly glue in the panels, and polish while I wait for the radar eye to go on sale.

 

[KrangPrime]

The front PSI is on and working. The front Displays seem to once again
be functioning properly. I left them on for a full 30 and they didn't dim at all, so the new chip seems to be working good.

The front PSI pipe goes through the small metal of the inner dome and sits there with Hot Glue, but not enough so that it'll interfere with the panel when it gets glued on.

the front display without the outer dome..

The Rear Display. Same setup. The Pipe is held in by hot glue alone.

 

[Trooper_trent]

Glad to hear your lights are working. I know that has been one of your biggest frustrations. I just got. Office that my Teeces kit shipped. I'm so nervous about it.
Looks great man!

 

[KrangPrime]

The other thing I thought of, I hope I put the color changing sides on the right side. It does go blue right red left, right?

 

[KrangPrime]

1:1 R2 D2 Current status - YouTube

 

[inventorj]

Two words, Lookin good.

 

[redirk2]

Nice work so far. Makes me want to build again.

 

[KrangPrime]

The JB Weld and Polisher got here... Testing out the weld on four top pie panels now. Will see how well it worked tomorrow morning.

 

[KrangPrime]

Not sure if I should clean it first before waxing. It was AWFUL dirty on the first pass of polish..does this look right? The top four panels are now held in by JB weld....

 

[KrangPrime]

Half an hour later...

The full dome done...not sure if it looks better or worse with the polish

 

[KrangPrime]

It took a bit of searching (god I suck at searches), but I found a way to make the dome topper, and after a trip to sears hardware, boomshakalaka. This time tomorrow, all the top dome panels will be in place thanks to JB weld. If I can get the dome topper nut painted, they'll be in place tomorrow.

Then really the only thing left would be the radar eye. and gluing in the other panels... the head isn't PERFECT the way it is, but for a first try, I don't think it turned out all that bad. If I do a second for a display piece, maybe with red panels, it'll be much nicer looking

 

[KrangPrime]

Well, the plastic insert fits now, but I think I cut a tad too much away to make it fit ;o)... maybe the paper from my drawing book would work as a good substitute,.

 

[mikenelson1982]

this is looking great makes me want to build one

 

[Engelnicht]

Really nice work Neil!

 

[bleyd]

This thread makes me miss the parts I had to let go. Great progress and thanks for sharing