Treadwell Droid Build

[Paul6700]

I ordered the neck made with the nylon. It is surprisingly strong, however most of the weight will be on the back pivot point which will put a lot of stress on the front area that is connected to the body. Thanks for the pictures, I do think it is the same droid. Though the clones version looks so much older than the ANH version, which of course it should have been reversed.

I just order the storybook from Amazon, if should be here next week and I hope the picture is as good as I remember.

 

[Paul6700]

Just painted the saw arm and it came out pretty cool. Here are the pictures:

Primed the whole arm grey.

Used Rustoleum Aluminum spray paint as a base coat.

Painted the sprockets black and glued the chain to them.

Attached the wire.

Weathered the whole arm with washes of black and black green.

Reattached the arm to the body.

Two more arms to go.

 

[Paul6700]

For my fourth arm, I am using a soldering iron for the end of the arm. I believe this is the tools used for this particular arm.

Disassembled an old soldering iron and cut out all of the wiring.

Here are the parts that make up the arm. Soldering iron, styrene tubing, screws and some extra wire.

Cut the handle so that a 1/2 inch piece of tubing would slide in and reassembled the iron.

The arm assembled. All of the arms are about 18 inches long.

The arm test fit with red wire.

I added a shroud to handle of the iron. I used the same metal that is used on the logic boxes on the base.

Reattached the arm with black wire this time. This wire blends in a bit better.

 

[mvmagic]

Great project you've got there! I have loved that guy ever since I saw ANH. Its the eyes...

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks mvmagic! I am working on the practical arm now.

 

[mvmagic]

Gonna keep a keen eye on this thread!

I saw ANH in '83. I had read the book. Had action figures. But when I saw it on screen I GOT it. A life-long love affair...and a pleasant one!

First thing I built was the treadwell! You can say it was not entirely screen accurate, but hey I was 10. And at least I used all found parts, so I kinda captured the SW prop ideology! This really has a special place in my heart.

 

[Paul6700]

First thing I built was the treadwell! You can say it was not entirely screen accurate, but hey I was 10. And at least I used all found parts, so I kinda captured the SW prop ideology! This really has a special place in my heart.

That is so cool, would love to see pictures.

 

[mvmagic]

I honestly dont know if there is any pics as it was 30 years ago. Gotta check some boxes at my parents' house to see. I do remember the body, or the upright part (not sure if you can call it body) was a broom stick covered in aluminum foil. High tech stuff...

 

[Paul6700]

That is great stuff!

 

[Paul6700]

Finishing up the day with a little more progress. Fourth arm painted and started figuring out the fifth and practical arm.

Painted this arm the same as the saw arm. Started with primer.

Used aluminum colored spray paint as a base coat.

Weathered the arm with black and black green acrylic paint.

The are reattached to Treadwell.

This shot is of a four dummy arms attached and painted. The magnetic arm, the thermometer arm, the saw arm and the soldering iron arm.

Next up will be gripper arm, which will move up and down and of course grip stuff. Hopefully!:confused

 

[Paul6700]

On the original droid, the practical arm was controlled pneumatically and I believe an air tank hand to be connected to the droid for it to work. I am going to use servos to get my arm to move.

The servo will act as the shoulder and again I will use plastic tubes to keep the arm light.

Using the picture as a guide, I assembled the arm using small screws and glue.

I am planning on using a micro servo and claw assembly from Servo City. So this is the first test fit to get the placement right.

 

[Paul6700]

The first step is to attach the servo to the arm.

I cut a channel into the plastic tube for the servo horn to fit into. I also cut off the other side of the horn. I used two small screws to attach the horn to the arm. This also allowed me to figure out how I wanted to attach the servo to the body.

I first cut a piece of styrene for strength and then backed it with a thin piece of aluminum.

I drilled the holes through the aluminum and styrene. Then bent the aluminum to match the curve of the body.

The two pieces are glued together and reattached to the servo.

Secured the servo to the body. The gear is now situated at the center of the pivot point for the arm.



The arm is now solely attached to the gear.

 

[Paul6700]

First test of the lift mechanism.

 

[xingshen]

You are cranking this thing out in record time!

Looking good!

 

[Paul6700]

You are cranking this thing out in record time!

Looking good!

Thanks, I am trying to get this done in time for Wondercon. And between now and then I am traveling a great deal for work.

 

[Kevlarr]

Cool build and what an awesome droid!

 

[Paul6700]

Cool build and what an awesome droid!

Thanks Kevlarr, I have always wanted to make Treadwell and he is coming along better than I thought.

 

[Paul6700]

Here is a quick update. Added the small servo controlled gripper from Servo City.

Pictures:



Video:

 

[SofaKing01]

Very Cool! Great job so far

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks SofaKing01!!