Treadwell Droid Build

[Paul6700]

I removed all of the metal boxes so they can be painted and the new wire harness can be installed through the body.

First step was to remove the neck mechanism. Remove the metal box and undo one screw and the whole thing slides out.


Then fish a wire up through the body from the lowest hole up to the neck.


Four servo wires need to run down through the body. Two from the neck for the head and neck movement and two from the mid-point for the two servos in the practical arm.



The wires all exit the body from the lowest hole. I did this to allow the body to easily be disconnected from the base for transportation.


Finished up by replacing the neck mechanism and connecting all of the servos to the harness.

 

[nick daring]

Really making some headway with the project! Loving it!

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks Nick, I had some good quality time with Treadwell this weekend!

 

[nick daring]

It's important to nurture That father/droid relationship.

 

[Paul6700]

It's important to nurture That father/droid relationship.

You get so little time with them while they are young, before you know it, he has grown up and started working for a farmer.

 

[Paul6700]

Painted the metal boxes and screws to match the rest of Treadwell's body.

First I primed all the parts.
Then a coat of aluminum color.
Weathered all the parts withe same washes of black and green.
Then reattached them to the body.

 

[nick daring]

Cool video!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/starwarsrarevintagephotos/permalink/10152006416221843/

 

[Paul6700]

Cool video!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/starwarsrarevintagephotos/permalink/10152006416221843/

I just was approved as a friend/member, so many amazing pictures. Thanks for the link Nick!

 

[mvmagic]

Its so great seeing the build progressing! Its gonna be totally awesome when finished!

 

[Paul6700]

Now that the head is attached to the neck and everything is working as it should. It is time to disassemble it and paint the neck and any of the unfinished areas of the head.

Started by taking everything apart.


The first piece painted is the bottom of the neck. It was already painted silver and I just used flat black acrylic paint.


I left the servo in place and primed the body of the neck. I also left the servo linkage intact. I ended up doing three coats of primer, sanding between coats with 600 grit paper.


Then two coats of silver aluminum paint.


I then let everything dry.

- - - Updated - - -

Its so great seeing the build progressing! Its gonna be totally awesome when finished!

Thank Mvmagic, I think I am nearing the finish line.

 

[Paul6700]

Attached the main body of the neck to the lower section with glue.


I am going to weather the neck the same way as I did for the whole build. First primed and painted a base color, in this case silver aluminum color. Then with acrylic paint I mixed a small amount of flat black with black green and water. I brushed the watery concoction over small areas at a time and used a damp cloth to remove the majority of the paint. Basically did a wash over the whole neck.


I then created another wash using just flat black. I did this to create some deeper areas, but also to make it look like oil or heavy dirt.


Next, I used a silver leafing pen to highlight some of the edges. Then brushed hints of Grecian gold Rub'nBuff. just to make it look older and more worn. One picture is with a flash and the other is not.

 

[Paul6700]

Reassembled the head and neck and attached it for the first time to the body since the rework.


Next step will be to replace the existing receiver and connect the servos.

 

[nick daring]

You've almost got yourself a droid! Looking great!

 

[Paul6700]

I was hoping to post the finished droid and a video of him working. But I have run into a snag. My servos are not getting enough power, so I have some trouble shooting to do before this is finished. More to come.

 

[SofaKing01]

that is a beautiful piece of work!

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks again SofaKing01! Still trying to figure out why my servos are under-powered.

 

[SofaKing01]

Thanks again SofaKing01! Still trying to figure out why my servos are under-powered.

When you get everything all set... you've been appointed to get the MF to fly...

 

[Paul6700]

Thanks SofaKing01, I am ready for the challenge. It is not enough to build a full scale MF, but we should make it fly! I am fairly confident I can at the very least get it to catch on fire.

 

[Paul6700]

I have tried two things so far. First, I wired all of the grounds together, thus creating a common ground. Second, I ran seperate 6 volt power to the servos. The receiver is still receiving 5 volts of power, but the servos are now getting the maximum power for their rating. The servos are still under performing as if they are not getting enough power. When I remove all servos from the receiver with the exception of one servo, then that servo performs better. So I am going to try to boost the signal strength to see if that corrects my problem.

 

[SofaKing01]

Thanks SofaKing01, I am ready for the challenge. It is not enough to build a full scale MF, but we should make it fly! I am fairly confident I can at the very least get it to catch on fire.

LOL... I'll bring the marshmallows