BT-1 the Blastomech

KennyZ · Oct 14, 2017

Thank you. There's a lot in BT that is a traditional build. Only a few parts and details are 3D printed. However, there are 3d models out there where you can print the entire droid. They are really impressive.

Yesterday BT went to visit R2.

Today I started to paint some parts. This is the color scheme I'll be using on the legs. The leg itself will be the same color as the horseshoe. It will be awhile before I get to paint that. I ran out of primer. I thought I bought another can but I either did not or I misplaced it.

I decided to try a gold highlight in the inset on the ankle detail. I like it.

Halliwax · Oct 14, 2017

getting closer!

KennyZ · Oct 28, 2017

I finally committed to attaching the inner skins to the frame. I decided I really did not like the red frame so one can of cheap spray
paint later...

I need to do some trimming on the outer skins before they go on permanently. Here's a dry fit of the skins and some of the greebles.

I've also altered a model from the Astromech.net wiki. Hopefully this will work for BT. If so I'll have to fix the model to make the joints stronger. This is just a prototype I superglued together.

Last weekend BT had an outing at Quest-Con in Mobile, Al. I was surprised at how many people recognized him. He also received Lord Vader's approval.

Halliwax · Oct 29, 2017

Dang!!! That looks great!

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KennyZ · Nov 3, 2017

The first coat of primer. I already see some spots I'm going to have to fix before the base coat goes on.

I couldn't resist throwing him together real quick to see what my pure psychotic evil looks like.

There's a scene in Vader Down where BT is seen using a sniper rifle. I would love to try to figure this out...

azheat01 · Nov 3, 2017

Love it brother!

When I read this.............

KennyZ said:
I ran out of primer. I thought I bought another can but I either did not or I misplaced it.

........it totally reminded me of when Shrek took the clothes from that guy in the forest and said................"One day I will repay you, unless of course I can't find you or I forget".

Can't wait to see more!

KennyZ · Nov 4, 2017

That's how I feel sometimes. Other times I have twice the materials I need because I forgot I had some and I just buy more. I wasn't going to post again so soon but I really love the way this gun turned out.

Yes, that is a tube of toothpaste. I used it to mask the silver. It turned out way better than I expected and smelled great. I definitely am not going to forget this weathering trick. Even BT approved.

I tinkered a little with that 3d printed footshell. It's a little too tight on the ankle connection. I'll have to expand that just a little, maybe 3 to 5mm. The door is going to fit very well.

KennyZ · Nov 11, 2017

I managed to get one of the legs painted before the temperature dropped. Hopefully I'll get the other leg painted later today.

I am trying to decide what colors I am going to paint the ankle cylinders. They still have to be smoothed.

I misplaced part of this greeble which name has escaped me. I am going to have to print a replacement. I am also trying to figure out how to make it easily removable for a missile pod attachment. The Marvel editor told me that BT would need three more weapon attachments to be truly happy. That is what BT is going to get because you don't argue with Gwenpool.

Halliwax · Nov 12, 2017

U know I️ love that nerf blaster!

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KennyZ · Nov 17, 2017

After deciding on the ankle cylinder colors I proceeded to completely screw them up. I didn't take photos of all the failure but it's easy to see how the color doesn't match in this photo. Shortly after that the paint literally peeled off. The primer I used was either old or I did too good of a job smoothing the cylinders because it did not bite at all.

So, today I sanded the cylinders, reprimed with good primer, and painted them. While they were drying I did this. I was inspired to finally cut mine by R2-Rn's thread on Astromech. They aren't perfect but I prefer these to the 3d printed version.

Finally, the cylinders were dry. Instead of masking again and using the aluminum paint I decided to go with the pewter rubnbuff. I'm not sure why I didn't just do this in the first place.

I picked up another gun for BT's other shoulder. This is the other model of the foam dart chaingun. It is a little smaller but the barrel spins as it fires. I can't wait to start painting it.

I've also started on a project to see if I can do a set of logic displays that are lit up with a color wheel. Now I just have to decide on the colors. I think the red takes away from BT's eye. I might go with a purple and orange.

I used a youtube video of a "color wheel" just to get an idea.

KennyZ · Nov 23, 2017

I spent the entire day cutting on the frame to try to get hinges working for the doors. I managed to get the upper charge bay and the data panel hinges to work. I need to get some thin angle aluminum to reinforce the frame in areas I cut. I made the mistake of putting in struts to straighten the skin before getting the large front panel hinges in and sure enough I put the supports directly in the way. I am going to have to very carefully cut those off. The other option is to seal up the large doors and just not use them. I don't have plans for them really but I'd hate to lose that possibility down the road. Enough whining about what didn't go right. Here's what did.

Shoulder missiles!

I was just going to paint them all flat black but warheads are supposed to be red per the comic. I still have to do the fins and rocket exhaust ports for the end. I am thinking about putting writing on them like I've seen on military ordinance but I have no idea what BT would right other than "Die meatbag, DIE!" Ideas would be appreciated. They are temporarily attached. I'm going to print up a proper mount that attaches to the center support. By the way, the center support is a Degree deodorant container. When I build up the rocket set for the other shoulder I'll document the process. This was all experimental.

I painted that other foam chaingun. This one is going to be difficult to mount. It doesn't come fully apart like the other gun.

KennyZ · Nov 26, 2017

The rockets are so cool. I keep tossing them around. Good thing I can print replacements. Three down, three more to go.

This is a very special rocket. One of the editors for Doctor Aphra specifically requested a BLEEP rocket. I decided to do the lettering in red since BT's introduction had a "BLEEEP!" in red.

I built a new rocket mount. The other one was impossible to get the fins on, too short, and not accurate to the comics.

I was walking through Lowes and just like I did when I was a kid I imagined the plumbing stuff as parts to a robot. However, this time they really did become parts to a robot. I'm missing a couple of parts but I'll eventually get this glued together and mounted.

So...BeeTee is never going to fit through any standard doorway like that. I have to make this stuff easily removable so I'm not assembling a droid every time I want to go from one room to another. I also would like to make it so I can have rockets without the chain guns or chain guns without the rockets. Basically, a variety of combinations. I'm going to keep making BeeTee weapons just because it's fun.

Halliwax · Nov 26, 2017

Every time I see him with the guns I smile. This is so crazy man! Love the rockets, reminds me of “the big one” from toy story

The legs look great too!!

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KennyZ · Nov 30, 2017

Time for your weekly BT-1 update. Working out the mounting system. I think I have something I can use to make swapping in and out weapons easier. 3/4 inch pvc. My company tossed out a bunch which I retrieved from the dumpster. I had no idea what I was going to do with it until now.

The black cone is an extra long funnel from Walmart. I have one I use for my cars. I grabbed two of them today for a couple bucks each and cut one so far. I am not sure if I am going to go through the trouble of making the cone "flip" or just print a plug I can put into the cone when I don't want to use the chain gun. I am probably going with the plug.

The left shoulder chaingun is just mounted temporarily. I think I want to bring it down below the dome's peak. The curved mount is just too far away from the main body.

This droid is over a meter wide.

SofaKing01 · Dec 1, 2017

Bravo! Love it

usajdm · Dec 2, 2017

Coolest droid ever.
I totally wanna hang with you.
Robert

KennyZ · Dec 30, 2017

Thanks guys. BeeTee is one of the coolest.

I finally had time to work on BeeTee. He looks like an old man in sandals...not that I would ever say that to his fa...eye thingy.

I built the other rocket pod and set up the lynch pin system. I also found another prop weapon that is a lot lighter and non-firing for convention visits. Seen here with BB-9E, I had to get the evil boys together.

James Kenobi 1138 · Dec 30, 2017

I enjoyed him in the first Vader series, great project, droid looks awesome.

Halliwax · Dec 30, 2017

Damn and a bb9 too!! U are a machine

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DCrossPhoto · Dec 31, 2017

Very impressive build! I have enjoyed watching your progress so far, and I think the paint colors are great. Love the nerf weapons all painted up, too (I also use the toothpaste trick, always minty fresh!). Look forward to more updates in the coming weeks!

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