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#3784237 - 05/18/13 10:25 PM My R2-D2 build  
Joined: Aug 2006
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Valisk_61 Offline
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Hello chaps ~S~

About a year ago I decided to put my 'pit build on hold - CLOD wasn't doing so well and (for me) IL-2 had lost its online sparkle. I wanted a project to work on that I could spend a year or so on. I love building things, I love Sci-Fi... After stumbling across www.astromech.net, I decided that building my own droid would be a fun project!

There are still loads of little jobs to do, but I'm not far off now! At last count there were sixteen servos for all the opening doors, panels and moving bits and literally hundreds of LED's soldered up. The structure is built from the plans on astromech.net and there are plenty of resin detail parts on there that I bought from the club.

I thought the Sci-Fi geeks amongst us might like to see how he's looking at the moment :):



Here's an earlier vid showing the dome rotating for the first time:



Tonight I installed the main feet motors, so in the next few days I hope to have him rolling around under his own power.

I blogged the whole thing over at astromech.net in minute detail, but you have to be registered to view the forum (if anyone is *that* interested!). Anyway, the simming itch has returned with a vengeance, so I'm looking forward to dusting off my trusty MSFFB2 and doing some flying again - and if BoS turns out to be a winner, I'd love to get the 'pit back on the go. biggrin

Thanks for reading! biggrin


FS~Valisk 'Val'
www.skiesoffire.org

"I've never seen the Icarus story as a lesson about the limitations of humans. I see it as a lesson about the limitations of wax as an adhesive." - Randall Munroe
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#3784245 - 05/18/13 10:38 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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PanzerMeyer Offline
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Oh wow, that's really some outstanding work Valisk!


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#3784261 - 05/18/13 11:17 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Arthonon Online content
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Very impressive Valisk! Really well done.


Ken Cartwright

No single drop of rain feels it is responsible for the flood.

http://www.techflyer.net

#3784264 - 05/18/13 11:30 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Raw Kryptonite Offline
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Great work! I bet that's been a lot of fun to work on.


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#3784361 - 05/19/13 03:02 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Peally Offline
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Holy cow that looks professionally done, very nice. Does it cool beverages on demand? biggrin


Scully: Victim died of multiple stab wounds.
Mulder: *throws her a file* Ever heard of the knife alien?
#3784965 - 05/20/13 04:26 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Jedi Master Offline
Entil'zha
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I was looking at some pics from the local Megacon here earlier this year, they have a whole R2 builders area where people display theirs. I guess the UK would have something similar?




The Jedi Master


The anteater is wearing the bagel because he's a reindeer princess. -- my 4 yr old daughter
#3786419 - 05/23/13 04:17 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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EinsteinEP Offline
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Wow, that's great! I looked into building my own R2 a while ago and decided I didn't have the patience or self-control to stick with it - your post makes me wonder...

Hope to see more pics/vids!


Shoot to Kill.
Play to Have Fun.
#3786423 - 05/23/13 04:33 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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AggressorBLUE Offline
Check out my
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Jerz
So is it gonna sit behind your sim pit and navigate while making random repairs? biggrin


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Other Assets Deployed:
HOTAS: Thrustmaster Warthog SN#22621/CH Throttle Quad/MFG Crosswind Pedals SN#0004 smile
TrackIR TIR 5 w/ TrackClip Pro biggrin
Simpit: Obutto R3VOLUTION


#3786474 - 05/23/13 11:02 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Cold_Flying Offline
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Very cool. smile

You have to make it so a hatch can open and it will hand you a cold beer.


Question everything!
#3786524 - 05/23/13 01:40 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Feetwet Offline
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Feetwet  Offline
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So how are you going to handle his 'new' maneuvering jets...hmmm...j/k.

That is pretty sweet. Your next project will be something for him to sit in...say maybe an X-Wing...

S


MWO callsign Feetwet
#3786659 - 05/23/13 05:33 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Jedi Master Offline
Entil'zha
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Sierra Hotel

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One question: does it have a seat inside for Peter Dinklage to guest star? smile



The Jedi Master


The anteater is wearing the bagel because he's a reindeer princess. -- my 4 yr old daughter
#3786764 - 05/23/13 08:38 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Valisk_61 Offline
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LOL! biggrin

Thanks so much for the kind words guys! smile

It's certainly a fun project - I can see myself tinkering with the setup for years to come... I've already started work on the periscope and fire extinguisher smile I have to admit though, it's a bigger task than I first imagined, if I'd known just how much work was involved, I might not have started.

Originally Posted By: Jedi Master
I was looking at some pics from the local Megacon here earlier this year, they have a whole R2 builders area where people display theirs. I guess the UK would have something similar?


Yep, I didn't really have any intention of showing R2 at Sci-Fi conventions or getting involved with other social aspects of droid building, but the UK builders have been a constant source of help and good ideas. They're a great bunch, I hope to meet up with them sometime this year.

Originally Posted By: EinsteinEP
Wow, that's great! I looked into building my own R2 a while ago and decided I didn't have the patience or self-control to stick with it - your post makes me wonder...


There's a lot of work, but it's really enjoyable - there are so many ways to build - Styrene, wood, aluminium (if your budget runs into the thousands!) - or a mixture of whatever fits your skillset.

Mine is mostly made of styrene (HIPS - high density polystyrene) - sounds cheap & flimsy doesn't it? But when you bond the parts with solvent they fuse into a solid piece. The ankle joints are 16mm thick solid plastic - think how strong a joystick of that thickness would be! Add a few aluminium trinkets to the build and it looks pretty much identical to something that cost ten times as much to build.

I don't think you need to be logged in to view my gallery. You can get an idea of the construction methods: Gallery

Originally Posted By: Feetwet
So how are you going to handle his 'new' maneuvering jets...hmmm...j/k.


I've got to have a go wink Check out builder Kevin Holme's incredible boosters!




I'm just waiting on a new front foot caster, when I get him rolling around, I'll post up a vid smile Thanks again guys!


FS~Valisk 'Val'
www.skiesoffire.org

"I've never seen the Icarus story as a lesson about the limitations of humans. I see it as a lesson about the limitations of wax as an adhesive." - Randall Munroe
#3786767 - 05/23/13 08:42 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Valisk_61 Offline
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...actually, scratch the working booster covers. The prequel trilogy is such bile inducing bollocks that Star Wars as a whole is lessened because of them. (Despite the title of that other thread!) wink

biggrin


FS~Valisk 'Val'
www.skiesoffire.org

"I've never seen the Icarus story as a lesson about the limitations of humans. I see it as a lesson about the limitations of wax as an adhesive." - Randall Munroe
#3787435 - 05/25/13 06:07 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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PV1 Offline
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#3788465 - 05/28/13 02:27 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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HitchHikingFlatlander Offline
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Now that is awesome! +1 if you have conversations with it!

xwing


I've got a bad feeling about this.....
#4093751 - 03/18/15 11:23 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Valisk_61 Offline
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Valisk_61  Offline
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Widnes, UK
Hi Chaps ~S~ Blimey - I started this thread back in 2013... It took me a little longer than I thought to get R2 up and running! I finally got him ready for an event last weekend, I thought you might like to see the finished droid (although they're never really finished, there's loads of upgrades I'd like to do...) smile







Last edited by Valisk_61; 03/18/15 11:27 PM.

FS~Valisk 'Val'
www.skiesoffire.org

"I've never seen the Icarus story as a lesson about the limitations of humans. I see it as a lesson about the limitations of wax as an adhesive." - Randall Munroe
#4093755 - 03/18/15 11:44 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Arthonon Online content
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Wow, great work! It looks amazingly accurate and cool.


Ken Cartwright

No single drop of rain feels it is responsible for the flood.

http://www.techflyer.net

#4093773 - 03/19/15 12:52 AM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Arthonon]  
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Patrocles Offline
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Originally Posted By: Arthonon
Wow, great work! It looks amazingly accurate and cool.


+1

love the threepio in that image, too!
cowboy


Animal Mother > Rambo+ChuckNorris
#4094511 - 03/20/15 05:35 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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Jedi Master Offline
Entil'zha
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Sierra Hotel

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That's not C3PO, that's Val! wink



The Jedi Master


The anteater is wearing the bagel because he's a reindeer princess. -- my 4 yr old daughter
#4094513 - 03/20/15 05:42 PM Re: My R2-D2 build [Re: Valisk_61]  
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PanzerMeyer Offline
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Outstanding work valisk!


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

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