Action Figure Zen and the Art of Building an Astromech

[furystorm]

Soon, I promise. Even though I've supposedly got way more time now, because of my recent unemployment, there's just not been any time to get started proper on the dome. I have a few more items coming for the dome, such as a "dome topper" and the three holoprojectors. Trying to stay in the realm of the dome only for now, but I did branch out and order a drive wheel, which rotates the dome on the frame. See, that's the thing, I don't even intend to have a frame for over a year, so I shouldn't have even been dipping into parts for it yet.

I'll get started some day this week, by getting the garage rearranged. I do have this workbench which has been repurposed from the casino I worked in for the past ten and a half years. I figured I stared at this betting desk long enough, that I ought to bring one home when the place closed...

This is where Artoo will take shape (not it's final position yet)...

 

[Niltusk]

Nice of you to document this. Its something I've wanted to do for awhile and never got the "oomph" to do it.

 

[Qrest Fourstar]

I used to go to the R2 builder's site a while back. even had them make me a badge at C3. BUt havn't been back in quite a while. Between you and some other R2 stuff thats come up lately, I've been toying with it again. Love to build one, but think I'll just live vicariously through you.

 

[furystorm]

Thanks! I hope many do the same, because this is going to be a huge labor of love for me and is likely to take quite some time. And effort!

Raring to go. Just nervous about making the first cuts on my expensive dome.

 

[Mandible]

You're a better (more patient) man than I Fury...

...this is my version of how to handle this project:

https://www.originalstormtrooper.com/shop-online/r2-droid.html

One payment, and it's done.

 

[Niltusk]

You're a better (more patient) man than I Fury...

...this is my version of how to handle this project:

https://www.originalstormtrooper.com/shop-online/r2-droid.html

One payment, and it's done.

Thats awesome, but I would still love to be able to brag at making my own.

 

[furystorm]

I read that listing, and must say, as fiberglass, you really could have one for less in styrene, hand built and have the pride of it's creation. But that is one option. I wanted a hobby to preoccupy myself with and be totally OCD about. Kind of a focus to divert my manic unfocused collecting habits of he past five years.

One definitive center piece.

 

[Niltusk]

I read that listing, and must say, as fiberglass, you really could have one for less in styrene, hand built and have the pride of it's creation. But that is one option. I wanted a hobby to preoccupy myself with and be totally OCD about. Kind of a focus to divert my manic unfocused collecting habits of he past five years.

One definitive center piece.

Hell yes!

 

[Centurion]

You're a better (more patient) man than I Fury...

...this is my version of how to handle this project:

https://www.originalstormtrooper.com/shop-online/r2-droid.html

One payment, and it's done.

Now that's an awesome R2 at that link!

 

[furystorm]

Don't laugh.

Newest part arrived today. Likely my least expensive part in the entire project.

Dome topper:

 

[Drakul]

Can I make a sly smile then?

 

[Kamandi]

I'd love to build an R2. I've done a bit of reading on the Astromech boards. You're heading down a crazy path.

Tell us a bit about your plans for internal systems and computing power. It's one of the things you could do today that even a few years ago would have been cumbersome. Small computer platforms such as Raspberry Pi and countless Android on a stick systems would allow you to create so many cool macros and pre-program so much stuff, not to mention drive your sound library.

You could potentially drive and control the whole thing with a tablet rather than a "dumb" RC controller. WiFi would be much less random and less prone to interferance than an RC controller, and you would be able to build/modify your own GUI when you build new stuff into the droid.

 

[galactiboy]

So does anyone make a bust of Kenny Baker? That way when you open up the Dome he'd be inside?

It could be spring loaded... so when you pull off the dome; Bam! Up pops Kenny!!!

 

[Mr Quimper]

Bam! Up pops Kenny!!!

 

[Darth Waller]

So does anyone make a bust of Kenny Baker? That way when you open up the Dome he'd be inside?

It could be spring loaded... so when you pull off the dome; Bam! Up pops Kenny!!!

I'd buy one of those!

 

[furystorm]

Just a quick shot of what the dog-sitter left on my dining room table today. I guess this got delivered while I was in clinic today. I'm glad she was here to receive it for me. It's a super awesome aluminum piece. This is the dome plate, in anodized red, to set it off when the unit is open. Things will rest on this, like the life form sensor and the periscope.

 

[Drakul]

Very cool!

 

[furystorm]

For some reason, these parts make me feel like the project should get off the ground now!

 

[devilof76]

That is sexy as hell.

 

[furystorm]

That is sexy as hell.

I have to agree! But I will say, the aluminum is going to put me in the poor house. These were $360!!!