Build your own R2-D2

[Hoagie_one]

http://www.astromech.net/Default.htm

[GGKoul]

And I thought building a Mame Cab was expensive

http://www.astromech.net/Lists/Part%20Listings/currentitems.htm

BYOR2D2

[Stingray]

You have no idea how much I want to do that.

-S

[Hoagie_one]

i hear ya.....if you got the cash...do it

[Jabba]

Heh Heh, I already built one. About 25 years ago...

http://pages.videotron.com/jfp/swgallery/anh/MPC_R2d2.html

[Stingray]

i hear ya.....if you got the cash...do it

Well I actually only want a life sized stationary model so I think the really expensive electronic bits could be eliminated, other than lighting. Most of the body I'm sure I could fabricate with sheet metal and a mig welder. It's the dome that has always held me back. I have no idea how to go about building that.

-S

[Hoagie_one]

It's the dome that has always held me back. I have no idea how to go about building that.

-S

$415

[Stingray]

I'm not sure why, but the parts listing page on that site just keeps coming up blank for me. The firewall  here at work interferes with a lot of websites. So is there a commercially available dome then?

-S

[Hoagie_one]

yes, they are very nice looking too

[Stingray]

Woo! That is nice! A little steep on the price side, but man I know I could build everything else. Gonna have to give this some serious thought.

-S

[ChadTower]

How are you going to fit a 25" monitor in that?

[Hoagie_one]

you could put a psone lcd on it for sure and make it a jukebox

[GGKoul]

you could put a psone lcd on it for sure and make it a jukebox

Awesome Ideal!! R2-D2 Jukebox Project!!

You could easily fit a micro PC in R2-D2's head.

[nostrebor]

If you make a jukebox, it MUST plant the Star Wars Cantina music. (I used to have the movie soundtrack... on vinyl )

[Zakk]

http://www.astromech.net/images/homepageimages/OfficialC3Photo5x7.jpg

Check out Lucas in that photo (unless he was borrowed from the "make your own George Lucas club in the next booth).  Does he not look like he would just like to light saber all the geeks around him?

[TOK]

http://www.astromech.net/images/homepageimages/OfficialC3Photo5x7.jpg

Check out Lucas in that photo (unless he was borrowed from the "make your own George Lucas club in the next booth).  Does he not look like he would just like to light saber all the geeks around him?

You'd think the nerd chick would look worried. The nerd dude to chick ratio is about 45 to 1.

[Dartful Dodger]

The the parts listing page for their next project:

1 case of florescent bulbs
6 gallons of kerosene
1 match

[sodapopinski]

http://www.astromech.net/images/homepageimages/OfficialC3Photo5x7.jpg

you shure thats not a virgin convention?

[ChadTower]

Look at her.  They probably never figured out she's a chick (if she even is a chick).

[Stingray]

http://www.astromech.net/images/homepageimages/OfficialC3Photo5x7.jpg

you shure thats not a virgin convention?

Of course we all know that guys who want to build an arcade machine are oh so much cooler than guys who want to build Star Wars replicas.

-S

[fredster]

That is soooo cool.

[Stingray]

I'm such a geek. I was thinking about this last night and it occured to me that I might be able to cast the dome from fiberglass. Of course first I'd have to sculpt an original from which to pull a mold, which would take quite some time to do right. It wouldn't have that real metal finish like the one they sell on that site, but I think with some creative paintwork it could be simulated well enough. It certainly would be a lot cheaper than $400. Hmm. Still giving this some thought.

Also I like the jukebox idea. I think at the very least it would have to have a small MP3 player inside to create the appropriate R2 beeps.

-S

[Bones]

If I remember right I think this was another one of Pixels crazy obsessions.

[Hoagie_one]

here's a finished dome on ebay

[Stingray]

here's a finished dome on ebay

Got a feeling that one is going to skyrocket. I bid $150 on it and was outbid immediatly by a proxy. Back to contemplating my "cast your own" plan.

-S

[ChadTower]

Why would someone go to that much trouble, with something that in demand, and use masking tape on the inside to hold stuff in place?

[Stingray]

This is only speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that he actually epoxied some things on from the inside and then covered it over with tape to prevent the epoxy from running out while it set up. I've done this with various projects myself.

-S

[ChadTower]

And then LEFT it there for the auction pictures?  That would only undermine the auction.

[Hoagie_one]

This is only speculation on my part, but I'm guessing that he actually epoxied some things on from the inside and then covered it over with tape to prevent the epoxy from running out while it set up. I've done this with various projects myself.

-S

further speculation:
And probably just left it on since no one is gonna see it anyways

[ChadTower]

further speculation:
And probably just left it on since no one is gonna see it anyways

Except that he is auctioning it, and the buyers see it, and that is a very important thing on Ebay.

[Hoagie_one]

email him and ask.  if we are right and it is properly epoxy'd then it will just keep the price lower.  if your right, then at least youd know.

either way, as cool as this is, I dont have teh disposable income for this project.

[ChadTower]

How cool would it be to build one and put brewing equipment in it?  you could have the world's only Brewing droid.

[Hoagie_one]

just emailed him regarding the masking tape

[Stingray]

And then LEFT it there for the auction pictures?  That would only undermine the auction.

I never said that it was a smart thing to do, just that it might be what he did.

Can anyone think of any easy to aquire dome or sphere of the appropriate size that I might be able to use as the basis for a fiberglass mold? Not sure what the exact size would be. Most of the stuff at the Astromech.net site is inaccessable to me at work. I really need to check it out when I get home.

-S

[ChadTower]

Hrm... the first thing that comes to mind is a salad bowl.  I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find a mixing bowl of a similar size if you kept looking for it.

[missioncontrol]

yes an R2D2 jukebox would be sweet.............

[Samstag]

According to the astromech site, the dome is not really hemispherical and should be 18.25" diameter.  Either the ebay seller doesn't know the difference between diameter and circumference or it's a lot smaller than "life-size".  You may want to ask the seller to clarify.

I'm thinking the masking and duct tape are there to hold in pieces which were not glued because some people might want to modify them or motorize them.  It looks like the taped items are holo-projectors and the radar eye.

Also from the site: "Likely the cheapest option for making your own dome is by using a clear birdfeeder dome. These are fairly inexpensive, costing around $40 each."

[Hoagie_one]

I want a full sized remote controlled R2-D2.  where i can wirelessly control the movment, and basic robotic movements as well.

and play mp3's

[Stingray]

Also from the site: "Likely the cheapest option for making your own dome is by using a clear birdfeeder dome. These are fairly inexpensive, costing around $40 each."

Ah, like this:

http://www.doublebara.com/as-182.html

That would make a good foundation for an R2 dome. It's not quite full size, 18 inch vs 18.25 but that's close enough for me. Still have to build it up at the bottom so it's the correct shape, but it's a very good start.

-S

[Dartful Dodger]

Why would someone go to that much trouble, with something that in demand, and use masking tape on the inside to hold stuff in place?

The guy has a no feedback and that painted aluminum bowl is selling for over 200 bucks.

I need to start cashing in on these people with more dollars than cents.