Building a Droid

[danlb_2000]

I just noticed that this forum existed so I though it would be a good place to post about this project. I decided about a year ago that undertake building my own droid. I decided to try to build a full size R5-D4 (the droid that Luke's Uncle originally buys before it malfunctions). My main reason for doing R5 instead of R2-D2 is that I wanted to do as much from scratch as possible and R2's head just posed to many challenges. Besides the heads and the paint job the two are actually identical so I could eventually convert R5 into an R2. I am also maintaining a blog (http://dansastromechbuild.blogspot.com/) showing the build process, although the blog is pretty far behind.

Here is how he looks after about year of off and on work.

 

[jrogue]

That looks amazing!!! Very excited to see how he turns out!

 

[unkadug]

Very cool. Will he have any mechanical functions or is this going to be a model?

 

[danlb_2000]

Very cool. Will he have any mechanical functions or is this going to be a model?

I have motors to put in the feet so I will see how that works out.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

What a fantastic project!

 

[danlb_2000]

Here is a look at the progress on one of the legs.

 

[yaksplat]

The detail on the leg looks great. MDF and PVC?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

TFW your wife pulls in the garage and runs over the droid you've spent two years building.

 

[danlb_2000]

The detail on the leg looks great. MDF and PVC?

It's a combination of materials. The structure of the leg is plywood, some of the larger details like the "horse shoes" at the top are MDF, some of is normal dimensional pine lumber. The curved part at the bottom is styrene plastic and the tube is PVC pipe.

 

[yaksplat]

@wdwmagic there needs to be a new board here. This kind of stuff isn't scrapbooking and craft. It's more of cool stuff that we build that's disney based. I think members don't look at this forum as much as they would due to the scrapbooking title.

 

[danlb_2000]

@wdwmagic there needs to be a new board here. This kind of stuff isn't scrapbooking and craft. It's more of cool stuff that we build that's disney based. I think members don't look at this forum as much as they would due to the scrapbooking title.

Yeah, I agree, it would be nice if there was a more generic name that covered all kinds of Disney creative projects.

 

[danlb_2000]

Thought it was about time for a new progress picture. I have been so happy with how it is turning out that I decided to change plans and make an R2-D2 instead of R5-D4 as originally planned.

 

[GlacierGlacier]

Thought it was about time for a new progress picture. I have been so happy with how it is turning out that I decided to change plans and make an R2-D2 instead of R5-D4 as originally planned.

View attachment 291668

That curved dome is so cool. What did you do to get that shape?

 

[danlb_2000]

That curved dome is so cool. What did you do to get that shape?

That was outside of my skill set to make so I purchased it from someone who makes them fo R2 builders. The dome is especially trickey when you realize that it is slightly egg shapped.

 

[danlb_2000]

Here is my latest progress picture. My goal is to have something presentable by May 4th of next year.

 

[Minthorne]

Here is my latest progress picture. My goal is to have something presentable by May 4th of next year.

View attachment 333414

Not sure if I am more in awe of your skills or dedication.

Most impressive.

 

[Willmark]

Most impressive.

"Impressive, most impressive" (harsh mechanical venilation following...)

 

[danlb_2000]

Latest progress picture. It is really coming together, but there are still a lot of details to do.

 

[donaldtoo]

Not sure if I am more in awe of your skills or dedication.

Most impressive.

^^^^^This!!!!!
Incredible...!!!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

I just dropped a link to your thread in the Chit Chat Chit Chat thread...there are several SW fans over there...hopefully you get some more views...!!!

BTW...
What are your plans for R2-D2 when comeplete...?!