So much for keeping up building momentum.
Right now I have a problem. Since the start of the year, I no longer have access to a work shop where I can use heavy power tools or make a big mess. I live in an apartment and no one I know nearby has a space I can freely use to do any loud and messy tool work. It's a problem I can solve by buying my own house with a suitable workshop space (garage or unfinished basement), but I'm not certain when I can pursue that. In the mean time, I'll do what I can but I'm starting to run out of things to work on without doing other things that require a workshop first.
That said, there a space I can use, but only in a limited way and not at will. Still, I should be able rebuild the legs in time for Droid-Con II.
I'll keep you posted as I'm able to get stuff done.
John
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Holoprojectors and Bucket 'O Resin
This past week I got around to fixing the holoprojector holes in the head. When I originally cut the holes, I made them too small. So to fix this, I wrapped a piece of 200grit sandpaper to a cone-shaped plastic cup and slowly sanded the hole bigger. Using a cone-shaped cup (or similar round object) is key because as you turn the cup in the hole, the sandpaper makes it bigger, thus the cup needs to get bigger so the sandpaper keeps contact with the edges.
Once I got the hole just right, the holoprojectors fit perfectly. Once I get the head painted, I'll be able to permanently install them.
Something I forgot to mention that happened at Celebration VI. After the room was all torn down on the last day, we held a prize drawing for various droid parts. Everyone who volunteered in the room got a ticket-per-2 hours of volunteer work. I got several. In the end, I actually won something. And that something is...........a Bucket 'O Resin! No, it's not a bucket of raw resin. It's a bucket filled with resin droid parts. Almost every droid part that's made in resin by the Builders Club. Some of the parts I don't need or already have. But most I will be making use of.
Cool, isn't it?
And in Star Wars Episode VII news, J.J. Abrams in confirmed as the director. Not a bad choice. Thus far I'm feeling good about this new movie. I hope they do the behind-the-scenes webisodes like they did for the prequels on starwars.com.
Later,
John
Once I got the hole just right, the holoprojectors fit perfectly. Once I get the head painted, I'll be able to permanently install them.
Something I forgot to mention that happened at Celebration VI. After the room was all torn down on the last day, we held a prize drawing for various droid parts. Everyone who volunteered in the room got a ticket-per-2 hours of volunteer work. I got several. In the end, I actually won something. And that something is...........a Bucket 'O Resin! No, it's not a bucket of raw resin. It's a bucket filled with resin droid parts. Almost every droid part that's made in resin by the Builders Club. Some of the parts I don't need or already have. But most I will be making use of.
Cool, isn't it?
And in Star Wars Episode VII news, J.J. Abrams in confirmed as the director. Not a bad choice. Thus far I'm feeling good about this new movie. I hope they do the behind-the-scenes webisodes like they did for the prequels on starwars.com.
Later,
John
Monday, January 7, 2013
New Year Catchup
I'm sorry I haven't kept this blog up-to-date for the past six months. 2012 was somewhat crazy for with starting a new job at the beginning of the year, the Midwest Builders Gathering in the spring, Celebration VI in the summer and a lot of RL issues that kept popping up. As such, I haven't made a lot of progress since C-VI, but I intend to make up for it this year. So without further ado, let's build!
To start, some catching up.
Star Wars Celebration VI, August 23rd-26th, 2012, Orlando, Florida.
I didn't take as many pictures as I did last time. This time around i wanted to focus more on enjoying the event than just documenting it.
I did participate in the Droid Races this time and had a blast. Of course it would be this time around that they revise the course and make it more difficult. Instead of just running around through a maze of turns, they added obstacles to avoid and 3 small cones that need to be pushed by your droid's foot into a small square before making for the finish line. First droid to do all this wins. I won the first round, but was beaten in the second round. Oh well. I did learn a lot about how well R6-C9 handles and will need make a few adjustments. I discovered he's very quick on the throttle so will need to adjust my controller for a smoother speed adjustment. Also there was some wobble in the feet that I'll have to find a way to tighten up. I think I'll have to revise and replace the legs/center ankle so they'll attach to the feet more securely to eliminate the wobble.
Look around on YouTube and you'll find plenty of videos of the droid races. You'll see me there somewhere.
GL sells LucasFilm with rights to Star Wars to the Walt Disney company.
I was in shock for a good two days I think when i heard the news about this. As first I thought the world had ended. But after thinking about it and reading other people's perspectives plus watching the videos on starwars.com explaining all this, I felt better about it and am hopeful about the future of Star Wars. So now the long awaited Episode VII is coming at last. My only fear all the years of expanded universe story and plot development might not be honored. I'm a big fan of the novels and I hope the story told thus far in them will be maintained and built upon in the coming movies.
I think what Yoda said to Luke sums thus up well, "Pass on what you have learned." I think in a sense that is what GL is doing. He's told his story, now it's time for someone to get some play time is the Star Wars sandbox. The next chapter awaits.
The past six months...
Now for the progress I've made since returning from Florida.
I haven't done much, but the progress I have made is on the skins. The paint on the skin panels I painted a long time ago had faded some so I resprayed them and then clear coated them to help preserve the color as I have done with the foot shells. Then I started to attached the panels one by one.
I haven't finished yet. But it's a start.
This year in early August will be the second annual DroidCon and it is being held at the same hotel as before. My goal is to have the head finished by then (3rd times the charm right?) so wish me luck.
I'll try to keep up with posting my progress this time.
John
To start, some catching up.
Star Wars Celebration VI, August 23rd-26th, 2012, Orlando, Florida.
I didn't take as many pictures as I did last time. This time around i wanted to focus more on enjoying the event than just documenting it.
I did participate in the Droid Races this time and had a blast. Of course it would be this time around that they revise the course and make it more difficult. Instead of just running around through a maze of turns, they added obstacles to avoid and 3 small cones that need to be pushed by your droid's foot into a small square before making for the finish line. First droid to do all this wins. I won the first round, but was beaten in the second round. Oh well. I did learn a lot about how well R6-C9 handles and will need make a few adjustments. I discovered he's very quick on the throttle so will need to adjust my controller for a smoother speed adjustment. Also there was some wobble in the feet that I'll have to find a way to tighten up. I think I'll have to revise and replace the legs/center ankle so they'll attach to the feet more securely to eliminate the wobble.
Look around on YouTube and you'll find plenty of videos of the droid races. You'll see me there somewhere.
GL sells LucasFilm with rights to Star Wars to the Walt Disney company.
I was in shock for a good two days I think when i heard the news about this. As first I thought the world had ended. But after thinking about it and reading other people's perspectives plus watching the videos on starwars.com explaining all this, I felt better about it and am hopeful about the future of Star Wars. So now the long awaited Episode VII is coming at last. My only fear all the years of expanded universe story and plot development might not be honored. I'm a big fan of the novels and I hope the story told thus far in them will be maintained and built upon in the coming movies.
I think what Yoda said to Luke sums thus up well, "Pass on what you have learned." I think in a sense that is what GL is doing. He's told his story, now it's time for someone to get some play time is the Star Wars sandbox. The next chapter awaits.
The past six months...
Now for the progress I've made since returning from Florida.
I haven't done much, but the progress I have made is on the skins. The paint on the skin panels I painted a long time ago had faded some so I resprayed them and then clear coated them to help preserve the color as I have done with the foot shells. Then I started to attached the panels one by one.
I haven't finished yet. But it's a start.
This year in early August will be the second annual DroidCon and it is being held at the same hotel as before. My goal is to have the head finished by then (3rd times the charm right?) so wish me luck.
I'll try to keep up with posting my progress this time.
John
Monday, August 20, 2012
Fasionbly Late
Wow. Three months, no posting. That happened.
Sorry I haven't made any new updates until now. My job got busy and other things so I kept putting off posting any kind of progress. So now it's catching up time.
I'll start with the Midwest Builders Gathering in early June.
Good food and good friends. Two things of note happened that day. One, I installed the lens into the rear HP but when I tried to test fit it into the head, the hole I had cut for it was a little too small. So now I have to make it bigger some how.
Two, while driving R6 around, the threads on the U-Bolt got stripped somehow (too much stress?) so the leg pipes wouldn't stay secured. Replaced it when I got back home but might need to find a more secure alternative.
Fast forward to one week from today. The good news is I was able to save enough money for Celebration VI! The bad news is, I didn't get everything done on the head like I wanted to by now. Oh well. I still got a lot done. In addition I decided to finally mount the aluminum skins to the body, and of course I decide to do this one week before I leave for Florida. But the results are awesome! I even decided to paint them.
I used #4 wood screws to secure the skins to the body. You'll notice how the screw heads are flush with the skins. I used a special tool for that, the name of which escapes me at the moment. I'll tell you when i remember.
So currently I'm in Georgia at a Hotel. Tomorrow I finish the trip to Florida and Wednesday is setup day in the Droid room. Now I must say good night. I drove for 9 hours today and I want to sleep.
Sorry I haven't made any new updates until now. My job got busy and other things so I kept putting off posting any kind of progress. So now it's catching up time.
I'll start with the Midwest Builders Gathering in early June.
Good food and good friends. Two things of note happened that day. One, I installed the lens into the rear HP but when I tried to test fit it into the head, the hole I had cut for it was a little too small. So now I have to make it bigger some how.
Two, while driving R6 around, the threads on the U-Bolt got stripped somehow (too much stress?) so the leg pipes wouldn't stay secured. Replaced it when I got back home but might need to find a more secure alternative.
Fast forward to one week from today. The good news is I was able to save enough money for Celebration VI! The bad news is, I didn't get everything done on the head like I wanted to by now. Oh well. I still got a lot done. In addition I decided to finally mount the aluminum skins to the body, and of course I decide to do this one week before I leave for Florida. But the results are awesome! I even decided to paint them.
I used #4 wood screws to secure the skins to the body. You'll notice how the screw heads are flush with the skins. I used a special tool for that, the name of which escapes me at the moment. I'll tell you when i remember.
So currently I'm in Georgia at a Hotel. Tomorrow I finish the trip to Florida and Wednesday is setup day in the Droid room. Now I must say good night. I drove for 9 hours today and I want to sleep.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Painting HP's, Logic Woes
Today I sprayed on a third coat of paint onto the body skin panels and a first coat of aluminum paint onto the Holoprojectors. Very happy with the results.
I'm having trouble getting the fiber optic strands to stay put in the templates. The silicone idea didn't work out so I'll need to do a little brain scrubbing for a better idea. Maybe you have one?
John
I'm having trouble getting the fiber optic strands to stay put in the templates. The silicone idea didn't work out so I'll need to do a little brain scrubbing for a better idea. Maybe you have one?
John
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Logic Display Templates
Yesterday I finally made the Logic Templates, the little boards with holes cutout of them for the fiber optic strands to stick through. I used a piece of Acrylic. It has paper on each side to protect the surface since the surface is very smooth and glossy. This worked to my advantage as the paper gave me a surface to easily draw the templates onto.
After cutting out each piece, I used my Dremel Drill Press to make the holes. Here's some math for you. the front logics are made up of 2 5x9 grids for 45 points of light each, or 90 all together. The rear logic is one 4x27 grid for 108 points of light. All together I drilled out 198 3/32" holes. Lots of fun!
Now for the fun part. Threading each little hole with a strand of fiber optic cable. I tried to start it last night but as I went along some of them kept falling out. To solve this, I'm going to try to secure a few at a time. I'll start with the front logics since I already have the fiber optics cut for them. I ordered more fiber for the rear logics which should arrive in a few days....I hope.
Started painting the last two body panels. Also did an aluminum color test on a piece of styrene. Want to make sure I get the desired results for the HP's.
Another Midwest Builders Gathering is coming on June 2nd. I hope to have the logics and PSI's temporarily mounted for it plus having the Radar Eye mounted. Also, Celebration VI only 4 months away!
John
After cutting out each piece, I used my Dremel Drill Press to make the holes. Here's some math for you. the front logics are made up of 2 5x9 grids for 45 points of light each, or 90 all together. The rear logic is one 4x27 grid for 108 points of light. All together I drilled out 198 3/32" holes. Lots of fun!
Now for the fun part. Threading each little hole with a strand of fiber optic cable. I tried to start it last night but as I went along some of them kept falling out. To solve this, I'm going to try to secure a few at a time. I'll start with the front logics since I already have the fiber optics cut for them. I ordered more fiber for the rear logics which should arrive in a few days....I hope.
Started painting the last two body panels. Also did an aluminum color test on a piece of styrene. Want to make sure I get the desired results for the HP's.
Another Midwest Builders Gathering is coming on June 2nd. I hope to have the logics and PSI's temporarily mounted for it plus having the Radar Eye mounted. Also, Celebration VI only 4 months away!
John
Monday, May 7, 2012
Holes and Paint
Yesterday I accomplished drilling the holes for the PSI's and the Holographic Projectors (HP's), and started priming the HP's and the two remaining skin panels.
I'm using a different primer than before. This time I decided to try using an automotive wet-sandable primer. It's also very fast drying so I can sand and prime it after only 4 hours where before I had to wait 48 hours. Today I'll give the parts one more layer of primer then when dry, a first coat of paint.
Other work I did yesterday was sand down the PSI LED caps to fit the inside curvature of the head. To do this I taped 150 grit sandpaper inside the head and then started rubbing the PSI LED cap against it. It took a while, but I finished both caps. Then I cemented the PSI lenses to the caps. The PSI lens material is from a gallon milk jug. The MacGyver way to built a droid, hehe.
The resin Radar Eye was designed to fit an R2 shaped dome. My R6 head, however, is shaped a little differently. Do to this, I have to modify the Radar Eye to fit my R6 head's curvature using the same method I used for the PSI's.
\
I spent over an hour last night rubbing the Eye and it's close, but I realized I still need to fit the lens for the eye behind it. Will be examining the fit of these pieces to ensure proper look and fit. Work in progress.
More updates to come. May not post them until next weekend. Stay tuned.
John
I'm using a different primer than before. This time I decided to try using an automotive wet-sandable primer. It's also very fast drying so I can sand and prime it after only 4 hours where before I had to wait 48 hours. Today I'll give the parts one more layer of primer then when dry, a first coat of paint.
Other work I did yesterday was sand down the PSI LED caps to fit the inside curvature of the head. To do this I taped 150 grit sandpaper inside the head and then started rubbing the PSI LED cap against it. It took a while, but I finished both caps. Then I cemented the PSI lenses to the caps. The PSI lens material is from a gallon milk jug. The MacGyver way to built a droid, hehe.
The resin Radar Eye was designed to fit an R2 shaped dome. My R6 head, however, is shaped a little differently. Do to this, I have to modify the Radar Eye to fit my R6 head's curvature using the same method I used for the PSI's.
\I spent over an hour last night rubbing the Eye and it's close, but I realized I still need to fit the lens for the eye behind it. Will be examining the fit of these pieces to ensure proper look and fit. Work in progress.
More updates to come. May not post them until next weekend. Stay tuned.
John
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