A productive weekend in the DMW. The hole for the radar eye is cut out and filed to size. Bosh!
Sunday, 26 January 2014
Thursday, 19 September 2013
How long!!!!!!
Jeepers!
Is it really July that I last updated this.
It doesn't seem like a lot has been done, until I look at the differences. Just where to start from.....
Eventually, over a period of time they were all cut out and the relevant ones filed round ready for the PSI's and holo projectors.
This led to the problem of the inner dome and several questions. How to fix it in, how to get the right height etc...
The inner was cut in half horizontally. this gave me the lip for the top panels and was duly stuck in with some VHB tape.
The bottom section was a different kettle of fish.
A vertical cut was made as it was the same size as the outer. This theoretically would give me a smaller dome to fit inside. It worked.....sort of!
A temporary fit seemed to work. Then when I put the VHB tape on, it went a bit pear-shaped. It wouldn't conform to the shape, the 42mm I needed from the outer dome didn't happen.
What did you do? I hear you ask.
Well, after a lot of evenings trying to aluminium braze it, glue it etc I came to the conclusion to use small dome head bolts to secure it in. This led to the spacing problem, which is now sorted and the few bolts I have in do look good. Eventually I decided that I would just leave it bolted etc and try and fill the outer level by brazing (not done yet)
The dome support ring was then made a bit smaller to fit in the inner dome and then it was time to take R2-ST round the bloke for a walk.
People take their dogs so why not a droid!
Just as went back up the drive, a wheel came off. A little lift/carry back and the wheels came off a few evening later to look at the problem. The grub screws didn't appear to be in the motor axle that much. A little drilling later on both feet motors and it seemed to be better. I may see about extending the axle to the outer foot side and supporting it thus spreading the load - but lets get R2 finished first.
Due to a wedding in the family - off which R2-ST was declined entry due to not being finished not a lot was done.
Until the week before Invasion Colchester. This saw R2 put together, with some sounds and batteries charged. It was a super way to spend my birthday with Simon Battell and his R2-D2. Having a moving droid is so much better and mine got a few photos despite being unfinished.
With the birthday money, a few bits were bought of which one was an amplifier, which the very same evening it arrived was wired in and had a little dance outside on the drive.
Skye is now tasked with finding a few Halloween sounds so R2 can accompany her next month.
Is it really July that I last updated this.
It doesn't seem like a lot has been done, until I look at the differences. Just where to start from.....
The dome.
In order for me to cut the rest of the panels for the outer dome took another bit of convincing. After checking and more checking it was time to grind a slot. The jigsaw then came in for a bit of use to cut them out.
Eventually, over a period of time they were all cut out and the relevant ones filed round ready for the PSI's and holo projectors.
This led to the problem of the inner dome and several questions. How to fix it in, how to get the right height etc...
The inner was cut in half horizontally. this gave me the lip for the top panels and was duly stuck in with some VHB tape.
The bottom section was a different kettle of fish.
A vertical cut was made as it was the same size as the outer. This theoretically would give me a smaller dome to fit inside. It worked.....sort of!
A temporary fit seemed to work. Then when I put the VHB tape on, it went a bit pear-shaped. It wouldn't conform to the shape, the 42mm I needed from the outer dome didn't happen.
What did you do? I hear you ask.
The dome support ring was then made a bit smaller to fit in the inner dome and then it was time to take R2-ST round the bloke for a walk.
People take their dogs so why not a droid!
Just as went back up the drive, a wheel came off. A little lift/carry back and the wheels came off a few evening later to look at the problem. The grub screws didn't appear to be in the motor axle that much. A little drilling later on both feet motors and it seemed to be better. I may see about extending the axle to the outer foot side and supporting it thus spreading the load - but lets get R2 finished first.
Due to a wedding in the family - off which R2-ST was declined entry due to not being finished not a lot was done.
Until the week before Invasion Colchester. This saw R2 put together, with some sounds and batteries charged. It was a super way to spend my birthday with Simon Battell and his R2-D2. Having a moving droid is so much better and mine got a few photos despite being unfinished.
Skye is now tasked with finding a few Halloween sounds so R2 can accompany her next month.
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
A snip and cut
Tonight Matthew I'm going. ....... Oops wrong saying!
Tonight the holes were cut out ish. They are undersize so easier to make bigger than the other way round. Before cutting any more, I have filed the pie panels for a less jagged look. This keeps the strength there with the narrow strips in between panels. Once I'm happy with these and the holes then I'll be cutting out the rest anf repeating the process on the inner dome.
That's it. Except R2ST may be having a trip to North Weald on Sunday for Wings and Wheels radio control event.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Dome work begins - gulp!
At long last after having the domes in the garage and inspired by the Builders meet last week, I have finally taken the plunge and started cutting the dome.
It took about 4 attempts to get the angles right for the pie panels but eventually they were all marked up. They were marked by a circle cutter for the smaller radii, and the metal circle cutter for the large radii of hte panels. With these marked in ink and re-scored so it was easier to see a 3mm hole was made in each corner. I know R2-D2 has sharp coners but I'm making ours a bit different with smooth corners.
The dremel was used on the first panel with a little success - to be honest it was a pain on the neck.
So one the second panel using a 2.5mm drill, I drilled between the shut lines. The dremel was then used to cut through some of the smaller holes. Enough to get a hacksaw in and then saw away. That was so much easier, except the drill battery was dying.
So with only 2 panels cut out, I retired indoors whilst the batteries charge up ready for after work tomorrow!!!
It took about 4 attempts to get the angles right for the pie panels but eventually they were all marked up. They were marked by a circle cutter for the smaller radii, and the metal circle cutter for the large radii of hte panels. With these marked in ink and re-scored so it was easier to see a 3mm hole was made in each corner. I know R2-D2 has sharp coners but I'm making ours a bit different with smooth corners.
 |
| No turning back now!! |
The dremel was used on the first panel with a little success - to be honest it was a pain on the neck.
So one the second panel using a 2.5mm drill, I drilled between the shut lines. The dremel was then used to cut through some of the smaller holes. Enough to get a hacksaw in and then saw away. That was so much easier, except the drill battery was dying.
 |
| That' better1 |
So with only 2 panels cut out, I retired indoors whilst the batteries charge up ready for after work tomorrow!!!
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
Must try harder...
Must try harder to build in the evenings
Must try harder to build in the evenings
Must try harder to build in the evenings....
To be honest, I find it hard to go in the DMW to carry on the build in the evenings which means not a lot of time at the weekends to build by the time I've done family time.
But I have been doing a few bits.
R2-ST had an appearance at Skye's school to show her class. The skins were strapped on and a dome on top. I even got the CBI and Dataport lights working for effect. On the way out, beckoned by another teacher and different questions from the children and an emphasis on always learning and problem solving. Just moving to the van and another teacher wanted a visit as they were talking about space. This extended into another 2 classes joining in!!!!
A few more bits arrived to do the slip ring connections and the holo projectors. And more importantly some parts to get some sounds. I have a 12 channel remote relay board which can remotely activate one of 12 sounds.
So tonight, I went out there for an hour and got the relay board wired up to an MP3 trigger board and IT WORKS.
Hurrah! Now its a case of putting R2 back together ready for its first UK Builders meet on Saturday where hopefully R2 will stay in one piece and it could be inspiring to get some ideas from the other builders.
Must try harder to build in the evenings
Must try harder to build in the evenings....
To be honest, I find it hard to go in the DMW to carry on the build in the evenings which means not a lot of time at the weekends to build by the time I've done family time.
But I have been doing a few bits.
R2-ST had an appearance at Skye's school to show her class. The skins were strapped on and a dome on top. I even got the CBI and Dataport lights working for effect. On the way out, beckoned by another teacher and different questions from the children and an emphasis on always learning and problem solving. Just moving to the van and another teacher wanted a visit as they were talking about space. This extended into another 2 classes joining in!!!!
A few more bits arrived to do the slip ring connections and the holo projectors. And more importantly some parts to get some sounds. I have a 12 channel remote relay board which can remotely activate one of 12 sounds.
So tonight, I went out there for an hour and got the relay board wired up to an MP3 trigger board and IT WORKS.
Hurrah! Now its a case of putting R2 back together ready for its first UK Builders meet on Saturday where hopefully R2 will stay in one piece and it could be inspiring to get some ideas from the other builders.
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