Small Update

Not much to report right now. I am slowly working through the parts that I have. Things are busy for me right now so I'm not getting as much time as I would like to build. Hopefully I will have big progress soon. Some new parts came in and I also started putting deposits down for a periscope for my dome.

First Cuts Made

I got brave tonight and started making cuts into the dome to get it closer and closer to complete. I did the Front Logic Displays, Rear Logic Display and the front holoprojector. The cuts need to be squared and finished.

Finally Here

My expectations have been exceeded in every way and I am truly blown away by the craftsmanship. 

Pre- FG Dome

Finally today my dome and skirt will be here. I am so excited. Will post pictures later and then the real work will begin.

Center Vents

Started to put some more together.

 I got the upper center vent done. The lower needs a lot taken off to make it fit. I need to get the bench grinder out to finish it. I just haven't had a chance. 

Also my new Dremel came. It's the Dremel 4000 and i got a great deal on Amazon.

My dome and skirt are in process and should be here soon and real progress will start. 

ALUMINUM GOODIES

Bobc center vents and from the parts junkyard I got a set of aluminium front and rear logic surrounds. They are from JoyMonkey's last run.

Aluminum goodie

FINALLY THE ALUMINUM RADAR EYE IS HERE! ALL THE WAY FROM AUSTRALIA!

Update

I realize that it has been awhile since my last post but I haven't had many updates. I am on about 10 run lists and am currently just waiting for parts. I am about number 3 on the dome list and number 4 on the skirt list so the day is coming ever closer. Crash will release his frame on the 15th. Hopefully I will be one of the first to get his frame. So if there is anyone actually following these posts...real updates are coming however they may come slowly as I have a pretty heavy course load (not expected) this semester. To liven up this post I will post this:

Still Waiting/ Update

Still just waiting for parts. This is the dome bump controller that I will be ordering. It will allow for sneaky on and off functions of R2.

The good news is that Crash will be releasing his frame way earlier so I will be getting that before Feb 2013. He says that it will be Sept 15th which is great with me. My Teeces kit is almost done too.  I still need to finish the Front Logics but they're close.

The Aluminium Bug

Well my plans of doing a composite and resin droid have changed. I have been bitten by the aluminium bug. It now appears that the majority of the structure will be composite but all of the detail pieces in the end will be aluminium. This has changed what the overall cost will be but in the end it will look great. The only issue I can foresee with this is getting the fiberglass dome to look the same as the aluminium pieces.

Small Update

It's almost time for Crash to make my fiberglass parts. As I have been waiting, I have ordered a bunch of different things. I have an aluminium radar eye, aluminium center vents and internals, and rubber psi housings all on order. They are all amazing but I'm just waiting. I have an aluminium restraining bolt that should be here soon too. None of the major parts are here but the fiberglass parts lists are so long.  It will all be worth it once they get done.

Maker Faire 2012

Another one from Maker Faire. Thanks Mike.

Maker Faire 2012

Not a great picture but it's me answering some questions.

Maker Faire 2012

Well, Maker Faire being my first R2 event... I can't put enough words on this post to tell you how awesome it was. It has made me want to create an R2 even faster. The 501st and Rebel Legion have great guys/gals in the Michigan group. They made me feel so welcome. It truly has inspired me. I learned a lot from the other builders. It was an amazing day, I met some interesting people and saw what these groups are all about. I look forward to getting to know you guys better and continuing to work together. I made great progress on the Teeces kit and will update with picture once it is done. I forgot to take picture because I was so caught up in the environment and was fielding questions all day. Here is the only one my parents took. I know the 501st has some of me. If I get them i will upload.

The Wait Continues

Still haven't done much, I'm in an organizing and preparation state. I will be purchasing some shelving to have an area to put R2 parts so I don't lose them. I have already lost some of my headers for the Teeces Kit luckily I have extras. I need to get my new 5v Pololu board soldered before next Friday to make sure that it will be operational for Maker Faire which is next weekend. There are a lot of things on order that should be coming in any day now. The main Rockler Bearing for R2's dome has been ordered along with various A&A parts. The servo mounts for the holos and the gear set for the Rockler should be here any time. Not much to do but wait.

Plans

I have decided that I will be building an almost entirely fiberglass droid. Brett aka crash is doing R&D to be able to have a fiberglass frame by February which is awesome and he is working on all the other parts to be done by September. I have to be patient but I know that will pay off. With that in mind, I will be using and am already on the list for his fiberglass dome and skirt. Good things to come.

Teeces Assembly

I started working on the kit so that I could make sure the arduino is right before Maker Faire. After a couple hours I don't have have much to show but I know it works and that's what is important. What a good night.

Teeces prep

Teeces prep has been done to assemble the kit at Maker Faire. The sketch is uploaded and ready to go let's hope I did it right.

Solding iron

Finally my soldering iron that I ordered on Friday has arrived. Plus solder, helping hands, conical tip, and LED display chips all the way from China. That makes this a good day. Also I will be assembling this kit at Maker Faire Detroit with the 501st garrison and the R2 Builders club. Which makes this a great day!

Dome parts

I had a surprise when I got home today from worrparts.com Cold cast resin holoprojectors and front and rear logic surrounds. They need some sanding but have an awesome weathered R2 look.

Teeces Arduino

The arduino and cables are here. One step closer!

Teeces still

My board headers, LED's and LED Bezels are in. Nothing really has moved forward in terms of soldering or anything like that. Still waiting on the audrino and various other pieces to make the Teeces kit.

Teeces Continued

So I am still waiting on parts to assemble the Teeces kit and get soldering. Still an issue of choosing a soldering iron but I'll get to that. I realized this kit is great for lighting but I don't have a dome yet to put it in. I have been reading a lot on wiring the dome so it should be good once I get things going.

If only I could luck into a couple grand and be done sooner than later. I was able to order Holoprojectors and the logic surrounds.

Teeces boards and step down

Teeces boards and Pololu step-down came in the mail today. What a pleasant surprise to bad I don't have any of the components that go on them.

The Beginning

The parts for my build are slowing trickling in. I had to order part by part to be able to assemble the Teeces Dome Lighting Kit. That has taken a long time just to find everything but I think I have everything to get a working set for R2. I still need to get a soldering iron but have to wait until next pay. Things are coming together.