My Lifesize 1:1 R2-D2 - 1st Attempt
- Thread starter azheat01
- Start date
azheat01
Active Hunter
Thanks guys!
I am working on going to Celebration, but I don't think I want to hall this to Florida from Arizona. Also, mine will pale in comparison to the ones already going, so why bother! I don't think my static R2 will be much of a draw.
I love it! Are you going to try and have it done by celebration to show it off?? (assuming you are going of course)
I am working on going to Celebration, but I don't think I want to hall this to Florida from Arizona. Also, mine will pale in comparison to the ones already going, so why bother! I don't think my static R2 will be much of a draw.
I don't blame you for not wanting the hassle of gettin it to celebration. But, to say it wouldn't be as good as the other ones. I just don't agree with that. Yours looks awesome. I wouldn't know it was your first attempt by any means. You shouldn't sell yourself short. You should def be proud of how it's turning out. I can't wait to see the next step personally. I'm amazed by people who can build props
azheat01
Active Hunter
Yesterday and today were a real pain, I was about to take this head and toss it down the street. It was one of the things I was dreading the most. I got so irritated with it I had to detach for several hours.
I went back and forth with how to do this. One thing I did know was that I was not going to do an inner and outer dome like most builders. This project is going to cost me under $700, so buying an inner dome was not an option.
I tossed around the idea of using styrene to cut out the blue head parts, then attaching them to the dome. The problem was the styrene just couldn't conform to the curvature of the head. I tried to heat them up, but it just wasn't working for me. I think it would have looked great, giving it a 3D effect, but I just couldn't get it to go.
Then I thought about using decals, the easy way out. I actually decided on that but said I would consider paint one more time. I just wasn't comfortable masking the head. Anyway, I thought I would give it a shot.
I took a few liberties with the blue, but overall I am very satisfied with how this came out. It actually looks better than I expected! There were a few mistakes, mostly notable at the top of the head, I didn't pay attention in a few areas and some of the top panels are bigger than others. I temporarily taped some of the head parts just to get an idea of how it looked. I have a few other pieces I need to clean up, along with these, paint, add some LEDs, and then it's done!
Now that he is coming together and actually looks like an R2, I am very pleased with it.
I went back and forth with how to do this. One thing I did know was that I was not going to do an inner and outer dome like most builders. This project is going to cost me under $700, so buying an inner dome was not an option.
I tossed around the idea of using styrene to cut out the blue head parts, then attaching them to the dome. The problem was the styrene just couldn't conform to the curvature of the head. I tried to heat them up, but it just wasn't working for me. I think it would have looked great, giving it a 3D effect, but I just couldn't get it to go.
Then I thought about using decals, the easy way out. I actually decided on that but said I would consider paint one more time. I just wasn't comfortable masking the head. Anyway, I thought I would give it a shot.
I took a few liberties with the blue, but overall I am very satisfied with how this came out. It actually looks better than I expected! There were a few mistakes, mostly notable at the top of the head, I didn't pay attention in a few areas and some of the top panels are bigger than others. I temporarily taped some of the head parts just to get an idea of how it looked. I have a few other pieces I need to clean up, along with these, paint, add some LEDs, and then it's done!
Now that he is coming together and actually looks like an R2, I am very pleased with it.
I really like that. I've seen other builds that have cost the builder a fortune as they make it remote controlled and add all the whizz-bang gizmos under sun to their creation that work beautifully but don't seem to have the character of Artoo. Even uncompleted, yours has the cheeky look about it. I'd be very proud to have a build of this quality in my collection so don't knock yourself when comparing it to others - it's a beaut.
Looking forward to seeing the next part of the build.
Looking forward to seeing the next part of the build.
azheat01
Active Hunter
Thanks!
Just a real quick update. I wired and tested up some LEDs today. I really like how it's turning out. I have a few adjustments to make to the large center blue eye and to the two small sets of blinking LEDs, I just wanted to get everything in place. I also have a small lens I am making for the little blinking red / blue eye up front.
Here's a video, more pictures to follow:
Test of R2-D2 Lights
Just a real quick update. I wired and tested up some LEDs today. I really like how it's turning out. I have a few adjustments to make to the large center blue eye and to the two small sets of blinking LEDs, I just wanted to get everything in place. I also have a small lens I am making for the little blinking red / blue eye up front.
Here's a video, more pictures to follow:
Test of R2-D2 Lights
azheat01
Active Hunter
Here's a couple shots of the head with all the projector details and the main eye surround finally in place.
Because I didn't want to do any cutting at all on this metal head, I cheated a little and cut about the last 1/4" off these side details and mounted them directly to the dome with resin. Then I drilled holes for the LEDs, I put six in each one. They aren't straight (drilling into metal is not my strong suit), but you won't see them when I finish the insert I am making for these. These blinking blue / red LEDs were something I had left over from another project, so I figured I would use them.
I then bought a couple of those capsules from the coin operated toy dispensers you see at the front of the grocery store. I used three small ones for each projector. They fit perfectly, didn't even need to cut them.
For the other large eye on the bottom, I wasn't sure what to do. So I took the largest toy capsule and cut about 3/4" off the bottom. Then I bought this really cheap tire gauge from the dollar store:
I pulled off the plastic front piece, turned it upside down, mounted the remaining 1/4" of the toy capsule on to it, and sanded the whole thing to make it look a bit frosted. I then took a small top portion of one of the capsules, filled it with hot glue, and mounted it inside this eye. That will help diffuse the light a little. I then mounted the eye over the LED.
Here's how it looks lit up. I have a solid white LED in the front projector, 5 solid blue LEDs in the main eye, one blinking red / blue in the lower eye, and 12 blinking red / blue in the left side pieces.
I have an idea for the 12 red / blue LEDs and just need to finish the main eye and I think it's done!
Because I didn't want to do any cutting at all on this metal head, I cheated a little and cut about the last 1/4" off these side details and mounted them directly to the dome with resin. Then I drilled holes for the LEDs, I put six in each one. They aren't straight (drilling into metal is not my strong suit), but you won't see them when I finish the insert I am making for these. These blinking blue / red LEDs were something I had left over from another project, so I figured I would use them.
I then bought a couple of those capsules from the coin operated toy dispensers you see at the front of the grocery store. I used three small ones for each projector. They fit perfectly, didn't even need to cut them.
For the other large eye on the bottom, I wasn't sure what to do. So I took the largest toy capsule and cut about 3/4" off the bottom. Then I bought this really cheap tire gauge from the dollar store:
I pulled off the plastic front piece, turned it upside down, mounted the remaining 1/4" of the toy capsule on to it, and sanded the whole thing to make it look a bit frosted. I then took a small top portion of one of the capsules, filled it with hot glue, and mounted it inside this eye. That will help diffuse the light a little. I then mounted the eye over the LED.
Here's how it looks lit up. I have a solid white LED in the front projector, 5 solid blue LEDs in the main eye, one blinking red / blue in the lower eye, and 12 blinking red / blue in the left side pieces.
I have an idea for the 12 red / blue LEDs and just need to finish the main eye and I think it's done!
Mandalorian Guard
Active Hunter
Looks excellent!
azheat01
Active Hunter
Today I finished up the details on the two lower left light boxes on the dome. I created a simple pattern, printed it out on a piece of transparency, backed it with a piece of frosted velum paper, and used some self laminating sheets to cover everything. I cut and mounted them into the boxes.
With that, I think I can finally call this done! (Well, 99%, I am waiting on a piece of tint for the main eye.) This took me a little over 5 weeks, and came in just under $700.00.
I wish this thread were more realistic about how to build an R2-D2, but it's not. I cheated and was lucky enough to find all the parts from one source, just needed lots of work! I wish I were talented enough to do something like this completely from scratch, but I'm not. But no worries, I am very happy with how this turned out.
I plan on selling this one down the road and using the funds to make another one, but with better, more accurate parts. I still won't be dropping $5000 plus into one of these, but I wouldn't mind increasing the budget some to get it looking more accurate and a bit cleaner.
Here's a quick video:
Final R2-D2
And some final photos
Thanks for all the kind words!
With that, I think I can finally call this done! (Well, 99%, I am waiting on a piece of tint for the main eye.) This took me a little over 5 weeks, and came in just under $700.00.
I wish this thread were more realistic about how to build an R2-D2, but it's not. I cheated and was lucky enough to find all the parts from one source, just needed lots of work! I wish I were talented enough to do something like this completely from scratch, but I'm not. But no worries, I am very happy with how this turned out.
I plan on selling this one down the road and using the funds to make another one, but with better, more accurate parts. I still won't be dropping $5000 plus into one of these, but I wouldn't mind increasing the budget some to get it looking more accurate and a bit cleaner.
Here's a quick video:
Final R2-D2
And some final photos
Thanks for all the kind words!
Muad Dib
Active Hunter
You mentioned "cleaner" and I'm sure you mean in the execution of the build but if you don't mind me saying, I think weathering of this one would go a LONG way in it's overall appearance.
It would definitely cover up some of the aspects you're less fond of. Mis-cuts, not so straight detailing, and other small goofs be hidden well behind a layer of dirt and oil build up. The panel lines are a bit lost in the main body with it so "new".
Just a suggesty but a great success either way on a first try!
It would definitely cover up some of the aspects you're less fond of. Mis-cuts, not so straight detailing, and other small goofs be hidden well behind a layer of dirt and oil build up. The panel lines are a bit lost in the main body with it so "new".
Just a suggesty but a great success either way on a first try!
