My Lifesize 1:1 R2-D2 - 1st Attempt

[azheat]

About a year and a half ago I was put in contact with a gentlemen from Phoenix who had a kit that he never got around to building. I passed on it at the time. I called him last week and he still had the kit, so today I somehow got my wife to agree to spend a little of our upcoming tax return!

I met with him tonight and purchased the kit. He said it was put together by someone he knows in the R2 community. Not sure what it's origins are, or if there were other kits, but he said he purchased this from the guy a few years ago. I apologize if any of this kit is a recast of someone's hard work, but I was told it was not.

I don't know much about the R2 builders community other than they are one dedicated, loyal, and intensive bunch. I know they frown on kits like this, but from my point of view I don't have 1) the money (in the thousands), 2) the time (sometimes several years), and 3) the skill, to make this one of those incredible units you see scooting around the conventions. I wish I did, but I don't.

This kit cost me $500, and I can live with that. No big plans, no motors or turning head, maybe just a few lights. Needs lots of cleanup, but for my first attempt, I think I can make it work.

 

[XDentedFettX]

Would love to see how this turns out

 

[Muad Dib]

Awesome!
I'm trying something like this myself but I did a drawing of the skin myself and had a friend at work transfer it to a router file to be cut soon.
I got a tube of the right dimension there also to wrap it on and will be making the legs myself.
It's very early-stage project for me at this point. I will be watching this build for ideas...

 

[ThePhantom]

Great looking kit...we have a couple of people in our garrison making them up at the moment. Yours looks like such an easy way to do it compared to theirs. Wouldn't mind getting something like that myself.

 

[Muad Dib]

Here's my scratchbuilt leg so far. Still needs lots of tweaking but it'll be good enough for me.
And hey, free materials is a win-win!

 

[Unclefettster]

looks like a long project best of luck..

 

[azheat]

Well, since I'm waiting for supplies, I decided to move on from my son's room and get going on my R2. I've wanted one for years, one of my all time most desirable props, but this thing is going to take a lot of work! Not the best unit, but I am sure glad I had a chance to snatch up this kit.

I first needed to shorten the Sono tube, it was about an inch and a half in diameter too big. So I cut it down the back and pulled it together. I glued the strip I cut out to the inside to reenforce it. It's not pretty, but will do.

My biggest dilemma was how to attach the styrene body sheets to the tube. Someone recommended Liquid Nails, but I didn't want to use something that thick. After working with this for a while I had no idea how difficult this step would be. The styrene wasn't as flexible as I had hoped. I heated it up some and was able to wrap it a little better. I decided to use a combination of glue and rivets. I will cover the rivets with a small strip of extra styrene later.

I left a small portion exposed on the top of the tube, which worked out excellent. It allows the dome to sit seamlessly without any extra work. It'll just sit it on top and the lip of the styrene body sheets hold it perfectly. No need to attach it, especially since this will be a static display piece, and one day I may want to add a motor to make it move.

Tomorrow I want to mount the legs, but I first have a ton of sanding to do.

 

[azheat]

I spent some time sanding the main pieces so I could mock this up and start test fitting. I will tell you it won't look pretty on the inside, but for what I paid, I think it will look decent enough on the outside.

The legs are being attached with a simple 5/8 hex bolt, fender washer, locking washer, and wing nut.

I also added a piece of 1 x 3 to the bottom to support the body and center foot. For the center foot, I added two pronged tee nuts which will allow me to attach the foot with two machine screws.

I'll add washers to these when I do the final build.

Made sure everything was level and I'm finally starting to see an R2.

 

[RafalFett]

It looks good with the mounted legs!

 

[Fett 4 Real]

I don't know how I missed this looking good.

 

[Jayvee]

Ahh, lovely looking little R2 unit my friend!

 

[azheat]

I was able to do a little work on the feet. I was actually able to get a set of feet from a guy on Astromech at a real decent price. The ones that came with this kit just were going to work without some serious skill and time, both of which I am short on right now.

I did some sanding, mounted the side details to all 3 feet, and added some small styrene pieces to the front. I also put the first coat of primer on the center foot and ankles. I'm itching to start painting.

I also did a test color for the blue. I think I'll probably stick to this one, the others were either too light or too dark. The horseshoe pieces on top aren't attached yet, I didn't want to do that until I decided on color (I'll hand paint the center sections silver).

 

[Wilson]

Great looking project... Looking forward to the updates

 

[Got2bfett]

Keep up the good work. Can't wait for some updates, makes me wanna give it a try.

 

[NikonD80]

That's a lovely project you've got yourself there - I'm dead jealous.
Although you say it's going to be a static prop, it might be worth your while to consider cable runs now while you build otherwise you could end up have to do some major surgery on the little guy later on if you ever want to add motors.

 

[azheat]

That's a lovely project you've got yourself there - I'm dead jealous.
Although you say it's going to be a static prop, it might be worth your while to consider cable runs now while you build otherwise you could end up have to do some major surgery on the little guy later on if you ever want to add motors.

Thanks, but I am about 99.9% sure this little guy won't ever be RC / motorized. I am 100% sure it won't be RC / motorized by me! As this is my first attempt, with economy pieces, I don't want to go the motorized route on this one. Don't have the time or money right now. I think down the road I'd like too, but that is way down the road and most likely with better parts.

I was able to get the holes cut for some of the detail pieces. This was a real SOB, trying to get clean cuts through that Sonotube was pretty difficult. I have some unwanted gaps, but oh well, I may or may not fill them later. I have a little more work to do on that bottom center piece (needs to come out a bit more) and these should be good to go.

I also got the legs assembled and added the horseshoe pieces. I have some paint touch up on these and want to get that center strut piece painted silver.

It's getting there!

 

[faroshuffle]

Nice job man!


Sent from my iPhone

 

[NikonD80]

Ahh, I see. Well have fun with this project. It's a nice and tidy build. I'mm looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[djzee]

I'd buy a kit for $500 just to have it sitting there would be an awesome prop!

 

[Man of War Studios]

This is very cool...Keep the photos coming!