The R2-D2 build has begun.

R2-TD has been fun and gets a lot of looks at events but few things gets attention more than R2-D2.  There use to be 2 R2-D2's is town, but one moved away so to fill the void at events I've decided to start building another one.  Shortly before Star Wars Celebration CVI,  The group at Midwest Robots decided to do a frame run of R2's.  Clay offered up the use of his CNC machine so I jumped at the chance to be included.  The CNC made precise cuts and was much easier to work with than when I did Td's frame by hand.  After we finished cutting and started assembling, We found in the first few there was an error in some measurements. Turnes out the plans we off in a few spots and some adjustments needed to be made. Being off just a tad in a few spots would require a little sanding  and a few simple tweaks.  Last week gathered all the parts to dry fit my frame. Last night we finished making the final adjustments and cuts.  Next week I will start gluing it all together.  Here are some photos from the build so far.

Clay trims the main frame support.

 The CNC machine continues to cut in the background. 

 Things are fitting together well

 We mark the pieces so we can find the exact center to have have a well balanced droid.

 Everything is lining up and centered nicely.

Next week we should be able to start gluing. 

The making of Jabba's Door - A prop piece on display at Star Wars Celebration VI

Warning: Photo heavy post

With Star Wars Celebration VI just around the corner, I wanted to share the build of a prop piece I helped make for the event. Several months ago, Midwest Robots was contacted to help build a back ground photo piece for the R2 Builders Club room at CVI.  I jumped at the opportunity to help build Jabba's palace front door.  Here are some photos of the build.

Clay programmed the CNC machine to make precise cuts in some insulation foam.

We place the cut pieces together to begin to visualize the whole piece and to make sure everything aligns.

We stand up the pieces to make check the height.

 After we are satisfied with all the cuts, we begin to glue the piece together.

 I didnt have a camera on the painting days, but here you can see the main door all painted.

Rob begins work on some of the weathering of the side pillars. 

 After the pillars are done.  We stand everything up again to make sure everything aligns. 

 Clay found the perfect sandstone paint in a mis-matched clearance bin! 

 We add some texture to the paint to give it a sandy look.

 Clay  airbrushes some of the 'damage'. and 'Blaster marks'

The nearly complete door. 

 We added our mark to the finished product.