After nearly a month of being away from home and from R2, I finally started again. Started isn't that well put as I'm off again tomorrow. But in the meanwhile, the base for the center foot is nearly completed and it's looking good. It's the best piece I've made so far!
Tomorrow I'll attach it to the body and take some pictures.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Legs attached
Today it went better!
I started with removing the MDF from the foot.
I was planning on making a long groove to put a new power cable in. The wood glue was really strong, I had to use acetone (that I had lying around for the fiberglass) to get it all off, sanding would really take forever!
But then suddenly the cable that snapped yesterday came out. Yesterday I could lift the leg up by that cable and nothing would happen.
That made everything much easier. No I just had to route a much smaller groove starting from the place I drilled the hole yesterday to the hole where the cable came out. I was pretty deep and my router just couldn't get as deep as the original groove but it turned out well.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jasper.maes/ProjectR2D2#5356434762389237746
After I put the cable in the right place, I added some small chunks of wood to fill the groove a bit instead of filling it completely with filler.
Here's what I achieved yesterday, one leg attached:
And this is what I did today, both legs can rotate over a 36° angle:
The two white dots (the second one is at the bottom, left) are the 2 things that hold the shoulders to the body. I don't know what it's really called but it (normally) serves as something to be able to put a bolt into a wall.
Here's a picture of them alone:
This was everything I could get done before leaving on vacation, I'll start again in August with painting and finishing everything up. Really looking forward to it!
I started with removing the MDF from the foot.
I was planning on making a long groove to put a new power cable in. The wood glue was really strong, I had to use acetone (that I had lying around for the fiberglass) to get it all off, sanding would really take forever!
But then suddenly the cable that snapped yesterday came out. Yesterday I could lift the leg up by that cable and nothing would happen.
That made everything much easier. No I just had to route a much smaller groove starting from the place I drilled the hole yesterday to the hole where the cable came out. I was pretty deep and my router just couldn't get as deep as the original groove but it turned out well.
http://picasaweb.google.com/jasper.maes/ProjectR2D2#5356434762389237746
After I put the cable in the right place, I added some small chunks of wood to fill the groove a bit instead of filling it completely with filler.
Here's what I achieved yesterday, one leg attached:
And this is what I did today, both legs can rotate over a 36° angle:
The two white dots (the second one is at the bottom, left) are the 2 things that hold the shoulders to the body. I don't know what it's really called but it (normally) serves as something to be able to put a bolt into a wall.
Here's a picture of them alone:
This was everything I could get done before leaving on vacation, I'll start again in August with painting and finishing everything up. Really looking forward to it!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Disaster struck!
I've done some very good work today, I connected one leg to the frame and it even can rotate!
But while I was working on the other, I drilled through the cable that runs through the leg to power the motors in the feet. This means that I either have to start over on the leg or cut a groove along the whole leg and add a new cable. I'll go for the second option as I have only one day left to get this done. Friday I'm off on vacation until the end of July.
I also added something to connect the shoulders. They can be taken off and attached again real quick.
My mold for the rear coin return also fell and it misses a corner. Maybe I can glue it back on...
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures, everything went so great up until now!.
But while I was working on the other, I drilled through the cable that runs through the leg to power the motors in the feet. This means that I either have to start over on the leg or cut a groove along the whole leg and add a new cable. I'll go for the second option as I have only one day left to get this done. Friday I'm off on vacation until the end of July.
I also added something to connect the shoulders. They can be taken off and attached again real quick.
My mold for the rear coin return also fell and it misses a corner. Maybe I can glue it back on...
Tomorrow I'll post some pictures, everything went so great up until now!.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Work Update
An update about what I've been doing lately:
For starters, I've passed all exams so I've got 3 months time to work on Artoo.
Next, yesterday, I've made a coin return from plaster which I will cast in resin tomorrow.
Here's a picture of how it looks, I think it's great. There are a few things needing some adjustments but I can't reach them with sanding paper so I'll adjust it on the resin part.
That was all I could do as I hadn't got anything lying around to continue on the legs or shoulders. So I went shopping this morning and got me some bolts to attach the legs to the body, some filler (should have bought 2 or maybe even 3 tubes) and something to attach the shoulders to the body in such a manner that I can take them off easily.
I started by glueing all parts together. Here's a picture of the legs.
And then I started putting some filler on them, I've got to finish it up but I want it to harden properly before adding more.
The wire will later on be used to power the motors in the feet. But that's something I'll be working on around New Year or so.
For starters, I've passed all exams so I've got 3 months time to work on Artoo.
Next, yesterday, I've made a coin return from plaster which I will cast in resin tomorrow.
Here's a picture of how it looks, I think it's great. There are a few things needing some adjustments but I can't reach them with sanding paper so I'll adjust it on the resin part.
That was all I could do as I hadn't got anything lying around to continue on the legs or shoulders. So I went shopping this morning and got me some bolts to attach the legs to the body, some filler (should have bought 2 or maybe even 3 tubes) and something to attach the shoulders to the body in such a manner that I can take them off easily.
I started by glueing all parts together. Here's a picture of the legs.
And then I started putting some filler on them, I've got to finish it up but I want it to harden properly before adding more.
The wire will later on be used to power the motors in the feet. But that's something I'll be working on around New Year or so.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Let's go walking
Today some more work on the legs. Now I've got every layer, I just have to make an opening for the electrical wires for the motors of the feet. And there has to be made a hole in the side of the legs and the groove. That's something I'll do when the layers are glued together and the sides improved with filler.
Here's a picture of the layers and the legs held together:
I've also worked on the shoulders.
I think I need a few more days to complete this. Then I can get to work on the shoulder buttons and booster covers and all other small pieces. Or maybe even the dome...
Here's a picture of the layers and the legs held together:
I've also worked on the shoulders.
I think I need a few more days to complete this. Then I can get to work on the shoulder buttons and booster covers and all other small pieces. Or maybe even the dome...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Starting on the legs
It's been a while since I've been able to do some serious work. Yesterday I've been experimenting with fiberglass, I'm planning on doing a fiberglass dome and I think it'll turn out great when can get my hands on a mold (not from styrofoam because that doesn't survive the sticky stuff from the fiberglass). Perhaps plaster will stay intact.
I've also overused some of the resin as you can see on the picture. It's supposed to be a nose but because of the desintegration of the styrofoam it didn't turn out so great. It also didn't dry very well untill I cut off the excess resin that made it a small chamber in which it was impossible to dry.
I had some more succes with the shoulders and legs. I've cut them all out, with the tip which allows me to pick the 2 best ones that will be used, the others will become like the one at the bottom. I'm just missing a piece of 6mm (1/4") MDF to complete the legs.
These are the shoulders, they just need the pockets routed out.
The five discs are for mounting the legs to the frame. When all this is completed, I can finish the frame. It's all glued together and it looks fantastic. Just the top and side plates are loose because I've got to drill holes in them for the legs to be attached. I want to be able to do the 2-3-2 transition. The plans are all there, just waiting for the legs.
When the holes are drilled, I'll also add some screws to make it even stronger.
I've also overused some of the resin as you can see on the picture. It's supposed to be a nose but because of the desintegration of the styrofoam it didn't turn out so great. It also didn't dry very well untill I cut off the excess resin that made it a small chamber in which it was impossible to dry.
I had some more succes with the shoulders and legs. I've cut them all out, with the tip which allows me to pick the 2 best ones that will be used, the others will become like the one at the bottom. I'm just missing a piece of 6mm (1/4") MDF to complete the legs.
These are the shoulders, they just need the pockets routed out.
The five discs are for mounting the legs to the frame. When all this is completed, I can finish the frame. It's all glued together and it looks fantastic. Just the top and side plates are loose because I've got to drill holes in them for the legs to be attached. I want to be able to do the 2-3-2 transition. The plans are all there, just waiting for the legs.
When the holes are drilled, I'll also add some screws to make it even stronger.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Frame almost complete
Today I've done a lot of work. The frame is nearly complete. I just have to adjust some parts so they fit better and glue/screw it together.
Here's a picture of all the parts nicely cut out.
And I couldn't resist putting it all together.
I'm pretty proud of my work, everything was freehanded and I've never used a router before. When you look closely it doesn't look that well cut but with some sanding it should do the trick.
Let's call it a day, my back really hurts, I stood a whole day bended over cutting and routing, glad it's over!
Here's a picture of all the parts nicely cut out.
And I couldn't resist putting it all together.
I'm pretty proud of my work, everything was freehanded and I've never used a router before. When you look closely it doesn't look that well cut but with some sanding it should do the trick.
Let's call it a day, my back really hurts, I stood a whole day bended over cutting and routing, glad it's over!
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