DAY 13 - Not as productive as I had hoped.

Well, I had all intentions of getting some power to the little guy today.  Jet-lag from last week's west coast visit caught up with me today, and it was difficult to find motivation.

As posted yesterday, I received the aluminum holo-projectors.  These are the lenses that project Leia's "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi" speech.   From what I understand, these are one of the only "found parts" on R2-D2.  "Found Parts" refer to parts used in prop making that come straight from a source - unaltered.

For example - IG-88's head is made from a Rolls Royce Derwent engine flame tube.  (Of course, anyone would be able to pick that one out.....hahaha

Another shot of the original piece.  This same part was used in the Cantina scene, behind the bar as part of a distillery assembly.

Stay on Target.... so back to the Holo-projectors.  These parts come directly from a Vickers Viscount Jet - they are the reading lights from the overhead bays.

Here is a link to Jerry Green's page that shows the original part.  VICKERS VISCOUNT READING LIGHT

These parts are incredibly detailed and very heavy.

I love the little details put in these parts - the things many people will never see - like the R2-D2 Builders Club logo on the back of the holo-projector.

OK - so back to the build.  The Fiberglass done that I received has grooves in between the panels.  Due to the molding process, some of the grooves are not uniform in their depth and definition.  In a number of places, there are little "boogers" - probably from air bubbles in the mold where excess resin has built up.

So begins the process of sanding and filing these grooves to achieve higher definition and uniform "grooviness".  A set of Testor's Needle files works wonders for this process.

You can see the ring at the bottom of the dome has been worked on, and the groove is consistent, and clean.  in the photo below, the groove to the right of the file has been worked on, to the left, the original groove.  A little pressure with the knife-shaped file really adds dimension and definition to the groove.

Another semi-ok photo of the groove.  Unfortunately, the camera i used does not have a macro setting, so it had difficulty focusing up close.

 I spent a good amount of time sanding the inside of the dome where the various light assemblies will poke through.  In the photo below, you can see some of the parts in their final location.  These parts are held in with tape... not the best solution, but good for a snapshot.  You can also see the definition achieved from the filing of the grooves.  I did not want to go crazy with the filing, as many of the panels will be replaced with Carbon Fiber panels.

Wait... wha ?!?!?!? Did he say "Carbon Fiber" ?!?!?!? Indeed, there is a panel kit on it's way.  This kit will allow various panels on the dome to open and close.  After all, he's got to have the ability to raise and lower his periscope and life-form scanner from the dome.

The front PSI is rotated 90 degrees in this shot, once it is assembled properly, it will cycle through a red/blue pattern.  Dang - I am bummed that I did not put the main eye back on....

Close up of the front logic display.  These lights blink in a random pattern.   The reflection off of the aluminum bezel is really something to see in person.  Hypnotic - you can stare at these lights for a good long time.  I am still amazed by the skills of our fellow Astromech builders, someone actually put the programming together for these lights - and they share it openly with the rest of the club.

Here is a shot of the side - showing two of the three holo-projectors.  Major fail on the placement of the PSI here... This eye toggles between yellow and green lights.  I still have to drill the holes out above the lights and insert the "dome bumps".

Rear logic display all lit up for Christmas.  I am not sure if I have the bezel in upside down or not.  This is an interesting piece, as it has to fit inside the dome that is getting smaller in circumference as is nears the top.  Like the front logic displays, these lights cycle in a pattern.  

Shiny, reflective goodness from the aluminum bezel.  P.S. - notice the incredible holo-projector to the left....

And, of course the obligatory full body shot.  Still bummed that I did not have his main eye on.... You can also see that the weight of the holo-projector is working against the painters tape used to hold it in.  It has sunk into the dome a little.

So, all of the pieces parts have been removed from the dome, and I wait another week to touch him, as work calls, and takes me 2,460 miles form home.

Hopefully next weekend, I will muster enough courage to put some volts through his system and get him moving.  Scary, scary proposition - 12 Volt batteries, RC Receivers, RC transmitters, Motors and Motor Controllers, 24 volt to 12 volt converters, 12 volt to 5 volt converters PCB boards..... you know, your every day project.....  There is just so much that can go wrong.

Wish me luck - I have all of my batteries charged and ready to go.