Get Your Motor Running

Its happening. NPC motors, Sabertooth and Syren 10 motor controllers have arrived.

Locked and Loaded

Finally got around to some R2 work. Recently got some ankle locks and finally decided to instal the center ankle set after spending several minutes staring at them over the course of a few weeks.

Install was pretty easy, but I had to take the ankle off and disassemble everything in order to do it. I clamped one side into place and drilled the ankle though the hole already in the lock. At first I tapped both the lock and the ankle, but I discovered shortly after that I wouldn't get a good tight fit that way.




I had to drill the hole already in the ankle lock a little wider so it would fit the 8/32 x 3/8 screws I purchased for these. I had originally bought some regular philips screws, but decided later to get some hex screws to look a little more industrial since these will be somewhat visible if you look close enough. I countersunk the holes so the screws would sit flush when installed. Then I rinsed and repeated for the other side of the ankle and test fit them before I did the final re-install of the entire center ankle back onto my frame.

They aren't quite as tight a fit as I'd like. Theres a very small gap between the ankle lock and the center foot shell and it causes a slight kick back when R2 goes in reverse. I was afraid that would happen after test fitting these by hand before installing. I'll probably post in the forum to see if anyone has any ideas on how to fix the gap. Its not terrible by any means, but I'm afraid it would create a problem down the road after some wear and tear. I pushed R2 around and it seemed to work fine. I'm not sure if I really need the side ankle locks or not. I may hold off on them until after I've got the drive system up and running to see how they really hold up.

Hard to Port

First part was purchased in awhile. Now I'm into the more optional pieces. This is an Aluminum Data Port Panel that hides behind one of the front skin doors. This part is offered quite a bit in plastic, but this was the first time someone offered it in aluminum. There was a big stink about it on the forum that never really made sense - something to do with it being a part only seen in the Visual Dictionary. Luckily I got in on the action before the run was closed by the builders council. So I may have a collector's item here.

Not much other progress in the last few months, but I'm hoping to ramp up again after the busy work month of March. DroidCon 2 is this August and I'm debating attending, but hope to have my guy mostly done by then either way.

Lego my Eggo

Caught the coveted Lego R2-D2 set on sale at Walmart.com a few weeks back. Plus I had a sizable gift card that paid for the majority of it so I had to grab this set. I played with Legos as a kid, assembling the sets and then cannibalizing them for my own creations. I'm sure my decent collection of bricks lies somewhere in my parents attic, along with my Transformers and G.I Joes. I really need to get those out of there!

This set is 2127 pieces, has 3 different manuals, is divided into 10 numbered bags and took me over 12 hours to assemble (spread out over two weekends). But here it is now in a tiny 2.5 minute package for all to enjoy.

Lego R2-D2 time lapse from Darren Lindsay on Vimeo.

It all started with a mouse.

The internet exploded this afternoon, not with more Hurricane Sandy news, but with the release of Lucasfilm being aquired by Disney. It didn't stop there, Star Wars Episode VII was announced for a 2015 release with Eps 8 & 9 to follow, and the Saga will continue even beyond with movies every two - three years.

I'd always wondered what would happen to Star Wars as George got older. Would he leave the company to his adopted children, or eventually sell it to a larger entity? Disney seems like the most logical choice. They've done an admirable job with Marvel, creating a film universe eclipsed only by Star Wars itself.

Now the Star Wars universe will be handed to a new generation of filmmakers - ones that grew up on the original trilogy. This is exactly what the franchise needs and with very good timing.

My only reservation is hopefully Disney will not quash the fan base and halt things like the 501st, Rebel Legion and R2 builders. These entities exist because George allowed the fans to create his fiction in the real world. Disney is known for keeping their properties clenched tight with an iron fist, and with a $4 billion price tag I would't blame them for guarding their new IP. However, these clubs have worked tirelessly, spent millions of dollars and given back to hundreds of communities and charities. Just remember that these people are the most ardent of fans, and what we do is not an attempt to steal intelectual property, but pay homage to something we all believe in.

Double Boost

Painted the other Booster Cover today. Used the same method as before and this one came out even better.

String Drive

George showing his appreciation of the advancements that the R2 builders have made over the movie droids.