*Batteries Not Included

Battery boxes that don't actually hold batteries. These will end up hiding the NPC motors on each foot.

Spent part of the weekend getting very frustrated at my Rockler bearing. Trying to countersink the holes to mount it to the frame just was not working. Its such a large countersink that it takes forever to drill it out, and none of them were coming out level. I even leveled out the surface I was setting the bearing on, made sure the bubble in the end of my drill stayed level, and they kept coming out crooked. So I got some new round head screws and am going to see if its really necessary to countersink the holes. If its not, I'll end up getting a new bearing. Luckily they are an off the shelf part and not too terribly expensive (thank you retailmenot.com for 20% off).

*Edit:

Tested fittings of the rockler with the round head screws and it looks like it will work fine. There was still plenty of clearance with the bottom dome ring sitting on the frame, and it will actually ride a little above the frame in the end. New rockler being ordered!

Still sanding the inner dome, slowly but surely. I have about 75% of it done with 220 grit sandpaper.

Also working on assembling the Center Vents. I sanded one of the flat panels with 1000 grit sandpaper to smooth out the surface and get some of the slag off. I wasn't happy with it afterwards, so I got some steel wool on the way home tonight. Hopefully that will improve the look to the shine I want.

Saddle Up

Battery Box Harnesses - another quality part from Tobin. My list of awaiting parts is growing smaller. 

No Spin Zone

Pittman Motor has arrived. This is the first motor I've purchased and will be used to make the Dome spin. I also received the correct bracket for this baby earlier in the week and already have it installed in the frame. I'll test this dude out in the morning.

Also received a package I've been waiting awhile for. These were some of the first parts I ordered: Foot Strips, the Dome Topper & Bumps and the really cool Leg Struts. I put my word in for a run of Booster Covers in a parts suggestion thread this week. They are about the only leg piece that I don't have on order or that I know isn't already planned to be run this year. 

There's been a little too much shenanigans on the Astromech boards for me this week. I've had to bite my tongue from going off a couple times. Seems even in a group of Star Wars geeks there has to be some jerks.

Other than that mess, I've been continuing Dome work. Started sanding the Inner Dome last night. This one doesn't have to be too smooth, but I want to at least get the spin lines out. I'm doing the old fashioned way too - by hand! Goal is to paint the necessary Dome panels before the humidity of summer gets here. I've been searching for the correct rattle cans to make the Krider Blue formula. No luck yet.

You know what really Grinds My Gears?

Sporadic Dome work has commenced when I get time. I washed the inner and outer dome with Comet and a standard Scotch Bright sponge, much like I did the frame. Next up was grinding off the little tabs. Each panel has 2-3 of these from where the laser didn't quite finish the job. I've been using a Black & Decker Wizard, which is the same as a dremel. The drum sander tips work great and the tabs come off relatively quickly. I took it nice and easy, being careful not to grind off too much, and then cleaned the slag off the entire outer edge of every piece. Each panel then got its own bath.

I'll probably go back over each edge with the finer grit drum sanding tip, and them smooth them out by hand after that. I bought a few different grits of sandpaper from the Walmart auto section for smoothing out the dome.

                                                FROM THIS                ----------------->                TO THIS

Unhinged

Just received my first international parts from Australia: David Shaw's Logic Surrounds and Large Data Port. Dome work is commencing now that I have these on hand, and the Holoprojectors on order.

JAG hinges also arrived. I have enough to open all the Dome and front body panels. I may get two more to open the back side X-Large doors eventually. It all depends on how the guts turn out.

Cash Back

Two more parts! Coin Returns are here, plus the Dome Motor Bracket. I sort of wish the bracket was blue, but oh well, no one will see it. Several new polls popping up every day for parts run interest. Looks like I may have started at a good time. 

Venting

Center Vents & Surrounds on hand. These are a "some assembly required" part.

Also received a set of Shoulder Hydraulics from James aka "Tobin". These are the second detail pieces I've ordered from him and I've been impressed with the quality both times. I also like that he waits to list parts after he has them on hand, which means you get them quick. Obviously this couldn't be done on some of the larger parts that are more costly. After all, who wants to front several thousand bucks on a part run? Not me!

Three more parts ordered since last post!