Build Diary Entry #1 - 7/18/14

So I want to document my build of R2-D2.  I'm using the Styrene plans from Astromech.net and gleaning all the information I can from friends build's and build threads on the astromech.net forums.

My end goal is a RC controlled droid with dome spin, lights and sounds.  I'm planning to have motion on the utility arms in the future.  I will try to let the photos do most of the talking.

So step one was to mount my router in a table to cut circles out. I made this from scrap wood in the garage.  It was Wyatt’s idea to mount it on the side of my existing work-bench.

I'm lucky to have a plastic supplier in town so I picked up 4'x8' sheets of 3mm and 1mm Styrene and Weldon 3 glue.

Starting to lay-out parts

 I cut the circles with my jigsaw. yes it made a mess of sharp plastic bits.  I shouldn't have done that in flip flops

First days work at cutting out the verticals for the body frame

 Routing out the body frame rings, yes its a big mess.  I ended up adding cardboard to help corral the little bits. 

Assembly

 First Ring

 I used L-brackes I had squared up on my carpenters square to help keep everything in place

 The Parthenon

 After building this is the materials I used to build the frame

1. Square to keep every thig lined up
2. Sandpaper stapled to a block to sand the plastic to a true 90
3. Metal L brackets
4. Tape

The base is two layers

 The nerve wrecking job of rounding over the legs - I think I only messed up one leg