R2-D2 Android: A Scratch Build

[lakeroadster]

Working on a semi-scale R2-D2.

 

[neil_w]

looks fun!

 

[DigBaddy]

Ha! Way cool!

 

[Daddyisabar]

No stinking lexan fins! YIPPEE!

 

[lakeroadster]

Finished the CAD model and drawings.

​

 

[jqavins]

Beautiful, as usual.

 

[AtlPhilip]

Not a rocket, but my buddy (also a rocket guy) scratch built a working remote control R2D2 and he takes it to cons. He might be able to help you with some of the manufacturing.
https://www.facebook.com/ReyandR2D2/

 

[Daddyisabar]

If you end up needing a little more thrust you could always add some smaller tractor motors like R2 deployed in Attack of the Clones.

 

[lakeroadster]

If you end up needing a little more thrust you could always add some smaller tractor motors like R2 deployed in Attack of the Clones.

Quite the indispensable droid. Must be some alien technology motors? And who knew about the "Leatherman" accessories...

​

 

[jqavins]

Quite the indispensable droid. Must be some alien technology motors? And who knew about the "Leatherman" accessories...
View attachment 623229

Swiss army droid

 

[KenECoyote]

 

[Daddyisabar]

The mid cant motors could be tinny, mid power blue thunder effects motors on a full size version!

 

[jqavins]

The thrust and ISP are impossibly great because the reaction mass is accelerated by the force.

 

[lakeroadster]

Nose Cone Turning

I used a piece of the trunk from a Pinyon Pine we cut down on our property back in 2016. It cleaned up to about 4-1/2" dia. and worked well for the 4-1/8" nominal diameter nose cone.​

​

Smells really nice too. Just right for a dapper R2 unit.​

​

Weighs in at a hefty 13.9 ounces. That's a full 3 ounces heavier than pine.​

​

 

[lakeroadster]

Lower Transition (Spool) and Legs

​

 

[lakeroadster]

Body, Nose Cone Modification and Legs

Started gluing the leg supports and added the lower stiffener to the body. I modified the nose cone and added a 3/8" dowel for the recovery harness and then glued the nose cone into the body.

​

 

[lakeroadster]

She's Got... Legs

Glued a BT-3 into the leg sub-ass'y. This is the launch lug.​

​

I used a thumbtack to make holes along the body where the leg supports will be glued. Then glued the first leg and let that dry... and then the 2nd.​

​

​

 

[lakeroadster]

Spool Parts and Glue Fillets

Modified the spool legs and cut a ring for the ejection tube. Then set about to make fillets on the body and legs... lots of fillets.​

​

 

[neil_w]

I was just noticing the title of this thread and am now looking askance at your geek credentials.

 

[lakeroadster]

I was just noticing the title of this thread and am now looking askance at your geek credentials.

It takes way too much effort and research to be a true Star Wars fanatic.​

​

I'm more of a motor headed - tree hugging - conservative - scratch built rocket - hiker dude.​

 

[jqavins]

Original version:

These aren't the droids you're looking for.​

These aren't the droids we're looking for.​

​

New version:

These aren't the androids you're looking for.​

What the heck is an android?​

 

[lakeroadster]

Original version:

These aren't the droids you're looking for.​

These aren't the droids we're looking for.​

​

New version:

These aren't the androids you're looking for.​

What the heck is an android?​

So I guess you're paying royalties to Lucasfilm... The word "droid" has been a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd since 1977 ​

​

 

[jqavins]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Droid

But then, on the other hand:

The term "Droid" has been used by Verizon Wireless under licence from Lucasfilm, for their line of smartphones based on the Android operating system.

 

[David Schwantz]

Once again Lake, pretty cool, but how do you think of all this stuff??

 

[lakeroadster]

Once again Lake, pretty cool, but how do you think of all this stuff??

I started out wanting an R2-D2 without any Lexan fins.... then one thing lead to another and I'm cutting plywood and making nose cones from a tree trunk... ​

 

[lakeroadster]

Spool... Day 01

I glued two small square tabs of 1/16" Basswood to the MMT and let that dry a bit.​

Then glued the center legs to the small square tabs and let that dry a bit. The tabs space the legs out, so the motor fits.​

Then I lifted the body off the spool, added some wood glue to the lower transition I.D. and reinserted the tube into the body.​

Now, we wait for this to dry.​

​

 

[lakeroadster]

Spool, Day 02

Glue, Glue and more Glue...​

​

​

 

[Azamiryou]

I was just noticing the title of this thread and am now looking askance at your geek credentials.

I was expecting to find a cross between Artoo and the little green Android mascot.

 

[jqavins]

Eve hangs out with the Android mascot, and Wall-E gets jealous.

 

[BABAR]

I want to see the C-3PO rocket!