Video update

Work and paying bills has kept me away from building lately so here is a video update to get back up to speed.

Backpack exhaust port

Took some scrap styrene I had laying around and made the box part for the Sandtrooper backpack exhaust port.

I then cut and added some plumbing parts to finish it off. A little sanding and it is ready for paint.

XBOX red ring of death

My xbox bit the dust a few weeks ago and I finally got around to fixing it. I dissembled the whole thing down to just the motherboard.

Then I took the heat sink off and cleaned all the connections.

I replaced the clamping system with bigger wider bolts. added some new silver compound and put everything back together.

So far after a few hours it is still working. I hope it stays that way!

501st Armor Party

Yesterday there was a 501st get together for the soon to be newest member of the 501st.
As we were all working on armor projects we did not take a lot of pictures.
Here is Jim working on some of his pieces while the dog looks on in amazement.

Armor parts everywhere!

With help from Brad I got my backpack pans riveted together.

Jim already having fun with his armor.

PEW PEW! I think we might have another future member of the 501st :)

One more day of work and Jim should be ready for a field test!

Wally world charity fund raiser

Yesterday the 501st did a charity fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network. It was a fun troop and we raised some money for a great charity.


Tie Fight!  (Get it?)

OH look! Backpack parts!

Your under arrest!

Trooper civil war!

With the bullied Star Wars Girl named Katie going on right now, here is our submission to her from some of our strong smart and beautiful lady members. Stay Strong Katie!

After the event we all went out to eat, one of the members that came was the winner of one of the CV helmets. It made a great center piece during dinner :)

NOM NOM NOM!  Best pizza ever! We ate in our favorate room that feels like the one from cloud city. Great event with great friends! Now to get ready for the next troop!

Pack progress

Not much time to work on anything today as I got a big Harry Potter get together to do tonight with some friends but I did get the aluminum straps made for the pack that hold the containers on.

I also got the 1/2 inch PVC shotgun shells cut and installed on the upper container.

Dusting off K-9

Now that my Armor is 501st approved I got back to working on K-9. I started by taking his video screen apart and cutting all the unnecessary plastic off so it fits inside the body.

Tada! Now you can watch an episode of Doctor Who on K-9 :)

I also assembled one version of his eye. I will assemble the other version as well even though I do not think I will use it.

Pack progress

Today I started assembling my Sandtrooper backpack now that I have enough parts to play with.
I cut all the pieces for the frame and dry fitted them together.

Next I started cutting the pieces for the radio out of styrene. I also assembled the trays, canisters, and intake manifold. Once I make the aluminum straps for the back of the frame I will start bolting everything together.

Cleaning house droid style

Today I started rearranging the basement bringing in the robot stuff from the garage as it is has gotten cold enough to snow. Thinking about it this is the first time I have had all my stuff in the same room together.
So I decided to take a family reunion picture of sorts. With 9 droids it is getting crowded. but I managed to get them all in one room. I need a bigger trailer to haul them in for 501st and R2-Central events.

1. R4-ED
2. R2-CM
3. R3-TL
4. T3-M4
5. Scrubber droid
6. Mouse Droid
7. K-9
8. GONK
9. B'omarr Monk

ICON troop 2010

ICON IOWA was this weekend and it was a blast. Everyone was surprised to see that I dirtied up my new armor already.  It is done for the most part, just got to knock some of the darker edges down later.

Troopers reporting for duty Lord Vader!

No! I do not want to clean my armor!

The Central Garrison inducted Roy Thomas as an honorary member of the 501st.

Look Sir! Droids!

Roy getting his plaque

Group shot :)

Fun dinner after the event in a 50s style cafe :)

Loads more photos on my Facebook link :)

Nebraskon Anime swimsuit compition

The 501st and Patches got to be escorts again this year for the anime swimsuit competition.
As the contestants walked out we held their entry numbers for the judges. :)

TD Backpack

Now that my armor is all together I have started collecting parts for the backpack. So far the hunting for parts has gone well. Just a few more and then I start fabricating the custom parts. I am still looking for cheap mini fans for my helmet as well.

Having fun at the Con

If you are into anime and anime cones you know what the song is about.  The 501st and R2-CM decided to show our anime support by coming on stage and dancing to the song. Fun times had by all!

After the Con

It is a day after the con and I am still dragging. I did manage to do some more research on my Sandtrooper backpack and ordered some of the parts I need.

Also after the con I put all my droids in one room finally. Now I have no room to move or work so I need to rearrange everything again.
9 full sized robots take up a lot of room fast!
The weather is getting colder so it looks like painting will be few and far between from here on out.

Just styrene work alone on the robots will keep me busy most of the winter :)

R2-Central at nebraskon 2010

This is R2-Central's 3rd year at Nebraskon. As usual Patches was excited to go. This is also the first time my droid has seen me in my armor. LOL

We had a number of R-series droids throughout the week.   The banners we got at CV really look good as part of the display. :) Here an R2, R3, R4, and R5 are all in a row.

Jen's droid finally got to test out her new legs, all went well with no hang ups . :)

Tons of people stopped to take photos with the droids. To many to post here. To see them all click on my Facebook link to the right.

Brother and sister taking a nap for the night.

Updates

Not much to report as of late as I am wrapping up summer lawn service items right now. I will have a ton of updates for the next few days though as I am getting  for Nebraskon this weekend with the 501st and other R2-Central members. I am also collecting parts for my Sandtrooper backpack that I plan to build soon. K-9 has been on hold for a few weeks as I need to get my current droids in tip top shape for all the holiday season events coming up.
 I have also been put in charge of my first 501st event now that I am official. That will be in December for the Big Brother Little Sister charity  :)