Thursday, May 28, 2009

Fit-Trooper 9

Brad and Serena hosted an armor party at their house and 501st Trooper and R2 builder Dash came to show them the in and outs. Jen and I also helped where we could.
I have not lost any weight in the past couple of weeks but my clothes are still getting baggy.
Towards the end of the night I tried on Serena's FX armor to see how it fit me. I still have a ways to go so it would look right but at least I'm going in the right direction. It really makes me want to have my own set.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Periscope work

Not much to report, I cut the motor shaft to lenght and put a cap on the end to hold the string in place. It clears the slip ring now.
I also made a lighter upper bracket that holds the string in line with the rail. It will also be the plate that holds the limit switch that keeps the lift from going to high up.

Lincoln SaltDogs Baseball game Star Wars night video

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Lincoln Ball Game Preview

Here are a few picture previews of a Ball game we went to yesterday in Lincoln for a team called the Salt Dogs. More Pictures and video to come as I get them.

Friday, May 22, 2009

New R2 Builder in the future?

Normally I would not let any kid drive an R2, but my nephew already drives BMX motorcycles and can fly an RC helicopter. So this time I made an exception since no one else was around. He drove it through the house and outside on the driveway.

R2-KT patches

From what I have heard these patches were ordered at the beginning of this month so we should see them soon.
This R2-KT patch run is to collect money to get the little pink droid a trailer so she can make it to more events and be transported safer.
Maybe I will be lucky and see her down at DragonCon later this year :)
For more info on these patches please read this thread on Atromech.net
For more info on R2-KT please visit http://www.r2kt.com/

Thursday, May 21, 2009

ED's remote control

ED's remote came in yesterday and I spent some time dialing it in to where I like it.
Just what I need is more batteries to charge LOL.
Taking a tip from Brad I mounted ED's motor controller upside down to keep the dust and dirt out better. I also used velcro to attach this one if for some reason it needs repair.

Periscope mounting

Not much to report as of late with Patches. I clamped on the periscope to check and mark for dome clearance. I am also adjust the scope so it clears the slip ring and fire extinguisher as well as the future lightsaber launcher hehehe.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Back-story Part 21

It has been about six years since Esoom Mendo the Ithorian, Patches the astromech, Lihp the Jawa, and the Battle Droid crew saved the Queen of Naboo.

The Tree Hugger is just leaving the atmosphere of Tatooine after dropping off Lihp for an extended stay back with his people.

R2-CM is tending to some light repairs on the landing struts after the many year of use. These C-9979 landing craft were never meant to be in operation full time for so many years and certain systems are starting to show the strain.

Over the years the Battle Droid crew has had their numbers dwindled down to 48 due to missions, and just bad design. The leader 4791 is still functioning and is still the loyal leader of the group.

Esoom, now at peace with himself and his people, is tying down the land speeder Lihp left behind in the front left wing where all Lihp’s other parts and scraps are strewn. Esoom then makes his way down the dull metal covered hall to the rear left wing to relax and meditate. Opening a custom built sealed door, like the ones in the Jedi Temple, the Ithorian steps inside. Inside are many types of plants and fauna along with his now 10 foot tall Bafforr tree, the smell of purple flowers fill this area of the musty ship.

Sitting on a lush circle of grass in the center of the long room Esoom folds his legs and begins to meditate about all the adventures he had with Lihp saving forest, seas, and animals on many worlds from corrupt corporations and governments. As word spread of the crew of the Tree Hugger, many worlds have started to seek their help including the Jedi. Just as many people want their help, some want to see them dead and have put bounties on Esoom’s head. It is of no concern to the Ithorian as he knows what he is doing is right.

Minutes later, R2-CM (Patches) finishes fixing the landing stabilizer down in the bottom of the ship so it will land smoother. The brown and white astromech makes his way to the bridge to check on the battle droids and see how far it is till they reach Taris. They’re being asked to investigate an illegal mining ring that a gang of Duros might be running.

Entering the bridge of the massive ship, Patches checks the instruments and talks with 7491. Suddenly the com beeps with an incoming message, it is the Jedi temple on the planet Coruscant. Patches zips over the bridges deck plates and plugs his data port into the access port. The holo image comes into view it is the image of Master Yoda.

“Greetings little one.” The holo said in a happy but gruff voice as Patches chirped happily back, “With Esoom I must speak, information the Jedi Council has for him yes.”

Patches zoomed out of the bridge and made his way towards the left rear wing. Entering the room R2-CM sees the Ithorian in deep concentration. The little droid goes to a wall port and plugs in as Esoom opens his eyes to the sound of the droids servos.

Out of Patches front holo master Yoda reappears.

“Ah Esoom, long time has it been sense I talked with you last, good to see you it is.”

“Greetings Master Yoda, how can I help you?” The Ithorian says standing to his feet and walking closer to the hologram.

“A request I have for you, the investigation into illegal mineral mining, info I have.”

“I am humbled that the Jedi would offer help on this new assignment.”

“Yes, Taris, our information leads us to believe the Trade Federation it is, up to its old tricks I believe.”

“Thank you, I will put it to good use. Is there something else?”

“Beware Esoom, for this path is clouded, the dark side it must be. Take care in you quest, clear your mind must be.”

“Yes, I will be mindful” Esoom said calmly.

“Contact me when you have proof, go to the Senate I will and tell them, stopped the Trade Federation must be.”

“As you wish,” Esoom went over to patches and leaned against one of his legs. “Patches and I will get right on it.”

The holo faded and the brown and white astromech disconnected from the wall, chirping happily.

“Yes my friend you are right, this might be our biggest job yet.”

Fanboys movie party

Tonight the R2-Central builders and a few of the 501st got together to watch the DVD premier of FANBOYS.

I loved the movie, it was hilarious :)
Thanks to everyone that came, and for bringing something to eat or drink :)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Prototype Periscope

Tonight I worked on version two of my periscope and did it all from scratch the way I wanted to.
I was so into working on it I forgot to take pictures. Jen did take some video for me when I was ready to call it a night. Once I have it completed I will backtrack and show some of the details.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Dome motor holder prototype

The other day I made my own version of a butcher block dome motor holder that will work with a wood frame. This version is totally different than the current JAG version, it is an inch longer, wider and a 3/8 thicker. After a years worth of events I have now snapped both of the JAG versions at their thinnest points and still has some squeaking when changing direction after adjusting it many times.
The redesign uses a three point bolt mounting point instead of two with no router work done to on the middle piece to weaken the structure. The outer butcher block holding mounts are textured instead of smooth to further reduce the drag area of the mount.
I had a problem getting the motor wholes drawn on such a slippery surface so I clamped a spare motor top onto the plastic and sprayed it with primer.
Now all four holes are colored grey where I need to drill.
I then made an aluminum holding bracket out of some plate stock and cut the frame to the shape of the mount I created.Here is my version mocked up before final assembly. With one of the Pittman motors that Clay got from work and the original JAG wheel from my broken original mounts it works quite well.
With more clearance to get at the Allen screws on the wheel and the motor screws easy to remove it only takes two minutes to replace a busted motor if you have to.
For a prototype it works well, I will refine the design on my second one.

Because this motor holder is somewhat loosely based on the JAG version I will not be making any for anyone outside my local build area without JAG's expressed permission so please don't ask. If JAG would like to see my refinements and use them in a future version of his, that is fine by me :)

I could use another JAG dome wheel though LOL.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Lumpy and Ed

Last night Brad and I got some work done on our droids. Brad got his center leg bolted in as well as his lazy Susan for his dome. I got ED's lower dome ring on, his dome motor controller, and made a prototype motor holder for the dome motors we are going to use. All worked out with the dome motor holder that I will post pictures of later.

Here is a vid of our droids running around.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

New Dome Stuff

Two other items I got are the Dome motor controller (Vantec 411p) and a slide for a plotting machine.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

E-bay remote

I just won this remote off of eBay for a total including shipping of $80.00
If everything works good I will use it for R4-ED.
This is a copy of the picture from eBay

Video of ED driving around

Here he is in all of his demented glory LOL.
R4-ED can now move by remote control.

Work day

Tonight is another work night and Brad is bringing the motor controllers we ordered with him later tonight so I brought R4-ED in the BARN and prewired everything up.
Dash was the first one here and he started to cut out another set of motor holders for his second droid.
Jen, Steve, and Little City riveted on the top channels of their current motor holders.
Everyone was hard at work on their feet projects and I helped get them caught up where I could.
LC even got some work on his experimental wood 2-3-2 R2 done
Jen has a nice set of....opps, nice start to her motor holders.
Around 9pm Brad brought over the motor controller after wiring his R2 up at home, Brad held ED's wires in place as I tightened them.
I need to shorten the wires later and route them but for now this is good to test everything out.
Considering there was not a wire in his frame at the start and total time of wiring is just under 30 minutes I am happy. LOL
I connected power and he would not go forward right so two wires had to be switched around.
It took a minute using the remote for my mouse droid that I have in ED as I have yet to find a cheap remote to use for the droid. The main thing is... ED LIVES!
This now makes three more local droids up and moving around in less than two weeks!

Fit trooper 8

Went to Endor...err the forest with Jen the other day to see the leaves budding on the trees and took a 2 mile walk.
No Deer to be seen but seen a lot ot birds, turkeys, and squirrls.