I'm not sure how much of this build I'll post to this particular blog. It's going to be a multi-year project that will probably never be 100% done and it really deserves a blog on it's own. I'm struggling with how to gather the content because there isn't really a clear set of steps and so far we're working on bits and pieces randomly. That means that we'll probably be building and rebuilding and making plenty of mistakes that I'm not eager to post on a blog in the order that I make them. For now I'll take plenty of pictures and consider adding a proper post here when I reach a particular milestone.
In case you hadn't already figured it out a friend of mine and I have started to build R2D2. Everything you need to get started is on Astromech.Net though we are discovering that doesn't mean everything you need to finish is there. There are so many different approaches to the build that it's hard to get clear instructions on anything. We've gone with a plywood frame because I can cut it on my CNC and we'll be 3D printing what we can. Others have gone with an aluminum frame and you can also go with Styrene or even 3D print the entire thing. They DXF files for the pieces have been very precise and even though we are using different materials and files for different parts, everything is to a standard spec so they fit together nicely. We'll build what we can though there are some parts such as the dome that we will have purchase. Check back in about 2 years as this will definitely be a 'when we have time' project rather than a build from start to finish all at once. One thing we've discovered is we may run into supply chain issues for key parts such as the wheels, controllers etc. Should still be a lot of fun.
