Researching

Last day has been stressful. I checked with Daren about a 300mm aluminum dome, which is the best dome out there. Laser etched and beautiful. $550 though. This caused me to re-evaluate this entire project, since I do not want to spend $8000 on building a droid. Can you imagine? That's way, way, way too much. If the dome is $550, then an aluminum frame is going to be $2000, and the aluminum skins at least $1000. Alum legs another $2000....(!!!!!!)

My stress mostly comes from not knowing what material to use, and where to start. Wood frame with metal skin, all metal, resin frame with styrene body.... ? The decisions and options are endless.

Thankfully, the Astromech.net forums provided alternatives. I am going to build a styrene droid, with some aluminum parts. I'll buy Daren's 300mm dome in the middle of this project (around this time next year I hope), prior to electronics and motors. A metal dome is necessary, I think, to achieve an authentic R2-D2 look. I'm also going to start with the legs, then the body, followed by the dome. Next steps will be motors, and finally the electronics. Final step is painting. It's a HUGE relief to have a material selected, a handle on costs, and a game plan for the actual building.

I have found a local styrene supplier. Tripp Enterprises, Inc in Sparks has 3mm 48x96 HIPS sheets for $46. This is really good news.

Tripp Enterprises, Inc
250 Greg Street Sparks, NV 89431
775-355-7552

Reviewing the plans by Dave Everette, I can have Kinko's print all the blueprints for .75c a square foot to scale. Should be around $50 for all the plans. 

At this point, I anticipate this entire project will be under $2000, including tools. 

This Friday I am building my new workbench.