R2-D2: EPIC FIND! and Other Goodies

Today I found the ever illusive and discontinued Valspar Premium Enamel Brilliant Metal Silver spray paint. I do believe that Valspar has brought it back. As Lowe's received a case about a week ago and is due to receive another case in a few weeks.

I also came by some cool goodies while I was out. a few PEZ dispensers and a bag of Darth Vader heads filled with candy.

R2-D2: Happy Day!

Happy Day! My 2 pints of Weld-On #3 and tube of Weld-on #16 arrived today! I can finally start welding my frame together and get this build on the road.

R2-D2: More goodies in the mail

I received my box of goodies from Gaunt Industries today. I was expecting Hypo 25ga needle bottles instead I received 20ga bottles. I will have to see how these work when my Weld-On arrives. With just air the flow seems a bit constricted. But it could be perfect. I'll test it out and see if I should complain to Gaunt or not. On a good note my suringes and funnel were in the shipment and exactly what I ordered.

R2-D2: Rockler Bearing Arrival

I received My lazy suzan Rockler bearing today. Once I got it unpacked and unwrapped the first thing I did was give it a spin to find that it's extremely stiff. So to start with a good cleaning is in store for it. I will be taking it apart and cleaning the gunk out deburring it anywhere in the tracks that there is unwanted material and polishing the track with my trusty Dremel. I haven't decided on what type of lubricant I'm going to replace the gunk with yet. Nor have I decided to replace the steel bearings with Acetal bearings yet. I will have to see how loud it is once I get it cleaned and put back together.

R2-D2: The Excitement Of getting back to work and new stuff.

After 2 back surgeries I'm back at it again. WOO HOO! I ordered the wonderful Styrene A&D dome back in early Feb and can't wait for it to arrive in April some time. This began the extreme research I have been doing on a daily basis. So as I await the dome arrival I started gathering other things I needed.

 Today I picked up a 2 ft steel ruler and some squeeze bottles from Hobby lobby. I'm not sure how they are going to work out because the metal tips are really short. they may work for a few areas but I'm concerned that it's not going to be long enough for most everything, but for $3 it can't hurt..

 I stopped by Lowe's today looking for the illusive Valspar Premium Enamel Brilliant Metal Silver. They were showing one on hand but couldn't locate the can. I had the guy look it up and he said that they have a case due in on the 5th. I was shocked as I thought it was discontinued and have herd nothing new on it. So I will be going out on the 5th to pick a few up. I picked up a few Irwin Quick grip mini and micro Quick grip clamps. I still need to pick up a few of the larger ones. but they were out of stock on the ones that I wanted.

I stopped at Harbor Freight and picked up a few combination squares and a dual cartridge respirator. I have sucked up enough fumes working on fighter aircraft for 18+ years I don't need any more fumes.

Once I was home this evening I placed an order for 2 pints of Weld-On #3 and a tube of Weld-On #16. I'm hopping that the 2 pints will cover more than my R2 project as I have other projects in the waiting stages I will get to after R2 is complete. I ordered my Rockler bearing and will be happy to get it cleaned up and ready to use.  I also broke down and ordered some of the Hypo 25 gauge bottles and syringes feeling like the previous will not suffice. I didn't want to get the Weld-On and not be able to use it because of their short tip.


More to come when all my goodies come in the mail.

R2-D2: A long overdue update...The Skirt

It's been a while since I have updated.

After I finished the update on the frame I continued work on the skirt.But never updated the blog. The following are a few shots of the frame ans skirt dry fit together. It's a shame I have to take it all apart to glue it together.

 The slats placed in the provided slots. is a perfect snug fit.

 the top ring, err bottom which ever way you look at it, attached.

 A side shot of the completed skirt frame.

 The skirt attached to the frame.

 A shot of the complete structure.

Ahh...Painters tape is a wonderful thing. a shot looking down the body.

Frank's frame is a masterpiece. It's very strong and sturdy. I have been listening to my kids whine about R2 attacking them as they walk by. They have come away with some good scrapes and a few cuts. They have ran in to it a few times really good. Even through all of that with just the painters tape holding it together it hasn't given an inch. It's extremely sturdy. I'm very satisfied with this frame. Thanks a tone Frank. This thing is AWESOME!