E-11 Blaster Build

Here's the Blaster I'm working on while waiting for R2 parts.

It's a Kenner and I'm converting it to look more like the movie version.

It's in real rough condition right now, Due to all the cutting I had to do.

In the 1st pic, You can see the counter box. I have a counter dial on the way and

will mount it inside the box. I used some Aluminum strap and square tubing to make

the swing arm, But mine will not move. I also need to make the very front part.

I used the same Aluminum strap to make the scope rail, Which you can see in the 2nd

pic is not finished.

Once the counter dial gets here, I'll post more pics.

This is the site I get my ideas from and they do nice work.

http://uniquecanes.com/new/item_replicas_starwars_stormtrooperE11.php

I'm BACK!!!

Vacation is over, It was nice to get away for 1 week and we had allot of fun in Orlando.
So, Now I'm back to waiting for R2 parts and I found a Kenner Storm Trooper Blaster
while I was in Orlando.
When I got home the Blaster Butcher started.
Kenner does a nice job at making the Blaster, But allot of things are not correct and I
got out the Dremel and started making the changes.
I'll post some pics tomorrow.
Anyway it's nice to be back.

Watto !!!!!

Here's a pic of the Ebay Winnings.

Watto is my 1st Lifesize Prop and I can't wait till he gets here. They said he's in good condition, But I had to sign an agreement to fold the wings for shipping. When he arrives I'll see how much damage I have to repair.

More Leg Work

Happy Easter Everyone!!!

I got alittle work done before the Family Feast started.

The Aluminum Shoulder Rings, I had these made along time ago and they are to spec. A man in California (An ex-racer car driver) has a machine shop and he was nice enough to make these for me. He could'nt believe what I was building.

The Black Spacers come with the A&A Frame and I added some Nylon shims to get the correct bolt size.

You can see in the pics how each piece fits together to leave no unwanted play. I will bolt the Aluminum Shoulder to the leg, Since I do not plan to go with the 2-3-2 movement. The only thing I need to figure out is what type of bolt head do I want down in the leg to bolt to the Sat. motors.

Ok now the Hard Stuff

Those holes for the Underarm Details are a pain in the Butt!!!

This is my 1st cut and it's really rough, I'll have to putty and chisel and sand the mud out of this area. And here's a pic of the Hub setting down in it's spot, Just temporary.

Back on the Legs

The Pics show the bottom, center and top panels.

I routed with my Dremel into the bottom panel for the hub to have the correct clearence.

The center panel I cut a slot down the center for the wiring to fit. I was going to insert an Aluminum tube down this area for added strength, But it was taking up to much room.

The top panel is Birch, This will give me a nice smooth finish to the outside.

Oh yeah, The hole saw showed up!!

Battery Boxes

Started fitting the Boxes to the Krider foot and the hose fittings. I cut a keyhole into the battery box, So I can remove the boxes as needed.

Most people cut the keyhole into the foot instead of the box, But I want to add some battery trays inside the boxes for the batteries to slide into the boxes and have nothing sticking into this area so I did the process backwards. Still need to get the feet welded, But I'm trying to get a nice fit first.

Motor Mods

Still waiting for the Holesaw, So I decided to work on the foot motors again. I'm removing some of the weight from the mounts while not removing any of the strength from the design.

Around the motor area there was no need for the Aluminum plate to surround the motor so I removed this area. At the rear of the top plate I angled this area to fit alittle better in the foot and the small square tube beside it, I'm cutting to the shape of the top plate for the Omni-Wheel to bolt to this area. You can see where it will be mounted by the clamp holding it in place.

The front area around the wheels, I removed a small portion to give the wheels alittle more room. Next week I'll order the Omni-Wheels for this and hopefully be able to finish this part.

Leg Work 3

Still on the 1st leg and I'm at a standstill.

I searched around town for a 3-3/8 holesaw and no one had 1 in stock, So it was off to the internet and the going price was around $50.00.

Luckly, Someone on Ebay had 1 for 10.00, So as soon as it gets here I can continue work.

I also had a problem getting a 1/4 board, So I had to use 1/2 Birch. That puts me about 1/8 over the blueprints. I think I'll be OK cause I noticed that the legs are shimmed when the are inserted into Jag's Ankles. Once I get back to this, I'll get the bondo and catch the low spots for a nice finish.

Leg Work 2

I got the 1st 2 boards cut to shape and it was'nt too bad.

I will have to add the 3/4 board as a face instead of sandwiched between the 2 boards, The reason for this is: The hub is deep and I will cut the circle for it to fit through the 1/4 and through the 3/4 and a small amount will have to be cut into the last 3/4.

Finding this problem, I will have to cut a Aluminum flat circle to insert into the leg for added support where it bolts to the body. I also found that the thickness of the leg is slightly smaller than what the blueprints show. :(

Anyway, I sat my goodies on the leg so I can see my progress.

Leg Work

Ok, I just can't got the $500.00 for the Aluminum Legs.

So here's the route I'll have to take.

I pencil marked the measurements on wood, The wood will be in 3 layers. The front and back panels will be made from 3/4 and a center piece will be 1/4, Total thickness will be 1-3/4.

Once I cut the 3 panels, I will glue them together and also steel pin them in certain spots.

So here's the 1st pics of my future DISASTER!!!!

Radar Eye

Got the Eye painted, But I can't set it yet.

The paint is still soft and I don't want to get fingerprints in the paint.

Once it dries, I'll be able to to set and give it the 1st wax job. Once it's waxed that dark luster will appear and it looks alot different.

Foot Work

Now that the crunch of the Southern meeting is over, I have time to work on other things.

The Krider Budjet foot shells are a pain in the butt. Also the channel aluminum I have is too short, So I'll have to get some more.

Once I get everything fitted, I'll get the feet fully welded and then I'll start to fit the Battery Boxes.

R2 was watching in the background as I worked on his new means of transportation.

Southern Meet

This meeting was AWESOME!!!
Daniel's house is huge and was the perfect spot for this meet.
There was more people this time and alot of ideas changed hands.
It was nice to see some Newbie's getting started on their R2's.
Seems like the Southern Group is starting to grow and it makes
more interesting and new ideas are flowing like water.

More Pics

Southern R2 Meet

Starting to Look like R2

Here's my most resent Pic.

Still got to paint the eye and other things.

Rear Logics Working

I was'nt sure if I could get this thing to work, But it turned out nice.
The Led board is 1 of Leon's and the Pic board is from Carl's Electronics.
Both boards had to be assymbled and my soldering is not that great,
But I made it through the process.
Here's a short Video of how it works.
http://s71.photobucket.com/albums/i124/ctx3201/?action=view&current=MOV01739.flv

Rear Logic Panel & PSI

The PSI area turned out pretty nice once I got the Frame area it.

The rear Logic, Could have turned out alittle better.

Some of the indents showed up, But that's about the best I could do.

Now I have some lose pieces to get painted and the paint process is over.

Main Eye

Also got the Eye primed today, So it won't be long and the Blue will be layed.

The only thing I'm worried about painting the eye is, It has so many curves

and painting something like that tends to run very easy.

I also picked up some Felt Pads for the Holos.

This will restrict some of the movement, So they can be positioned and they'll stay there.

More Painting

I got the area around the rear PSI painted today.

I won't be able to put the picture frame Aluminum piece around it until it dries.

I also hit the Jackpot on paint today, 6-cans and they were on sale for $3.00 each.

PSI Building Again

Here's the lens I used in the PSI light.

I had to order the Light Kit from Walmart Online, It was $20.00 plus shipping.

So this makes this lens kinda expensive, But it does a great job with the LEDS.

The light kit is made by Schwinn and they have several models, The one I used is model #SW531 and it fits perfect in the 1-1/2 PVC pipe.

The back of the lens, You will have to cut the part off where the original bulb

mounted. This makes the LEDS fit in alittle futher and gives more light to the PSI.

Rear Logic Panel

I worked on this some more and I'm ready now for the final primer.

Once this dries, I'll paint this area and then I'll install the rear Holo.

I also need to paint the area around the rear PSI.

Holo Mounting

I got another Holo mounted and I set up the light inside the Holo.

I decided that the Holos would remain unpainted.

The reason I did this, I spent 2 hours researching every Pic I could find

that showed the difference in the colors. I found plenty of blue pics and I sat and look at them over and over.

The more I looked at the blue the more I started to not like the look.

So this is how it turned out.