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Building an R2 unit is not as easy as it may seem and as a group all striving towards the same goal, we hope you find a place here among friends!

The R2Builders Club is growing daily with new ideas, members, and resources of information and parts

This FAQ is a compilation of a lot of the information, hints, tips and advice the club has accumulated over the previous years..

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What Is This Club About

The R2 Builders Club is a web based forum on the Yahoo Group website (see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/) see later in FAQ on using Yahoo Groups

The group welcomes discussion about building peoples experiences building their own personal astromech droid. With other member's help, you will learn tips on how to create your own R2 D2 from parts and items you can purchase almost from around the world. Unlike other prop-replica forums, The members of the R2Builders Club strive together to provide each other with proven methods of construction, the most accurate blueprints available anywhere, and a helpful forum to discuss issues that does it's very best in helping each individual with solutions to solving complex problems that may arise.

The only requirement there is to join the club is to have an interest in building a droid.

All people from all walks of life are welcome, Couples are welcome in the group and it’s always nice to see ladies interested in building druids, we don’t segregate the guys from the ladies.

As for cost. There is no membership fees or dues. The only costs are what you spend on building your droid.

Remember that there are no stupid questions. We were new at this at some time. If you can't find the answer after looking for it just ask. There are many helpful and talented builders here from many walks of life. (Male, female, old, young, etc.)

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Does This Group Also Build Other Droids?

I know
this is an r2 builders club but I kinda want to build another r
series droid, like an r4 or maybe one from the novels. any idea where
I can find that info?

Although it is an R2 builders group many members are working on other R-series droids. Some have built R4s; others are currently working on R3's. One member did a run of R5 heads, which may get done again by a different member.

So, YES this is the place for info on all R-series druids

There is also some other spin off clubs and other builders clubs that specialize in non R-series starwars droids such as:

The C3P0 Builders Club: description/URL

For Mouse Droid description/URL

For Battledroids see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Battle-Droid/

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How the Club Works

The club is as much a social club as it is a technical forum, feel free o discuss any experiences you have had building your droid.

If you wish to ask something or discuss something that is not directly related to building an R2 just place an OT: (Off Topic) designation in the title of your post.

For example, if you wish to discuss the color of C3P0 and you think someone in the group may be able to help you may title it something like OT: C3P0 colors?

Please note, that while the club is willing to discuss some topics not directly related to R2 you should not drift to far from the subject.

Also we do not under any circumstances discuss anything which may be considered “profiteering”. We do not sell parts for profit or sell complete R2s, as this would breach copyright rules. We also do not discuss Videos VCDs or DVDs, which have been pirated or downloaded off the net.

We also do not allow SPAM or sales pitches or advertising for any other products.

Also note the group individuals do not make a habit of answering questions via private email, as usually if the question is worth asking it is worth posting to the group. However should a member decide that the information is not worth posting to the group they may then elect to continue a private conversation with the person with the question.

Remember we do NOT sell Complete Kits

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Legalities - Copyright Generalization

To create replicas of ANYBODY'S intellectual property (including but not limited to Lucasfilm's) is NOT a violation of any copyright law on the books today. To display PICTURES of a REPLICA of somebody's intellectual property and label it as such with no deception intended is NOT a violation of any copyright law on the books today. To create a replica of somebody's intellectual property and then try to SELL it for a profit (even as little as one cent) IS a violation of copyright law. To create a replica of somebody's intellectual property and then try to REPRESENT it as the ORIGINAL (even if it's not for profit) IS a violation of copyright law.

What are the legalities about showing your R2 unit in public or hospital visits etc. as far as LucasFilms is concerned? Are there some rules to follow?

This is not entirely clear. If you are doing it for free, there is probably not too much to worry about.

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What will It Cost Me

This question has SO many variables. The main one is you and what kind of handyman you are.

You can spend anything from $100 to $3,000 depending on materials, finishes and electronics

If you make the parts yourself, the cost can be in the low/mid hundreds, taking a year or two. If you buy most parts, the cost can be in the thousands and take about a year. If you add motors and R/C, add on several months and a couple hundred.

You have to factor in how handy you are, how much time you want to put into this and what you want your R2 to do.

It also depends if you have a good set of tools to work with, the actual costs of materials can be quite inexpensive, however if are required to buy tools you do not have to work it, then that becomes an added cost.

And it will depends on what material you want your parts made of, plastic aluminum wood

The finish result will be up to you, even a very cheaply built R2 can be very accurate.

A good recommendation is to leave the electronics/motors and R/C equipment purchases till last. This way if your budget changes or your building designs change you will not be spending money of equipment that you may not need at the end. These are also the more expensive parts of any droid.

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Where Do I Get a Kit

You will not find a "R2-D2 in a Box" type kit from this club. This group is based on communicating with each other on how we built our own droids. You will find a number of members offer individual parts but not an entire kit.

Try posting what you’re looking for, one or two individual parts at a time. Those people that supply those parts will be able to contact you.

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Where Do I Get Parts

Keep in mind that this group is about helping each other build there own driods and not about part making.

However, having said that there are some parts being made by various members in the club who are working together on supplying the group with very detailed and accurate parts at the cost for which it costs them to make them, these members are not selling these for profit, simply offering a manufacturing service to fellow members.

The club itself doesn't offer parts, kits or completed R2-D2s, but will gladly point you to trusted members that do sell these items. Check out the Parts section. At the official R2 Builders site http://www.robotbuilders.net/r2/select construction then Compleat R2

Also do be aware, there are some unscrupulous people out there who could be lapelled profiteers and either charge too much or have below standard parts.

This group does not condone profiteering, so please be careful with who you deal with. The best thing to do would be to check with the club for references for anyone claiming to sell R2 parts.

Disclaimer: The R2 Builders Club is not responsible for items sold by members and does not officially endorse parts, kits or whole R2s sold by members. Any problems with items sold by members (shirts, R2 parts, coffee mugs) should be addressed to the seller directly.

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Where Can I Find The Original Parts Used For R2

Unlike many other Starwars props, almost all of the original R2s were completely scratch built by Norank an engineering firm in the UK.

The only known “found” parts are the Holoprojectors and the Feet cables

The holoprojectors are overhead passenger cabin lights from old Vickers Viscount xxx passenger jets.

The braided cables are bronze hydraulic cables found in older aircraft. Though they can still be purchased new see Cables later in the FAQ.

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Couldn't Someone Buy a Don Post R2-D2 and Make Copies of Parts

NO, this would be a direct breach of copyright. Constructing your own R2 or assembling one from parts is one thing, but copying of parts without permission is stealing. There are many people in the club that offer parts and kits that can create a complete R2 for a fraction of the cost of the licensed replica. See the Parts section to view items sold by trusted dealers.

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Can I Pay Someone to Build a R2-D2 For Me

With over 1000 members, it couldn't hurt to ask. But it would be very unlikely, understand that most of them are currently in the process of building their own R2 units in their free time. Also as there can be no money made by someone making droids for other people, it would be unlikely that they would have the time to do this.

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How Do I Start

The first and most important step of building R2 is RESEARCH and this cannot be stressed enough. We suggest getting yourself a folder, box, or whatever you choose to keep all of your research in one place. For easy reference, the best thing to use is a three-ring binder with several packs of polypropylene sheet protectors. You can print helpful documentation, posts and pictures to include in this binder, as it is a stress free and clean way to keep all of your information at hand. Sheets can also be easily replaced as you move along in your project.

Just print and save every piece of information you can find. Some people spend years researching and deciding the best way to approach their droid.

The best way to start is to check out the information in the group's Files area, at <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders/files> ... there's tons of info there to keep you busy.

Use the blueprints that are available as a guide and just cut loose - no hard and fast rules on colors, and above all - HAVE FUN

Good luck, ask many questions, read ALL the posts..

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What Skills Do I need

This really depends on you and what you wish to achieve. Most of us are learning new skills all the time simply by trying to build the parts we need.

Best way to learn is to do.

Any cheapie electronics repairs courses in your area?

Any fibreglassing courses?

There are many tutorials on the Internet on how to do just about anything. Just give it a go

Note that many of the members are already building a second droid based on the learning experiences they had with their first effort.

At a bare minimum you would need to be comfortable using tools, glues, and paints.

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Planning

The time and cost of building a R2 unit really depends on a number of things. What kind of Tools you have. What kind of materials you want to build it out of. How accurate you want it to
be and what sort of skills you have.

The first step is to decide exactly how ambitious you really want to be. And what you believe your skills will allow you to accomplish. Make a list of what you want your droid to do or be and then determine if you can do it, and can afford it

For example

Do you want a static droid or a remote control droid?

Do you want the dome to turn? Lights? Voice?

Do you want remote camera? Extending middle leg? Retractable arms?

What materials are you comfortable using? Plastics, wood, aluminum?

When you’ve determined what you want to achieve you can then start on the process of gathering parts, materials and the knowledge to start the project.

Some people build their droid to be just a static display but other build theirs to drive around. Static ones do not require motors or R/C equipment therefore will be cheaper to build they also do not have to be as sturdy and can be made out of cheaper materials.

Remote control (R/C) equipment and electronics for speed controllers and lights and other special effects that you might want to put i

R2-D2 Builders Group FAQ

Contents

Click on subject to jump directly to that section

Click on the highlighted returns to return to the contents List

Introduction

What Is This Club About

Does This Group Also Build Other Droids?

How the Club Works

Legalities - Copyright Generalization

What will It Cost Me

Where Do I Get a Kit

Where Do I Get Parts

Where Can I Find The Original Parts Used For R2

Couldn't Someone Buy a Don Post R2-D2 and Make Copies of Parts

Can I Pay Someone to Build a R2-D2 For Me

How Do I Start

What Skills Do I need

Planning