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Congratulations on finding the best source of information on
building a full sized R2 unit!!! 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.
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!
We ask that you please take the time to read through this letter as
it is designed to help you get acquainted with the group. The R2Builders
Club is growing daily with new ideas, members, and resources of information
and parts. There are several main points to getting started on this project
and we have focused with the intent of this welcome letter to help you
find the resources your looking for. 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.
DOING YOUR HOMEWORK
The quickest way to get up to speed is to read the club FAQ
(Answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions)
You can find the FAQ on the clubs website, simply select FAQ from the
left hand menu.
see www.robotbuilders.net/r2
The club website (above) was created by group founder Dave Everrett and
acts as the home website for the group. Containing many pictures of members
droids, personal stories and general information, it is a great place
to get started.
Also more information can be found by visiting each section of R2Builders
Club on the Yahoo Group Forums http://groups.yahoo.com/group/r2builders,...Please
note that these are the places that we recommend visiting on the yahoo
site first. There are several other sections available to look at but
this will help you get started on your research for now. These sections
are located to the left of the screen on the R2Builders Club site at the
link above.
These include the following:
MESSAGES: This
is where each e-mail since the very beginning of the group is archived.
There is a wealth of information to sift through and there is even a search
engine to help find topics that you may want to read up on.
POST: This will open
up a blank E-mail that is addressed to the group so that you can introduce
yourself and also ask questions that you may have. Your message will appear
on the forum and directly to each member who has chosen to accept group
mail into their personal inbox. You can change your e-mail settings to
receive group mail also so you won't miss out on any of the postings.
We ask that you please familiarize yourself with the group and it's
many sections before posting...Many of your questions can be answered
by spending a little time doing this step first as it helps to keep the
space for postings free of repeated material.
FILES: THIS IS A
VERY IMPORTANT PLACE TO VISIT!!!! Inside the FILES section there
are eight folders that include the following:
1.) MEMBERS
PHOTOS: This is where members have posted photos of their work...you
can really get an idea of what they have done to put their replicas together
by showing how they have overcome certain obstacles in the construction
of their own personal projects. This provides you with a visual aid of
the various different approaches to these problem areas as well as many
other techniques in construction.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS!!!
2.) MISCELLANEOUS:
This folder contains R2 related information that doesn't fit into any
other category.
3.) Official
Club R2 Blueprints: This folder primarily contains pictures of
other R Series Astromech Droids. Some of these pictures are not R2-D2,
but in most cases the R series droids all had similar if not identical
bodies with only the heads being interchanged. Some members decide to
build other R series droids as well as R2.
4.) R2-D2
DOCUMENTATION:
This is a very important folder to visit as it includes many documents,
drawings, and schematics that will be helpful in your project!!!
5.) R2-D2
EVENTS: This
folder includes pictures from various conventions that are themed as R2
related information.
6.) R2-D2
ITEMS FOR SALE: This folder contains information on where to buy
parts and Items to construct an R2 unit. You will find it very helpful
in seeing what kind of items and materials that have been used.
7.) R2-D2
PICTURES: This folder contains reference photos of R2 that you
need to collect and study. You can obtain more reference photos by visiting
each member's website in the BOOKMARKS section. Most members have various
galleries of the real R2 units posted on these sites. They are provided
as reference material and are strongly suggested. Collect as many as you
can and put them in a dedicated folder somewhere on your hard drive for
later viewing. If you have a program that will slideshow your images it
makes looking at them easy and less hassle.
BOOKMARKS: The
Next place to visit on the main group site is the BOOKMARKS section.
This is the place that contains links to many members' personal websites.
This section will point you to places on the web that will show you exactly
what members have done to create their replicas as well as R2 related
information and picture galleries!! We suggest going to EACH website
to start collecting information that appeals to you as there are so many
ways to go about putting an R2 unit together. Ultimately you yourself
will have to make the final choices on what techniques you will attempt
and what materials you will use to do so but the information provided
can really help you fine tune your approach.
There you will also find many pictures for reference as mentioned before...information
and construction tips with links to parts, blueprints, and other titbits
of R2 related material that you will find undoubtedly vital in your quest.
-SUGGESTED LINKS-
There are tons of great sites out there with R2 related material but
if your looking for essential R2 Builders material then we also suggest
visiting the sites below.
Check out astromech.net
http://www.astromech.net/
Astromech.Net is an amazing resource of images, video and other Artoo
related information. Probably the most resourceful private site out there.
(Don't tell Dave E!)
Alex Kung's Web Page
http://home.interlog.com/~ask/
Alex's web page that includes my R2D2 project.
Includes pictures during the construction of my R2. He is moving and has
head rotation but he is far from finished
ASTROMECH ASSEMBLY
website by Kelly Krider
Mark Mullen's Web Page
http://personal.atl.bellsouth.net/m/j/mjmullen/Buildr2d2.htm
Mark has tons of information, pics, and links to help you get started!!
Compiled by Keith Henry / RXC
Edited by Richard Vollmer
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