Finished Dome

My dome is finally done. I still have to purchase the electronics for the inside, but the hard work is done. The rest will consist of mounting the electronics, and then working on the body. Until then, I'll leave R2 on top of my cabinet full of Star Wars collectables.

Radar Eye Scratch Build

So I have to wait about 10 weeks for my radar eye to come in. I figured I might as well try to do a scratch build of one based off of the plans on the web.

The plans are pretty stright forward, print, trace, cut, and build. I personally am using some extra styrene that was left over from my body skins.

So this is the rough shell that I formed based on the plans. I used Hot Glue as it can be trimmed later, and gave me a little time to actually get the pieces into place before setting up.

This side piece is not in the plans, but is easy enough to make by gluing some flat pieces to side of the box, and then layering smaller pieces so that you get the "gap effect" as seen in the pictures.

I still need to add pieces underneath to completely enclose the box.

I used drywall compound to fill in the minor gaps, and that will be sanded later.

As you can see from the picture it's still pink, that's good because it helps me see where I still need to fill.

Once I was done with the drywall compound I used masking tape along the entire frame of the radar eye to keep it in place and hold it's shape. I then used some of the "Great Stuff" expansion foam, that is used to fill cracks and gaps in foundations of houses, to fill the back and make it not only stronger, but one solid piece.

Once this dries overnight I will shave off the excess foam and then sand down what little drywall compound is left. Then it should be ready to paint.

Ok, so it's been a few weeks, and I've been busy, but I finally got back to finish the Radar Eye, so here it is......

I shaved down the foam in the back and even pained that too, so that no other color would show once it was mounted.

Dome Bumps

Here is another detail from the screen used R2D2. The builders club refers to them as Dome Bumps.

Here is a closer view

So to copy this detail, I picked up some furniture foot pads from my local hardware store.

Sand the feet covers lightly to rough them up, and then paint them with the same blue paint as the rest of your trim.

Once they are dry pop them in the holes from the inside, and use a little hot glue to keep them in place.

HERE IS THE END RESULT

Clear Coat

Now is the easiest part of the work so far. Now is the time to clear coat your dome to protect it. I know what you're thinking, why clear coat it now, when I'll still have pieces to attach? You want to do this to protect it in the mean time. If you have other pieces already available, then by all means, attach them. I personally have to wait for a few more pieces in the mail, so I want to protect my paint until them come.

I used a Rustoleum Clear Coat Lacquer Spray Can for this. Make sure you spray it evenly around the entire dome.

I personally like this spray because it gave no drips, and I literally bathed this dome in the spray. Hold the can about 6 inches from the dome, shake the can while spraying, and move around. I know the can says hold 10-12 inches from the item, but not if you want it this shiny

I actually had to step back when I took the pictures because I was getting a big glare. I checked it about 4 hours later, and it was still brillantly glossy.

Dome Top

If you look at pictures from the original screen used R2D2 you will see some detail piece on the very top of the dome.

To recreate this I simply went to my local hardware store, and picked up a "Bi-Fold Door Control." This is just a round piece that would slide onto a rod, that also comes in the kit. Toss the rod to the side, who knows you may need it for something later. I then used super glue and glued in a furniture tack into the center. I cut out a small hole in the top of the dome, and glued in the piece in the center of the round blue trim piece.

Your finished results will vary depending on what materials you use, but this is about the look you're going for. Also you want to make sure to use light weight materials, and something that will take glue well. You want to avoid anything that you would have to use excessive amounts of glue on.

Attaching Panel Pieces

Ok, so you're finally making good progress. Hopefully you'll have the good luck that I did, and everything kind of falls into place after a while.

I simply used super glue around all the edges and placed the pieces into their spots. You don't have much time to work, but they fit easily so you shouldn't have a problem. REMEMBER - There is supposed to be a gap around all the pieces so make sure that you center them into each opening, hold for a few seconds, and BOOM your ready to move onto the next piece.

Before gluing all the pieces, the areas that you have to cut out holes, hold those pieces up to the area to be cut, trace with a pencil, set the piece asside, and then cut.

Cut the opening slightly larger than the hole on the trim piece, DON'T WORRY, Your trim piece will cover it, but you don't want to risk the inner dome showing through the hole and trim piece.

Finally glue in the remaining trim pieces for your finished look.

Sanding and Painting

Once everything is dry, slowly sand all white areas until you have the desired effect. I just worked my way around the dome removing excess compound so that my pieces that I would have to glue in later would sit flush.

Slowly work your way around the dome getting into all the little areas. I used a small folded piece of fine grit sand paper, and also an emery board like the ones used to file your nails down. I also taped off the blue ring, again with masking tape, and repainted the dome the silver color when I was finished.