Home Who Is R4-K5 Build Process Gallery Click here for updates on my MSE build Click here for awesome links Click here to build your own Astromech Droid Click here for the DC builder's Club

This page will track my building progress on R4-K5. Current Cost to build is: $2,260.91

2/17/08: Today I devised a system on how to secure my Rear Access Door (R.A.D.) to my droid. I'm using three 1" rare earth magnets. Take a look at the photos for a more info on how I did it. Also Check out the video. And yes, I use my dinning room as a workshop. Garage is still too cold.

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2/5/08: I got my front skin panels cut out and attached my inner skins to my frame. For more details see the pics. Eash one contains more info on how I did things.
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1/8/07: I recieved Mike Velchek's PSI Circuits today. And they are awesome. The Blue LED's aren't as bright due to being run on a 9 volt battery. The circuit is designed to run on 12 volts. When I get around to buying a 12 volt bayttery. I'll upload a new video.


1/6/08: Over the past 2 weeks I have cut out the panels on my rear skins and today I cut out the rear access door and mounted the rear inner skin to my frame. I've also sanded down a couple high points on my frame so that my skins will lay better. I used my trusty (so far) Dremel 400 XPR with the reinforced cutting wheels and it worked out fine. The dremel did get very hot at one point. But no smoking. To remove the Panels I used a hack saw blade. For the thinner cut panels were that hack saw blade didn't fit. I used my dremel... VERY carfully. I did great! I only scratched the skins once, but it was on the inner skin. So no worrys. I also painted up one of the panels, to test out my color scheme. This week I want to assemble my rear door panel and paint it. And start working on on removing the front skins panels.
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12/2/07: I got my skins today. I will start working on them this week. Depending on my free time. These are well worth the $200! Click on thumbnail for bigger pic. (will open in new window)
 
11/29/07: I painted my radar eye black today using Rust-Oleum Gloss Black (V7779) spray paint. It turned out pretty good. Just a couple spots were the paing didn't stick and some dust on the front. Next week I will sand it down and add a second coat. That should get rid of the dust!
Eye prepped & ready for paint
Nice, black and shiny
Not too bad for my first try (click for big pic)
Spot were paint didn't stick
Dust... booo
 
 

So far As of 11/18/07, I have recieved my Aluminum Radar Eye and have bought the HP lenses and retaining rings. I also bought a Senna wooden frame from a club member (Which stil hasn't arraived) and have ordered the Daren Murrer 300mm Dome and a power control board (hasn't arraived yet).

I have also bought the electronic components to build my own PSI circuits. I have built one. But it's not working. I'm in the process of trouble shooting it. But luckily I bought enough for two... I kinda figured I'd srewup the first one. Today I picked up a breadboard so I can assemble the 2nd one and make sure I connect everything right before I solder it to the PCB.

 

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