Hi from Scotland

[Envisaged]

Hello everyone, my name is Gareth and I'm addicted to building droids.

When I saw BB-8 in the trailer for TFA I knew I had to attempt to build one. I had originally started building the full scale one from The BB-8 builders club in early January last year when the call for droids for SWCE was put out and specifically BB-8 units.

I described I would take on the challenge of making a ½ scale one in time and got started on it around six weeks before Celebration. I made it just in time as I was still painting the last panel the day before getting on the train to London. Unfortunately it was purely static with no lights or anything else, although I had built in a charging port.

He made his second appearance at the largest 3D printing show in the U.K. The TCT show in Birmingham in late September where he took a fall and cracked his dome. By the time this had arrived I had managed to get lights in his dome.

Pics from Celebration and TCT show. Also some of my full scale build.

[savagecreature]

Welcome to the group, Gareth! Nice job on the BB 8. I see from the sign that he's PLA, but he's got a very smooth, finished, look to him. I would love to hear the process you used to finish the surface after printing.

I look forward to seeing your next build

[Envisaged]

Hi Savagecreature, plain old elbow grease and lots of sanding starting on 80grit paper until I can't see any layer lines, moving papers up to 200, 400, 600 and finally wet sanding with 1200.

Once finished sanding I use a filler primer, the orange / beige colour on the panels of the full sized one. Then a couple of coats of automotive paint to finish off.

[Dyne]

Welcome to the funhouse

[kresty]

Gareth, did you see the pix of Lego BB-8/Mouse after Celebration?  We ran around Scotland a bit afterward - they're at the end of our Flickr album

[Envisaged]

Hi Kresty, Just been to take a look, I'm from Dundee well originally N.Wales some great pictures you have got there, I'm particularly fond of the one of Borgè protecting my half scale from the Jawas. ;o)

[kresty]

Yea, you gotta watch those Jawas!