Hello from Pennsylvania

[savagecreature]

Combing through some of the threads provides more questions than answers (as I expected). First off, I love how this group is all about experimentation and fun. It's refreshing coming off of the TK costume build where things were so rigid. I have a few questions to post here, since my build is a few months down the road I am unsure if I should make a build thread to ask or start here. I'll let them fly and we can make a new thread if that would work better.

I'm good with wherever you'd like to post. Kresty might move things around, though. He's more picky about things like that

I'm looking at 1:1 scale but I see a lot of smaller options. Is this just for convenience for adding an RC car underneath, easier storage, or am I missing something?

I don't think you're missing anything. I can give you my answer, but I'm sure there are other answers out there so other people might chime in.

All of these droids end up being a lot bigger than most of us expect when we see a 1:1 scale version in person. The MSE is no exception. I'm still taken back by how large they are when I see one full scale. So I think a lot of folks make smaller scale versions so they're easier to store, easier to transport, and less expensive to construct.  

I personally am a robot builder first and a Star Wars fan second, so I design and build my robots to operate in the world we live in now, not long ago in a galaxy far, far away. I started this whole mess by building an astromech. R2 was designed to have a person (albeit a little person) inside, so once again much larger than most people expect. I ended up scaling mine down so it could actually fit through my front door and move around the house without having to move furniture. Most of my subsequent builds (but not all) have been scaled down to match my astromech because it appeals to my strange sense of symmetry (or something).

Looking at shell options I see a supplier (granite  earth I believe). Looks like a vacuum formed shell. Any pros or cons to that route? I assume the dimensions are consistent and the integrity and weight are a nice mix of sturdy and light. As with anything I assume availability and wait times will be a factor.

Though I made my own MSE shell, I have used many vacu-formed parts and have a couple of the machines myself. The only cons I can think of is that sometimes there are places where the plastic gets thin or where webbing may occur that has to be cleaned up. I like vacu-formed parts and often prefer to use it as a fabrication method.

Yes, wait times and availability is always a factor, unfortunately

There was a thread about using a gun style transmitter but the thread fizzled out before a review. Any first hand comparisons with them?

Any RC forums I could join for inspiration?

Here's where I'm going to fall down on the job completely. I don't know much about hobby RC systems. Someone else will have to step in and offer an opinion on that one.

On the fence between greeblies (which some of the hand made ones on this forum are awesome) and Rebels-style lights. Pretty sure that will just be builders preference but any input on them is appreciated.

definitely dealers choice. These droids are all about fulfilling *your* dreams, so the droid that makes you happy is definitely the one you should build.
having said that, I'm a classicist. I like the original run-away-from-chewbacca look

Finally, what advice did you wish you had when you started? I'm looking at build threads and I requested to join the Facebook group. Am I missing a holy grail-style build document or website?

Actually, I think you're already doing it right. the only advice I try to give is; this is a complex process (even the simple droids can be) so take it slow, do a lot of research, have an idea of where you're headed, but don't be afraid to dive in and give it a try.  

Hope at least some of that helps  

And once again, welcome to the group.