macstack

I'm a few years into my R2-D2 Build, figured I'd share some photos/videos. I started in late '23/early '24; then took a long break to some personal stuff. I jumped back in late last year after about 1 year off, and am currently re-printing the center body for a few reasons. I'm hoping to get a lot of progress done this year, especially since I've done a ton of the hard work along with the electronics while I let the physical form languish for a bit. He's 3D Printed, and while some of the plans are out there the electronics are mostly my own creation - in no way would you consider this a "kit build":

The dome, with lights!

Here's his head mounted on (what is now his old] body - with spinning head and sounds:

I've been spending a lot of time condensing all of his electronics down to a board that fits in the body though:

And here he is, in the "3D Printing Lab" I've set up in the house - Don't fret the helmet on the left side of the table there, just another project I'm working on :

Whoa! That R2 is big!

ukimalefu wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 6:34 pm

Whoa! That R2 is big!

He's full size, 1:1 to the one from the movies.

ConnertheCat wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 6:55 pm

ukimalefu wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 6:34 pm

Whoa! That R2 is big!

He's full size, 1:1 to the one from the movies.

cool!

That is badass.

ConnertheCat wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 6:01 pm

Don't fret the helmet on the left side of the table there, just another project I'm working on

As good a time as any for an "I don't work for no two-bit Nazi" refresher. ❤

reefdog wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 10:30 pm

ConnertheCat wrote: Tue Feb 17, 2026 6:01 pm

Don't fret the helmet on the left side of the table there, just another project I'm working on

As good a time as any for an "I don't work for no two-bit Nazi" refresher. ❤

Indeed! I have the jetpack in pieces as well; and was sanding down the helmet when it became Hoth-like outside. I hope to get that done later in the spring.

Whoa. That is incredible!

This is awesome!

Thanks for all the kind words folks! I hope to have him on his feet this summer and driving around. I'm currently printing out the new body, ideally that will be all set for paint this spring (April?). I have an issue of perfection on him I'm working to get over; most people aren't going to look at small seams from an inch away on something this size yet I still must try to get it perfect.

Long term, I'd love to do an all metal one with all the bells and whistles; and now that I've sort of set that in mind getting this one out the door can tide me over and help me perfect the drive/control systems.

I also want to make a Chopper. And a BB8. And a Wall-E.

…

Please send help.

ukimalefu wrote: Thu Feb 19, 2026 10:43 am

That may or may not have solidified the Wall-E build for me someday lol. It was interesting to hear the control system they are using (Kyber), as that's an R2 system.

Very cool.

That rips. Have fun.

That is extraordinary! I really wish you could find a way to give him artificial intelligence and R2s personality.

I've spent the last month or so reprinting the body; and just started painting it. The white section is removable; which is why it was done in isolate. This was the first finished white I've done on him (since his head doesn't have); think it's coming along nicely.

Have you tried using The Force?

ukimalefu wrote: Thu Mar 19, 2026 10:03 am

Have you tried using The Force?

Nope, but I have tried lots of time ha ha. The blue pieces are:

2 coats filler primer
1 coat gloss black
2 coats silver
3 coats blue
2 coats clear coat

I give each coat at least 2 hours to dry… so you can see it takes some time.