Great Lakes Garrison & Base

Just about finished with my MSE-6 Mouse Droid.

I figured I would post up some pics for anyone considering building one.
Open some dialog on specs, reference pics, methods, and such.

So far it has been a pretty easy build, cheap, and it is a nice little project that one could involve the kid(s) in for a little Master/Padawn bonding.

I started with a 1:12 scale RC car from Toys R Us.
Most people use the 1:10 scale as it was the original size used in the movie(s).

Stripped it down and basically had a RC chassis.

I started with a mock up build using US Postal Boxes.
They are free*, light weight but sturdy.
*you are suppose to use these for mail only so please follow the rules....

Started with the bottom panels/frame and modified as I went forward to get the correct looking proportions for the top shell.











Started to come together so that I could get a sense if it looked close to the original in size and angles.

I moved up to a stronger material for the next mock build up.
I put it together with ruff seams with no mitering the joints.
Turned out a bit ruff, but it was really sturdy.
Enough so that I was actually going to stick with this as the final product at first.

I used foam display board. The kind a kid will use for a science fair project. When hot glued and reinforced this stuff is actually pretty strong.
Plus it made the droid extremely light and fast.

Base




Glued up the seams with Hot Glue




Cut out the hubs for steering.


Now the shell....








Other than the joints, it turned out pretty nice and it was really sturdy strong so I decided that I would stay with this material for the shell.

After running around the house for a minute I ran into the fridge and put a huge dent into the front edges. I would have to reinforce the front and rear with some type of bumper to prevent that.

But first, I worked on the droid sides and the antenna arrays that sit on top.

Here are some of the reference pic I used to match up with the screen used droid.







For the sides.
Circuit Board from Radio Shack cut to size.
A lot of 14 pin DIP IC Sockets Adaptor and 14 pin General Purpose Dual Bipolar Timers.









Here they are finished and glued into place.




Other side....


Now the arrays.
Basically found a bunch of stuff at work and around the house that looked radio antenna'ish.


That might be the only pic...CRAP!

Anyway, here they are installed.






Up next....Paint and Sound.

Looks fantastic so far!

So cool

You are a very talented craftsman

That thing looks great. Good Job Jerry.

Look realy nice can't wait to see at MCCC

Rich

Do I get to Wookiee roar at it???

Lumpy wrote:Do I get to Wookiee roar at it???

Sure thing Chris!

And I have a Wookiee roar in the audio loop for when you're not around too.

Mira_Darkstar wrote:Looks fantastic so far!

Hyper wrote:So cool - You are a very talented craftsman

Flash wrote:That thing looks great. Good Job Jerry.

tk1440 wrote:Look realy nice can't wait to see at MCCC

Thanks guys!

I actually shot the paint on this thing last week and the results - not good.

I used a water based spray since I was concerned that the regular spray paint would melt the edge of the foam board leaving it pitted. Turns out the foam did not pit or melt, but the paper surface absorbed too much of the "water" in places loosening the glue and it pulled away from the foam core.

I had to start over with the body/shell.

wow other than that setback everything's looking awesome cant wait to see the completed project!

Jerry, I have a bunch of styrene if you need it. Just let me know!!

Thanks for the offer Wages!

I actually found some of the same foam board but this time with a laminated skin and it comes in several thicknesses.
Bought some to test the paint and it worked fine!

I will post up some progress pics later tonight.

New shell and base.
I mitered all the joints for a clean look.
Used some material from Mike Lika (thanks Mike) to cover the ends of the exposed foam core and it worked perfectly.








Reinstalled the sides


Sound










Arrays installed



This thing is like a rolling juke box.
I have a lot of mouse droid sounds, audio from Episode IV, and some funny stuff too running on a loop.

Possible driver?



I will install the cooling fins that run along the side panels and shoot the paint tomorrow.

Later -

Jerry

I can't wait to see it in person, or in droid........

That's pretty slick; very resourceful. Look forward to seeing this in action.

Done!!!











Here is a short video.
I have a trial audio loop running.
Zane's dog Max does not care for the MSE at all.
Got to love the timing of the Wookiee growl after he barks at the droid!

Full version on YouTube

That is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time.

I WANT ONE!!!!!

THAT IS UBER AWESOME!!


Way to go Jerry!!!