Project R2-D2 PC

[TheGreatSatan]

The Dome is just about done. They're are still a couple things left, but the majority of the painting has been accomplished. These are my favorite pics so far.

[TheGreatSatan]

I've set the Vapochill in. It's upside down because this is the bottom and that's right.

The bottom that originally came on the barrel has been modified to fit.

Next I needed to cut the hole for the Vapochill's exhaust. I used this blade tool of mine. I love this thing. The day I snap this is what I'm using to kill with!

Here's the hole. Bad angle, so it doesn't look great.

Since R2 is round and the vapochill is squared I'll be using some mesh to tidy up this hole.

Then I painted it white to match the case.

If you do a lot of modding and have a lot of tools, I recommend getting one these extesion cords with a junction box. It really helps.

Here's my PSU. It will be going on top with the mobo.

I cut holes in the sheet metal near the Vapochill so the fans can connect to the PSU.

[TheGreatSatan]

I added the mesh to R2.

Then I fixed the pinstriping problems.

Next up, is to solve how I'm keeping the bottom on with nearly 40 pounds of weight on it. I've decided to use latches.

They had to be painted black to match the trim.

And so did the screws that held them on.

Here they are together. The silver parts will be painted white to match R2.

And here's where they'll mount.

The rest I'll mess with tonight.

[TheGreatSatan]

Why the hell would I take a 100 pound computer to a LAN party??


I went to Lowe's and bought some PVC to make R2's projector.

First I painted them with a white primer.
.

Then the color they're supposed to be, silver.

While that is drying I moved on to the latches for R2's under belly.

I drilled on the piece for the trim.

And then the latch. I'll test it later.

My slot loaders arrived. I still have to test them.

[TheGreatSatan]

I've been working on R2's other eyeball, the one inside his projector. I want to use this area as R2's Hard drive LED. I spent a whopping quarter in a prize machine and got one of those plastic balls.

Separated, I got out my LED

Drilled a hole in the bottom.

Inserted LED and glued.

View from the top.

From bottom. Inserted ball in the bottom of R2's eye.

Next I'm going to drill a hole in R2's dome and feed the wiring through. Then I'll glue the eye to the dome, covering the hole.

[TheGreatSatan]

The glue for the projector LED dried. Real men drink Beck's or Heinekin, not Piss-weiser.

I plugged it into the power LED posts on my Craftstick Airplane PC and it works! I knew there's a reason I kept that Mod around.

Next, I prepped for mounting R2's projector. I use a hole punch and hammer to mark the spot and give me a nice little divit for the drill bit to sit in.

I drilled two holes. One for the projector bulb (right) and the other for the little red circle under R2's eye (left). The red circle will be for R2's HD light.

Here's the working Red LED I'm using.

[TheGreatSatan]

R2D2 STANDS!!

It works perfectly. The latches are all holding very well and there is no sign of bending or gapping. And I've attached the hydraulic hoses to his legs.

For now I'm keeping the latches locked by using these lanyard thingies. They are temporary, till I find something better. Ideas?

Here's the view from above, showing the huge heasink hose for the proc and an assortment of wires.

The power for the Vapochill connects directly to the PSU and the cord for the wall plugs into the back of it.

For the record, I spent $600 and what do I get? A photocopied ditto of the instructions! WTF?? I'll have to go on-line for the detailed instructions in plain-jane english and color.

And lastly the Vapochill kit. On the right is the Chill Controll PCB. Next to it is the heater (WTF is the heater for?). Above that is the foam shroud for the socket and an assortment of thermal pastes/gels/wires.

[TheGreatSatan]

Besides, the pin striping the head is done.

Here's my Matrix Orbital. I want to use it with R2, but have have yet to figure out where.

The PSU has been added.

I cut some more mesh for it. Then painted.

From the inside.

After I added the mesh.

And then I fixed the pin striping around it.

[TheGreatSatan]

Next on the agenda is cooling for the upper section. I want to put intake fans on the legs. This is a real inconspicuous place to put fans.

Hole saws are essential to modding.

After adding one intake fan to each leg. I made an exhaust fan for the back. It will have a blue LED.

Before.

The grill has to match!

Attention to details. The screws to match too.

And on the case!

[TheGreatSatan]

More has been worked on yet I didn't actually complete anything.

I set up the Chill control unit. It was pretty easy ecept one part where it said pin 1 was red, when in fact both wires were black???

As you can see, it's mounted near the PSU.

Then I worked on the other halo projector. The sites that I've seen have R2 with another projector on the back of his head, so I added it. This one will not have an LED.

Next I worked on my Matrix Orbital LCD. It's gonna go here:

First a taped the whole thing.

Then cut away everything around the screen.

Next I added plastic and tape to prevent damage to the underside components.

The finish had to be roughened for painting.

I used a grey primer.

Then the Metallic blue. A few more coats of blue and clear before I mount it.