Build Your Own R2-D2 - Fanhome - Scale Models

Review Stages: 1–2 | 3–6 | Discussion

Discover the secrets of R2-D2

  

Official Description

Your R2-D2 astromech droid

Follow in the footsteps of the master film prop designers and assemble a movie-accurate, half-size replica of the most famous astromech in the galaxy.

Your R2-D2 is also an advanced, autonomous droid, with interactive intelligence and multiple modes and functions.

With his sensors, camera, microphones, sophisticated logic boards and powerful motors, R2-D2 can interact with his owner, as well as move and behave just like the astromech from the Star Wars movies.

Introduction

Fanhome offers a unique spin on the subscription-based market by offering build-up kits to build your own high-end model collectible. Already offering kits from the Marvel and Fast & Furious franchises, Star Wars fans can now subscribe to their service for a detailed half-size R2-D2 model.

Fanhome reached out to us to try out this process, and have provided us with a preview of this cool service. Since this is a subscription service and will be pushed out over a long period time, we have decided to incrimentally add to this review after we receive each shipment, and review the stages included with each shipment. We are excited to walk through this process, exploring each stage and what it takes to complete it.

Having attended almost every Star Wars Celebration event over the years, one of the most enjoyable displays at each event (and steadly growing larger each Celebration) is the Droid Builders exhibit. Seeing how they build these from the ground up is quite impressive. Fanhome might not offer a true 1:1 astromech unit, but if you've ever wanted to try your hand a building one on a smaller scale, this is a great opportunity to experience that.

Review

Since this build will ship in a variety of stages we will look at the shipments as they come in. When the build is complete we will add our overall thoughts.

Assembly Stages 1–2 (Shipment 1)

The first package arrived with stages 1 & 2 included. Each stage also includes a detailed magazine with lots of fun facts and details about droids, with the assembly instructions included on the final pages of the magazine. Stage 1 included a screwdriver, which is intended to be used throughout the build.

Stage 1

Stage 1 was a great intro into the build, as it only requires minimal construction. Some of the parts included are not yet used. I assembled a circuit board to its housing, along with the data cable. Then, on to stage 2!

         

Stage 2

Stage 2 added a little more detail to the build. I started assembling parts of R2's right leg. The only thing that threw me at first was that it required super glue, which is not included. Luckily I had some on hand, but it would have been nice if they had included a tube. This stage pulled in some parts from stage 1 in order to complete the assembly. All and all, the second stage was pretty easy, but definitely a step up from the first stage's assembly. It's pretty neat to already see the parts coming together even after 2 stages.

   

The first 2 stages were a great intro to the build, keeping things simple but setting the stage of what to expect in future builds.

Assembly Stages 3–6 (Shipment 2)

Box 2 arrived with the next 4 stages, continuing the build on the right leg, and beginning the complex assembly of the dome.

Stage 3

With this stage we are continuing work on R2-s right leg, adding the blue detailed outer casing. This is only a test assembly, matching it to the holes on the leg piece, but not yet attaching any screws.

   

Also included with this stage is the faceplate and lens for R2's dome. Again, this is just a test fit as we are not yet assembling all of the components (these will be assembled in stage 10).

         

Finally,a handy test board is included with this stage that I can use to make sure any boards and lights assembled along the way are in working order. I connected the test board to the processor state assembly board from stage 1.

Stage 4

Stage 4 assembly continued work on R2's right leg, but still just test assembling the pieces, no permanent attachments yet.

   

         

Also include in this stage is the battery box used to test the electronics as you assemble them. First up, the board assembled from stage 1 gets its first light test... and passed!

   

Stage 5

Stage 5 starts the complex process of assembling the dome 'skeleton'. The tiny screws and nuts will give anyone with big hands a test in patience for sure! Along with the bearing assembly, I also assembled the first piece of the dome frame, paving the way for the dome to start taking shape.

   

Stage 6

Stage 6 steps away from the dome frame and tackles the assembling of the LCD display. After aligning and assembling all of the parts it's time to once again run an electronics test with the battery box and test board. Another successful test as R2's LCD color dots screen lights up and cycles through different patterns.

    

Extras

Throughout the build small extras will be included with some of the shipments. I will add them here as they arrive!

The first shipment (stages 1-2) came with a fold-up poster featuring a 1:1 look at what your final build will look like.

     

Promotional Video

External Links:

• Fanhome Home Page
• Fanhome Build Your Own R2-D2 Product Page