Astromech
Astromech droids are some of the most common in the Star Wars universe. Originally designed to be repair droids on starships, they could also function as co-pilots, slicers and even just a nice companion to have around. The most common is R2-D2, present in all of the Star Wars Movies to date. There are plenty of R2 units currently being built and already out there in the world and thanks to the introduction of newer droids there are plenty of variations of R2 as well as other astromech droids entirely being created.
History
The R2 Builders Club, also known as the R2-D2 Builders Club, is a global community of Star Wars enthusiasts and hobbyists who share a common passion for building and customising their own astromech droids, particularly those inspired by the iconic R2-D2. The club has a rich history dating back to the late 1990s:
1. Foundation (1999): The R2 Builders Club was founded in 1999 by Dave Everett, an avid Star Wars fan and droid enthusiast. The club began as an online forum where like-minded individuals could connect and share their interest in constructing R2-D2 replica droids.
2. Proliferation of Droid Building (Early 2000s): In the early 2000s, the club's membership grew rapidly as more Star Wars fans discovered the art of droid building. The release of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, which featured R2-D2 prominently, further fueled interest in building astromech droids.
3. Sharing Knowledge and Resources: The R2 Builders Club became a hub for sharing knowledge, blueprints, and resources related to droid construction. Members collaborated on building techniques, electronics, and aesthetics, helping each other overcome the technical challenges involved in creating accurate and functional R2-D2 replicas.
4. Astromech Droid Building as a Craft: Over time, astromech droid building evolved from a hobby into a genuine craft, with members developing advanced skills in electronics, mechanics, 3D printing, and other disciplines. This transformation reflected the dedication and creativity of the club's members.
5. Showcasing at Conventions: R2 Builders Club members began showcasing their creations at Star Wars conventions, science fiction events, and charity functions. These appearances allowed fans to interact with the life-sized R2-D2s and appreciate the craftsmanship involved in their construction.
6. Growth and Global Reach: The R2 Builders Club expanded its global presence, with chapters and members from around the world. This global community brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds who shared a common love for Star Wars and droid building.
7. Star Wars Legacy: As the Star Wars franchise continued to release new films and series, the R2 Builders Club remained a testament to the enduring appeal of the original trilogy and its beloved characters, such as R2-D2.
Today, the R2 Builders Club continues to thrive as a vibrant community of builders, tinkerers, and Star Wars enthusiasts. Members work on a variety of droids and astromechs, not limited to R2-D2, and their creations continue to captivate fans and inspire future generations of builders. The club's history is a testament to the enduring passion for the Star Wars universe and the creative spirit of its members.
Parts
In the early days of R2 Building, the majority of people were very familiar with various types of machine work, wood work, electronics etc so putting those skills to good use was second nature. Sometimes some people were better are making wooden frames than others and had the correct tools to do so and wouldn't have an issue making them for other members whilst they made their own and in return other members would do the same for other parts. As the club evolved Parts Runs were set up with the core idea that some builders may not have the experience nor the correct tools to manufacture all of the parts themselves so another builder who did would help out. There are many different parts run that have been and gone and some are still active providing much needed parts for builders all around the world. We have created a page and itemised everything into sections with links that we will try to keep updated as best we can. If you spot a link that is dead or the parts run is no longer active (by this we mean the builder is no longer making the part at all, not that the parts run is currently closed) then please let us know or jump in and change it yourself!
Tutorials
Tutorials are an essential part of building. Not everyone is an engineer or very technically minded and we believe knowledge should be accessible and shared and then improved upon! Similar to the Parts Run page, we've tried to itemise the available tutorials into their correct sections to make them easier to find. Some tutorials are written in a blog style format and some may be in a video tutorial style. We will try to include as many tutorial links as we can from various sources. If you have spotted a tutorial link that is either dead, not accurate or even missing, let us know or jump in and change it yourself!
Audio
Below is a page that houses the current available R2 sounds. Feel free to add your own!
