This one came from shear distraction and procrastination, things that invaded my everyday life.
I am building a full size R2D2 from scratch, when you are scratch building everything begins look like a potential part, well this lamp I just got from IKEA really reminded me of the little domed one so I got bored and with a little bit of tweaking I got him looking pretty good.
I happen to have access to a cutter, and while it makes it a bit easier it is not necessary to complete this project. You could just get the vinyl and cut it with scissors, or you could even just use regular labels that you painted blue. I would bet that even with sharpie you could get the point accross.
the great thing about R2 is that he has such a an iconic look that you really only have to capture a few bits and pieces to make him look right. The main eye, the stripes and the top sections.
I think from the pictures you can get an idea of panels I had made up. (I might be able to make these available)
Update: sorry folks for the disappearing act, I'm on baby watch and my wife is due any day now so I had to make a mad dash to complete some stuff for work.
I did manage to get these up on ETSY, figured that would be an easy way to make them available.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44441643
ETSY LINK
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nylanan
Let's see these R2 lamps everywhere :D
I am building a full size R2D2 from scratch, when you are scratch building everything begins look like a potential part, well this lamp I just got from IKEA really reminded me of the little domed one so I got bored and with a little bit of tweaking I got him looking pretty good.
I happen to have access to a cutter, and while it makes it a bit easier it is not necessary to complete this project. You could just get the vinyl and cut it with scissors, or you could even just use regular labels that you painted blue. I would bet that even with sharpie you could get the point accross.
the great thing about R2 is that he has such a an iconic look that you really only have to capture a few bits and pieces to make him look right. The main eye, the stripes and the top sections.
I think from the pictures you can get an idea of panels I had made up. (I might be able to make these available)
Update: sorry folks for the disappearing act, I'm on baby watch and my wife is due any day now so I had to make a mad dash to complete some stuff for work.
I did manage to get these up on ETSY, figured that would be an easy way to make them available.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44441643
ETSY LINK
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nylanan
Let's see these R2 lamps everywhere :D
Step 1: Materials
first you'll need a lamp that looks like R2. I used the Tertial lamp from IKEA. It was $9 at my IKEA and only comes in silver. It also has a pixar-ey kinda look to it too with the springs I liked it as a lamp before I decided to sticker it up.
You will also need stickers. I used sign vinyl. you should be able to pick up vinyl sheet stickers at any craft store. If you are not going to use colored vinyl, you could paint plain white stickers or use a sharpie and just draw them in.
an exacto blade is also helpful.
Here's a pic of the vinyl material I used (Like I said I had my stickers cut on a machine)
You can use these pics to get an idea of the shape of the panels, you can also find pics on the internet of R2, but like I said so long as you have the main parts pretty much everyone will know it's R2.
You will also need stickers. I used sign vinyl. you should be able to pick up vinyl sheet stickers at any craft store. If you are not going to use colored vinyl, you could paint plain white stickers or use a sharpie and just draw them in.
an exacto blade is also helpful.
Here's a pic of the vinyl material I used (Like I said I had my stickers cut on a machine)
You can use these pics to get an idea of the shape of the panels, you can also find pics on the internet of R2, but like I said so long as you have the main parts pretty much everyone will know it's R2.
Step 2: Determine the front of the lamp
you'll need to figure out where you want R2 "looking" the goos thing about this lamp is you can rotate the dome around but you'll want to know where you want R2's primary gaze to be. depending on your desk situation you might want R2 to face the door to great guests with your utter geekiness (this is how I plan to do it for the one that goes in my office, this on is in my workbench so it faces front)
mark the front with a pencil.
mark the front with a pencil.
Step 3: Pinstriping...all the cool cars have it
First step I chose to go with is the pinstripe along the bottom. pretty much all the other stickers go from this one so if you get this one fairly straight all the others will look fine.
the sticker material is fairly forgiving so as you work around if the line isn't to your liking just lift it up and place it down again. I like to press one end down and pull the line around with a little tension. this keeps the line straight.
the stickers I made have this stripe as 2 parts so start the stripe away from the center mark you made so that the overlap doesn't occur right in the front of the lamp.
the sticker material is fairly forgiving so as you work around if the line isn't to your liking just lift it up and place it down again. I like to press one end down and pull the line around with a little tension. this keeps the line straight.
the stickers I made have this stripe as 2 parts so start the stripe away from the center mark you made so that the overlap doesn't occur right in the front of the lamp.
Step 4: The eyes have it
Now mount the eye, this is pretty much what give R2 his look and where most people will look right away.
start with the lower left peice. where you set this determines the rest of the stickers.
once that is set put the main eye piece in place. I start at the lower left so you can get the right relationship with the first rectangle. then push the right side of the eye down. notice in the 3rd picture I have the left portion of the eye still hanging. dude to the curve of the dome y can't just have flat stickers so you kinda have to play with this piece to get it just right. just don't push it down in place until you get it right. It should meet up at the top and make the circle complete.
finally add the long bottom piece and the window pane looking piece to the left of the eye.
start with the lower left peice. where you set this determines the rest of the stickers.
once that is set put the main eye piece in place. I start at the lower left so you can get the right relationship with the first rectangle. then push the right side of the eye down. notice in the 3rd picture I have the left portion of the eye still hanging. dude to the curve of the dome y can't just have flat stickers so you kinda have to play with this piece to get it just right. just don't push it down in place until you get it right. It should meet up at the top and make the circle complete.
finally add the long bottom piece and the window pane looking piece to the left of the eye.
Step 5: Left side panels
Lastly add the panels. I took some liberties with "screen accuracy" for my lamp...after all it is a $9 lamp and admittedly I should be doing other things, but bringing the nerd bling is so much fun
Step 6: Right side panels
these panels extend from the right of the eye. First there is a round panel, then 3 small panels and one long one.
I also have one panel that I made for the rear center. you can really put it anywhere you want.
I also have one panel that I made for the rear center. you can really put it anywhere you want.
Step 7: Pie anyone?
the top "pie panels" are last. I start at the front where people will be able to notice them the most. that way if the gaps are off they are off in the back.
I start right about the eye and work my around alternating left and right, that way the front spaces will look equal.
I start right about the eye and work my around alternating left and right, that way the front spaces will look equal.
Step 8: I love lamp
alright, this one is out there, but it's cheap and pretty cool, in a very nerdy kinda way.
Check out my Han in Carbonite hidden door and you'll see this fits right in with my style :P
Like I said I could possible make these sticker sheets available so you could turn your own $9 lamp into an R2lamp quite easily. send me a PM I guess and we'll go from there.
ENJOY!!
Check out my Han in Carbonite hidden door and you'll see this fits right in with my style :P
Like I said I could possible make these sticker sheets available so you could turn your own $9 lamp into an R2lamp quite easily. send me a PM I guess and we'll go from there.
ENJOY!!
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http://www.instructables.com/id/R2-D2-Helmet/
Even heating the top thingies wouldn't make them stay flat, so it looks pretty ghetto at the moment.
Like the shiny?
*
$9 one for the kiddos rooms and $59 one for my desk!
I have a full size r2 as well...well I have 100% of the parts and they are 50% assembled...lol.
I got a Spektrum DX7 to control him so I am always looking at other stuff to control with it..like that awesome plane!
I'm Muttley on astromech.net
This creation has inspired my dear friend and I and we've decided to have a contest on who can create the most geekiest star wars DIY lamp.
My friend created another version of this R2d2 Lamp using a Blue lamp instead of a silver. I decided to go for the iconic Darth Vader. Below are some pictures for your reference:
For more info, visit our albums:
R2d2 lamp:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150487931813553.368857.717818552&type=3
Vader Lamp:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150444070467714.350324.544457713&type=1
Geek Out!!! @_@
http://www.instructables.com/id/Super-Mario-Piranha-Plant-Lamp/
Thanks again for a neat looking lamp!
I've used it to make vinyl signage for retail shop windows, vinyl coroplast signs, custom cut names and numbers for heat transfer to tshirts & caps... etc... I also use it to cut vinyl masking for doing glass etching... The first job I used it for - paid for itself when I used it to cut vinyl to re-do the oputside lettering on a Dr's office that faced a western setting sun in the Dallas, Texas area. The old vinyl had cracked badly, and was unsightly... After a window scraping, cleaning, and new vinyl application - I was happy, and so was the Dr.
1 @ 5/16" x 21" (this length will vary depending where you place the pinstripe)
3 @ 1.5" x 3/4"
1 @ 1.5" x 1/2"
2 @ 1.5" x 1.5"
1 @ 2" x 1" w/ 3/4" circle cut out
1 @ 1/2" x 1"
1 @ 2.5" x 1.5" w/ 1" circle cut out. this is the main "eye" piece, you'll need to cut the edges on a slant.
1 @ 1" x 1.5" w/ 2 squares cut out
1 @ 5/16" x 1.5"
1 @ 1.5" x 3.5"
You'll also need 2 circles about 3/4" or 1". I forgot to measure these.
The top arc "pie" pieces were the toughest to figure. See the pic for that. I started with a piece 1.75" x 1", then used a 3" diameter plastic cup to trace the bottom curve and a ~2" diameter play-doh lid for the upper arc. I eyeballed the angle on the sides.
Hope this is helpful. I think I covered all the pieces. If I missed something, feel free to post a correction.
The beauty of it is so long as you have a the few key elements...it's R2!
Yeah, figuring out the curves on the shapes PLUS taking into account the shape of the dome was real tricky. my original prototype I just cut the decals right on the lamp. I peeled them off to see what the flat shape should look like.
the Eye and those top pie pieces were indeed the trickiest.
Again..I LOVE IT!! hope your kiddo had a great birthday. sorry I couldn't get stickers to ya sooner.
Nice job Nylanan!
I left it on, on accident, all night and not an issue at all.
It's awesome!
thanks
:D
L
Cant find the knife so ill have to make a cnc sticker plotter to cut it !