Introduction: BB-8 on a Budget
Today, I will show how to make a lifesize BB-8 with a budget of around 100$. It doesn't move, but it looks very cool for display. First, you will need these materials:
- a 50cm/20 inch diameter styrofoam ball. (Overjoyed) (35$ + 35$ shipping)
- a 30 cm/12 inch diameter styrofoam HALF ball. (Micheals or Overjoyed) (20$)
- a 30 cm/12 inch styrofoam disk of 1 inch tick (Micheals) (10$)
- a 3D Printer (for the black parts that you can see) (Already have it)
- paint (5$)
- a sharpie
Step 1: Draw the Shapes on Your Ball (and the Head!)
Before drawing the shapes, be sure to sand your styrofoam, because there a lot of imperfection on it.
For the shapes, look for some pictures on the internet. To make the the round shapes, I took large kitchen bowl and draw around them with a pen (for all the round shapes => different size of kitchen bowl). For the gray parts, I used pictures from the internet and draw them the most accuratly possible.
Step 2: Painting
After drawing the shapes, the next logical steps is to paint your bb-8. I choose Orange, White And Gray from Home Depot to paint it. An easy step, that takes patience.
Step 3: Head Details
For the bottom of the head, I used my styrofoam disk and cut the inside to make another layer under it. Then I sand these two layers at angle. For the middle part, I used a foam band and cut it about 2 cm tick. I glued all the parts together.
Step 4: 3D Printed Parts and Antenna
For the accessory parts, I used my 3D printers. There is other tutorial online about making these accessories without 3d printers so it is not a lost cause! You can find all the files here. (From BB-8 Builder Club). After the print you can simply make hole in the head with an Xacto and glue the printed parts on the head.
For the antenna I simply used a solid wired that I found in my garage.
Step 5: Last Details
The the round, engraving and details I simply used some Sharpie pen. I used the bottom of it in angle to engrave the gray details. And I color around the circles. Simple as that!
Step 6: Result
An easy DIY project for everyone who like Star Wars. It doesn't cost a lot and it looks very good! You can even add sound or LED to it. Hope you enjoyed it, any comment is welcome.
12 Comments
6 years ago
nice work
6 years ago
whoa
6 years ago
Great Idea!! Good Work!! ;)
6 years ago
it would be cheaper if you used smaller styrofoam balls
Reply 6 years ago
Of course, but the idea here as he mentioned is to be full size
6 years ago
This looks great! Couple of questions. Did you glue the head onto the body? A couple of strong magnets may work for that. And how do you keep it from rolling over? Terrific job and thank you for sharing.
6 years ago
Why has no one mentioned the super cool suits of armour in the background of the pictures? They look amazing! More pictures of those please !
Also, as part of the build process, you can use a soldering (sodering - in US) iron to draw or cut shapes in polystyrene. They use polystyrene a lot here in Spain for making Nativity sets and intricate details and freehand cutting it is quite often done with a hot soldering iron, especially the time consuming detailing of brick walls etc. (just do it in a well ventilated area cos the melting plastic is gassy and probably really bad to breathe in!)
Great job on your BB8. :-)
6 years ago
i would think it possible to insert the circuitry if you scooped out the innards but yes i love. not to mention i own a r/c full scale replica that my grand father and i 3d printed
6 years ago
well, I cant make it, but I LOVE IT, BB-8 IS MY FAVORITE DROID IN THE WHOLE STAR WARS SERIES SO THANKS SO MUCH
6 years ago
this is cóól!!
6 years ago
if you made it out of wood you can make a speaker
Reply 6 years ago
Good idea.