A few more parts arrived today: Rear Logic Electronics, Aluminum Front Logic Sorrounds , Aluminum Feet Half Moons.

I also placed an order with Jerry for a Center Ankle. It’s in stock so should ship soon.

Someone posted on the builders list about Radio Shack discontinuing the Vex Robotic/Radio Controller Kit. They have the starter kit on sale for $99, down from $299. Comes with a transmitter, receiver, a programmable brain and enough bits like wheels, small motors and servos, switches etc. to make a small robot.

It’s way early in my build to start thinking about this, but I thought for $99 I can’t really go wrong. It would allow me to play with RC bits which I’ve never done before at a very low cost.

Setup only allows 6 channels, so just enough to cover basic R2 functions like, Drive Motors, Dome Rotation, Periscope, Utility Arms and few more bits.

Calvin has had a lot of luck integrating the Vex into his R2 system, and even uses the small Vex motors to turn the dome, and has a prototype periscope lift done.

There’s also talk of using the programmable function of the Vex to allow more than 6 functions via multiplexing the channels.

It feels like it’s been a long wait, but the R&J dome finally arrived today.

Couldn’t wait to get it out of the box and do a quick test fit of all the pieces.

This thing is sweet. I even stuck in one of my new aluminum holo projectors. How cool is that?

It definitely needs some tweaking to get the inner and outer domes to fit snuggly over the ring.

I’m excited to get to work on it over the holidays starting next week.

Just got my periscope kit today from Scot, a fellow R2 builder.

Needs cleaning, bending, gluing etc, but shouldn’t take too long to assemble.

Here’s what it should look like when I’m done –

More photos in the parts gallery.

I scored some front logic electronics from Jason and Ben. I’m really please I was able to get one of these kits. Ryan had a set on his dome at the last prop party and I was suitable impressed.

Here’s a small movie by Jason on what they look like running.

Okay, I was going to go back and retro-actively add events and decisions that had happened before I really got the blog of the ground – but decided it probably isn’t worth it.

As it stand I’ve made a lot of progress in finding parts, but still need some major things like legs, body and the skins. Word is that Jerry will be doing another run of legs sometime next year and someone else has stepped up and will do a variant of the JAG frame. I’m on the list for some skins, so I’m happy and will most likely not use the second hand A&A Frame I picked up in November.

Here’s a rundown on the parts I have in hand and if you check my Parts page you’ll see what I’ve got on order or missing.