Future Robot Builder

Leo, my Grandson is shaping up to be a future Robot Builder. This is his favorite shirt his Dad made him. It the artwork for RoboCon 2008 only everything is put on the front so he can see it. When they come up in June Leo will help me assemble the R2 Frame.

May 17- Saturday Day Two of the Robot Build-Off

We were at Jerry's early today to make sure we didn't miss anything. Wayne showed up with his R2 and some building actually got started. Three R2 frames, Wayne was replacing his Omniballs for casters on his R2's Front Foot. Travis worked on his B9's bubble and everyone got helped. It was great. After lunch we all went over to North Dallas CNC Machine Shop to see the setup and drool over the machined parts. James opened his shop and he had some great machined parts all lined up for inspection. After about an hour we all went back to Jerry's and continued building. Jerry didn't make t-shirts, but he did do something just as unique. Everyone got a machined plastic coaster with a cork insert that had either B9 or R2 image on it. With the R2 Frames finished, the bubble mounted, the caster on it was time for dinner. Jerry had it catered from Sonny Bryan's and it was some great Texas BBQ.

Everyone just kind of visited, swapped stories, checked out Jerry's toys again and basically just talked robots and droids.

I can't wait for next year. I will have my Robot and Droid here as well getting some upgraded parts.

Thanks Jerry for putting this together! See you at RoboCon in April 09!!


Wayne's R2













One of the R2 Frames being assembled









North Dallas CNC Machine Shop...machined aluminum...nice. I just couldn't resist it and bought one of the dome wheels with a motor bracket.









Jerry's very cool coaster......

May 16- Friday Day One of Robot Build Off

Jerry's house was easy to spot when I turned on to his street. There was a B9 Robot Standee on his porch and several cars parked in front. When I walked up the driveway and into the garage area it look like I walked on the backlot lot of a Sci Fi movie! Robots and parts were everywhere! WAY COOL!!! There were three B9's standing together, the Battle Droid standing Guard looked like he would shoot you with his weapon if you tried to take something. There was a pitdroid taking a break talking to an R2 unit. There were a couple of mouse droids next to an R5 head on a table. An unfinished C3PO was still in the box but was soon on a table looking woefully undressed with no gold plating. Which Jerry will hopfully remedy that by the next build-Off in 2009. There where 7 tables with hundreds of parts for the different Robot projects Jerry has going. In his house is a very nice Star Wars lightsaber collection, laser rifles, Starship Models, more parts and a Robby Robot. Information overload!!!

This covers about half of what's outside.....






Jerry
demonstrating
his B9 Bowing









Bob's Robot bending....backwards. It can also bend forward and squat! Here's how Bob does it...two motorized sissor jacks.







Robby

The Great Texas B9 Build-Off

What a BLAST Jerry's Great Texas B9 Robot Build-Off was. I got to meet so very many talented and fun builders not only the B9 Builders Club but in the R2 Builders Club and the Dallas Personal Robotics Club. The event started at noon on Friday May 16th thru Sunday May 18. Unfortunately I had to catch a flight back to Denver Sunday morning and couldn't attend the Sunday activities. Here are a few of pictures from the event then I'll detail Friday and
Saturday activities on separate postings....


Here's Wayne replacing the omni balls for casters in his R2's front foot.







One of three aluminums frames made by JAG that were built on Saturday..






Here's me with Phil's beautiful Jupiter 2's Main Console....





A PitDroid taking it easy....
















A lonely Battle Droid Standing Guard.....

MountainCon 4 News

I was informed last week that our Robots, mine and Greg's, are probably going to be setup with Mark Goddard at MountainCon 4 in Utah on September 19-21. Mark played the character, Major Don West, the Jupiter II's Pilot on the 1960's TV series. He also made a guest appearance as the The General in the 1998 movie of the same name. The current idea being discussed by the MountainCon folks is to have the Robots situated so they are kind of like the Sentinel's leading to the Media Guest Autograph Area. Mark will be there with the Robots for for autographs and maybe some possible photos. I met Mark in March at MegaCon in Florida and he is truly a great person and funny guy. I'm looking forward to spending some more time with him and getting a picture of him and my Robot!!

New Pictures on the Robot Wall of Fame

I finally found the old Sci-Fi lobby theater cards I've been looking for to hang in the office. Forbidden Planet and The Day the Earth Stood Still I took an old frame and added a fresh coat of paint with a silver matboard around the Forbidden Planet card and hung it on the Robot Wall of Fame and it really looks great.
Forbidden Planet in the new frame....

The Day the Earth Stood Still in the corner....

They also look great with the Robot in his display area....

My Next Robot Fueled Adventure- Great Texas Build-Off in Dallas

The next adventure in 2008 is on May 16-18. I'll be in Rowlett Texas near Dallas attending

The Great Texas Build-Off

This is being produced by a good friend of mine in the Robot Building Club as a way to share building information and techniques of several different Robots. The Lost in Space B9, the Droids from Star Wars and other famous TV and Movie Robots. The newest robot under development by our new club....Wall-e from Disney. I'm looking forward to this months adventure.

Next month, June, for our 9th Wedding Anniversary we are going to Seattle. I've never been there and was trying to think of what there was to do in Seattle....then it hit me. The Science Fiction Museum! Of Course the place where the orginal stunt Robot from Lost in Space is on display! Cool. This vacation is looking better every day!