Finished Frame + DOME ARRIVES!!!!

I finished making the slots on my frame pieces wide enough for 1/2 pieces in about an hour. MY UNCUT SINGLE LAYER STYRENE DOME ARRIVED TODAY !!!! I've been very sick for the last week and a half and not able to do much R2 work.

Test Fitting and More Slots

I test fit the slots in my 3/4 rings/bases with the 1/2 pieces of the frame and the loose ones are few and far between. I still need to test fit the 1/2 on 1/2 pieces which I will do tomorrow. I have all the pieces cut out and will be doing a double check test fit later next week while I'm still on break.

Pics of my cut out frame and Moncal skirt!!!

Winter Break: Busy busy busy (frame frame frame!)

I've been away for a while and am finally getting back to R2 work. There were around 3 shooting threats (copy cats of Sandy Hook, REALLY PEOPLE? THIS IS DISGUSTING AND SAD!) at my school, an elementary school near us, and one at a middle school near us. They were all empty and (the world didn't end) nothing happened so all good!

some updates from the past week or so..... 
-My skirt from Moncal arrived!!!
-I cut + test fit some more frame pieces and test fit the skirt, everything fits so far.
-I HAVE 3 MORE SMALL PIECES OF THE FRAME TO CUT OUT SLOTS ON!!!!!! ALMOST DONE!!!
-My frame will be modified (not have all the pieces cut out) for times sake and things seem to be moving along quickly so I might be able to do the whole thing!
- sent out a check for my single layer uncut styrene dome yesterday after life got in the way and made me wait =...(

-Some of my slots are a bit big on the frame but I can fix it so we're all good.

LEGS DONE, Frame is coming along

So I cut out all the pieces ( finished hollowing out the center layers ) of my Franco style wooden legs and have yet to glue them since I need to sand them. I'll be cutting them more when I work out all the wiring. I cut out the base layers of the frame and some of the slots. I test-fit the slots by taking a 1/2 piece of scrap wood and sliding it in since the pieces of the frame that you slide in are 1/2 thick. I have maybe 10-18 more slots depending on how many small frame pieces I have time for. I made 2-3 of the slots a bit big so I'll have to be careful next time and maybe use filler or extra glue on those.
Tip for newbies with a jig saw: Always triple check the slot size with the slot pieces, you want to cut the slots a bit smaller and then make them bigger if you need to. 
A bit Small=snug :)
Too Big = Loose and pieces falls out of place :(

Also learned how to straighten a slightly bent jig saw blade. Place the blade on a table on the side that's bent so that when you kneel down and look at it level with the table top you can see under the blade. Next take a hammer and tap the middle or bent area of the blade until it straightens out. The area on mine was the middle so it took a few minutes of light tapping with the hammer. It's faster than running around looking for that exact size ( came with the saw and was not labeled). If its really badly bent you obviously need a new one. I've already broken two blades.

19 more frame pieces to go. Shouldn't take long and I should be able to test fit soon.....

DOME SOLUTION!!!!!!

Finished drawing the rest of the Senna frame pieces onto my wood.
Cutting the wood for them soon.
I have finished cutting the legs and will start on the frame ASAP. Funny story my uncle popped up out of NOWHERE and came in to visit, so I had to stop working.

THE GODS OF ASTROMECH HAVE SEEN MY SACRIFICE OF PIZZA AND REWARDED ME WITH THIS..... A SINGLE LAYER UNCUT STYRENE DOME FOR ONLY $40!!!!!!!
http://astromech.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12842

So now I send the payment when I have a chance (cheese filled bread sticks with dipping sauce ) and start on my dome!!!!!!!

A big thanks to all 4 people who PM or emailed me this link. I saw it and literally had 2 pm's and an email 5 minutes later .

More leg and frame work

Cut out and fixed and straightened out legs and frame pieces.
It's getting kind of old....:(
I'll be skinning them with styrene and painting that.

I've been at this for 4 days.
A spider crawled onto my wood. It was an ugly one....interesting how you can actually slice with a jig saw.

Starting Wood Legs and Frame!!

SO after days and weeks of being busy I finally started on my wooden legs, Not exactly like Victor's tutorial but close. Worked on it for about 4 hrs and got the ankles done, except for the tape-ease cylinders, and the center parts of the legs and center ankle. I still need to cut them open so when the legs are glued together there is space for wires to run through the legs to the feet motors.

Also cut out all the Senna frame paper pieces.

Pros- got what I did done, cutting the remaining layers should go smoothly:)
It wasn't as hard as I thought :):):)
I had fun, power tools are fun :p

NOTE: this is my third time using a jig saw in my life. I'm new at this...
Cons- I ding a few places, splintered a few places because the blade of the jig saw was the wrong kind ( too course) :(
The legs are not exactly identical:( but the difference is hardly noticeable :)
The clamps dug into my wood :(, but then I used a wood block so it wasn't a disaster :)

Today I learned...
-You can use a fine blade to route wood :), but it must be done carefully, like scraping almost. Can't really find the right words for it.
-Your back WILL HURT after doing this for 4 hrs  :(
- clamps and heavy objects are your friend :)
-Jig saws are trickier than you think. I cut 16 circles with one once, didn't think it would be much different...I was wrong :(

Conclusion- A good day!! I even got to draw some wood frame pieces onto the wood!

pics below......