Shoulder Hubs

The shoulder hubs have been a thorn in my side for a while. I really want to get a shiny, chrome finish on them to match the movies, but painting chrome to get a realistic result is difficult. A handful of other builders have used chrome tape instead, but I discovered that applying it can be a lot easier said than done.
I've tried this several times before but with lackluster results. I've decided to try one more time before exploring paint options instead.
3D print files available from Mr. Baddeley: / mrbaddeley
(R2 files are available for free, but become a Patron to access dozens of other fun, Star-Wars-inspired 3D-printable droids).
Best resource for droid building: astromech.net/forums/index.php

[@TXRED2000]

just realized I spent 21 hrs printing the wrong hubs

[@TomsProjects]

Tough call. I'd suggest prepping some scrap piece and at least trying the paint to see how it turns out. Then you'd at least have a sprayed vs taped comparison to help decide.

[@jasonsR2D2]

I think that’s exactly what I’ll do.

[@stevenjones2371]

im doing version 2 this looks like version 3 i do believe

[@jasonsR2D2]

Yes, this is a MKIII body/shoulder hub. From what I know of the V2 hubs, they are single piece prints (so no captive nuts) and it's probably a bit trickier to know which one is which as they don't have the embossed labels like the MKIII hubs. Just remember that if the hubs are on backwards or on the wrong side, R2s legs will be angled much farther back!

[@stevenjones2371]

@@jasonsR2D2 i started first before i joined the club i printed R2 dome its version 1 lol dont want to redo that one so i have version 1 dome version 2 body and legs and version 3 center leg its a masterpiece i tell ya lol and im still printing to finish it up just got dome lights and already got the lazy susan

[@malcolmmackenzie9645]

That computer arm looks great! Who's model is it?

[@jasonsR2D2]

Thanks! Both the computer arm and the gripper arm are part of the core Mr. Baddeley design. I'm anxious to get to the point where I can add the body Marcduino and start playing with the code to animate these suckers - your experience doing so gives me hope that when I get to that point it will be more fun than frustrating.

[@malcolmmackenzie9645]

@@jasonsR2D2 Heh...yeah... tweaking the MD code is a pain, but you can basically change anything you want.

[@zombiehunter1152]

Question, instead of folding the sides over , why didn’t you take the edge of the tape and go along the edge that connects to the leg. The other edge that connects to the shoulder bracket in the R2D2 you could trim that off and you wouldn’t see the cut anyway. Hope it helps.

[@jasonsR2D2]

In previous attempts I had tried trimming the edge of the tape flush with the edge of the shoulders. It worked ok, but eventually the wrinkles still got worse. I thought about using some super glue or other adhesive to hold down the edges but since it was already questionable, I didn’t want to risk making it any more permanent. Having had several weeks to look at my final result, I’m definitely satisfied with the paint job. The tape was one of those things that ultimately didn’t work out, but that’s how we learn. If anyone ever manages to have success with it, please share your technique!

[@zombiehunter1152]

@@jasonsR2D2 ok np