Started Addressing Foot Shell Sag on Droid #1

Today I began working on an issue with droid #1's foot shells that has been bothering me for about 18 years. The way the motors are crammed into the battery boxes and foot shells causes R2's foot shells to sag toward the center. It's more noticable when looking at the bottom edge of the foot shells, as they are not parallel to the ground. It's not super-egregious, but it does bug me. I didn't get any great "before" pictures, but it's kind of noticable on the foot shell on the right in this photo.



The problem is that the NPC-2212 motors are a little too big for the PVC battery boxes I am using on the droid. I had been trying to avoid cutting so much material from the battery boxes that the motor mount would show from underneath, but I decided the trade-off was worth it. So I finally decided to mark what material had to go, so I could begin cutting.



I then removed the material using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel.



I reinstalled the battery box, and things looked better from the inside. Just a little bit of light can shine through now, so I didn't overdo it.



I did the same procedure for the other foot. Afterward, I reinstalled everything to see how it looked.



Well, this is a lot better. Now, instead of the foot shell and battery box assembly being forced down from the inside toward the body, it's gravity that is causing them to lean a bit. That is also fixable, but not for today. Maybe I'll get around to it on, oh, I don't know, let's say April 24, 2026.

KABC-TV Spark of Love Toy Drive - 2025

Today R2 joined members of the 501st and Rebel Legions and the Mandalorian Mercs for KABC-TV's Spark of Love toy drive. We were there for the 3rd shift of the day at the Los Cerritos Center mall.



I arrived around 2pm for our appearance on the news at 3pm, and unloaded.



At 3pm, R2 and the other characters started roaming the closed-off parking lot to greet visitors. Families in the area bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate, and they get to interact and take pictures with the Star Wars characters. During the newscast, there are regular reports from the event that showcase the Star Wars characters and other volunteers, including companies that donate a lot of toys, and local fire and police department representatives.



A person in attendance managed to spill coffee on R2. It made for a different smell on the drive home.



Santa Claws was there.



KABC reporter Danny Romero spoke with various organizations that were there to donate toys.



At 5pm we wrapped up with a goodbye to the TV audience.



The event ended up filling 7 buses and 4 flatbed trailers with toys. There was at least one other event identical to this one, so lots of kids will be getting gifts.

This is one of my favorite events because it helps bring some holiday happiness to those who might not otherwise get a gift, and it has immediate feedback to those watching the newscast, as they can come meet R2 and all the other characters. I hope to be back next year.