Wooden Logic Display Surrounds Pt. 1

Logic Display Surrounds

Logic Display Surrounds are made a few different ways.

  • Aluminum
  • Resin
  • DIY

I chose the DIY path since I felt it would give me the greatest benefit and cost the least since I already have tools to do so.  All I needed were the plans, tools,  materials, and a way of constructing them.  I had 3 out of the 4, so I knew this would be a challenge.

Small Logic Display Surrounds
Small Logic Display plans

The plans were found on the R2-D2 BUILDERS CLUB Yahoo group.  Since these plans were in decimal format, I had to convert them into the American Standard of Feet and Inches.  I used a calculator to come up with most of the fractions and a few I knew were a hair off from being in between two sets of fractions such as the distance between a 1/32″ and 1/64″.  Basically meet those two in the middle and that gives you the number.

The tools need to complete this project are as follows.

  • Router w/ table
  • Miter Saw
  • Wood Glue
  • Ruler with 1/32 measurements
  • Rafter Square

Now I needed some construction material, so it was off to the local DIY hardware store to buy a piece of Poplar hobby wood for around $8.  The piece I wanted was 1/2″ thick and 4″ wide, just the right height for the part I had to build.  The good thing is that this will give you enough wood in case you mess up.  I actually bought 3 of these in first trying to figure out the best way to construct these surrounds since I didn’t have any instructions and I was trying to figure out the best method to cut small pieces of wood.

Poplar Wood
Poplar Hobby Wood 4′ X 4″ x 1/2″

 

For the next part in this series, we will be  marking our wood board and CUTTING OUT THE PARTS.

Painting the Panels Blue

Painting the panels will bring your R2D2 dome to life. This three coat system gives them a grade shade of dark blue. I painted all panels with a purple lacquer paint from testors.
I did a couple of coats but perhaps one light coat may work better. I would have to build another dome to find out.

One Coat Lacquer

I waited 15 minutes and painted on a wet coat of Blue anodized duplicor that I got from the autoparts store. I painted two coats of this 15 minutes apart. You can tell it really turned the purple into blue.

Duplicolor

After the two coats of duplicolor was applied, three coats of Rustoleum Crystal Clear Enamel was applied 15 minutes apart. This really brings out the blue in the panels and makes them shine.

Crystal Clear Coat