A comparison photo of the Aspects 18" Clear bird feeder guard dome and a D&D dome.The clear dome can be bought from
Bestnest.com
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Display boxes
Front & Rear Diagnostic Display Done Classic Trilogy Style By using a color wheel.
                                                           
For the displays you will need:
1. 1 Rear diagnostic display box & 2 front display boxes
2. 108 fiber optic sleeved bundles approx. 6 inches long for rear display
   90 fiber optic sleeved bundles for 2 front display boxes. Length can vary for your particular needs. Mine are about 4 inches long each.
3.  3 small pieces of clear acrylic 1-3mm thick, cut to fit in the diagnostic display boxes.
4. 1 small amount of clear casting resin (available at hobby and craft stores like Michael's or Hobby Lobby).  You only need a bit to fill up the diagnostic display boxes.
5. 1 roll black electric tape.
6. 1 tube super glue.
7. 2 motors for color wheels
8. 2 color wheels.  (this is a clear acrylic square or circle with a specific color pattern on it). See color wheel FAQ.
9. 2 bulb assemblies

NOTE: For 7-9 I used a 2 fiber optic colorwheel light decorations from Target. I took it apart and used the light bulb, motor, and the colorwheel axle

There Are 108 sleeved fiber optic bundles in the Rear Display.
I don't know what size I used of fibers. Mine had 12 fibers per bundle. Each sleeved bundle I used was about 6-7 inches long.

There are 45 bundles in each of the two Front Display Boxes
5 rows of 9
                                                                                            
4 rows of 27 will look like this (with out the space between the 4 rows):
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ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
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5 rows of 9 will look like this (with out the space between the 4 rows):
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ooooooooo

The only good source for the Rear Display box is Dave Lockwood. NOTE: Dave Lockwood parts aren't to official sizes.
Although I have heard rumors of aluminum ones in the works. I used a Droidboy display box on my R2.
HERE IS HOW TO ASSEMBLE THE DISPLAY BOX

1. First I cut a clear acrylic "lens" to fit inside the Display box. I placed the lens in the box using a small amount of glue to hold the lens in place. (See Diagram)
2. I then filled the box with all the fibers. When I made mine I didn't know the actual count of how many fiber bundles were needed. I have 3 rows tall x varying amounts across. (See Diagram)

3. Once I had the fibers in place in the Display box, I then filled the Display box with clear resin to hold all the fibers together. Let this dry and come back later.
(See Diagram)

4. Once the resin is dry in the Display box you can now arrange the fibers. Mix up the ends of the fibers, this helps give a random light effect when the color wheel is installed. Once you have a good mix with the ends of the fibers take the black electric tape and wrap it around the bundle. Try to get them nice and tight in circle formation.

5. Install the Display boxes into the dome. I used caulk to seal around my Display boxes and hold it in place.

6. Line up the fiber ends in front of the colorwheel. Behind the colorwheel, will be the light bulb. NOTE: FOR CLASSIC STYLE DISPLAYS DO NOT PAINT THE ENDS OF THE FIBERS.

   Main eye box mounting
First you will need to put the eye to the dome where you want it positioned. Take a wax pencil and trace around the eye.  figure out where the most mass is on the four corners of the eye box and pre drill the holes in the dome in the same areas you chose on the eye. Now put the eye back in its place on the dome. You will need to tape it in place or have someone you trust to hold it in place. While the eye is positioned in its place take a marking device (pen, pencil, whatever will mark on resin) and mark the holes to the eye box from inside the dome.

Now to drill the main eyebox. Make sure the holes are not the same size as the screw, obviously the holes should be a bit smaller than the screw size for the screws to thread themselves in to the eye box. Next wipe off the wax markings from the dome and mount the eye!
A D&D Dome (Gary Weavers) compared to the real thing. But, which is the real one?
Resin cast of the same airplane reading light used on the real R2's. (shown near actual size).
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Another view of the holoprojectors. There are 3 on R2's Dome.
Not affiliated with Lucasfilm Lt. R2-D2 is the conceptual propety of Lucasfilms and used with out authorization.
A comparison photo of the Aspects 18" Clear bird feeder guard dome and a D&D dome.The clear dome can be bought from
Bestnest.com
dome cutting
My R2's dome is an 18" D & D dome. This is no longer availible through the R2-builders club. My holoprojectors in the picture to the right are not accurate. Same goes for the main eye box pictured on the right.
Below is a picture of the correct holoprojectors and main eye box. (Photo is near the bottom of this page).

The newer look I now have is in the pictures below. Read the tutorial on how to mount the fiber optics to the display boxes, and how to mount the main eye box.