Building A Gonk Droid | Part 1

[@punishedprops]

You guys really put a lot of extra effort into this video and it shows. Bravo! We can't wait to see this fella come to life. =)

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much! We keep trying to raise the bar. We learned from our other awesome maker friends 😉

[@xxxxzorroxxxx]

Punished Props Academy ( so true, and your video too)

[@RebelBaseBuilds]

Absolutely! Ill be using the camera rail setup also :)

[@bodavin3857]

PLEASE MAKE AN EG 6

[@TheTactical_Monkey]

Would love to see you build an IG series droid. An IG droid in the finished Smugglers Room would be AMAZING

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

oh yes! We would love to take on that droid for sure!!!

[@TheClobberer]

or like for decoration it could be cool to have a salvaged one with damaged limbs and flickering lights to make it look like you use it for parts

[@captdan7876]

lol am totally digging the rocking tunes !! And that GNK is Turning heads, and charging hearts already !!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! Thank you much! Different Music this time around ;)

[@starwarsnerdiness5175]

Yes! I've always liked Gonk droids.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Us too, so fun!

[@SKSProps]

Awesome build buddy! And thanks for the shout out!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thanks man, happy to spread the word!

[@alex-simpson]

Love this. The Gonk abides!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

HA! The Dude, that might be a great name . . . hmm

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

or better yet . . . Jeff L. ;)

[@alex-simpson]

I love both!

[@robertschubert5127]

As a Droid Builder, I couldn't agree more - you definitely connect with the droids you build. This GONK is looking awesome. Can't wait to see the next episode. Feeling "energized" for my next project!

[@MaksLangerd]

He looks so cute! I Love Gonk Droids! One thing i would suggest is to make his legs a bit longer because ribbing on his legs wont be visible much.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! Yep, we are playing with leg size vs having a low center of gravity, but we are getting there.

[@quixoticjedi942]

I got excited just seeing the screen shot for this build. Love the use of old camera parts!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Those old camera parts are so excellent! They really give the vibe of SciFi for sure!

[@popspropshop8997]

Your assortment of greeblies is UNPARALLELED!! Can't wait to see him/her completed.

[@mariemeyer2885]

OMG! Well, yes of course I want one!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! Right on!

[@NickelC]

I know you'll probably never see this, but I have two things. 1: What you said in the beginning about the droids having a personality and creating a relationship with the builder, I can absolutely attest to. I used to build a lot of robots in high school and ALL of them were referred to not as "it" or "the bot", but as their actual names like "Murphy" or "D-Rock". And yeah they kinda had personalities and felt more like companions than machines or inanimate objects. It's weird but I'm glad you get it too :D 2: Awesome Video! Definitely earned my subscription with the music alone!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you for the comment. We are thrilled to have you join us!

[@TheMartinGage]

I really enjoy your background music! Great video!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you Gage! Glad to hear that, as this week we changed it up a bit.

[@jonathanwaller4393]

Started a gonk inspired droid build after watching this. Taking a breather from r2d2 for a bit. Love the videos.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That's awesome!

[@jonathanwaller4393]

@@TheSmugglersRoom goal was to build it out of only what i had in the shop. I ended up having to buy primer and flat paint. Everything else was sourced from my scrap piles. Building it was a blast.

[@deannaatkinson3004]

I've only watched this video twice so far. I am loving the work done so far. I LOVE the face. You are certainly the Jedi Master of Greeblies. The wireless phone charger on the top is just too perfect. Can't wait for his completion and powering up. Great, great work, as always Brian.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much Deanna! Really appreciate it!

[@FigmentsMade]

Gonk! It's looking great! And I'm so glad you're making it functional. I can't wait for the rest of this build!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! We have all manner of fun stuff coming for this little guy!

[@darrenbell71]

Awesome! I had hit a dead end with my own Gonk. The feet and legs had me stumped, but never mind! Brian's got a solution. Thanks so much for this. Once we're out of COVID restrictions, I'll be hitting the hardware and recycling stores once again! :)

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

So glad we could help!

[@whosle]

You are building in-universe and encouraging others to do the same! Good use of found materials.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Yes indeed! Thank you!

[@WilliamJakespeareProps]

That came out great!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Hey there! Thank you so much! Big fan of your work sir!

[@WilliamJakespeareProps]

@@TheSmugglersRoom Thanks, I actually get a lot of inspiration from your painting technique videos!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

@@WilliamJakespeareProps Thank you so much! So glad it helped out!

[@coletteemma9163]

Love it! Something that might actually be achievable for someone like me with limited tools and ability to make, lol. I'm going to start saving bits n bobs immediately. 😍

[@christopherbandish6060]

Awesome work! And so this is something I can tackle after I finish all my other outstanding projects.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

YES! Can't wait to see yours!

[@joginator]

Gonky is a cooll Name! Dark Blue with White Pinstripes, heavy Weathering!

[@idiotluggage]

Those are great parts for the "face". Also, I think I may have a little bit of envy for your stepper drill bit. Correction, I just envy your drill bit set!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! I'll tell you, the stepper drill bit set is a must! LOVE that set!

[@ivangonzales5667]

In Gonk we trust and in the awesome chubby geek that build him as well, fantastic project Brian 👏👏👏

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

I love that the piece the face parts are attached to is the lid from the electrical box you used for your droid socket project.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

There you go! Boom!

[@WhiteysWickedWorkshop]

Yes the magic is back. This was another great episode and cant wait for Part 2

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!

[@Daniel_Palmqvist]

Looks good, add a cup holder. 👍

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL, I have one better for ya, come see next week.

[@Daniel_Palmqvist]

ROGER ROGER👍

[@jediknightjairinaiki560]

I built a custom GNK Droid several years ago. He was taller than those in the movies (I misjudged a diagram I saw of a protocol droid standing next to a GNK) and was made using two grey storage containers. I had to screw his feet to a plank of wood so he'd stand. The inside of the top container rested on the 2x4s I used for his legs, which were covered by dryer vent tubing. He was a pain in the butt to transport (to and from one convention and one move). I eventually had to send him to the Spice Mines of Kessel but I'll be channeling my inner Jawa and repurposing some of his parts. I even glued one of the Micro Machine GNK Droid figures on to him with some wires coming out from underneath his little body and feeding into a greeblie on my GNK. Because I was lazy and didn't want to distress him, I created the narrative that he was a Power Droid on a Rebel Medical Frigate, thus his clean, sanitary appearance. I came up with a cool decal I had a friend, who owns a poster / banner making company, design and print for me that I placed on the side of my droid. I was able to remove said decal before he was smashed into who knows what.

[@kyle3546]

Best birthday ever when the smugglers room posts a video!!!!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

HEY! Happy Birthday! Thank you much!

[@kyle3546]

@@TheSmugglersRoom no thank you for the amazing content!!!!!

[@DULL1]

So much to build...so little time. Another great episode of SR.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Lol, so very true right? Thank you for watching.

[@durandanne-john6621]

I like this crazy project and I think that you and your wife are amazing people ! Take care of you and good luck from France !

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@mertz7305]

Great start Brian! Glad to see you break ground (or tote) on that. That projector housing bit looked AWESOME. So much fun felling like we’re all working along side each other on this one! Mine’s coming along nicely. He’s got: two GFCI outlets on the face (wired to a 50ft extension cord spooled on the back, I can move him all over my property and have power); there’s a piano hinge on the back edge so I can access stored tools inside; and a Bluetooth speaker so I can blare R3X’s soundtrack from Galaxy’s Edge while I’m working. Looking forward to next week!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That's awesome Aaron!

[@mertz7305]

The Smugglers Room Hey man I have a question: between you, Josiah at Womp Rat Creations, and one other content creator, I wanted to show off some Star Wars projects I’ve done. Specifically DF2 stuff. You mind if I drop a mention of your channel my vid? Just want to get permission first.

[@ShiryouOni]

Can't wait to see how this develops!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! We are excited for the next part!

[@maggiethegoblin8130]

Yeeeeeeees I love Gonk droids, always have And yeah anyone who builds droids definitely gives them a personality, I know the BD unit I'm working on is growing one for sure

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That’s fantastic! They just suddenly spark a personality don’t they?

[@maggiethegoblin8130]

@@TheSmugglersRoom absolutely! Everything from the greebles you put on them, to the paint, to the problems you might run into while building them. All of it leads to a unique lil bot that's got a personality of their own

[@occamsrayzor]

I always love your videos, Brian, but damn, the soundtrack of this one knocked it out of the park!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! We went with a bit of a different type. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@doctordave]

I want to build a Gonk and make it into a power-strip, work-light, and cellphone/ipad/fitbit charger. They are "power droids" after all... might as well load them up with useful power!

[@tsirrom1]

So awesome!! Thanks for the share!!

[@seathrunmagaoinghous4119]

Great Job, for those wanting a screen accurate frame Space Bob on the Droid Division page has files to 3d print them

[@barryhouman]

Looks awesome already can't wait to see the finished product

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you, can’t wait to show you!

[@mplaza1034]

This is the droid I am looking for!!! Form, functionality, and all fantastic. Keep up the great work. I’ll be watching while drinking out of my Fat Bantha glass. Cheers!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

SWEEET! Thank you. Love that we nailed the 3-F's! I saw a ton of Fat Bantha go out the door this morning, so thank you for that as well!

[@londonink]

look forward to part 2 mate

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank You!

[@kyr_taap]

As always you have a great eye for details and using these bins as feet - amazing! I never would have thought of that

[@MigMonkey]

Absolutely awesome. Best lunch hour entertainment ever. I've had my 2 bins in the shop for what seems like forever waiting to gather greeblies (my parts farm isn't as expansive as yours.. yet..) But one thing that was holding me back on the creative level was the center band. I was thinking I'd have to use aluminum but your design is clearly the way. I may have to adopt this cool aesthetic for my own. Thanks for the entertainment and the motivation.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Awesome Dan, so glad the band idea helps you out. Can’t wait to see your Gonk!

[@teamgt7690]

What a great way to chill out after a busy work day, great way to spend 20 mins watching this. Thank you for a really entertaining video Brian, can't wait for part 2 it's looking fantastic so far 10/10!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! So glad we could help wrap up a tough day for you. Much appreciated

[@baileyshah2730]

Honestly it's really nice to see just a genuinely good guy like yourself making cool things like these, you have inspired me a lot to make my own things and I just wanted to thank you.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Wow, thank you very much for the kind words.

[@ANGRYMUNCI]

Good Job!

[@jasoncarbone5553]

Great work as always! Can’t wait for part 2 as I’m itching to see how you do the electronics of the build!

[@martinhanke1670]

As always, truly amazing. Can't wait to see him finished.

[@mattkendell1344]

Looking good. Can't wait to see what your planning for the rest of it. A gonk droid is on my to build list. You've given me some great inspiration.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Awesome Matt, it's been on our list for far too long. Glad it's moving up your list!

[@Bryan-fn3yq]

Great video... and as I suspected, seeing yours makes mine look like it was bought at the droid discount bin. I do like your idea of styrene around the edges of the bin to hide the fact it is two pieces of plastic. I'll definitely steal that from you. Of course, with mine, he has an alternative purpose. I added an FM/MP3/Bluetooth player, an amplifier, and a couple of speakers. Paired with my phone, this turns GNK into a droid jukebox. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the inside and his legs.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

I LOVE that you are making yours a droid jukebox, such a great idea! Thanks for watching.

[@scottmemberg]

Cant wait for part 2! Cool job!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!

[@x-xsharkix-x]

Can't wait for the next part!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

whoohooo!

[@khaledabuoun2260]

👌🏻 🔥 this is what comes to mind when I watch this.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL, thank you much!

[@khaledabuoun2260]

I know this is a weird question, but I wanted to ask what is your opinion on Neopixel CFX Saber. I’ve really wanted to get one from sabertio, but it’s really pricey. It’s something between $650. It’s cheaper compared to other places. But that’s still a big number.

[@GnarlyRocket]

This has given me so many ideas, can’t wait to see how you finish this up!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

So glad to hear it, we hope yours turns out awesome!

[@mandalorianihavespoke7453]

I can never say it enough the quality and sound of your videos are just top notch fantastic beautiful droid Keep up the perfect videos😁😎😇

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much!

[@jeremysutton22]

Im planning my first droid as a functional gonk, it may be a little ambitious but i want to be able to plug in stuffs!! I also want to make it autonomously follow or RC or just sit and talk all while charging my phone! To be clear this project is still a pipe dream as college is time consuming, but slow meticulous planning is part of the process anyway especially when i dont know what im doing

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That’s awesome!!!

[@jorgeldejesus8465]

Power Droid ( Gonk) are really a fix character in the Star Wars Universe , they are feature so far in : A New Hope Empire Strikes Back The Phantom Menace Rogue One Solo A Star Wars Story Clone Wars animated series The Mandalorian The Book of Boba Fett The Bad Batch your Gonk looks so amazing , a Jawa will snatch it from you in a second!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

totally a fixed character!

[@Twotoedfarm]

I can’t wait for part two lettsss goooo!!!! Awesome video!

[@chazza8670]

Now all we need is a marble statue for the almighty GONK

[@einflinkeswiesel2695]

When I do that myself I will totally build a PC into that to give it a real useful purpose

[@blizatrex]

An amazing new project. I knew those feet were bins when you teased them.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thanks Wayne!

[@kevdeovideo]

Looking good! I've been thinking about building a second one with these totes. Well done man

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you, yeah, these totes are great!

[@GratuitousSets]

Nice camera work and editing! Gonk is kicking ass! 😎

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thanks so much! You guys rock!

[@PearlJam2k6]

The moment you mentioned color, for some reason i had a flash vision of Gonk in a matt, marsh-green with constrasting yellow vertical stripes/markings. We've seen enough Imperial black/metal ones, time for a captured Resistance Gonk i think!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

We have been looking at a lot of color schemes and I think we have a pretty good choice going . . . yellow included ;)

[@RadRelics]

Great video for sure!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tavrikgannon]

I wish i could find some old pics of the human sized gonk droid i built and wore at a Star Wars Exhibit. That thing was huge... and heavy!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

sounds great!

[@valerin0]

Real nice Brian

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you!!!

[@CGRTist]

This turned out great. I'm now a huge fan of plastic styrene!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL!!! Thank you good sir!

[@GeoFry3]

It's amazing how cheap you can pick up old camera gear for these builds.

[@sketchyguynv]

You are the man love it! And loving the quarantine shirt design!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you my friend, we thought it was funny too!

[@nickboylen6873]

JB Weld is great stuff, but won’t stick to all plastics, as you mentioned for the main body. But I’ll bet PU adhesive (Tiger Seal is a premium brand) will work - it sticks like **** to a blanket and is used for nailing combat aircraft together (and probably spacecraft too). Great work as always, and fun to follow.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! Yeah, we used the JB Weld just for the metal to metal piece we needed. I have not tried PU Adhesive yet, i'll have to give it a shot!

[@nickboylen6873]

The Smugglers Room, try to buy the smaller toothpaste tubes of it rather than the big rigid tubes that fit in the mastik guns - once the seal is broken, it starts going off in the tube, so you’ll end up throwing a lot away if you have big tubes. You can cut the tube in half to get the still useable stuff out of the middle if it’s only a few months old, but that’s even messier than normal, and that stuff gets everywhere! Mask up anything you don’t want the adhesive on, wear your most wrecked clothes and disposable gloves, because nothing seems to shift that mess! 😄

[@jamiebmorton]

The inside would be awesome as a cocktail bar! Open up the GNK to access your favourite cocktail accessories, booze and glassware!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That is certainly a great idea. This droid is a bit too small for all I would want to include. BUT . . . I do have a great idea now thanks to you Jamie, and I will be sure to share your name when we do it!

[@andlukeable]

I can't wait to see the greeblie-fest that is going to be the internal workings of a smugglers room GNK. You're going to need to drink a LOT of juice for all the lids you'll be needing 🤣. I have a goooood feeling about this!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL!!!! Can't wait to show you!!!

[@graemehansell7642]

I’ve just fallen across your channel. Brilliant! Your droids also remind me of Huey, Dewey and Louis from the film Silent Running.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL!! That’s awesome! Thank you

[@hanger6740]

I love your videos and all the building stuff it’s encouraging. If you did ever want genuine style gonk boxes I’ve started reproducing them in fibreglass. 👍👍👍

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! That's great you are offering up boxes for makers! Please link a way that others can find your boxes!

[@hanger6740]

The Smugglers Room I’m Kev speederbike Morris on Facebook on the gonk droid builders page

[@esmy9298]

Lord gonk will like your creation smugglers room

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! Thank you.

[@lgww1940]

I think an R1 unit would be awesome! Don’t get me wrong, the R2 units are the best and most appealing, but the R1’s large clunky design just does something for me. Or you should do an R1 security droid, those are cool too.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Great idea!

[@JBBrickFanatic]

This is super cool. I keep getting “how it’s made” vibes from this 😂 Keep up the excellent work!!!!!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL, thank you much!

[@andrewmatthews5086]

That’s gonna look so awesome when it’s done! Weathering will be fun! (Was that the broncos I saw in the background playing?)

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you! It was actually the red zone on Sunday. Love us some football around here!

[@joshuatrujillo1888]

In Gonk we trust 🤣😂

[@atticus-rex]

Yeah glue and paint on poly-urethane is definitely a pain in the butt. I had a bunch of problems building that SWU Heater I made for my fan film and sent you pics of earlier this year. But it turned out looking great in the movie! -Gerald Massimei (Patreon)

[@JediGeronimo]

I see you watching football in the background! You're a geek after my own heart dude!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

You bet my friend! Sunday of building and the Red Zone . . . nothing better!!!

[@customfabrications]

Just found your channel and subbed! Great stuff! And I think your style is right in line with the way these droids, and other props, were designed and built for the original films.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you so much! Welcome to the channel!

[@jspyutube]

"Hey, why don't I use this small bin for the feet"? Nails it! Did you find that just laying around your shop? So dang creative.

[@ronaldcasallas4292]

Hey brother awsome so far!! I think "Shorty" is gonna look great!! Just a bundle of joy!! Thanks inspiring me being my brother!! Dr.Ronprops.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Rock on!

[@RebelBaseBuilds]

Love this video man... am I spying some camera rail use here and there? I just ordered myself a couple different rail options for the DSLR :) Droid is coming on fab!!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Yes indeed my friend. Trying to up our game around here!

[@RebelBaseBuilds]

@@TheSmugglersRoom your game has always been up bro

[@p11_studios]

I knew I noticed some rail action. Absolutely beautiful!

[@whitemando5972]

Where did you find those little bins for the feet??? they're absolutely perfect!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

They are Husky bins. You can get them at HomeDepot or Amazon. Here is a link (keep in mind it is an affiliate link that helps support the channel) amzn.to/2E5bZdE

[@p11_studios]

Oh my gonk. I’m been a GNK droid fan for years, it was one of the first builds I attempted. This warms my heart. Was that a mini Han in carbonite in he background? I’ve been thinking about doing one with a scrap Ken Doll and resin since I haven’t seen any online

[@mikemiller8293]

I'm just curious as to what thickness of styrene do you prefer to work with?

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

I don’t know that I have a preference. If I need more a try tire then I go with a slightly thicker material, if it’s more decorative then I shift to a thinner, but overall I don’t really have a preference.

[@warlockcommandcenter]

Nice I was thinking that this would be a good place to hide a security camera and maybe a home hub and/or a voice command system.

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

That's a great idea!!!

[@DarrenPoulson]

I love this build! :D Gonk is on my (long) list to build. But got a BB8, second R series, an MSE, and a HO15 already in the pipeline. Must resist building a gonk... Resist.....

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! It's been on our long list for a while too. Sounds like you have an awesome list yourself!

[@vitorsinventions]

Wwwoooooooooouuuuuuuuuu mannnnnnnn i loveee your droooooidsss I was waiting for a new one You are amazing !

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Thank you very much!

[@franzgriffle6063]

I was suppose to be working right now... but Gonk droid or bust!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOL! Love it!!!

[@UvLch12]

What are those things you used for the feet? I've been searching high and low for something to use for my Gonk's feet and those look perfect!

[@spicybecca4899]

this is lovely! what sort of search terms would i need to find those bins?

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Sorry, i will get those listed in the description, but here you go: www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-27-Gal-Tough-Storage-Bin-in-Black-HDX27GONLINE-5/205978361

[@martynshaw8395]

Looks a bit short bri, but you're the man can't wait for part 2

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

He absolutely is a bit short. I'm playing with scale here, and i may raise him a tad but with all that is going on inside i am trying to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. That said, he does need a nudge in the "taller" direction ;)

[@RoboticBricks]

Awesome build do far! Cant wait to see where this goes! and now i want to do this haha

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

YES! Getting you excited to try it is our number one goal!

[@ProjectCambrian]

As you've coined the phrase Making Something out of Nothing, I humbly offer up another New Reference for the Community to Adopt. As your Every Project SCREAMS it anyways. You and by extension WE, aren't going for Screen Accuracy here. We ARE however going for UNIVERSE ACCURACY!!! Everything you create LOOKS like it Belongs in the Star Wars universe and for these home projects, builds and even Fan Films, Being UNIVERSE ACCURATE is The Most Important thing!! Let's make That a Thing! Universe Accurate!!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

LOVE IT!!!! We will definitely be yelling that out from now on!

[@prolixin]

ONE OF US, ONE OF US

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

😂😂😂

[@broertriangle5745]

great video I;m going to make a gonk droid for my Halloween costume for next year

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Cool idea!