Restoring 1977 R2-D2 Radio Controlled Robot - Star Wars Toy Restoration

[@Njazmo]

Theres actually some serious engineering involved with that thing, if it goes where the head points, and it's wireless, and it's from the 70's. Back then, cheaper remote controlled cars actually had wired remote control, so you had to walk behind it. That is truly a toy of the kings, if we look way back. Great work.

[@michealpersicko9531]

not to mention batteries were ungodly expensive back then so you really had to have parents with a lot of disposable income to be able to afford to waste a 9v and 2 c cells on a kids toy back then

[@shawnblohm8439]

I still have my radio controlled R2-D2 that I got as a Christmas gift in 1978. Every Sunday I fire it up to make sure his gears don't get totally stuck. He still works, sort of. He can go forward only. Its gears in its right leg don't turn anymore. Its eye still lights up red and it still can make noises. I'm afraid to take him apart though in fear that R2 won't work at all if I try to repair him. A priceless gift from my childhood. Thanks for making this video!

[@adamjones-ps]

Send it to this guy to restore. :)

[@TheLoxxxton]

The thing I love about odd tinkering that sets him appart is the variety of skills this man has. Engineering, plastic restoration, 3D printing, electroplating, mechanical, electronics oh and no other channel has a Docktor Duck 😅

[@MisterGames]

And laser rust removal 😀

[@rapcom]

And no annoying pussy cat.

[@hyperwebster5118]

Fr, this guy could be an evil genius if he really wanted to. Good thing he's a little preoccupied!

[@hudsonlogie6520]

You mean the ducktor

[@shamadayart]

If you have a great passion for something, you can learn lots of skills related to it just by following that passion and creating. For example, I'm an illustrator, but I learned how to do graphic design,lettering, clothing design, book design, printing, book binding, painting, screenprinting, sculpting and designing merchandise and plushes when I never thought my art could lead me to such, I just saw others doing it and thought "I want to try that too." We're very fortunate now that we can easily access all these learning resources, specialty stores and services and be self taught.

[@shaysela6989]

I love the length you go to keep everything as close to the original. Especially remaking the stickers (plz show more of the process of remaking stickers, it seems really interesting!). And now, you also have the power and magic of 3D printing! But the thing I love most about your restorations, is that they're real

[@InTeCredo]

I had this one for Christmas present in 1978. My grandparents, parents, and relatives HATED it because of its irritating beeping sound. One day, the R2D2 stopped beeping, and I suspected one of them silenced it by snipping the wires while I was sleeping.

[@daylightdies7194]

That’s unforgivable if they did

[@mrbuttons1243]

Lol. I had a similarly annoying toy that was a police motorcycle with a cop on it. Kind of a CHiPs knock off.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

As an adult who doesn't want children, I even winced at the sound of this thing and could easily imagine a parent deeply regretting buying it for their kid 😂

[@Aniware]

would've did the same tbh

[@daylightdies7194]

@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley I don’t want kids of my own either but cutting the wires on a toy because of the noise is pathetic

[@WhiteDragon689]

Back at the University way back when during a EE lercture, the professor is giving a lecture writing equation the length of the board and another professor drove one of these into the class room. The guy was laughing so hard he could not teach anymore. I'll never forget that. Thanks for the memory.

[@Dorelaxen]

Oh, there is most definitely a good chrome paint out there. It's simply called Mirror. It's not cheap, like 40 dollars for a small bottle, but it legit looks like highly polished chrome. Toy Polloi has used it in some of his restorations and it's truly incredible.

[@jonvincentmusic]

Thermochrome too.

[@MaxRide1]

there's a slightly cheaper version that molotov do liquid chrome, they do it in markers or refill bottles. I've yet to find a way to varnish it without dulling the finish though... I don't own an airbrush so alclad's varnish won't work for me.

[@Aquascape_Dreaming]

​@@MaxRide1get an airbrush, then. If you can afford to buy and tinker with paint, an airbrush doesn't seem that expensive, by comparison.

[@Gearhead6971]

HydroChrome, SpectraChrome and Molotow Paint Pens. Everything has to be painted black first.

[@jerryziegner]

The amount of time and effort that went into this restoration is incredible. Not to mention the talent and knowledge of electronics, plastic and re-plating.

[@garrettsteele1174]

This was the toy I always wanted when I was a kid. I think that this is the toy that helped inspire me to join the R2 builders club and build a full scale RC R2-D2.

[@Tony_toblerone]

I'm so glad there's no background music and the length of the video. Stuff like this is perfect because it's educational and relaxing. I get to calmly learn about something i didn't know too much about. Thanks again

[@nohrtillman8734]

Back in the Before Times, when toys and electronics were put together with screws. A fighting chance for a fixer to fix things. Very little in the last 20 yard isn’t permanently glued/melted together in a one-way manufacturing process. Thanks for the video! I thought I was the only one restoring vintage plasticy stuff like this!

[@JedH1991]

R2D2 once said “boop boop beep boop” and man did I feel that

[@_MrOcean]

I was there when he said it. Whaddaguy.

[@lauraschlieselhuber8487]

To quote him : *_"WOOOOOAAAAAAOOOOH"_* Truely deep and meaninful words.

[@JedH1991]

@@lauraschlieselhuber8487 yes! That’s my life’s motto

[@marckyle5895]

@@lauraschlieselhuber8487 His Deathscene was on the order of Brando's in Apocalypse Now. Odd worked on him back in the shop and bought him back in time for the applause.

[@Rehteal]

Everyone overlooks his best delivered line though when he said "bipboopbeepbop" on Dagobah. Massively underappreciated.

[@foto-nio2913]

Some restoration videos may be fake, but i find yours quite legit and real, and you also show how you even make it with detail and care I love it, keep up the nice work!

[@TELL5]

yep, you can tell the other channels are fake when you see how theyre posting videos very frequently and are too anonymous. odd tinkering takes his time making videos, explains his procedures, and sometimes gets sponsored with restoration products (like the laser rust remover). he treats it as a business, not some fake clickbait material

[@huttjos85]

I only subscribe to two restoration channels for this reason. There’s a lot of crap out there, but ODD is legit.

[@marckyle5895]

@@huttjos85 what's the other one? I know some good aircraft, history and navy focused channels.

[@claclaclac1]

@@huttjos85 Yeah me too, only have 2 legit restoration channels subbed, this one & @mymechanics also @Tronicsfix but he is mostly repairing and saving gaming devices and not completely restorating

[@TELL5]

@@marckyle5895​ im not the original commenter, but theres another restoration channel i look at as well. hes called rescue & restore. the guy hasnt posted full length restoration vids in over a year and only makes shorts now about items from old time periods, but his old vids have the same level of quality as odd tinkering. if you havent seen him, i think youll love the sandblasting process of his vids

[@Xenarzio]

Thanks

[@awesomesauce8083]

Kenner engineering never ceased to amaze me. The things that they did was just outstanding.

[@crissy1764]

Omg that ending…. Thanks for restoring R2!

[@jedikroner]

The force is strong with this one! Great job on the restoration, I was also a child of the 70's and had this same exact R2 unit as a present from Santa in 1978, I still have mine but the remote is no where to be found 😣

[@eloquentsarcasm]

Wow, talk about a walk down memory lane! Like many others here, as a kid Star Wars was HUGE back in '77, that single movie ignited a lifelong love of Sci-Fi, computers, cybernetics, robotics, the whole shebang. While I didn't have the RC version, my uncle and I spent a summer building model kits of R2 and 3PO in 1979 if I recall correctly. 3PO was about 12" tall, not sure of the scale of them, but those models held pride of place on my shelf for many years until I grew up and moved out. Beautiful restoration as always, seeing any vintage toy given new life is wonderful, but something like this really hits home, kudos!

[@cavalaxis]

I had this exact same toy! My dad was an Engineer at NASA and he was FASCINATED by the radio controlled part. He was so fascinated, I ended up watching HIM play with it for a few hours before I ever did. Ugh, hit by the memory bat upside my head!🤣🤣

[@kevinintheusa8984]

I bought one of these and it died about a year after I purchased it. It is in a box in my closet, and I just may have to pull it out and see if I can fix it. It actually still looks brand new. Great video.

[@Archeev]

Very impressive how much you did to restore the head. Your knowledge is invaluably versatile!

[@BaltimoreJak]

I appreciate how you show thinks not working after the first attempt. To many video make it look so easy, and don’t demonstrate the true challenge of trouble shooting and trail and error. Keep up the good work!

[@milotaconella3630]

May the force be with you…. Wonderful restoration!!

[@paulavram6314]

Incredible restoration. The plating of the plastic head was next level

[@2degucitas]

Interesting the silver didn't stick to the copper paint. Maybe cleaning the surface with alcohol first is needed.

[@arivaldojunior8515]

You know....... Im addicted to this channel..... ❤

[@leokimvideo]

Incredible work. Sadly where I live Hydrogen Peroxide at that concentration is now a prohibited chemical.

[@zixea3318]

Whaaaat!?!!? Where??

[@zixea3318]

Oh wait Omg it’s you??? I recognize your channel. I used to constantly watch you as a lil’ kid haha.

[@Lialia-xf7ji]

​@@zixea3318i thought hewas fake, how tf does he not have a checkmark

[@wobbled5609]

It's the same stuff found in hair bleach, can you buy it in cream form? If so just paint it on, works just as well

[@alkansfunadventures]

australia

[@ralphyetmore]

Those wipe transitions seem so fitting in this particular post.

[@oldshack]

Absolute multitalent person, so much included into one video, eletronics, chemistry, only 3d printing needs lots understanding of design softwares. Excellent work! Always entertaining and educative

[@zmaxx21]

It looks like R2 D2 had a bad motivator, but you did a great job in bringing him back to life.

[@songofseikilos8659]

t-rex smooth motivator

[@paulnauman8892]

Was looking for this comment

[@mikebasil4832]

It’s wonderful when something very special from the past can be restored after so long. Especially when it’s a favourite Star Wars toy. Thank you for making and sharing this video. May the Force be with you.

[@shamroc34]

I got this toy for Christmas. I left the R2 unit on that night after playing with it and my mother was having a quiet cup of tea late that night after we had all gone to bed. The radio frequency used by the remote must have been the same as a garage door opener or something because it came alive and scared my poor mother half to death. I miss that little robot.

[@staaaar_4]

It's truly joy when I see another beautifully completed project. Keep up the amazing work!

[@HoldingOnDaily]

very iconic toy. beautiful restoration! Would be neat to see someone fabricate these gears and make them metal. would even make R2-D2 more stable when mobile.

[@andreacrashe9894]

*A collectors item fully restored back to its former glory. May the force be with you and RD-D2 too.*

[@laurentucker7471]

The level of care and time and detail you put into your projects is incredible. And you know so much about how to fix so many things!

[@samanthadean1083]

Perfect project for May!!! Fantastic job from you and the Ducktor!!! ❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@Thelongmanable]

*_Toys like that never got the appreciation for its clever engineering and pcb designs.._*

[@biltrex]

I had this toy as a kid, don't even remember when I got it. But it was super satisfying to see you restore it to glory. Especially the electrobrighting, that's an amazing process.

[@sophiakaiajw2829]

2013

[@vincentspratt9478]

I like the braking bad reference that gave me a chuckle

[@fullblooded64445]

Your restoration videos are just so mind-boggling sometimes. Great job!

[@FullRythym]

At first I was really confused that you were making R2's head copper, but then once you plated it with palladium on top of the copper I breathed a sigh of relief.

[@dmomintz]

This guy is such a pro that he installed a WD-40 cupholder on his work bench

[@paulroehl1099]

I loved that, too. It is perfectly placed. Lol

[@joralexandrgoesdiniz8109]

we need more people like you. have a nice day...

[@J.A.1969]

Wow. This is such a great insight into getting into all different corners and nooks of electronics. Really enjoyable video of the puiling apart and re-connection of a timeless gadget. I think my favorite parts of your video here are the cleaning out of the inside of R2-D2's dome and the refurbishing of his head. Excellent stuff. I remember as a kid, even though I had most of the figures and the 3 major spaceships and the Death Star and Land speeder which was my favorite actually, This toy was too expensive at that time and couldn't get my mom to budge. The beeping sounds turned out great in your restoration. Awesome video. 👍👍👍

[@gregggoldstein3449]

I purchased a Buzz Light Year before release of the Toy Story movie and New Bright Toys featured the talking action figure, although I was un impressed by certain missing features and examined it in pieces and canibalised a recording chip from a key fob recorder and cut appart the molded fingers and he could twist his fore leg to read ANDY on the bottom of his foot and gave the finished action figure to my Nephew for Christmas and kids which saw his made their parents buy them one but were disappointed that it did not perform all the functions I housed inside it. His was truely one of a kind. When I saw R2D2 I discovered how difficult to get the middle foot to drop down and do all the amazing skills factored into the movie. As there were different versions of this droid serving cold beverages, Answering the phone, etc. to make it look more life like. Watching the 3D printer recreate that gear is really facinating to watch. And itmeshed together flawlessly.

[@MpSkyfall]

May the force be with you... And with R2. Amazing job! 👏🏻

[@hallucinati]

Slow down and do it right, man. Don't let the shot get you in a rush. My favorite toy when i was little! Thanks for letting me see one of these be active again!

[@44punisherable]

The most underrated and most loved robot in Star wars hands down. Great work on the restoration!

[@PeterDoesFarming]

It's like a holiday present when your videos pop up! Thank you so much for your hard work!!

[@nomusicrc]

Three thumbs up for this video for not adding music this was absolute perfection not a single complaint

[@mariacristinaalvarez9838]

Absolutely brilliant restoration! What a wonderful work. Congratulations!

[@markgannett5948]

this was so satisfying to watch, I had one but it got lost over the years...you did a fantastic job restoring this great toy.

[@YTTV_Mic8]

I love your restorations, they are amazing

[@jonyak1221]

I had gotten one of these for xmas when i was little, lost it in a house fire. Great restoration

[@mrheadbox6951]

the comeback of the master ! Happy to see you do more restoration of quality !

[@hillaryjones143]

This makes my heart so happy. May the force be with you!

[@alexeychekurkov4289]

Хорошая работа.Я не знал что эти игрушки выпускались в один год с фильмом.

[@Pollux95630]

So I had this exact toy as a kid. A couple years after I had it, was maybe 1981-02. Middle of the night and that things starts going off in my closet. Lights, sounds, all of it. I yelled and my parents eventually came running in the room and saw it working and went to turn it off…thing had NO batteries in it. It stopped right as my dad picked it up, but we all saw it working by itself. Freaked me out as a kid and still gives me chills.

[@BuckEtheAlien]

This is my favorite restoration you've done. Excellent job once again!

[@rcktgrg]

Love the dramatic entrance of the screwdriver set. 😅

[@terryingram6755]

Another fascinating refurbish. Thanks Odd. I always enjoy your video's.

[@Agamemnon2]

A beautiful restoration of a vintage piece that would have been the envy of any child in the 70s

[@snowdog1109]

Absolutely an amazing restoration! Bravo sir! 😃✌️👍🍻🇨🇦

[@Playitstraight44]

Its incredible how deep you go to restore these old toys. Just a fantastic job and amazing skill. I tip my hat to you sir!

[@HeisenbergFam]

You've casually returned after 2 months to give a shoutout to unknown franchises like Star Wars, respect

[@abrainlessfish4139]

idk man but star wars isnt an unknown franchise to me

[@OddTinkering]

Haha, hopefulyl I can make the next video a bit faster, I've also been working on some other stuff so don't worry I didn't spend 2 months only on this. But it was a lot of work because I spent a lot of time learning that electroplating on plastic, I didn't expect it to be quite so complicated compared to my usual electroplating projects.

[@Guardian-of-Light137]

​@@abrainlessfish4139 You do realize it's a joke right?

[@happy_pikmin5540]

@@Guardian-of-Light137 his username is Abrainlessfish

[@Guardian-of-Light137]

@@happy_pikmin5540 Yes but usernames don't always mean they actually are. My username is a reference to a self insert charcter in a story I made. Doesn't mean I actually am him. As for them. *shurgs* Who can say? Could just be a funny username to them.

[@nataliegray8019]

You just know some little kid absolutely adored that toy robot once upon a time.

[@abrainlessfish4139]

I absolutely love these kinds of videos

[@rayshelld791]

Lol I bought one of these for my husband. He still has it up in the attic somewhere. Had so much fun with it.

[@alphagames4818]

Here before HD :)

[@arcticxabyss]

you made that R2D2 toy look like it was just bought!! good job!! 👏🏻

[@shady5733]

Man, I love your videos so much. Keep up the great work!

[@RWNetWraith]

As I sit here and watch this amazing video, I am glancing up at the top of a book case in my office on which sits one of these droids, in it's original box. I haven't played with it in years, but I'm going to see if it's even still working now. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rixithyellas0621]

Very interesting restoration! Reminds me of one I watched a while ago with a ‘77 Star Wars X Wing toy. Keep it up : )

[@Pante09]

Yeah but that X-Wing looked weird afterwards imo. Way too white

[@JRthepyroguy]

I see what you did there for us breaking bad fans. R2d2 came out perfect. Great job.

[@Blacktiger54]

It's been so long since you've posted a video. I love your content and keep up the great work ❤

[@mandipandi303]

Possibly the coolest restoration you've ever done

[@Lukeno52]

I'd say it would probably have been worth trying to 3D print replacements for all of the plastic gears, even if they haven't failed now they probably will at some point in the near future - especially the smaller ones. Otherwise, very nice work.

[@2degucitas]

They are slipping on their spindles. A touch of super glue would do the trick.

[@marcuspetford1098]

Not until they break. They looked in good condition, keep it as original as possible if you can.

[@DiddleEgg5]

Had that R2 as a kid! So fun to watch you work your magic on these old toys and bring them back to life! Great work, as always!

[@lewiekong]

You should check out Moltow Liquid Chrome or Stuart Semple's "Mirror" paint for chrome effect paints.

[@OddTinkering]

Maybe I need to check those out, best one I've tested myself is from Spaz Stix, makes pretty good mirror effect, but it's not very durable and after clear coating even with their own clear coat, it's not that good anymore. Most paints I've seen tested on youtube or even tested have the same issues. The only spray on products I've seen that are really good actually deposit a layer of metal on the surface and those cost a lot. And some of them need special spray guns etc. But electroplating on plastic was something I've been meanignto learn anyways. But good paint alternative would be a lot more practical.

[@dlberker]

Oh my goodness! It's so amazing to see this toy that I had growing up being restored!

[@RobotJeeg]

Amazing job. Two questions please. 1) Why you spray water before gluing the stickers on the remote controller? Is it water? 2) In the ultrasonic cleaner you put a glass of vinegar inside and water all around the glass? Is it correct? The vinegar is only in the glass, right?

[@stevenjones3822]

Ty for bringing a R2 back to life from my child times I myself building a life size one at the moment awesome job

[@OutsideLands77]

I had no idea ugnaught hands were so similar to human hands. Practically indistinguishable with those gloves. I have spoken.

[@marckyle5895]

It is the way.

[@OfficialRainsynth]

Now I want this robot, it's so cool. R2D2 is by far the coolest from the Star Wars. And it's adorable.

[@Chancherpancher]

Dedicated to Kenny Baker (The Man of R2-D2) (1934-2016)

[@MrZics]

Nice to see a new upload but why only 360p??

[@ShamWowProphet]

Really enjoyed watching a restoration of a classic Star Wars toy bavk when Star Wars meant something great.

[@sergeantoof]

The quality is only 360p?

[@YTTV_Mic8]

Ikr why?

[@matt4193]

it takes some time to process the other resolutions to be available.

[@Zenpookie]

I had no problem with vid quality, sounds like a "you" problem.

[@GoldenAK42089]

@@Zenpookie you sound like a dickhead... the problem is not his/ her... the problem is that when uploading a video on youtube, its not just uploading in one video quality.. it uploads on all video quality individually which takes time.. higher the quality, the longer it takes... before telling people they are the problem, understand how shit works first.. The reason you christine didnt have any problem is because you watched this 2 hours after this person posted the comment.. tells you easily that the uploading process was done...

[@GoldenAK42089]

The video is now in 4k if you would like to re-watch this terrific restoration

[@sbash3003]

I had one. At least I shared one with my brother. It was that long ass flimsy antennae that really unlocked a memory. I was a bit of a hobbyist as a kid and I definitely remember taking that thing apart a few times. great vid

[@rodrigoflorez5881]

7:55 haha lol

[@Yo_DynamoJoe]

Best Star Wars content produced this century

[@GallonTalon]

Love that part at the end, he's off on his own adventures now

[@Papaxa6655]

Bro, the star wars transitions in the video editing *chefs kiss* what an awesome video.

[@RMasnyk]

Nice touch with the wipe transition

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Fabulous! That's a HUGE BOM for a TOY! 5:35 I know this guy is a pro. He keeps the WD40 in a table leg holster.

[@blueitalia4100]

I love this man's skills, I've been watching this channel for years, this is the only considerate KZbinr.. the only KZbinr I seen put flash warnings for the people that are prone to SEIZURES. I don't know how he does what he does but this is one of the best restoration channels ever 💯🙏 KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BROTHER 👍

[@GothGuy885]

wow this R2D2 brings back some memories of my childhood of the 70's 😀

[@certifiedtricky]

The head plating was amazing

[@disdonut]

I love the use of classic wipe effects like the ones they had in the original Star Wars for transitions

[@eliasmora715]

nice. it was actually a robot, i was lucky to be a 6 year old kid wen starwars came out... always wanted that R2