Event: Mshed 2026 special guest - Samantha Alleyne

Mike has secured, during her very busy schedule....

If you want to know more about who Samantha is, click on the links below.

Facebook page

&

Linktree for everything and more 😊😊😊😊

Mshed Museum, Bristol - Sunday 5th July 2026

 The droids will be returning to the

Mshed Museum, Bristol

Sunday 5th July 2026

💥 Look out on our socials for updates an please share. 💥

#bristolevents #bristol #mshed #mshedmuseum #droids #r2d2 #r5d4 #astromechdroid #freeevent

From concept to reality - JLD Droid

Concept artist, Jake Lunt Davies, posted up some of his work back around August 2023. They were based on future R series astromech droids as possible design ideas.

Artwork by Jake Lunt Davies

Checkout Jakes Wookieepedia page here: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Jake_Lunt_Davies

Role on to October 2024: Mike B, liked these designs and had the idea to combine the bits he liked best into a new 'JLD style Astromech'.

He asked if James F, could convert the images into 3D printable pieces. And when I say 'convert', what I actually mean is, drawing up in 3D CAD using only his interpretation [scale] of the images to the best of his abilities 😁😁😁.

Just two of the components I created

Mike himself, started to build the body/legs/feet etc and created his own 'skins' for the body. These being different to R2's and are also a combination created, based on Jake's designs.

The foot shell's had to be designed up and scaled, basing them on 'standard' R2 style feet motors etc. He then asked could it be possible to draw up a 3D printable spring....

Several attempts later.....

a 3D printed spring
[this one with a back, to allow flex, but not break]

Just to show how springy this original one is, here's a link to James'  YouTube shorts. This was just regular PLA filament.

Here's some more progress pictures. Build credit to Mike B.

Material list: Wood internal frame and legs, other parts are 3D printed and assembled by Mike, inc painting.

Mike finished his build early 2025 and was able to introduce his JLD droid to the real JLD, this year at Droids @ Mshed event. Jake was most impressed that his designs had become a real working droid. Here's some of the pictures from the event.

Jake was kind enough to sign Mikes build

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Big thanks to Lee Towersey and to Jake Lunt Davies.

Droids @Mshed Bristol 2025 - Thankyou

Event round-up:

Thankyou to the five people who responded to this link. Like a certain shop says '.....every little helps!'

This link will be being shared on the event page for the wider public who attended to respond. Thanks again everyone who came along to Sundays event.

Here is Mike's round-up and final total raised:

YouTube to James' R5-D4 channel

Droids @Mshed Bristol 2025 - official website updated

 We asked before but it didn’t happen [due to technical issues], but this year, with mere weeks to go…..

....they’ve managed to get the event added to their website’s official events calendar!!

Click on the image above to take you to website,

or

copy and paste this link:

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/m-shed/droids-m-shed/

Droids @Mshed event 2022 [Previous event]

With this years event approaching, July 6th 2025, thought we'd share the previous years video's created from the day.

Here's the 2022 event video link: Click here

Another great day had by all who came along.

Video credit goes to @marcdanbury2556‬

Meet the South West Droid Builders: Jamie

 Find out about the South West Droid Builders:

Droid Builders UK is a 'club' set up to cover and include ALL droid Builders, not just those who build Astromech's , R2-D2's. This way everyone can attend events and not feel left out.

A few years back when the website was launched, members were asked to answer questions about themselves as an introduction.

Jamie's R5 seen at last years Mshed event

Here is the link to Jamie

Meet the South West Droid Builders: Paul

Find out about the South West Droid Builders:

Droid Builders UK is a 'club' set up to cover and include ALL droid Builders, not just those who build Astromech's , R2-D2's. This way everyone can attend events and not feel left out.

A few years back when the website was launched, members were asked to answer questions about themselves as an introduction.

Picture taken at Celebration Europe 2023, Paul, his R2 & Ewan 

Here is the link to Paul.

Meet the South West Droid Builders: Nik

Find out about the South West Droid Builders:

Droid Builders UK is a 'club' set up to cover and include ALL droid Builders, not just those who build Astromech's , R2-D2's. This way everyone can attend events and not feel left out.

A few years back when the website was launched, members were asked to answer questions about themselves as an introduction.

Here is the link to Nik.

Nik is a designer, so check out his work here 

www.groovypearldesigns.com

Meet the South West Droid Builders: Mike

Find out about the South West Droid Builders:

Droid Builders UK is a 'club' set up to cover and include ALL droid Builders, not just those who build Astromech's , R2-D2's. This way everyone can attend events and not feel left out.

A few years back when the website was launched, members were asked to answer questions about themselves as an introduction.

Here is the link to Mike's.

DROID's @Mshed Bristol 2025

 

DROID's @Mshed Bristol, are back!

Yes, all your favourite droids are back again, and a few new special attending ones as well!!

💥💥 'FREE ENTRY EVENT' 💥💥

Droids built by Droid Builders UK / UK R2-D2 Builders Club, we're a group of builders who make/build/3D print droids from TV & movies for enjoyment. From Star Wars to Dr Who. With members attending from ALL over the UK!

💥💥💥

👉 Check out this event on FaceBook's events,

please add yourself and share.

💥💥💥

We also have members from the MK Garrison - Vader and co.

Mike Berry of Vinyldesign's has been busy arranging & organising this event,

I'm just helping as his side kick/advertising/promotions guy 😄

Link to 2024's Event report over on the Droid Builders UK website.

Or over on their YouTube channel: Droid's @Mshed 2024.

We hope to see you there!

~~~~~

This is a non profit event, all money donated goes to the groups chosen charity for 2025: 'Supporting Alzheimer's Society'

If you wish to make a donation, please click this link to our JustGiving page, Thank you!

#droidbuildersuk #mshed #bristol #SWDB25

~~~~~

Update: June 2025

The event can now be found on the M_shed's events page!!!

click here for info.

https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/m-shed/droids-m-shed/

We look forward to seeing you there.

Don't forget to hashtag this event with #SWDB25

Droids @Mshed event 2023

South West Droid Builders (UK)

Sunday 2nd July 2023

Our 3rd annual event held by us, in Bristol, next door to the Mshed museum.

The event was organised by Mike B.

We had club members attend from all over the country to help support us in raising funds for our chosen charity: Make a Wish (UK).

Here is a link to the day's event's on

'James'R5D4 YouTube channel'.

[shortcut link]

Total raise was £1384.69

Thanks to everyone who came along to this free event and donated to our cause.

We hope you enjoyed it!

Welcome to the South West Droid Builders (UK) page

 

South West Droid Builders (UK)

We represent the South West as part of the

UK R2D2 Builders / Droid Builders UK club.

Four of us are Bristol based, with our other friends reaching from

Swindon, Cardiff and Newquay.

With these friends, we are the South West Droid Builders