The Robot Workshop
From classic robot builders to today's STEM makers
Latest Articles
STEM & Making
Engineering Scholarships for Maker Students: How to Position Hands-On Skills
How students with maker backgrounds -- prop building, electronics, fabrication -- can identify and apply for engineering scholarships, and how to present …
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Science Fair Projects Using Mold Making and Materials Science
Ideas and approaches for science fair projects built around mold making, polymer chemistry, and materials testing -- with guidance on how to frame fabrication …
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Women in Making and Fabrication: Communities, Resources, and Opportunities
Overview of women's participation in maker culture, prop building, and fabrication — with resources for female makers pursuing STEM opportunities and …
Read more →Prop Building
Fiberglass vs. Urethane Foam for Large Prop Shells: A Material Decision Guide
How to choose between fiberglass layup and rigid urethane foam for large prop and replica shells, covering weight, durability, finishing, and shop safety.
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Fiberglass vs. Urethane Foam for Large Prop Shells: A Material Decision Guide
Compare fiberglass layup and rigid urethane foam for large prop shell construction — weight, durability, tooling requirements, and which method suits your …
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Cold-Cast Metal Resin: Bronze, Aluminum, and Copper Finishes for Props
How to achieve genuine metal-looking prop parts using cold-cast resin — mixing metal powder into urethane resin and polishing to reveal real metal surfaces.
Read more →Mold Making
Silicone Mold Making Part 3: Multi-Part Molds and Complex Geometries
Advanced silicone mold making for complex shapes — three-part and four-part molds, core molds for hollow castings, and strategies for masters with challenging …
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Silicone Mold Making: Troubleshooting Common Problems
Diagnose and fix the most common silicone mold making failures — uncured spots, tearing, bubbles, inhibition, and molds that won't release. Covers platinum and …
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Mold Box Construction: Techniques for Any Size and Shape
How to build mold boxes for silicone rubber casting. Covers LEGO brick method, melamine board boxes, clay bedding for two-part molds, and large-format …
Read more →Resin Casting
Painting and Finishing Cast Resin Parts: Surface Prep to Final Coat
How to properly paint and finish urethane resin castings — surface preparation, primer selection, paint compatibility, and achieving professional results on …
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Urethane Resin for Beginners: What You Need to Know Before Your First Pour
Beginner's guide to urethane resin casting. Covers safety, material selection, workspace setup, first pour preparation, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
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Advanced Resin Casting Techniques for Prop Fabrication
Advanced urethane resin casting techniques including pressure casting, rotational casting, foam fills, colorants, and surface finishing for production-quality …
Read more →B9 Robot Construction
B9 Robot Tread Base Construction: Materials, Frame, and Wheels
How to build the B9 robot's tread base — frame materials, wheel and caster sourcing, tread selection, and the load-bearing decisions that come first.
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B9 Robot Tread Base Wheel Assembly: Sourcing and Fitting the Casters
A practical guide to sourcing and fitting the caster wheel assembly for a B9 robot replica tread base — dimensions, bearing types, and mounting configurations.
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B9 Robot Tread Base Wheel Assembly: Sourcing and Fitting the Casters
A builder's guide to sourcing the right casters and drive wheels for a B9 robot tread base, covering hardware specs, placement geometry, and fit-up techniques.
Read more →Lost in Space
The B9 Robot: History of an Iconic Prop from Lost in Space
The complete history of the B9 robot from Lost in Space -- from its construction by Bob Stewart for the 1965 pilot to its legacy in the prop replica community.
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In Memory of Bob May: The Man Who Was the B9 Robot
A tribute to Bob May, the actor who physically performed the B9 robot in all 83 episodes of Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968.
Read more →Conventions
WonderFest 2025: B9 Robot Display and Builder Community Report
Report from WonderFest 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky — B9 robot displays, builder community highlights, and notes from the show floor.
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WonderFest Louisville: The Model and Prop Convention for Serious Builders
What WonderFest in Louisville, Kentucky is, what to expect, and why it's the most important annual gathering for B9 robot builders and sci-fi prop replica …
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WonderFest 2005: Louisville Convention Report
Convention report from WonderFest 2005 in Louisville, Kentucky. Covers B9 robot displays, model kit vendors, prop replica builders, and the maker community at …
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