Hello all

Been here for quite a while, but I'd like to start a new build thread for my new team. The concept is simple; many robots get through parts and materials, often going to waste. Why not make use of them?

Eco-friendly too!

After the mess of my old build thread, I'd like to start fresh with a whole line of new bots. As a running motiff, the names of all the robots who previously used the parts will be somewhere (Looking into laser cutting a little plaque to drill onto the side)

My featherweight (though it really didnt look the part) is living proof of this. Made from a battered old shell, drill motors from a middleweight planned 7 years ago, and a donated ESC; all held together with zip ties. Drove it down to Manchester, and took vitrually no damage. Lots of paint chips and a small bend where Drumroll hit it, but nothing a hammer and vinyl can't fix! (thanks Matt). It was running just as well as before, maybe the gears got a bit mashed towards the end, but still ran without any issues

But let's face facts, it was a bodge job.
I honestly felt embarassed talking to other roboteers about it, and didn't socialise as much as I hoped. Thank you to everyone who was polite, I think I recall Michael (Kaizen) saying he was trying to be polite about it. Team Hydra also gave a lot of great constructive criticism, it was nice to surprise them with my interesting repair methods (sawing part the wheel off to stop it catching was a highlight).

Next event is Grantham, though that currently lies in the balance. If I can go, the featherweight will enter with a new coat of vinyl to hide all the battle scars; hopefully it'll look good as new, can'y be any worse right? If I can't go, I'll likely be taing it apart and giving it either a good rebuild, or parts for another robot (trust me, it'll have a good home).

Speaking of which, the next project!
My next robot will be a middleweight of all classes. I don't want to reveal much but suffice to say, it will be put to some good use. I want to thank Ace Robotics so much for the chassis, ESC and motors; it wouldn't be possible without them. Same goes for Matt: the motors and advice are invaluable. The design is a basic aluminium slab padded out with HDPE (the panels on my featherweight fit it to the millmetre). The theme is the two middleweight revivals that never happened in 2009 and 2011. More specifically, Voodoo Chile. Always loved the design and I've been lucky enough to have been offered the clamp/lifting mechanism from Rory. I'm not 100% sure on the condition however; if it does need a rebuild I have something there for measurements and references. That's one of the weapons at least, the plan is to make them interchangeable. You see, the original Voodoo had a wheelchair motor-powered axe which didn't turn out too well. However, I plan on replicating the design but with more durable parts (Should work if my observations are correct). Hopefully I'll have both made for its first event, but we'll have to see...

Thanks for reading if you've made it to the end!