Completely lost with component selection

So first things first, I'm completely and utterly new to all of this. I've never done any real mechanical or electrical work before and while I've been an avid fan of robot wars since the very first series I've never before attempted to venture into the world of robot building.

I've got a rough mockup of a design that I would like to build, planning to build a featherweight flipper but one that uses a slightly unusual mechanism for the flipper but that's not the issue here.

The problem I have is that I'm completely clueless when it comes to choosing components! I've read around a fair bit but honestly there's so much information out there it's all a bit overwhelming.

Are there any good resources out there that would help me understand more about what to look for with motors and the various electronic components? Or alternatively is there something that's kind of accepted as the standard for featherweights?

Thanks for any help you guys can give me and apologies for being a bit (very) clueless!

Hi - welcome!

Read this: https://www.riobotz.com/tutorials

That'll get you started. In terms of recommending components, could you elaborate on your design a little more?

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Originally Posted by emisnug

Hi - welcome!

Read this: https://www.riobotz.com/tutorials

That'll get you started. In terms of recommending components, could you elaborate on your design a little more?

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Well I'm planning on it being, in terms of drive, what looks like a pretty standard 2wd setup. Most likely just going to stick with a pair of 12v drill motors as it seems like pretty much the simplest way to run a featherweight drive system for a newbie, however I'm pretty confused regarding the electrics required for such motors.

The bit that I'm really not sure about is motor selection for the weapon. The design that I've got in mind will need something with pretty high torque for a featherweight motor but I'm not even sure where to start looking!

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Originally Posted by mackemforever

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Welcome as a fellow newcomer i would really recommend reading that Riobotz PDF helps a lot with ideas + read through a load of build guides it helps you avoid mistakes.

also for your drive look at some botbitz 85a speed controllers (http://ranglebox.com/product/botbitz...2-brushed-esc/) as they really the go to controller for brushed motors at featherweight

I'd been looking at the Botbitz stuff.

One more question. Using the 12V drill motors for drive, what are people generally using as a gearbox? Sticking with what comes with it out of the drill or is there something aftermarket that's generally used?

Read all the recent build threads and get to some events to talk to people. See robots up close and make a note in your phone of what people use. It's what most of us did when getting into it. Obv people will help you but there are a huge range of abilities, so some will say draw it in CAD and get it cut, others will make it all themselves. It sounds nasty but there is a level you need to be at to get started (volts/amps, wattages, basic RC stuff, basic drilling and cutting etc.). There's a ton of interest in this at the min with it coming back on the telly, and it takes a lot of cash to go from enthusiast to competitor. Build a pusher, read the threads, get to some events, ask a team if u can tag along etc. Get into it first before spending cash and hurting yourself with pneumatics.

In answer to your gearbox question, you use the gearbox that comes with the drill motor and attach a wheel to the output shaft where the chuck would normally be.

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Originally Posted by daveimi

Read all the recent build threads and get to some events to talk to people

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I second everything in David's post, but especially this. Seeing what others did in your place helps to give you a perspective of what you need to learn as well as what is reasonable for your skillset. Some that I'd recommend are:

* DotDominic's build diary on Ventator: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/thre...t-robot-please A simple 4WD pusher bot, will tell you a lot of the basics involved in part selection and construction.

* R9000's build diary on Aegis: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/thre...d-lifter-aegis A 4WD LinAc (Linear actuator) lifter. Interesting to see how a design changes over time, and shows off some pretty useful stuff with modifying brushless motors to linacs to get more power out of them. Also a testament to how good a first feather can do if built right; Aegis made it to the top 8 of Insomnia 61, which is basically THE FW competition of the year, as well as winning the 20 bot Gladiator event.

* qbnut's build diary on Battleaxe: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/thre...e-hammer-diary Just an all around solid build diary of an axebot, and may be more useful if you plan on working with metal.

Hope these are helpful!