NEWCOMER

Hi basically i want to start my first robotbuild and was considering buying 2 18v Dewalt motors to use. Firstly, would these be suitable for a middleweight? Secondly, will they last? I know it sounds stupid but dont have much money and want to buy motors in UK that will last for modifications to my first bot.

Ps. Which batterys would i need to use

u sure you want to go middleweight? Featherweights seem to be much more popular. and there are starter kits available that can help you alot. im just starting my first featherweight build and there are plenty of people here that are more than happy to help with anything you might need to know.

Try http://www.xbotz.comwww.xbotz.com he has motors, speed controllers and much more.

Also Try www.Technobots.co.ukwww.Technobots.co.uk they have alot of stuff usefull for a robot build. they do realy low priced 4ch radio gear.


(Message edited by xtreme on May 11, 2007)

Peter ...spend sometime browsing the forum ..... nearly all the information you require is there .....somewhere:)

Heres a starter.

http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/discus/messages/59/8091.html?1177523860http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/disc...tml?1177523860

Additional edit ...To add the archives of the rest of the thread.

http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/discus/messages/59/7995.htmlhttp://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/disc...s/59/7995.html

(Message edited by woody on May 11, 2007)

i certainly suggest feather weight, it would cheaper than this weight class, and easier i imagine to get your head around

Peter,

First I am going to echo the comments made above, go for a featherweight to begin with. Featherweights and heavyweights are the two weight classes with the most events held. Antweights are popular as well.

In answer to your question, I they would probably be ok but I would use something like the bosch 400 or 750 or a similar motor in a middleweight. Technobots have a range of motors which may be useful.

peter take no notice of all the above people and build yourself a nice heavyweight. straight in at the deep end you cant beat it :)

Definitley advise you to have a go at a featherweight, youll learn all the skills and basics that youll need to build yourself a good heavyweight further down the road.

Ed
http://www.teamstorm.comhttp://www.teamstorm.com

Given a choice I would always prefer a heavyweight over a featherweight. But there are serious disadvantages to it.

1: weight. If you are just 1 person building it 100kg of robot is quite a hassle.

2: transport. Heavies are bigger than feathers so you need a decent size car boot or trailer to move them. Taking a heavy on the bus or train is not really an option, some feathers are not even easy to take on public transport either.

If you have no problem with these 2 main disadvantages, Id go for a heavyweight if I where you. Otherwise for a feather.

The Dewalts are fine motors for feather and lightweight. For middleweight or heavy they would work if you use 4 or 6 of them, I wouldnt try it on 2.

Thanks for all of your help! Thinking of starting at Featherweight due to your advice. Can anyone recommend a few decent motors for me to look at?

Thanks again

Try http://www.gimsonrobotics.comwww.gimsonrobotics.com and look at there kits there cheap and they have ready to use motors with gearboxes and u can get wheels that fit straight onto them from gimson too. or just buy some 10 quid drills from argos and u have the motor and gearbox and batterys and chargers but dont know how well the batterys would work with the bot.

im a beginner too so just passing on advice i have been given.
these 3 sites should have everything you need.

http://www.xbotz.comwww.xbotz.com
http://www.technobots.co.ukwww.technobots.co.uk
http://www.gimsonrobotics.comwww.gimsonrobotics.com

Thanks which would u recommend the 200W ones??

Xbotz, technobots and gimson sell kits some in different stages of completion.
the gimson kit is a good for beginners like us with not alot of cash.
or if you want to do it yourself use http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7110333/Trail/C%24cip%3D49998.DIY%2C%2Bgarden%2Band%2Bcar%3EC%24 cip%3D50098.DIY%2Bpower%2Btools%3EC%24Brand%3DChal lenge.Challenge.htmhttp://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...4cip%3D49998.D IY%2C%2Bgarden%2Band%2Bcar%3EC%24cip%3D50098.DIY%2 Bpower%2Btools%3EC%24Brand%3DC hallenge.Challenge.htm
there the same as ewan from gimson robotics uses. plus you will have batterys and a charger but you have to dismantle the drill yourself. ewan or someone will tell you how if you needed help.
as for speed controller either get the sabertooth from gimson robotics or if you think your going to go with 4 drive motors try xbotz and get a scorpion XL or maybe even get a scorpion xl anyways.
you can get removeable links from gimson or make your own using powerpole connectors.
for radio gear try technobots theres are real cheap. get a boat arial too maybe also from technobots.
ehhh wheels either 75 or 100mm wheels from gimson robotics fit straight onto the drill motors with a special insert.
you will most likely use rc racing packs for you battery power try xbotz or technobots or ebay.
power light (a none flashing LED) then u gotta sort wiring and stuff. ehh ill post when i think of somthing else... or let the professionals take over and correct me :p

one last little thing. i am unsure if he still has it but ask james baker of xbotz.com about his bot Unity its an invertable parallelogram wedge powered by drill motors. it was all complete and ready to run and it was available with and without radio gear. if its still for sale he will tell you the price of it and more about it.
if you look on http://www.xbotz.comwww.xbotz.com you will see a few of his bots on there.

Buying bits ready made is nice but to be honest I think the fun of competing with bots is in creating your own from start to finish. There is also the added bonus that you know how its put together so you can fix it easily at a competition.

You will learn far more building your own, sure it will take you a little longer and will probably cost the same but the journey is always more fun than the destination.

Depends Gary.

I know I can build good drivetrains. But those take time. if I could buy simular for a reasonable amount of money, I will do so. That gives me more time to spend on the parts I cant buy. Like idioticaly powered flippers.

Lol each to their own mario :)