Hi all!

So today we spent a little time making up really crude grub screws for the motors, which are now all done. Next we made brackets up for the front motor mounts. Other than that we brainstormed...

You can JUST picture it now! http://yourimg.in/m/9z9vfp5.jpg

If you hadn't gathered from the photo, our plan is for an axe weapon :twisted:. So far we're still at the stage where we're just making a base plate (1cm chopping board, lol!) with the motors and wheels (which I think it's worth mentioning were ordered on the 22nd or so, and have yet to arrive! I'd be lying if I said I'm not a little frustrated. Oh well, so's life...) to make a little run-about testbed. Next stop is battery packs and charger. We plan to make 2x 15 cell (18v) NiCD packs from old drill batteries, and attack an old charger we have. Should be interesting, lol.

As for powering the axe, we're not even sure yet. We know an electric motor > chain and sprockets > should be reliable and proven. But, we've been thinking about elastic and springs... still thinking.

If we were to go for an electric motor system which I think is most likely, we're unsure about motors. I have 2x 200w 24v scooter motors which we WOULD use if they were 18v or less. They're not really good for us because of that. Has anyone ever used a car starter motor for an axe-like weapon? They're readily available, not stupid expensive, 12v, and they move cars. Surely they're ideal?! This brings me on to my next question...

A car starter motor would draw in the order of 100-130a at stall we reckon (about right?) and because of the nature of the weapon, it would more or less always be stalled. That means we need a speed controller that can handle in excess of 100a continuous. Our budget won't do that. How would a 30a Electronize fair with a MOTHER heatsink? Any ideas? If not, I uhm... don't... know!

I think that's about it. Tomorrow we're hoping these :x wheels will arrive. Plus we'll be out buying bolts and whatnot for construction. Tonight we'll order some 50a fuses, some deans and some heatshrink.

Sorry for the long post, we did very little yet somehow all that ^ came out. God help us when stuff actually starts moving.