The Picnickers - Build Diary(s)

[Fathersplat]

Hey there! I don't think that I've properly introduced myself! I'm Dan, and I've followed robotic combat for practically my whole life (1998-present), but sadly I've never been able to join in on the fun.
BUT
Recently events have aligned themselves in such a way that I have time, tools and expertise on hand to help build my own! Sadly, no money, but I have all the bits and bobs that are needed (I think) already, so I've started to live my dream of building and being able to drive my own robot! So many exclamation marks!
Some of you may have guessed already that I already have robots (22 Lego ones. So mature. :P) and so I'm going to apply mostly the same principles in the non-lego build as I do in the Legos, such as compactness but room to flex, and a way to easily get electronics in and out.

Here's the 'bot so far (ignore the sideways drill motors, the mounting holes haven't been cut yet):
Snapchat-20140411103817.jpg
The parts I have:
2x Drill motors (locked with grub screws)
2x Drill batteries (which will be used for cheapness)
1x Sabertooth 2x25a speed control
2x Robochallenge 100mm wheels
1x Spektrum DX3
£15.00 (membership for three)
Do I need to add anything else on to that list?

Sorry for the word wall, i couldn't really help it. Still, if any of you got down here without casualty, thanks for the time!
EDIT: On second thought this isn't actually too long... Still wordy though.

[daveimi]

Congrats on first robot! Erm...removable link and LED?

[Fathersplat]

On the link, few questions:
Does it have to be a certain type? And how accessible does it need to be?
I've bodged a link with dad, would this be okay?
Snapchat-20140412031045.jpgSnapchat-20140412031109.jpg

[maddox10]

Is it removable without tools?

Will it stay seated even under heavy impacts?

How big is it?

[Fathersplat]

Yes, it is removable without tools. The other side will be either screwed or taped down.
Here's it compared to a drill motor and a wheel:
Snapchat-20140412032505.jpg
The pics are really hard to take, as I only have a front facing camera on my tablet. :l

[maddox10]

Large. And large equals space robbing in the robot. And that adds up in weight. And weight means a lot of forces under the huge G-loads our machines sustain.

Why not using a classic, like an EC3, XT60 or Deans connector? Small, light, easy and cheap.

[Fathersplat]

The machine only weighs 4kg as it stands, and the only thing still to make is the stainless wedge :P.
I'll look at some, and see how they are. Thanks.

[maddox10]

4 Kg, you're aiming for a Raptor, a popular German class?

[Fathersplat]

Nope, this is supposed to be a feather. It just turned out lighter than I thought it would. Is there a minimum weight for a feather that I'm unaware about?

[maddox10]

2. Weight Classes
2.1 Weight Classification
• Antweight: 0 to 150 grams
• Beetleweight: 150 grams to 1.362kgs [3lbs]
• Featherweight: 1kg to 13.6kgs [30lbs]
• Lightweight: 12kgs to 27.5kgs [60lbs]
• Middleweight: 27.5kgs to 55kgs [120lbs]
• Heavyweight: 55kgs to 100kgs [220lbs]
• Super Heavyweight: 100kgs to 145kgs [320Ibs]