I agree with Rob on this one. It is very hard to build a Featherweight from scratch (and when I say scratch, all you pedantic farts, I mean NO background in Roboteering or RC and very few engineering skills.) for under £100. Robot combat is a very steep learning curve unto itself. Even the likes of Teams Storm and Kat, to name just 2 of the many FRA/RW veterans, still haven€™t reached the pinnacle (Though you would thought they€™re all reasonably close). I took to doing a very rough pricing for a WSW ram-bot (With out borrowing, sponsorship or stealing.). Here are my results:

£60- 3 Channel 40 MHz Fm Radio
£40 - Speedos*2
£6 - WSW motors*2
£10 - 12v Battery
£10 - Steel (legs and sheet)
£15 - Polycarbonate

£141 - Total

Almost £150. Never mind the tools. What about the people who don€™t have access to half decent tools? The only tools in the house toolbox downstairs at my house are

Half a dozen spanners
Half a dozen assorted screwdrivers
Couple of fuses
A pair of pliers
And a measuring tape.

Not exactly robot building tools, and unlike Rob€™s students some people may not be able to guarantee access basic workshop tools. This would mean buying them. More money spent again.

So don€™t just go round saying €œIt€™s easy to build a competitive featherweight without expense€. Sit there and think how well off you are first. True, you probably earned it, but that don€™t change the last sentence.

However I am quite thankful for this forum, as it provides everyone with an equal access to technical information and help, FRA member or not.