Hi Michael, so much to say.

Firstly, check out http://www.robotwars101.org/phpBB/http://www.robotwars101.org/phpBB/
Youll find tons of advice there, you might also want to check out my advice on building an antweight in six easy steps at http://windisch.co.uk/robots/howto/build_a_robot.htmhttp://windisch.co.uk/robots/howto/build_a_robot.htm
(although the technology is a bit out of date now).
Look to spend about £150 for a decent robot plus specialist tools.

And finally, come along to a competition if you can. Reading Robot Club http://windisch.co.uk/robots/rrc/rrc13/index.htmhttp://windisch.co.uk/robots/rrc/rrc13/index.htm
is this Saturday and the next competition is near Hillingdon, West London on 17th November.

Simon