From The Ground Up (Advice Thread)

**Moritz** · 3rd August 2010, 16:56

I think that joeychevron has a good point there...

I am building a spinner myself as my first robot, and it has turned out to
be EXTREMLY expensive......but it has also been very fun to build, so I
still dont regret the choice of bot.

My advice would be that if you really WANT to build a spinner, then you
SHOULD build a spinner. I think that the whole point of building a robot is
that itÂ´s a fun hobby, and I dont think it would be as rewarding to build a
kind of bot you donÂ´t like. But I am not that experienced in the sport, so
you should probably listen to the other builders instead of me....

**Roland** · 3rd August 2010, 17:18

Everyone has a valid point worth listening to!

Expense really isn't a problem, I have the patience of a tibetan monk. (Good comparison?)

Anyway, I'm definitely buying an angle grinder, I just used a hacksaw to build my workbench legs and it doesn't half ache.

**Roland** · 22nd September 2010, 16:33

Well, I have my workshop up and my work bench inserted.
Now all I need is a shopping list for equipment.
If any of you have a list of relevant equipment for building bots, please could you send me a link/picture?
Thank you very much!

**Chris230291** · 22nd September 2010, 18:22

Originally Posted by Roland

Sorry for more questions, and thanks for your answers so far!

What program should I use to design a 3d/2d design of my robot? I know it's early, but it's fun messing about with different looks. (My first will be box shaped anyway).

Thanks. ^_^

-Roland

If your still looking for some CAD software a highly recommend pro engineer.

**Roland** · 28th September 2010, 21:17

Being a total idiot, there's a list in one of the tutorials supplied in this thread. Sorry.
Anyhow, is machine mart a good place to buy equipment from? Is it true they have vat free evenings? I'm in East Sussex, where are the closest events to me?
Which event organiser did the one at the Brighton center a few years back?

Sorry I ask so many questions.

I had a look at cad software and to be honest I'm not going to bother until I get a better computer. This ones pretty old, so muh we'll see. Thanks anyway.

**Chris230291** · 29th September 2010, 09:37

Originally Posted by Roland

Being a total idiot, there's a list in one of the tutorials supplied in this thread. Sorry.
Anyhow, is machine mart a good place to buy equipment from? Is it true they have vat free evenings? I'm in East Sussex, where are the closest events to me?
Which event organiser did the one at the Brighton center a few years back?

Sorry I ask so many questions.

I had a look at cad software and to be honest I'm not going to bother until I get a better computer. This ones pretty old, so muh we'll see. Thanks anyway.

Machine mart aint bad price wise but everywhere has constantly got deals on so its a case of looking online to see whos doing what at the best price and then finding the closest store to you. or just buy online, sometimes you need to to get the reduced price.

as for cad software, you'll find that you'll need quite a powerful machine to run it. especially if you have loads of parts to your assembly. i have a separate machine with nothing on but my cad software. your best bet for a cheap powerful computer would be to build your own. if you haven't a clue where to start im sure there's a forum for it. although now days complete machines have come right down in price. aldi sell good machines occasionally if your not a badge snob.

**Roland** · 29th December 2010, 09:05

I've been reading the Riobotz tutorial posted a little way back in this thread, I've compiled a large amount of notes to look at while I'm designing, but I'm somewhat confused by the offensive/defensive wedge designs, could anyone explain it in a simpler way?
Thanks for the contributions so far, they've all been very helpful.

Edit: I forgot to ask, I couldn't find a list with sizes of parts, I was wondering if anyone knew of one I could use, since I don't currently have CAD, and I'm starting with pen and paper, is it worth buying the parts now before I design to work out sizes?

**daliad100** · 29th December 2010, 10:20

These are about wedges vs spinners: Defensive wedges are lower to stop you from being thrown/spun around allowing you to keep attacking the spinner. Offensive wedges are steeper to cause the spinner to launch itself with its own weapon energy.

**Roland** · 29th December 2010, 10:33

Originally Posted by daliad100

These are about wedges vs spinners: Defensive wedges are lower to stop you from being thrown/spun around allowing you to keep attacking the spinner. Offensive wedges are steeper to cause the spinner to launch itself with its own weapon energy.

Ooh choices choices!

Thanks for the answer.