Da Mekboyz

[Phoenyx]

You would end up spending over 400 dollars what could be done better for 250.

Would it be worth it if I got the version without electronics?

[R1885]

You would end up spending over 400 dollars what could be done better for 250.

Would it be worth it if I got the version without electronics?

Still no.
Those motors are slow, and kinda cost a bit. Even the one with the lowest gearing only produces about 200 rpm, and cost 21.95 US  dollars each. For the same price, four Harbor Freight 900 RPM drills will give you a tried and true drive motor, and a decent battery and charger. I'll leave other costs to other members because I went crabbing yesterday and my hands hurt.

[Phoenyx]

You would end up spending over 400 dollars what could be done better for 250.

Would it be worth it if I got the version without electronics?

Still no.
Those motors are slow, and kinda cost a bit. Even the one with the lowest gearing only produces about 200 rpm, and cost 21.95 US  dollars each. For the same price, four Harbor Freight 900 RPM drills will give you a tried and true drive motor, and a decent battery and charger. I'll leave other costs to other members because I went crabbing yesterday and my hands hurt.

Well, I do already have a handful of Titan 550s from Traxxas, as well as multiple hard-case Li-Po batteries of various capacities and C ratings. I'm sure I could put those to use unless the chassis is too small.

[Phoenyx]

Well I for one completely support the idea of getting an Etek. I always think it's better to get the better parts than to buy cheap ones and then later decide that you need to upgrade. Just make sure you mount it securely with a lot of protection as you wouldn't want it getting damaged.

However, those kits do not look suited to robot combat at all. You'd end up needing to build a completely new robot. On the most part, kits are not the best choices, as they tend to be made to be cheap and to introduce new roboteers than to be competitive.

Alright, although until I can get the money for that E-Tek Mars and a brushless controller that can handle the current load I'm going to be running Battlewagon as a Wedge/Ram

By the way, I finally got some armour. Aluminum Tread Plate. I know the stuff can't stand up to a spinner (Hypnodisc could slice through it in Series 2), but again I'm not Team Whyachi so I will have to make do with what I can get for the time being.

[Enigm@]

Well I for one completely support the idea of getting an Etek. I always think it's better to get the better parts than to buy cheap ones and then later decide that you need to upgrade. Just make sure you mount it securely with a lot of protection as you wouldn't want it getting damaged.

However, those kits do not look suited to robot combat at all. You'd end up needing to build a completely new robot. On the most part, kits are not the best choices, as they tend to be made to be cheap and to introduce new roboteers than to be competitive.

Alright, although until I can get the money for that E-Tek Mars and a brushless controller that can handle the current load I'm going to be running Battlewagon as a Wedge/Ram

By the way, I finally got some armour. Aluminum Tread Plate. I know the stuff can't stand up to a spinner (Hypnodisc could slice through it in Series 2), but again I'm not Team Whyachi so I will have to make do with what I can get for the time being.

and yet you can afford a friggin etek

[R1885]

Online Metals is your friend, they have a huge selection of metal and plastic. You want to use 3/16 inch thick 4130 alloy steel, or Chrommoly as it's known more commonly as. That should get you something WAY better than that cheap ass aluminum flashing.


PS: Hypnodisc started in the third wars, and ran a Lynch motor.

[SKBT]

Hypnodisc started in the third wars, and ran a Lynch motor.

and the lynch is a pretty badass motor....

I know the stuff can't stand up to a spinner (Hypnodisc could slice through it in Series 2), but again I'm not Team Whyachi so I will have to make do with what I can get for the time being.

Dude that is a terrible build philosophy. A thrown together from scrap robot will preform like a thrown together from scrap robot...

I think it would be better for you to forgo your ego and stop building a 220 until you get more experience. Realistically you've never been to a competition, you don't have any money to build it correctly and assuming you are planing to take it to combots and robogames you have no money to ship it there. (It will cost you about three grand to ship everything: tools, robot, spare parts there and back.)

You seriously need to attend a competition before you go out and build a robot. Youtube videos don't do the destruction and forces involved justice. Its also a chance to talk to builders and see their bots and how they are built. I've never seen a good robot from a rookie whose never been to a competition and I've been competing for a few years now.

Instead of building a 220 maybe you should consider building a 30 and attending an event with it before you invest a crap ton of money in a 220. Also it doesn't hurt that there are more events for 30s on the east coast.

[Jamin]

I agree with SKBT, you should probably just put Battlewagon on Hiatus and work on making a 12 pounder or a 30 pounder like I am. It's a lot less complex (and usually cheaper) than building the bigger stuff but its still large enough for the satisfaction of making something...well, big....and "I'm not Team Whyachi" is an attitude that will get you no where.

[Badnik96]

I agree with SKBT, you should probably just put Battlewagon on Hiatus and work on making a 12 pounder or a 30 pounder like I am. It's a lot less complex (and usually cheaper) than building the bigger stuff but its still large enough for the satisfaction of making something...well, big....and "I'm not Team Whyachi" is an attitude that will get you no where.

Yeah, that's why I'm starting with an AW instead of something bigger.

[Phoenyx]

and yet you can afford a friggin etek

Except I can't.

Hypnodisc started in the third wars, and ran a Lynch motor.

and the lynch is a pretty badass motor....

I know the stuff can't stand up to a spinner (Hypnodisc could slice through it in Series 2), but again I'm not Team Whyachi so I will have to make do with what I can get for the time being.

Dude that is a terrible build philosophy. A thrown together from scrap robot will preform like a thrown together from scrap robot...

I think it would be better for you to forgo your ego and stop building a 220 until you get more experience. Realistically you've never been to a competition, you don't have any money to build it correctly and assuming you are planing to take it to combots and robogames you have no money to ship it there. (It will cost you about three grand to ship everything: tools, robot, spare parts there and back.)

You seriously need to attend a competition before you go out and build a robot. Youtube videos don't do the destruction and forces involved justice. Its also a chance to talk to builders and see their bots and how they are built. I've never seen a good robot from a rookie whose never been to a competition and I've been competing for a few years now.

Instead of building a 220 maybe you should consider building a 30 and attending an event with it before you invest a crap ton of money in a 220. Also it doesn't hurt that there are more events for 30s on the east coast.

Have any of you who are actually commenting here even built a heavyweight before, or are you just trying to force me out because I'm not building the next Sewer Snake or Original Sin? I'm not building to destroy everyone in 30 Seconds or anything, I'm building this because I enjoy the challenge and just want to have fun.

As for building a smaller robot, you guys have been shooting down every single one of my ideas so far. So let me ask this... Does every single robot that you see have to be the best, most destructive thing you've ever seen? I'm happy that I got the !@#$ thing to move at a decent speed to begin with using the tools I have on hand. This isn't RA2, and I don't have an unlimited budget. If I did I wouldn't be building the thing out of a wheelchair do begin with.

[Mr. AS]

what were trying to get across to you is that you somehow can afford an etek, but you cant get a better frame (atleast reinforce it if you cant buy a new frame); why not downgrade the motor for a sturdier frame ? because once you fire up that etek against ANY opponent with that weak-*** wheelchair frame thing weather it be against sewer snake or sftw irl, your bot is gonna tear itself apart from the force of the motor and kill itself (but if flopping around and failing is your idea of fun go ahead), in short: WHEELCHAIRS ARE NOT MADE TO HANDLE AN ETEK, and you dont have to build sh** in order to have challenge in your building; im pretty sure building a GOOD bot is more of a challenge than "hurr etek 2 whelchur xd"

seriously why are you roboteer again


edited so that a higher-up doesn't notice - Phoenyx


edit: lmao ass and sh** are allowed

[Phoenyx]

what were trying to get across to you is that you somehow can afford an etek

Except I can't. I'm considering one but I would have to save up. My budget for this project (not my idea to set it this low) is just a bit over $1,500, and the fact that I got the thing moving (and at around 15 MPH at that) for half that cost is a miracle.

As for what I would build if my extremely low budget was not an issue:



I know it's a lot like Sewer Snake, but because of that it's a proven design, and I decided to toss a little Storm 2 into the mix with the low ground clearance. If only I had $10,000 or so to spend on a project...

Meh, I'm going collage by this winter, so maybe my friends among the UNCA professors could help me with the project. Until then, it's wheelchair scrap-bot Battlewagon getting brutally murdered by Last Rites (if it makes it that far). Plus, I've learned more about electrical engineering from what I've already built than I have from 6 years of racing RC cars (at a national level, I might add), not to mention I finally learned to solder properly.

[martymidget]

As for building a smaller robot, you guys have been shooting down every single one of my ideas so far. So let me ask this... Does every single robot that you see have to be the best, most destructive thing you've ever seen? I'm happy that I got the !@#$ thing to move at a decent speed to begin with using the tools I have on hand. This isn't RA2, and I don't have an unlimited budget. If I did I wouldn't be building the thing out of a wheelchair do begin with.

Surely building a HW straight off with no prior experience is like diving in the middle of the ocean with no prior experience of swimming?

These guys have experience with building, and they're actively trying to save you time and money. Listen to them, man....

[SKBT]

Have any of you who are actually commenting here even built a heavyweight before.

I've never built a 220 but I've built two 30's a 12 and a 3. I have two 2nd place finishes, three 3rd place finishes and I've only done worse than 3rd place once. I currently have the ranked #2 30s in the US.  I've worked on 3 other robots and been on a FIRST team for the past three years. I used to work for a company that rented out combat robots for birthday parties. I'd like to think I have a little experience with robots.

As for building a smaller robot, you guys have been shooting down every single one of my ideas so far. So let me ask this... Does every single robot that you see have to be the best, most destructive thing you've ever seen? I'm happy that I got the !@#$ thing to move at a decent speed to begin with using the tools I have on hand. This isn't RA2, and I don't have an unlimited budget. If I did I wouldn't be building the thing out of a wheelchair do begin with.

No, it doesn't have to be the best thing ever. But what I'm trying to tell you is that you could do so much more for less money if you build in a lighter weightclass.

[haz]

if you are gonna build a heavy, by all means do it, but be bloody sensible about it.

[Phoenyx]

I'm surprised how everyone ignored my last post and decided to reply to the one before it...

[Jamin]

I know it's a lot like Sewer Snake

So because it has wedges....it looks like Sewer Snake?


lol seriously who gave you the roboteer title

[Mr. AS]

what were trying to get across to you is that you somehow can afford an etek

Except I can't. I'm considering one but I would have to save up. My budget for this project (not my idea to set it this low) is just a bit over $1,500, and the fact that I got the thing moving (and at around 15 MPH at that) for half that cost is a miracle.

well, condsidering you havnt bought it yet let me make a suggestion- dont buy an etek, seriously you need $$$ for armor too you know

[R1885]

This is the Great Pumpkin, built by the same team that made Last Rites. Take it as an example, all it consists of is pretty much what you have, a pair of wheel chair motors, a solid construction, and filled with high quality parts. No active weapon, no exotic materials, I doesn't even have wheel guards. The only thing of note about it is the fact that it runs off of A123 batteries.
Here's my last bit of advise, if you are still going to build a heavy, use whatever is left of your budget to invest in armor and batteries, especially the last one. A good set of NiCads, or even better, A123 batteries, will give your bot the amps it needs. I'm not sure if your running your bot on 24 volts or 36, or even 12, but I strongly urge you to invest on good quality batteries. They will last you several builds if properly maintained, saving you money in the long run. Use a quality charger, like the AstroFlight 112 Deluxe(Or the AstroFlight 123, you'll need a balancer though!) and a good power supply like this one, and again, they will last you a long time if properly cared for.
That's my two bits. You've already gone farther than most members here, and I really hope that you can make it to ComBots this year.

[Phoenyx]

I know it's a lot like Sewer Snake

So because it has wedges....it looks like Sewer Snake?


lol seriously who gave you the roboteer title

It's because it's a double-flipper, like Sewer Snake. The front lifter moves opponents onto the front-hinged flipper/Srimech on top. If anything, it's a lot like Sewer Snake combined with Panic Attack.

As for "Who gave me the roboteer title", it's easier to get it than you'd think. You just take a picture of your robot(s), either complete or WIP, and post an application in the Real Robot Builders thread. I'm surprised so many members who have their own robots haven't already done so.

This is the Great Pumpkin, built by the same team that made Last Rites. Take it as an example, all it consists of is pretty much what you have, a pair of wheel chair motors, a solid construction, and filled with high quality parts. No active weapon, no exotic materials, I doesn't even have wheel guards. The only thing of note about it is the fact that it runs off of A123 batteries.
Here's my last bit of advise, if you are still going to build a heavy, use whatever is left of your budget to invest in armor and batteries, especially the last one. A good set of NiCads, or even better, A123 batteries, will give your bot the amps it needs. I'm not sure if your running your bot on 24 volts or 36, or even 12, but I strongly urge you to invest on good quality batteries. They will last you several builds if properly maintained, saving you money in the long run. Use a quality charger, like the AstroFlight 112 Deluxe(Or the AstroFlight 123, you'll need a balancer though!) and a good power supply like this one, and again, they will last you a long time if properly cared for.
That's my two bits. You've already gone farther than most members here, and I really hope that you can make it to ComBots this year.

I'm not too thrilled on Ni-Cads (out-of-date in my opinion) or A123 cells (Lower voltage per cell means more cells thus more weight and more greenbacks), but I may go with four of these. I've had tons of experience with Li-Po batteries and already have probably one of the highest-end chargers on the market. As for the power supply, that's exactly what I have already.

Armour-wise, I'll have to settle for what I've already got until I can save up, but hopefully I'll have the money to get some actual armour instead of the aluminum treadplate I bought at Lowes before Combots. For now, though, I at least have something to protect the frame while just messing around and practicing.

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll be looking forward to ComBots.