Know of any Robotics Kits? - GEARS - VEX - MindStorm

[lilbuzjr]

The sets that i listed in the title are all robotics kits that i have used and am familiar with. However, I only own the Mindstorm.
The rest are far too expensive! (15 years old - no job)
Does anybody know of any great robotics kits similar to those i have listed?
I prefer GEARS and VEX. Something a little more permanent than legos. Erector set style.
I would like to get more into robotics but need somewhere to start.
I want to be able to incorporate using my Arduinos and skills with electronics as well.
If you know of any, please let me know where i can access them.
Thanks!

[blackbeard]

you can always get used to the very economical HCDGD (Highschool/College Dumpster and Garbage Day) kits which can provide anythin from computers to mechanical parts and raw materials. this has been my biggest source for parts but can lead to ALLOT of clutter. then there's alway the $50 robot tutorial which helps you use some pretty nifty part construction techniques. all in all i'd strongly recomend you learn how to create your own pieces rather then use kits since it can really save you a TON of money. if you find ways to use free materials then creating your own parts is even better since it means you don't lose anything when the time comes to rip it to bits for other projects

[lilbuzjr]

For now i kind of want real parts. I'm more focused on the programming of the machine and would like the build to be as least stressful as possible to start out.
I know what you mean though. Its always fun to make things from scratch. Thanks

[Soeren]

Hi,

Vex seems nice, if you have the money (although a bit weak in some parts, considering the price), but you know that allready.
Their gears are nice, but plastic (barring the first gear on the motor axle). Their wheels seems good.
You could use just their wheels and gears and what you'd save that way can buy an awful lot of plywood, bolts etc. and it's not hard to make a simple platform for testing programming.

Yesterday I started such a simple platform to test a few things - A bit of 6mm plywood scrap, about 8" square (from some stuff I'm installing in my GFs kitchen) and 2 "furniture rollers" (don't know what they're called) in the front and I'm doing the remaining wheel as time allows (it's the one I want to test out).
Plywood is fast and easy to handle, cuts and drills easily and is fairly strong for the weight - almost as easy as assembling Vex or Mechano, but you are more in control over the final outcome.