Team MAD Build diaries

[blazerbotics]

Cor it's took me ages to find this thread! Anyway a few quick updates;

The heavyweight I started last year (build above) will be finished off in the next few months, had to put it aside last year due to building Goliath. Plan is to get it finished and then probably will be selling it as it doesn't fit in my plans for this year, so if anybodies interested give me a shout.

Kronic: Has had a good year so far, having a few changes for the Euro Champs, moving to Lipo batteries as the current NiCads are very old and not up to it any more. The weight gain will go into some armour upgrades (the lids already got upgraded to 3.2mm Hardox at the end of last year). Also might try and squeeze an extra valve in there for abit more flip :P

Merlin: Is still going, and although not seen at the big shows, still does more fights than most in the UK at our demo events. A few maintenance things to do but overall it will stay the same.

Plans for the future is to probably build another heavyweight at the beginning of winter, based on our featherweight Ratchet. Also plan to get a new competitive feather done at some point.

Will start posting pics when I go back onto the heavyweight in a couple of weeks, a few finishing bits to do on Goliath before then...

[psychostorm]

Plans for the future is to probably build another heavyweight at the beginning of winter, based on our featherweight Ratchet.

One already exists it's called bigger brother.

[blazerbotics]

it will have a fair few differences, but bigger brother is the most agile robot I have ever driven, Ratchet is nearly as good even with Electronize in!

[blazerbotics]

Well, was going to give you an update but just read over my post from June, and everythings pretty much the same as then, busy with other stuff last year meant didn't get much dont on the robots themselves.

Kronic: Switched to Lipos for the Euros last year, which has gave me abit more weight to play with. Upgrades for this year include changing the gearing (was going to be done for Dublin, but RS decided to only send me one gear), and a few tweaks to the pneumatics.

Merlin: Will probably go Lipo at some point this year, Nicads are knocking on abit and they get alot of abuse. Other than that not much can be done to it, still runs reliably, just not competitive anymore (current chassis is 8years old).

UFO: Will probably get phased out this year, getting very old and becoming trouble to maintain. Maybe build a newer version at some point.

Goliath: Made his introduction last year, i purposely kept him quiet and out of the way for a lot of the fights until we're confident of the reliability, can't have him breaking down in the middle of the arena! Hoping to make a few upgrades this year, change the gearing abit, he's actually faster then most of you ever see him, don't really need the speed so will gear it down abit more for efficiency. Would like to do a few upgrades to the weapons as well.

Others: The heavyweight axle bot is still in the same state, hope to get it running after this run of events are out of the way, and then move onto building the big Ratchet. Plans are underway to build a new G3, got a better pneumatics system for it now, may be done for GSL 2015!

2013 was a busy year for us, so the robots themselves took a back foot, although this years looking to be even busier, so all what i've said above probably won't happen!

[Mouldy]

stop talking- start making something you mong

[blazerbotics]

Finally got the axle bot driving, after it being stuck under the bench for the last 2 years. Will probably run it without the wedge for first couple of events and see how it goes. Testing is with Merlins Wotty and a single (old) Nicad pack).

[blazerbotics]

Ran for the first time last week at Edinburgh, although as I'd forgot to support the back of the motors, they twisted and caused the 1st stage chains to come loose and jam up, easy fix. Video of it testing;

[daveimi]

Oh my god is that a heavy? That looks really frightening the speed of it etc.

[blazerbotics]

Yeah its a heavy. This one is about as basic as they come, its built mainly for our smaller shows to make a load of noise and be a bit of fun.

[daveimi]

I've been trying to build something like that. Only with about 8% of the success you've had.

[daveimi]

Sorry to be a pain again, I was reading through your thread and noticed Alpha in the back ground of one of the shots. I wondered if it would be possible to see any pictures you may have of the insides of it. I've seen it a lot of youtube and it looks indestructible.

In one of the other posts you also mentioned that the axle bot may be for sale at some point, wondered if that were still the case or whether you still planned to keep it.

[blazerbotics]

doubt I have any photos of Alphas build, was about 10years ago! Its Bosch 120 drive, 14.4v (was on NiCads now has a Lipo pack in). Vantec RDFR23 speedo. 3.2/4mm hardox on front, 3.2mm Ti sides and back.

Will probably keep hold of the new heavy, its ideal for our smaller shows where we need a simple, but noisey robot!

It's not worth buying 2nd hand robots, unless its for parts. Its always more trouble than its worth, (I've bought 3 heavies, each one has had to be rebuilt). If you haven't got the skills/equipment/money to build one, then theres no way you can maintain one.