I have received and accepted a quote for the aluminum top and bottom H3-R chassis panels. It will take a week to receive and approve the samples. The another two weeks to get the first run. I’m getting clear and black anodized. So barring all mishaps we will have them on the shelf in 3 to 4 weeks. I don’t know the final price yet. 
Holy crap… you don’t fool around! 
I hate to sound greedy, but are aluminum stylish C legs in the pipeline as well? You must have known this question was coming… 
This may be a possibility. I haven’t used this vendor before. If it goes well they have the right tools to do the curvy stuff. We’ll see.
Have them do a demo of the H2 Dragon in a nice anodized green.
[size=75](haven’t seen that one in a long time!)[/size]
Yea,i was just thinking the same thing,
what happend to the H2 dragon?
As far as I know, it was really just a “demonstration of capabilities” sort of thing, done back during the switch from Sintra-type PVC foam to polycarbonate as the primary chassis material.
Bummer 
I MISS THE H2-Dragon
Wow! you mean people actually watch what I do?.. 
Weird…
Tell me about it 
Heck, yeah!
Even if I can’t always get the toys that I want, I can always leave nose-prints on the store window, right?
Just an FYI the aluminum chassis will weight 20% more than the Lexan version.
Lexan panels = 9.0 oz.
Aluminum panels = 10.8 oz.
I can live with that. Aluminum C leg parts could actually end up being lighter since a single panel would be stiff/strong enough vs the current lexan dual panels. That could balance out the total weight of an all-aluminum CH3-R version. 8)
A 1" x 1" x .06" piece of aluminum is .096 oz.
A 1" x 1" x .12" piece of polycarbonate is .08 oz.
The leg is made from two pieces of .12" Lexan. I think the leg would be strong enough if it were made from a single piece of .12" aluminum or two .06" pieces of aluminum. But I don’t think one single piece of .06" aluminum would do the trick. So no matter what, I think the leg will weigh a wee bit more in aluminum. Still all in all it’s not a significant increase to the total weight. It probably doesn’t add up to 3 ounces total for the body and legs.
Thanks for the info Jim.
The weight difference is fine given that the result is a cooler, more attractive and sturdier hexapod. And no, I’m definitely not suggesting that the lexan is not sturdy or attractive.
I would vote for a single thick lower leg vs the 2-piece. That would look a little cleaner. But then again those cool red light might not work for a 1-piece… decisions, decisions. 
Whatever way you ultimately decide to go is ok, just let us know when the Add to Cart button is up. 
You can finally shut up the plastic haters.
Something people may be overlooking is that plastic is also non-conductive, does not hold sharp edges well, and is not much harder than the wire insulation. People may need to be a bit more careful about how they dress leads and mount their assorted PCBs and sensors on an Al chassis vs. plastic ones.
Good point.
Right, no one has ever built metal robots before… 
Hello Jim,
I was wondering if you got your prototype yet and how it is looking.
Thanks!
The samples are on the way. I will have them next week. I will post images here ASAP.