Chassis material

Community General Discussions
1

Hi builders

I just brought the Tamiya Dual Motor Gearbox with a pair of wheels. While waiting on the set to arrive, I wondered from what i should build the chassis of. My first throught was LEGO? I really just want to hear your thoughts and what how you build your chassis! :-)

 

Thanks! 

2

chassis material

For “from scratch” chassis for small bots I tend to use styrene (expanded pvc) in 1/4" or 1/8" sheets.

3

Polystyrene (high impact

Polystyrene (high impact polystyrene) is my preferred material. I use it in almost all my custom parts (https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/mdi-3).

4

Polystyrene…

This Polystyrene that folks are talking about, is most commonly found as the stuff that model train people use. --Its great stuff, found at your local hobby/train shop.

5

You can build your bot from a number of materials.

All you really need is something that is stable. I have seen a few bots made with cardboard boxes, CDs, foamboard (a paper/foam/paper sandwich of sorts), plastic containers. I have yet to see a robot made of simple paper. Only because no one has decided to take the time to glue enough sheets together to make the paper stable enough to work as a base. You could even go to the Goodwill/second hand shop and find a kids toy that could be modified, if you were so inclined. A modified kids toy would allow you to avoid the gearbox all together.

6

found materials are free.

plastic lids, boxes, old toys, etc.  

but there are a ton of materials out there too for all budgets.

machine screws from the hardware store plus a drill or drill press and you can use just about anything.  

a lot of folks also just use hotglue to hold stuff together too.

7

material

im using for my bots plexi glass 3mm thin