first ant build diary!!!

[botomatic1000]

I can't I wish I could but I can't I'm too stupid sorry.

[AntRoboteer]

I got all of the components for my first robot in 2012 but only saw competition early-mid 2014 because I just found I lost interest early on because I just could not get a driving platform going. However, when I actually got one going (late 2013) it was an awesome feeling. That was only a slow servo driven thing (the original GiANT) but I was proud and happy nevertheless, so much so that I bought the components for a second, more complex one (AntWithTopHat). My first event went really well in the grand scheme of things. I lost every fight but I did have a great time driving about and meeting people which set the foundations for my current robots (often still got 3/4 losing both their first fights and going out immediately!).

I must admit that things would have been easier with a kit. Will's Shockbots kits look awesome to me and tend to beat me all too often in competition. The trick is to get something going. Once you've got that, your enthusiasm will carry you from there.

The real trick to winning fights is not so much an effective robot (although that does help!) but just good driving. Get a robot working, drive it about for a while, get some practise and I'm sure you'll do much better than you think.

I hope you can find the courage to give it a go; good luck!

[botomatic1000]

I'm really starting to regain my confidence I may give a shockbot a shot but I don't know which one to pick

[AntRoboteer]

I think the flipper one is pretty awesome. Flippers are often just more fun than grabbers and can be more effective at first whereas a grabber will require quite a bit of driving skill upfront in my experience.

[botomatic1000]

I dunno I'm really worried about getting under nothing at all. I wouldn't know where the best place for acetate is.

[AntRoboteer]

Stick acetate directly to the front of the flipper. A bit of double sided tape/foam will do just fine. If you are worried about getting underneath the opponent at the front, drive round the side and get them there, ideally underneath the wheels.

[botomatic1000]

Ok is glueing it possible to.

[AntRoboteer]

Of course!

[botomatic1000]

How much in cm or mm do you recommend it to stick out from the flipper

[Shakey]

I wouldn't recommend gluing it as you want to be able to replace it, and between 0.5-1cm is good enough,