Here are some pictures of the robots for the Dragon Con Robot Battles 2006.

Rippy 1lb

Probulator 12lbs

Ugly Pancake 30lbs

I am having problems with Robot Marketplace again.They have a great selection of parts, but I have a few problems with orders.
Early in the year I ordered 2x Speed T-280 DC Motors for use on an ant weight weapon.
It seems these were not in stock and I kept getting promises they would be in soon. They never came.
After a couple months I finally just asked for a refund. To their credit they did not give me a problem with that and they were very nice and polite through the whole incident. The rest of my order was received on time.
Last week I ordered a new Spektrum DX6 Radio and an extra BR6000 receiver.Today I got the radio and 1 receiver. I was charged for the extra one, I just did not receive it.
I have called and left a message and also sent an e-mail to Robot Marketplace but I do not yet have a response.
This is very frustrating since I needed these items for the competition this weekend. I will be able to get by, but it is annoying.

(Update: 08/30/06)
Jim with Robot Marketplace got back to me this afternoon and refunded the price of the extra receiver to my credit card.It still annoys me that there was trouble, but I appreciate them giving me a refund without any hassle. I will continue to use them for parts, but I will try to leave myself more time to straighten out problems.

Robots 2006

The robot rush is going full swing. Just a few days to go until Robot Battles 2006 at DragonCon.
The builds are going well though, Beelzubot has been retired. It was just not a viable design. He will be scrapped for parts. Probulator, who took first place at DC 2005 is getting a major upgrade. New motors from Banebots will increase his speed an maneuverability. I blew a big chunk of change upgrading the battery system to Li-Poly. Wow these batteries are awesome!
Probulator’s chassis is also getting an upgrade. Replacing the plywood and HDPE that were used in the test design with 6061 aluminum and titanium. The "probe" is also getting a little bit of an upgrade.

This robot will be the first I have built singe buying a MIG welder and teaching myself to make ugly but strong welds in aluminum.
(Update: I can’t weld aluminum worth a damn, not until I get a spool gun at least. Too many feeding problems)

A 30 pounder will compete, but I don’t have a name yet. It is being thrown together with spare parts and will be interesting to say the least.

I am also bringing a one pound Ant-Weight to the microbattles. I think I will call him Rippy.

I will try to post some pictures of these later tonight or tomorrow.
View the rest of the story to see my schedule.

Future of Robotics 9/1/06 4:00:00 PM — University Room
Discuss possible directions that robotic sports may take.
1 Hour — Terry Talton, Simon Arthur, Jason Brown

CO2 Learn the nuances of pneumatics. 9/2/06 4:00:00 PM — University Room
1 Hour — Terry Talton, Jason Brown

Spinners Vs Wedges 9/3/06 2:30:00 PM — University
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages o spinners vs wedges.
1 Hour — Brian Nave, Terry Talton, Jason Brown

Also I will have robots in the Microbattles on Sunday 9/3/06 10:00:00 AM
And the main even on Monday 9/4/06 11:30:00 AM

I added some links from my old site today, I am trying to build up a nice collection here on the site and I have many more to add.

Please submit any links you think might be useful to the robotics community.

I recently purchased a new lathe and Milling machine. A 1987 Jet 1325PDB Belt Drive Lathe and a Rong Fu 30 milling Machine.

I am very happy! It will take me a while to get them cleaned up and start making chips.