Re: pool noodles
 

Thanks for all the helpful input. I did find them at Amazon for over $10 each.

I think we (rookie team #5502, The Cobrots, Jonesville, MI) will import some in bulk. We'll have them available in a couple weeks.

No holes 6.5cm. $30 for 20'. Proceeds go to the team.

We will have them at the Grand Rapids kick-off (save on shipping).

Please spread the word to rookie teams in need. Our robot "needs a new pair of shoes".

Thanks

Phil McDowell, coach
#5502, The Cobrots

Re: pool noodles
 

we put out a email request at our school we get lots of them

Re: pool noodles
 

Sorry, that should have been $20 for 20'.

Re: pool noodles
 

So if you had one solid and one non-solid pool noodle in your bumper, would that be allowed? (solid meaning solid foam)

Re: pool noodles
 

Based on last year's rules and being a LRI and RI last season I'd let it pass. There was nothing in the rules that stated that all the pool noodles had to be the same.

Re: pool noodles
 

I found a couple boxes of them in the gardening department of Lowe's

Re: pool noodles
 

Under 2014 rules yes, there is nothing to prevent that. A good inspector still might ask you for an explanation or perhaps to see a sample of the materials you use.

Re: pool noodles
 

We always bought our noodles from National Discount Pool Supplies. Great product, close to 2 5/8'' in dia. with a 3/4'' hole, high density. Last year we bought a few from AndyMark, didn't use them, they were 2 3/8'' with 1'' hole.

Re: pool noodles
 

My guy just got back with me and they are 7cm not 6.5. The rules are quite explicit that 2.5" noodles are to be used.

Can 7cm noodles without a hole be used? It sounds like solid is good but is bigger better? Is bigger legal?

Did I mention that the team and I are rookies? oh, much to learn.

thanks

Re: pool noodles
 

Re: pool noodles
 

thanks

Re: pool noodles
 

Notice that the rule and the Q&A both mention "Pool Noodles" though (in quotes), solid or hollow and approximately 2-1/2" Round Petal or Hex. That other link to the McMaster site does not market that round polyethelene as "Pool Noodles." (So are they really "Pool Noodles?")

Why try to 'lawyer' the rules on (of all things), an easily secured material such as "pool noodles?"

And, someone even thinking or posting something like what I saw earlier "They don't open your bumpers during inspection, so don't worry about any violation of a rule"...(It wasn't a direct quote, but could easily be taken that way)...is quite disheartening IMHO, to say the very least. (When the cover rips open in the final rounds of eliminations, District, Regional, or Championships, you are not the only ones directly involved, that may be affected by your teams possible disqualification, and your face might be mighty red! And for what stinking real purpose?)

Inspectors would easily find those "solid steel bars hidden inside as LCOG weight" (or other material), w/ a simple finger / thumb compression squish! Or, hear the "thunk" later, on the field of play."

Please teams, Just Follow the simple rule (choose Solid or Hollow, approx. 2-1/2", a very easily obtained material, and everywhere avail. marketed to be sold as, "Pool Noodles") to simply make your bumpers from.

Go to Walmart.com at the link below (or your local Walmart store, they probably have a few cases right now, stored in the back this time of year and not out on the shelves, if you are in the US snow zone or elsewhere in the cold regions, and may make you a really good deal in the offseason, or better yet (he or she, has a donation budget for good worthwhile community causes, BTW)....Find & tell the Walmart or other store mgr., what you are doing with them exactly (provide them details here), as he / she, may just surprise you quite highly & even donate them to your team, if you request it, to help your school Robotics team out a little financially). Always work this angle...And Get Them "Directly Involved."

http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=Pool%20Noodles

For heavens sake, stay away from the 4" square solid blue ones or the other funky shapes listed at the link above:D ....Buy the 2.5" round or hex, solid or hollow ones like the rule simply says.

Bumpers Away! 28 days and counting.

Re: pool noodles
 

I couldn't find any McMaster link in the previous posts but the foambymail.com link DOES say their product can be used as pool noodles explicitly. I'd be willing to spend $50 on a significant tactical advantage like that if its within the budget. How is that lawyering? Backfilling a noodle with anything, including more foam or a steel rod, is obviously against the letter and spirit of the rules, and no team should ever consider doing that, but getting higher quality materials isn't a problem.

Re: pool noodles
 

The rule says "pool noodles" (and again in other spots without the quotes). You're getting a tactical advantage by buying something that isn't pool noodles but can be used as pool noodles.


Emphasis on "tactical advantage".


If y'all don't mind me sayin', them words should not come into play with respect to a closely-defined bumper construction element. Cloth, sure, because the requirement is that the cloth be rugged and smooth, but no other requirements are placed. But when the term is "pool noodles", then you should be using pool noodles. Not ordering stuff that gives some tactical advantage over pool noodles.

You know WHY bumpers are standardized these days? Back in the bad ol' days, before the standard bumpers were introduced, teams could build bumpers and put them on their robot, provided that they fit in size and weight, and you wouldn't hurt your hand by punching them. Some teams are rumored to have built a system into those bumpers that would transfer their opponents' weight to THEM, by lifting. The next year or so, the standard bumpers came out and had a prescribed construction.

Re: pool noodles
 

If some "rugged and smooth cloth" can have a tactical advantage over other "rugged and smooth cloth," then why can't some "pool noodles" have an advantage over other "pool noodles"?