Re: pic: Wood Coast Drive
 

Don't limit yourself to plywood. Several years ago we made this:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/32054

The frame is red oak, uses standard joinery, weighs in at 7 pounds and has been abused by our team for all that time. It has run into walls, jumped curbs, and carried 200 pound students.

Wood is affordable, works with no special tools, is strong, resilient and smells good.

Spend some time examining it and look up some simple boat building techniques.

Re: pic: Wood Coast Drive
 

You should REALLY bring that to an offseason with the pictured attachment. Human player challenge: Beat that robot at throwing noodles.:p

Re: pic: Wood Coast Drive
 

Too bad your team did not attend the Lone Star Regional this year. An Anime convention was scheduled at the same time. Many of the Otaku were wielding giant cardboard and foam swords and shields, showing of their "fighting skills" in the park across the street where we were having lunch. You could have brought your robot for some target practice ;)

Re: pic: Wood Coast Drive
 

I have a few questions...

- What kind of spacing do you use for the tab/pocket joints?
- What are the cross-shaped cut-outs under each hole (anti-rotation slot for a nut)?
- What type and size fasteners are used?

Re: pic: Wood Coast Drive
 

-No standard spacing. We try to keep one at each end and a couple in the middle of long parts to keep them from bending. Usually about 6-12".
-Yes. See this.
-8-32x5/8" or 1 1/8" Torx screws, 8-32 square nuts from McMaster.