Re: Minibot material madness
 

Gears are not punched or perforated - they are generally hobbed. So the rule doesn't appear to apply to them. It seems the rule only applies to punched and perforated parts... read that as you will.

Re: Minibot material madness
 

If gears are hobbed they have been pre-machined, implying that the aluminum they're made of is no longer in it's "raw" form. It would be a bit of a risk to not Q&A it, though as the rules stand right now I could see it argued either way.

It's like trying to argue that "pinion wire" is sometimes sold as "pinion rod", then linking the association of the material of the pinion rod to its legality in the rules. Nothing explicitly bans it, yet only a small vague area in <R92-H> allows it (or not, depending on how it's interpreted).

Re: Minibot material madness
 

Exactly the point- aluminum rod is allowed. I know for a fact I can take AL rod to gear manufacturer and have him make me a hobbed aluminum gear. That being said then should I pay $500 for said gear when I can buy one for 5 dollars at a hobby store?

Same with AL pulley stock I can make it or I can make it from pre machined AL pulley stock... as well as the flanges,....other than saving dollars its not making the kids any smarter to pay more for something custom made when they can buy it off the shelf... what am I missing??