[M. Mellott]

Never try to wire a robot at 3am unless absolutely necessary - Jags don't like to be wired incorrectly.

Never use pneumatic tires on your drivetrain when you need to accurately place a game piece - This one used to be "never use pneumatic tires period" after our 2005 robot (it was like riding on big springs--bounced like crazy), but 1114 showed me last year there really was a use for them on a drivetrain--driving a 140-lb. robot quickly over 12-in. bumps and surviving.

Never use tank treads for high-speed drive applications--climbing and pushing only - Don't get me wrong, they worked great for our 2008 robot, but the continuous high speeds were causing the inner treads to get stress crack (despite steel reinforcement), and those things are expensive.

Never use a high-complex drivetrain (or any system, for that matter) when a much simpler method will do - Despite the coolness factor, our 2010 robot showed us that articulating drivetrains just weren't necessary.

Never forget the six degrees of freedom - Pieces tend to shear or break spectacularly when you do.