[BJC]

Some great things we always use:

- echo the Dark Soul chain tensioner: We have 2 or 3. We always use seemless chain and hardly ever lose chains. (Not one all last season.)

-Surgical tubing: Used for counterforce, passively springing something, and battery straps(<-this works really well) among other things. We always have this on our robot usually serving multible functions.

-Polyurthane belting: this is the choice material for convayer belts such as 2009. However, it is also great for powering rollers in other applications and can act as a mechanical clutch if desired. In 2011 this powered our claw as well as provided the grippy surface for the tubes. It also allows for figure 8 belts which can make it better then chain in some applications. We also always have some of this on our robot every year.

-lexan: This has a variety of uses not the least of which is an electronics cover. We always use this for decorative body panels however, do to its flexable nature it is also VERY durable in the 1/8 - 1/4 size range. We also used 1/8 as the entire bottom half of our claw in 2011 and It never broke once. It is also quite light which makes it a pretty great building material in the correct applications. We definatly use this every year on the robot.

-velcro: its great for things that are often taken on and off the robot. We use it especially for bodypanels.

-Zipties: Especially the high strength ones. In 2008 we held togeather our elevator with zipties for the remainder of competion after it was sheared off by the overpass in elims.

-1"x1"x1/16" L brackets: You can't buy them, however its great to have a bunch pre-made. Every year we usually have a couple of these on the robot. They are also great for prototyping. The first thing freshmen make in the shop is always these, and they always seem to get used up.

Good Luck, Bryan