[Robots_R_Us]

Originally Posted by Noggin

Personally, I'd get all I could. I'm using 2 starter kits, 2 hardware kits, extra metal from vexlabs, about 14 motors and 12 servos, 2 wheel kits, 1 encoder kit, 1 ultrasound kit (wish I had a few more) and several sprocket and gear sets. I have one bot that stays in working order, and use the rest of the parts to prototype other bots. I typically have 2-3 bots on the workbench at any given time, and the extra parts/motors make it easy to do so.

Of course, if your only looking for 1 good bot, then I'd say at least 6 motors on hand and 4 servos. You can build most any armature with a combination of those, and have spares just in case (I've toasted a servo already). I'd also get a few ultrasounds if you can find them, but the encoders are kinda useless because they don't record direction and they are bulky. You can code around the direction issue somewhat, but it still isn't optimal. The extra hardware and wheels are pretty handy too.

Hope this helps.

I too have thought that "just buy it all" was the solution but I am trying to stay within reasonable quantities even with the favorable Radio Shack pricing. Considering that the supplies are shrinking quickly, it would seem to about time to finish buying extras and so I am asking what is reasonable to keep on hand.

Any suggestions from anyone else?

Thanks

SRU