Arena Building: Cheap Materials

[riley_ag]

On the kickoff broadcast, they mentioned a list of cheap materials to possibly use on the arena. I am not finding that anyway, has anyone found this information?

[Matt Reiland]

It was my understanding at the Nov Kickoff that Woody was showing how the components of the field were in common sizes such as 4x8 for plywood on the ramps, you didn't need to add the polycarb ramp sides (or not use clear plastic maybe cheaper thin plywood) and the top platform could be plywood with a thin Laminate of the white plastic instead of the 1/2" thick piece used in their field.

After talking with the Killer BEEs who bought the field from Novi kickoff the cost of the parts to do it as shown is close to $3500.

I would strongly recommend that each team buy at least one 4x8 sheet of the mesh for a section of ramp to know what traction will be needed to traverse it.

[Andy Baker]

A field was built in Kokomo also. After kickoff, I got the bill for the materials, and it was around $2,200.

The framework was built from 2"x6" boards. The top platform is made of HDPE. I strongly recommend that each team get a sample of HDPE plastic, since some types of rubber are slick on it and other types of rubber are not.

The sides of the field are supposed to be polycarbonate (1/2" thick). This material is not as important... it is just meant to be rigid and see thru. This polycarbonate costs about $1,200, so substituting it would save a good deal of money.

The wire mesh is also something that teams need to practice on. Sure, we all got a sample in the kit, but teams should buy large sections of this in order to test out driving on the stuff... this stuff is kinda slick also.

I suggest that teams build the entire ramp as specified, with a wooden frame, but without see-thru sides... then if you want to put a small piece of polycarbonate on the inside wall of the upper platform, then that would be a realistic ramp to practice on. This type of ramp would probably cost around $1-1,200.

Andy B.

[Rich Wong]

FYI:
NYC Remote Kickoff (cheapest!) BOM of Ramp Structure:
$230 for 2 ramps and 1 platform.

Everything is from Home Depot minus the 2 wire mesh floor.

-----------------------------
A single ramp
5 2x6x8 ft.
1 2x6x4 ft.
1 2x4x4 ft.
-----------------------------
Single Ramp side panels
2 2x4x1/4 plywood
1 1x6x8 ft. (side rail)
-----------------------------
A single platform Section
5 2x6x 5'9" (use end pieces for legs)
2 2x6x 4 ft.
4 2x6x 1'11.5" (see item 1)
2 2x4x 3'10.5"
2 1x4x 5'9"
-----------------------------
Platform floor
3 2x4x1/4 plywood
-----------------------------
Platform side panel
1 2x4x1/4 plywood
-----------------------------
2 4x8 wire mesh ($50 each)

[Rich Wong]

FYI for North-East teams-

Source for Steel Mesh:

NcNichols Company
1-800-237-3820

Ask for Tom
Location: 2 Home News Road,
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Cost for two sheets of sheet mesh: $107

You save $70 shipping if you pickup!