3481 Bronc Botz GOING "Battle Botz"

[thefro526]

Really loving this chassis, it looks a bit like ours but better.

How do you like the Colsons? Look like the hot wheel of 2012. (Even though teams in NE have been using them forever)

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by thefro526

Really loving this chassis, it looks a bit like ours but better.

How do you like the Colsons? Look like the hot wheel of 2012. (Even though teams in NE have been using them forever)

THANKS, Dustin!

The Colson's are great... a lot to set up though... we had to lathe a nylon insert that was also broached to hex... and then the slightly-larger insert had to be pressed into the wheel hole... AFTER this was done with an Arbor Press... we invested in a 20-ton Shop Press for such future endeavors as well as present ones!

Our default is to first use IFI/VEX Pro products as a solution, including wheels/riveted-tread... but, we determined the metal rims were just not right to get over the center-barrier. AND the friction coefficient of the Colson's is great... so, we are able to _push-back_ with authority in low-gear using 4 CIMS 6-wheel drive.

--Michael

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Michael Blake

The Colson's are great... a lot to set up though... we had to lathe a nylon insert that was also broached to hex... and then the slightly-larger insert had to be pressed into the wheel hole... AFTER this was done with an Arbor Press... we invested in a 20-ton Shop Press for such future endeavors as well as present ones!

Our Off-Season prototype used 4"x2" Colsons although we made our inserts from AL Rod and pressed them in... using a vice of all things. Seems like the big reason that many teams shy away from Colson wheels is the lack of an 'easy' way to make them work with normal FRC drivetrains. I hope they work well for you, that drivetrain looks like a mean one.

[remulasce]

Wow, you sure did a number on those SuperShifters. How do you deal with a drop center when reversed? Or is there none?

[ParkerF]

The gearboxes are actually standard AM shifters. No third stage like the super shifter. And the drive just looks cool upside down; there are no plans to use in in this manner, hehe.

And thanks for the compliment, Dustin. I'm really happy with how the drive came out.

-Parker

[Sb28000]

How did you guys attach the sprockets to the hubs/Colsons? i would assume some sort of stand-offs or spacers, but I can't really tell from the photos. Other than that though, it looks awesome. I love the powdercoating, it makes it look really sharp.

[jwfoss]

This robot is looking great, I really like the choice to go with Colsons (though I am biased). Nice work integrating the AM shifters into the plates. Looking forward to seeing more.

[ParkerF]

The sprockets are attached to AM .500" hex hubs which are just next to the wheels on the live axles. Spacing is kept with e-clip slots (no spacers to worry about, whew!).

-Parker

[Sb28000]

Originally Posted by francistexas

The sprockets are attached to AM .500" hex hubs which are just next to the wheels on the live axles. Spacing is kept with e-clip slots (no spacers to worry about, whew!).

-Parker

Ohhh, okay, makes sense. I was thinking that they were dead axles, so the sprockets would have needed to be attached to the hub and/or wheel, rather than just the shaft. Thanks for the details.

[MattC9]

Looks great! Are y'all going to Alamo? And who did yalls sheet metal?

[Michael Blake]

Originally Posted by MattC9

Looks great! Are y'all going to Alamo? And who did yalls sheet metal?

Matt, we're a San Antonio team... so, we'll be at the Alamo Regional where we won last year, our rookie year, with 16 Bomb Squad and 148 Robowranglers.

Next up is Dallas-East... and then, hopefully, St. Louis.

Our sheet metal and machine shop sponsor is www.m2global.com

THANKS for the compliment... looking forward to seeing 2158 at Alamo!

--Michael

[Brandon Holley]

Super slick chassis! Nice integration of the AM shifter into the sidepanels of the drive system. Super clean.

I'll echo the sentiments of my fellow Colson bretherend (Foss and I have built up quite a contingent), they are really solid wheels. Many people think they're a lot of extra work, but after using them for a longtime now, I think they're actually easier to integrate when looking at the whole picture. They are also very cheap which makes them even more enticing.

-Brando