Some Questions from a rookie team.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by ming08108

Hello I have recently started a new team in in Chapel Hill, NC at East Chapel Hill HS. We have gotten the NASA grant and have the registration fee . I have some questions regarding the completion.

I will update this list as answers have been posted or new questions arise.

1. I have noticed FIRST Choice opens Mon, what parts do you think a rookie team like us should get.

2. I have Noticed that the GTX 560 is really cheap on FIRST Choice, do you think it would be a good idea to get these and sell them to raise money? (Is this even allowed?)

3. What kind of parts and tools do you think we should buy?

I will update this list as new question arise.

Thanks in advance!

About the only thing I could say you'd use with near-absolute certainty is something like the Talon speed controller or another battery. Your rookie kit will cover a lot of these things, and others are all going to depend on your game strategy. Tools like the circular saw, right angle drill, and multimeter (that's a nice one--we got it last year) will depend on what's already available to you.

Selling parts from the kit (and FIRST Choice is part of the kit) is frowned upon in the strongest of terms. Incorporating unused items in other team projects fares much better.

There are many threads on CD for parts and tools. AndyMark and Vex Robotics (also referred to as IFI around here for their parent company) are the two 800-pound gorillas of FRC-specific parts, but suppliers like McMaster-Carr, 80/20, Grainger, and even your local hardware store are all great suppliers to work with. We've found great success with square tubing and riveted gussets, but your team will have a particular style develop around its resources and expertise. There are tons of wrong ways to build an FRC robot, but also many valid ones.