How do I hook up the motors to the wheels?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Austin.Loach

The whole robot is going to be about 3 feet tall and a foot and a half wide and long. The whole thing made of aluminum (idk how much that would weigh). And the arm would have to move nothing but itself. I will have 4 motors for the drivetrain and one for each arm.

This helps!

That's more or less the size class of a FIRST Tech Challenge robot (their size limit is 18" cubed). That says to me that a NeveRest motor is probably the scale to be using for this. Not that you can't use a CIM or other motors, but they're probably going to be overkill.

I can't say for certain without seeing the design, but I'd bet a few judiciously-used NeveRest motors and some 1/16" wall aluminum shapes (okay, maybe a little 1/8" in high-load areas) would get you pretty far.

[hrench]

I think if you have an FRC team near you, you should go visit them and see if they'll let you just pick through their boxes and see what they're willing to give you.

My team still has boxes of mismatched transmissions, Power Wheels transmissions and old motors that I'd never put on a competition robot, etc. If I knew a kid was going to actually use them, I'd be pleased to give them away.

The mentors and seasoned members can give you advice too. Way better in person than on CD.

Good Luck!