VEX Start Kit Projects

[skimoose]

Originally Posted by seg9585

Was wondering if anyone could help me out here..
I bought the VEX Starter Kit and Programming Kit, and want to make something cool (either a ping pong ball launcher, or some sort of grabber device). However, I've been trying dozens of different combinations of designs with the parts I have from just the starter kit, and I just dont have enough parts to make anything useful it seems. I dont have any tools to use to cut or bend metal, and I cant spend much more money besides some small parts from Home Depot, and I was wondering if anyone had any examples or suggestions for making something using ONLY the starter kit...
Thanks...

Make parts out of what ever you have, can find, or buy. Use new or used wood, plastic pipe, sheet plastic, cardboard, etc. You can make an awful lot of parts out of 1/16" Lexan which is available at Home Depot in small sheets for under $15. A 10' length of 1/2" CPVC pipe in the plumbing dept. is about $3. Invest in a hacksaw and you can cut all your Vex metal, plastic, wood, and Lexan with one tool.

Don't limit your ideas to using only Vex parts. There are a lot of other toy parts that can be modified to work with Vex. Just think outside the box. Every time I go shopping (including grocery shopping) or find something interesting I try to think of a robotics use for what I see.

Have Fun and Good Luck.